Guidebook for Washington
Sightseeing
Make reservations in advance and avoid the lines/sold out nature of taking the elevator to the top. It's a treat. Reserve in advance here http://www.nps.gov/wamo/planyourvisit/index.htm
790 locals recommend
Washington Monument
2 15th St NWMake reservations in advance and avoid the lines/sold out nature of taking the elevator to the top. It's a treat. Reserve in advance here http://www.nps.gov/wamo/planyourvisit/index.htm
Great way to see the sites with Bikeshare stations all over the city. 2 stations really close to our house. https://secure.capitalbikeshare.com/map/
211 locals recommend
Capital Bikeshare
Great way to see the sites with Bikeshare stations all over the city. 2 stations really close to our house. https://secure.capitalbikeshare.com/map/
Get there when it opens to have a turn at riding in the simulators. These are cool and when the museum is in full swing, have long lines. Like many museums, weekdays may be less crowded.
809 locals recommend
National Air and Space Museum
600 Independence Ave SWGet there when it opens to have a turn at riding in the simulators. These are cool and when the museum is in full swing, have long lines. Like many museums, weekdays may be less crowded.
Be prepared for it. Emotive and extremely well-done museum. Some exhibits blocked from small children's view due to the content. Ties learning into present day global realities. Worth experiencing.
192 locals recommend
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl SWBe prepared for it. Emotive and extremely well-done museum. Some exhibits blocked from small children's view due to the content. Ties learning into present day global realities. Worth experiencing.
A wonderful surprise often skipped by tourists and I think VERY worth it. Can see in an hour or so but could linger longer depending on the displays and how much you geek out. Building is stunning inside.
314 locals recommend
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave SEA wonderful surprise often skipped by tourists and I think VERY worth it. Can see in an hour or so but could linger longer depending on the displays and how much you geek out. Building is stunning inside.
Food Scene
Good Thai food - They also deliver if you want to eat in.
106 locals recommend
Beau Thai Mount Pleasant
3162 Mt Pleasant St NWGood Thai food - They also deliver if you want to eat in.
Local mom and pop restaurant with good breakfasts/lunch. Nice café con leche and "breakfast nachos".
11 locals recommend
Don Jaime's Restaurant
3209 Mount Pleasant Street NorthwestLocal mom and pop restaurant with good breakfasts/lunch. Nice café con leche and "breakfast nachos".
Great fajitas and has live music many nights a week--walking distance.
45 locals recommend
Haydee's Restaurant
3102 Mt Pleasant St NWGreat fajitas and has live music many nights a week--walking distance.
Who doesn't love a HUGE pizza sometimes? My fave is the one with truffle oil. They also have an affordable plain pizza ($10 or so) and they will deliver so you can always add fixin's too.
16 locals recommend
Radius Pizza
3155 Mount Pleasant Street NorthwestWho doesn't love a HUGE pizza sometimes? My fave is the one with truffle oil. They also have an affordable plain pizza ($10 or so) and they will deliver so you can always add fixin's too.
Wok and Roll
Japanese/Chinese Sushi has a lot of fish (so good fish to rice ratio in your rolls).
Well we have to recommend a great Peruvian restaurant and this has wonderful atmosphere AND food. Try a Pisco sour, ceviche and the Lomo Saltado. I also like their quinoa and avocado starter.
6 locals recommend
Las Canteras Peruvian Restaurant & Bar
2307 18th Street NorthwestWell we have to recommend a great Peruvian restaurant and this has wonderful atmosphere AND food. Try a Pisco sour, ceviche and the Lomo Saltado. I also like their quinoa and avocado starter.
CAVA
3105 14th St NWMediterranean build-your-own salad or rice bowl with lots of great options.
Rasika
633 D St NWVery beautifully done Indian food.
This is an indoor foodie market with restaurants and upper end food stalls (cheeses from all over, meat and fish market, veggies, hand made chocolates, etc.) Outdoor tables available as well--There is nothing really around this location I'd send you to but if you have a car and like food markets, this one is good.
906 locals recommend
Union Market
1309 5th St NEThis is an indoor foodie market with restaurants and upper end food stalls (cheeses from all over, meat and fish market, veggies, hand made chocolates, etc.) Outdoor tables available as well--There is nothing really around this location I'd send you to but if you have a car and like food markets, this one is good.
Parks & Nature
Access the park and all the biking/hiking trails from the house...Less than half a mile away.
9 locals recommend
Rock Creek Park Bike Trail
Access the park and all the biking/hiking trails from the house...Less than half a mile away.
Walk to the free zoo from the house (and when it gets hot outside, you just might get sprayed with water by one of the apes if you stand in the designated spot).
771 locals recommend
Smithsonian National Zoological Park
3001 Connecticut Ave NWWalk to the free zoo from the house (and when it gets hot outside, you just might get sprayed with water by one of the apes if you stand in the designated spot).
Great paved and flat bike trail that runs about 40 miles and takes you out to the Virginia countryside and wine country. Some cute towns along the way as well (Leesburg is pretty cute for an older downtown area with antique shops, boutiques and a few good restaurants)
17 locals recommend
W&OD Trailhead
Washington and Old Dominion Railroad TrailGreat paved and flat bike trail that runs about 40 miles and takes you out to the Virginia countryside and wine country. Some cute towns along the way as well (Leesburg is pretty cute for an older downtown area with antique shops, boutiques and a few good restaurants)
Another easy bike trail that is flat and paved and takes you to Old Town Alexandria.
31 locals recommend
Mount Vernon Trail
Mount Vernon TrailAnother easy bike trail that is flat and paved and takes you to Old Town Alexandria.
Drinks & Nightlife
Live free jazz 7 days a week--Has food too. Lots of live music along this hip Adam's Morgan St. as well as some great restaurants.
11 locals recommend
Columbia Station
2327 18th St NWLive free jazz 7 days a week--Has food too. Lots of live music along this hip Adam's Morgan St. as well as some great restaurants.
This bar and many all along this neighborhood enclave of just a few blocks offers restaurants and laid back bars mostly catering to younger professionals who like to hang out and have a few drinks or some food --not a "scene" but a happening little local hangout with lots of nice outdoor eateries and bars (we go sometime and feel fine as there are always some of us over 40 crowd mixed in as well). A much more mellow version of Adam's Morgan without as much nightlife or variety.
67 locals recommend
Kangaroo Boxing Club
3410 11th Street NorthwestThis bar and many all along this neighborhood enclave of just a few blocks offers restaurants and laid back bars mostly catering to younger professionals who like to hang out and have a few drinks or some food --not a "scene" but a happening little local hangout with lots of nice outdoor eateries and bars (we go sometime and feel fine as there are always some of us over 40 crowd mixed in as well). A much more mellow version of Adam's Morgan without as much nightlife or variety.
Blues and other types of music at this iconic neighborhood bar. Red heads drink for free :).
123 locals recommend
Madam's Organ
2461 18th St NWBlues and other types of music at this iconic neighborhood bar. Red heads drink for free :).
Everything Else
Need pampering after walking all over creation? Good massage chairs and free mimosas, tea or water while you have your services done (mani/pedis, waxing, massage, etc.) Liveliest st.in Adam's Morgan
8 locals recommend
Enchanted Nails & Spa
2324 18th St NWNeed pampering after walking all over creation? Good massage chairs and free mimosas, tea or water while you have your services done (mani/pedis, waxing, massage, etc.) Liveliest st.in Adam's Morgan
For the boutique shoppers and foodies. Plenty of restaurants and shops to help you part with your vacation money :). The harbor here is a nice place to have drinks or dinner as well.
664 locals recommend
Georgetown
For the boutique shoppers and foodies. Plenty of restaurants and shops to help you part with your vacation money :). The harbor here is a nice place to have drinks or dinner as well.
Quaint boutiques, restaurants and near the water...the Virginia version of Georgetown kind of (less college students).
393 locals recommend
Old Town
Quaint boutiques, restaurants and near the water...the Virginia version of Georgetown kind of (less college students).
Arts & Culture
Great collection and on Friday evenings Spring through Fall the nearby sculpture garden offers free, outdoor concerts of all kinds of music--often jazz, salsa, etc. Take a picnic or buy food there.
385 locals recommend
National Gallery of Art
Constitution Avenue NorthwestGreat collection and on Friday evenings Spring through Fall the nearby sculpture garden offers free, outdoor concerts of all kinds of music--often jazz, salsa, etc. Take a picnic or buy food there.
Shopping
Food indoors and all sorts of local artisans outside. Fun stop on a weekend for food and outdoor market shopping. Easy to combine with the Capital and/or the Library of Congress.
699 locals recommend
Eastern Market
225 7th St SEFood indoors and all sorts of local artisans outside. Fun stop on a weekend for food and outdoor market shopping. Easy to combine with the Capital and/or the Library of Congress.
Great local boutique for women and very reasonably priced. Near a great coffee, pastry and lunch spot too only known by locals...Kafe Leopold.
10 locals recommend
Violet Boutique
1924 8th St NWGreat local boutique for women and very reasonably priced. Near a great coffee, pastry and lunch spot too only known by locals...Kafe Leopold.