Watching the inauguration has me reminiscing about my time in Washington, DC, but not just as an adult. Growing up, my family was fortunate enough to take family vacations to big cities, one being Washington, DC which later became my unexpected home for 6 years after college.
I say unexpected because I’m not totally into politics (like, I can’t debate politics well) and you would think, someone without those strengths would definitely not want to move to DC. Believe it or not, there is a lot more to DC than politics BUT you can’t go to DC and miss those two things 😂 After graduating college, I was looking for a meeting planner role and noticed there were a wealth of jobs that fit what I was looking for. I started applying and ended up moving there 3 months later and instead of staying 2 or so years, I stayed for 6!
Going back to my family vacations: they always took place during the hottest week of the summer and it somehow always lined up around my period, yes even at 11 years old. Think of a moody, middle school girl having to walk around an unfamiliar city with her family during the hottest week of the summer, I’m sure it was pleasant 🤣 Regardless, there is always a funny memory from these vacations that have made us laugh through the years afterwards.
The only tip I will be upset if you do not follow - bring good quality comfortable walking shoes, unless you’re willing to spend money on Ubers.
Where to Stay
A vacation to Washington, DC. is unique where some of the tourist sites are in another state, so it actually doesn’t matter if you stay in DC, Maryland or Virginia!
In DC, Chinatown/Convention Centre is probably the most central neighborhood to stay, but hotel prices may be high as it’s close to the convention center and once live events return, that area will be busy!
In Virginia, Old Town is an excellent location as it would be a short metro ride from the Reagan Airport.
The National Harbor is not close to tourist sites or public transportation. You can access DC if you’re staying at the National Harbor by the water taxi or a 45-1 hour drive to see sites. You’ll just have to plan accordingly. But until the events/conferences return, prices to stay may be resonable.
Where to Eat/Drink:
Since it’s been some time since I’ve lived in Washington, DC and with the pandemic, I’m sure the restaurants that were my favorite are long gone.
Eastern Market: This is a my all time favorite activity to do on the weekends. This is an arts and food market with a flea market on the weekends. I always stood in line for the crab cake special at the hot food counter.
Union Market: This was just starting to be built as I left DC. There are a combination of new restaurants, boutiques, rooftop space. Just sounds like a fun time to me!
Nanny O’Briens: Another favorite of mine here. When I moved to DC, I lived in a studio with this Irish pub across the street and I made several friends here. For the first few months, this was a total blessing to have without to complicated of a route to get there. Fun fact: Tim Russert, from Meet the Press, often read his newspaper every Sunday morning until he died. He lived up the street in Cleveland Park! *Also, Nanny O’Brien’s is kid friendly until 9pm - the zoo is closer to the Cleveland Park Metro stop than it is to the suggested metro stop (the more you know😊)
Ben’s Chili Bowl: This is an institution to DC. Nestled on U. Street, close to Howard University, and an an integral part of the neighborhood's history since its founding in 1958. I mean, it’s a chili dog, nothing fancy or gourmet, but is an experience to go and see the history!
What to do:
Other than other normal tourist sites, like the White House, Capitol Building, Arlington National Cemetery and Georgetown, check out:
The Pentagon: My family and I did this (pre 9/11) and I’m not sure I appreciated the tour as much as I did when I toured the Pentagon as an adult after 9/11 and while I was working with the Air Force which just so happened to be the day after Bin Laden’s death.
Smithsonian Museums: I have to say, I’m not a huge museum person but appreciate them at a fast pace. Go to one or all of the museums of your choice because they are free! The African American Museum was still being completed when I was there but I have heard great things from those who have gone!
Within the last 10 years, there is a new Air and Space Museum (making two Air and Space Museums) but this one is not accessible by foot or metro. I would suggest going to both, however the one located on the mall is more space oriented (think spaceships, astronaut suites, etc) and the newer air and space museum is more air (think military air planes in a hangar-esque building). Both are informative and interesting, but not the same and not located in the same area.
Insider Tip: the National Zoo is also considered a Smithsonian and is free, but not located on the National Mall. Guidebooks and the metro map suggest getting off for the zoo at the Woodley Park/National Zoo metro stop, but don’t! Go one stop north and exit the metro at the Cleveland Park metro stop for three reasons:
You’re saving yourself from the tourist crowds (and strollers)
You’re walking downhill to the zoo. Trust me on this one, from an 11 year-old moody girl, I wish I had known this insider tip. I learned this after I moved to DC and laughed out loud remembering how miserable I was walking in the heat up the hill to the zoo with my family.
When you leave the zoo, walk downhill to the Woodley Park/National Zoo metro stop and see all the families/tourists with strollers struggling up the hill to the zoo. In the DC humidity, it’s rough.
The National Mall: This is where most of the Smithsonians and other museums (such as the Newseum and the Holocaust Museum) are located, the monuments, tidal basin, etc. For locals, it’s often a place to go for runs as it’s a wide open area, there are frisbee and flag football games. I frequently enjoyed Jazz Nights at the Sculpture Garden in the summers. As I mentioned before, I’m not a big museum person, but two museums worth paying to see are the Holocaust Museum and the Newseum, which apparently closed before the pandemic.
H Street Corridor: This neighborhood next to Chinatown was just starting to become something during my last few years living in DC. It was funky, fresh and chill with some of the most unique things to do.
Sporting Events: I know there are some who make goals to go to every baseball stadium in the US. The Nationals Stadium is a good one! DC United (soccer), The Washingtons (football), The Wizards (basketball) and the Capitols (hockey) are all entertaining.
Cherry Blossoms: Saved the best for last! Cherry Blossom time was my favorite time in DC. I always went down to the tidal basin to see them but I never went to any Cherry Blossom Festival activities. The hard thing about traveling to see the Cherry Blossoms is the window when the Cherry Blossoms bloom isn’t always accurate so plan your trip towards the middle of the bloom window.
Black Lives Matter Plaza: This clearly came after I left DC but definitely worth a visit
U Street: When I first moved to DC, U Street was still changing. One of my coworkers (a local) even told me not to go there because it wasn’t safe. Obviously, I checked it out 🤷♀️ Honestly, I don’t think I ever had a bad night on U Street. The bars were fun, there were reggae and blues clubs as well as live music venues and good restaurants.
Transportation:
Public Transportation: I love public transportation. If I travel to a city that has it, I’ve done it. DC’s metro is a good system; it definitely does not drop you door to door - therefore the first pro tip - good quality and comfortable walking shoes. Definitely familiarize yourself with the bus system, it will help you from walking everywhere!
Water Taxi: This is a fun mode of transportation to throw into the mix of traveling in DC. About once a summer, I planned a progressive dinner, starting in Old Town, Alexandria and taking the water taxi to Georgetown. This is fun for locals and tourists on a hot summer day to switch things up or to make the trip back into DC shorter (or the trip from DC to Old Town). This company appears to have routes from sporting events as well!
Most Convenient Airport: Personally, I only flew into Reagan. I did fly into Baltimore (BWI) and Dulles only a few times and that’s all it took. For me, I prefer spending just a bit more for convenience of having direct metro access or a cheaper taxi/uber service. The Silver Line on the metro, that travels to Dulles, was under construction when I lived in DC which may be available now, but may not run as frequently.
Street Car: With the revival of the H Street Corridor, came the street car. This took a lot of effort for the community as it kept getting defunded. It’s a great way to get to the H. Street Corridor!
Last Insider Tip: Always check the local tourism website- which has all the updates, newest hotels and restaurant openings and closings, festival lists, etc.
