Visiting Washington, D.C., moving here, or live here already? This post outlines the best places to hang out, eat, and stay! I have lived around this area for four years and these are my favorite things to do in Washington DC.
How to get to Washington DC
If you are flying into Dulles, you are in for some luck because the airport is easy to navigate. You can also fly into BWI, but this airport is much further away from the city. If you are renting a car, then I suggest downloading a parking app to find affordable parking ( I use the panda parking app). Lyft and Uber are both great ways to get around the city. I have even used Lyft’s mobile app to rent a scooter, which was a brilliant way to see the city! Washington, D.C. also has busses and the metro available. My favorite public transportation is the water taxi in Washington, D.C.
Things To Do in Washington DC
Visit the Wharf Waterfront
As mentioned, there is a water taxi you can take from old town Alexandria to the wharf. It goes all around DC and you can check out their Potomac River Boat water taxi schedule here. It’s $10 per adult one way. It’s perfect for the summertime to go enjoy the view as you cruise your way into The Wharf. Street Parking in Old Town Alexandria is easy to find if you drive around for a few minutes. Street parking at the Wharf on the hand is non-existent and you’ll pay a lot to park there and also a lot more to park at the garage that is on location. Always check street signs to see if you need to pay for street parking.
The Wharf waterfront in Washington, D.C. is full of restaurants, coffee shops, swings, and rooftop restaurants. Whenever I get asked where to go in DC, this is my first response. The Wharf homes a venue called The Anthem, where you can go to see live concerts and shows. One of my favorite things to do is restaurant hop and order an appetizer at each restaurant (or appetizer at one restraint, the main course at another, and dessert somewhere special to end the night). This also allows you to check out the vibes in each place!
Picnic at Gravelly Point
Gravelly Point is perfect for a relaxing afternoon on a huge grassy field. A lot of people come here with their dogs or bring soccer balls to kick around. My favorite, of course, is to bring a picnic and watch the planes fly above! They take off from the airport about every 10 to 15 minutes.
Visit the Cherry Blossoms
It took me a while to visit the Cherry Blossoms in Washington, D.C. because they are not around for a very long time and I would always miss it. The blossoms are only out for about three weeks so make sure to plan accordingly! Check online each year to see when they are estimating peak blossom, but it typically happens at the beginning of April.
Walk around The Yard
The Yard is full of restaurants and shops. It has plenty of street parking ( the first thing I think of before going somewhere). This is a great place to stroll around the waterfront and enjoy being outside.
Check out DC City Center
DC City Center is in the middle of DC. It’s another amazing shopping center that has trendy restaurants. Parking is a little trickier here in this busy area so I suggest purchasing garage parking. It’s a fantastic time to walk around the shops and eat!
Play Basketball at Stead Park
Steak Park is located in the middle of a busy city area but it is worth checking out. It is surrounded by some residential buildings. If your hungry, there are some restaurants pretty close by if you want to come ball and then go eat! The graffiti art on this wall is the perfect backdrop as you make some basket dunks!
Walk through the U.S. National Arboretum
The U.S. National Arboretum is one of my favorite places to visit in the city. It helps me get away from the concrete jungle! They have several rooms with different climates for each plant group. My favorite room is the cactus room. Around the holidays they decorate. For example, for Christmas, they have a cute little train set up in one of the main rooms that’s riding around and makes noises. Choo Choo!
Kayaking
My love of Kayaking started with Boating in DC. I think this is a great way to spend a sunny day (always wear sunscreen!). It’s noteworthy to mention the water can be a little dirty around the city). Kayaking here was fine when I went but I’d probably try to make sure it hadn’t rained hard in the last few days before going.
Check out the Gardens at the National Cathedral
It’s so gorgeous to walk around this Cathedral! They have a walk through garden nearby with a huge pond. This is a great place to meet puppies walking around. The National Cathedral also throws super fun events. For example, the night that I went, they were playing a movie on a huge screen in the church.
Museums
Artechouse
The Artechouse maybe small in size with one large room lined with a bar and three side rooms. Yet, it is truly entertaining to go check out and play with their interactive light displays. Their installations are mostly interactive beams of pure light and touch screen art, but they also have strobe lights timed in an artistic manner. This museum changes its displays quite frequently so check out the Artechouse Museum details on their site.
The Smithsonian American Art Museum
This Museum is upstairs from the Smithsonian National Portraits Gallery so you can hit two museums at once! I am super into modern art so I spent most of the visit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum upstairs checking out some of the cool neon lights. This neon sign of Hawaii is a small part of a larger United States map neon sign. If you venture back downstairs, you will come to a gorgeous inside courtyard where you can sit and hang out.
National Gallery of Art Museum
When I found out the National Gallery of Art Museum has this amazing tunnel, I immediately scheduled a friend date to go check it out! It was so fun to check out the lights riding back and forth in a conveyor belt. There is also a walkway for you to pass through. This museum is humongous including an inside tree, a cafe, an ice skating rink, a sculpture garden, and gallery shops.
Walk around the National Mall
Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial (built for the 16th president of the United States of American) is located on the western end of the National Mall. I can’t even describe how fun it is to walk around there, but I will try anyway. I highly recommend during the daytime or the nighttime!
As you come up to the Lincoln Memorial you walk up amazing stairs to the Lincoln Statue. I suggest you get there early if you want to take photos because this monument gets packed full of tourist later on in the day all week long.
World War II Memorial
Its amazing to walk around the monuments for fresh air, history, and beautiful parks. This was a great place to take a stroll! the World War II Memorial circles around a humongous fountain that a lot of people like to sit and walk around.
Comedy Clubs
My happiest moments in life are when I soak in an amazingly delivered joke. It gives my whole body life when I laugh. My favorite place to see comedy at is the D.C. Improv. It is a tiny and more intimate comedy club. I suggest going to a paid show and not going to a free night if you are on a date!
Sports
Hockey and Basketball at the Capitol One Arena
I won’t say that I know a lot about any one sport in general, but I enjoy the atmosphere and love going to huge events with friends! The Capitol One Arena has a lot of basketball games, hockey games, and music concerts.
Baseball at National Stadium
I’ve been to a handful of baseball games throughout the year! It’s always a blast to gather up the friends and grab some hotdogs while watching a game at the Nationals Park.
Soccer at Audi Field
This soccer field, Audi Field, just opened up this year and is super easy to navigate and get to! I hung out at The Yard during the day (where I kept my car street parked) and then took a short 10 minute Uber over to Audi field when I watched my first major league soccer game.
Football at FedEx Field
I brought my parents to their first ever NFL game at the FedEx Field, and we had a blast! The only thing I didn’t realize is that football fans who are on the bottom level, stand for the entire game! It’s not like this at the other sports games I’ve been to, so I suggest getting second level seats.
Where to Eat!
Modern Market
I have enjoyed eating at Modern Market for healthy food. The photograph below shows off their DC location. They also have locations in Maryland, Arizona, Texas, and Colorado. Noteworthy, the dc location does not offer pizza, but the Maryland locations do. My favorite items to order from Modern Market is the Steak Plate and Tofu Plate. If you’ve ever wanted to try tofu, but weren’t sure on how to make it at home, and you weren’t sure about ordering it somewhere, get it here! It’s a total tofu game changer, I’ve started even buying it in the grocery store because they have me hooked! Modern Market also has sandwiches (I like the bacon lettuce and tomato), curry bowls, soups, salads, treats, amazing lemonade, coffee, kombucha, and treat options like chocolate chip cookies and brownies.
Ocean Prime
If you looking for a nice romantic dinner or celebrating, Ocean Prime is the place for you! I have even visited this restaurant in other states. While I was in California, I checked Ocean Prime there in Malibu and wrote about my experience in my California Roadtrip post here. They also have locations in Colorado, Arizona, Texas, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and three locations on Florida.
Leon
I’m a sucker for Leon’s Truffled Portobello & Halloumi Sandwich (which is pictured below). I totally loved their baked fries, roasted sweet potato falafel wrap, and pesto chicken meatballs. Leon prides themselves on fast and healthy food. If you go to their website and sign up for their Leon lovers club you can get exclusive tasting and offers including 40% off after 5 pm. Leon also has breakfast deals for $5.50!
Coming soon: Places to stay in Washington, D.C.
I always love checking out Airbnb’s whenever I go somewhere! I highly recommend checking some out in the area to stay at.
I’ll be reviewing some hotels and adding them to this post later on!
Do me a favor, if you enjoyed reading this post and got some helpful information out of it, please share it on social media and with your friends!
Leave a comment below on what activities made your list from the things to do in Washington DC list! If you enjoyed
Xo,
Kit Stanwood
Robin Fisher says
Washington DC is an amazing City! I love the restaurant scene, and have visited a lot of the locations that you have highlighted. But this post has given me a few more ideas for this summer.
Love your looks!
Rachel says
DC is on my bucket list!
So many great recommendations on your list!
I never thought to plan my trip in order to see the cherry blossoms but after seeing your photos that is a must.
Stunning photography throughout!
Katy says
Washington DC is one of my favorite places! 🙂 I did a lot of what you mentioned here, but made a few notes for my next visit!
Katy Kozee says
My daughter and I are planning a mother daughter trip to DC soon and I know she’ll love visiting all the places you’ve listed. Can’t wait to visit the Arboretum!
kitstanwood@gmail.com says
Thats wonderful! I wish y’all amazing weather on your vacation. The Arboretum is one of my favorites! I love the desert – cactus room the most. Enjoy your time in D.C. and let me know how it goes!
Kenya Chestnut says
You are absolutely beautiful. I love Washington DC . I plan to visit soon with my boyfriend I will definitely keep these places in mind .
Alexandra says
we’ve visited Washington few years ago! It was May and tulips were in full bloom – beautiful city! one of my favourite in US. Next time we’ll be coming with our son. Your guide is very useful, thank you 🙂
Natalia says
This guide is so cute and useful! Im going to DC in a couple of weeks will use your tips for touristing!
kitstanwood@gmail.com says
Thank you so much!!! I’m so glad you will be visiting! Welcome to D.C.! Let me know what you end up doing here and if you need anymore suggestions on anything in particular!
Christian Karega says
It’s so great to get suggestions from a local. Washington D.C. has so much to offer, this is urging me to go back and check out the National Arboretum and the Artechouse. And def grab that yummy looking sammy at Ocean Prime while I’m at it!