When you think of the country’s capital, your first thoughts are of the White House, the monuments, and what seems to be endless museums to visit. I, of course, thought about these too and wondered what else there was to do in D.C. But after my trip, I was very surprised about what Washington, D.C. has to offer, so much so that this has became one of my favorite destination in the U.S. Needless to say, four days in this adventurous district was not enough and will leave you longing for more!
I visited Washington, D.C., with my partner, in late March of 2022. During our trip, the weather hovered around mid to high 60oF, which we all know is pretty chilly to me. We stayed at the Renaissance hotel, located near downtown and Chinatown, where it was only a 5-10 mins bus ride to the Smithsonian. We spent most of our days around National Mall, where you’ll find the monuments, memorials, and museums, and then spent one whole day in Georgetown. Everyday was something new to discover and another adventure to go on!
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Getting to and From Washington, D.C.
Getting Around Washington, D.C
How to Get to and From Washington, D.C.
There are 2 airports that will take you to Washington, D.C., both located in Virginia and will require transportation to the city, Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). DCA is closer to Washington D.C. than IAD., however, I flew into IAD with my husband, since we usually fly with United and was the cheaper option for us. From IAD, we each purchased a $5 ticket to take a Silver Line Express bus to the Metrorail station. From the bus station, we walked upstairs, through an open tunnel, over the highway, to reach the entry to the metro. (You can also follow the crowd to the metro station, since most of the passengers on the bus are heading the same way too.) We purchased our metro passes on our phones, instead of a physical card to swipe in and out of the station. (And yes, to our surprise, you have to pay to enter and exit the station.) We then spent $4 per person to ride the train for 40 mins into the city, which in total, cost us $9 each to take the public transit. Beware: The prices of a metro ride varies on the day of the week and the time of the day, with peak hours more expensive and reaching up to $6 and weekends generally half off.
We took the same route for our departure back home. TIP: Arrive to IAD at least 1.5 hours prior to your flight’s boarding time. The airport is a little confusing and you will have to take a shuttle to the departure area. I’ve been to IAD a couple of times, with at least an hour layover, and I was always confused on where to find my gate. I would usually have to ride two shuttles/trains to the correct gate and each time was cutting close to boarding.
Getting Around D.C.
Yay! So, you’ve made it to the city and are probably wondering what’s the best way to get around. Initially, my husband and I thought it would be a good idea to purchase a 3-days unlimited rides pass with SmarTrip, the pubic transit system. We assumed that we would ride the train and buses to get around town, but to be honest, we barely used it. We rode the train probably 3 times (including our transport to and from the airport) and the bus probably 5 times. Keep in mind that the pass does not include the Silver Line Express bus. Looking back, I wouldn’t recommend the unlimited transit pass if you are planning to stay around National Mall, since most of the attractions are located near each other. In the end, it would probably be cheaper to purchase each ride as you go, at least it would have been in our case.
I found that the most convenient option to get around was through renting an electric scooter and walking (so wear your comfortable shoes). You can find an electrical scooter almost anywhere you are, except in the restricted areas like the museums and monuments. It was super easy to hop on and off the scooters from one stop to another, and we definitely used them the most to get around town. Keep in mind that you will have to download the designated app to be able to rent a scooter or a bike. Each “ride” on the scooter will cost you a few cents per minute, depending on the company that you rent with, or you can select other offers that best suits your needs. My husband and I preferred to pay a flat fee for an hour ride, which also allows you to pause and lock the scooter if you want to stop by anywhere. I’m generally anxious when riding these scooters in public. They are pretty fast and I have a fear of crashing or hitting someone, but D.C. had lots of space on the side walks and bike lanes for you to ride in, which made me more comfortable on them. It’s pretty fun once you get the hang of it and become more confident in yourself as the driver! TIP: When using your Maps app, set it to the walking directions instead of the bike. This will give you the quickest and easier direction to get to your destination, since the app is only trying to use known bike lanes when set on the biking directions.
Things to do in Washington, D.C.
One of the best and major annual event to catch in Washington, D.C. is the National Cherry Blossom Festival. It’s the only time of the year where you can see the district outlined with pink flowers from over 3,000 bloomed cherry blossom trees; a gift to Washington, D.C. from the mayor of Tokyo, back in 1912, as a symbol of friendship and diplomacy. The cherry blossoms are estimated to bloom anywhere between late March to mid-April, depending on the year and the environmental conditions. If you are visiting during this season, don’t forget to check out their festival! To get there, you would have to make your way through Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Memorial, where you will get to eat at food trucks, purchase gifts/souvenirs, and watch performers on the main stage. Every week of the festival season offers different activities to participate in, like the Opening Ceremony, Blossom Kite Festival, the National Cherry Blossom Festival parade, and Petalpalooza. (Be sure to check out their website to find the exact dates of each event!) My partner and I were lucky enough to catch the blossoming of these trees on our trip, where we found that the best view was from Tidal Basin! It was absolutely breathtaking! We sat near the water, under the trees, to take in the views and to enjoy the weather. We also wondered around the area to take pictures along the way. We tried our best to capture the beauty of the cherry blossoms, but the photos just doesn’t do it any justice.
There seems to be an endless amount of museums that Washington, D.C. has to offer, that it’s nearly impossible to visit all of them in one visit. My husband and I even spoke to a few locals over dinner, who told us that they haven’t even visited all of them! So don’t beat yourself up if you don’t get to all of it, it’s just another reason to come back! There are currently 17 Smithsonian museums in the city, which are all FREE to enter! However, some may require you to book a time slot online prior to your visit, so be sure to review their website in advance. We only visited 2 museums during our time in D.C. I found it a little difficult to visit more than 2 since most of the museums are opened from 8am to 5pm, with the last entry at 3pm. And of course, we are spending at least 2-3 hours in each museum getting the full experience and at the same time battling our museum fatigue. But don’t get me wrong, the Smithsonian museums were AWESOME and we will definitely be back to visit the others! The first museum we visited was the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which is by far one of our all-time favorite museum we have ever visited. This four level Smithsonian museum did a great job representing and showcasing African American history and its culture. They had displays showing their influence to music and food, items donated from historic African American figures, and the history of slavery and discrimination. During our visit, the museum even had showcases of present day issues like a Breonna Taylor and Trayvon Martin exhibit. This museum was truly powerful and if you only had time for one museum this would be the one I would recommend. Keep in mind that the National Museum of African American History and Culture does require a reserved time slot to enter, and is only opened Wednesday through Sunday from 11am to 4pm. The other Smithsonian museum we visited was the National Archives Museum, which holds an original copy of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. This section of the museum is dim and does not allow any photography. TIP: Keep in mind that you do not have to wait in line to view each document, you could simply just walk up to each when there is an opening.
Of course, you have to visit the monuments and memorials when you go to D.C., or else did you really visit the country’s capital? We took an electric scooter from each monument, which are all relatively close to each other, about a 10-15 min ride in-between. First off was the Washington Monument, which is not hard to miss as you can see the 555ft structure from all corners of the city and across the street from the south lawn (front) of the White House. Down the street from the north lawn of the White House, located on 16th Street NW, you can walk through the historic two blocks pedestrian street with large, yellow letters spelling “BLACK LIVES MATTER.” We also made our way to the State Capital, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, National World War II Memorial, and the U.S. Navy Memorial. And these aren’t even all of what D.C. has! There are so much more across the city, that you could probably just stumble upon them when walking around the area. Most importantly, don’t forget to visit these monuments at night too! It was even more beautiful lit up and my husband and I were very happy that we did this. It gave us a different view in the evening and was way less crowded compared to the day. It was probably one of my favorite things that we did, and I would highly recommend seeing them at night to everyone.
After a morning visit to the Lincoln Memorial, my partner and I took a 20 mins scooter ride to Georgetown. We spent the entire day shopping and eating our way through this neighborhood. I absolutely loved this area, with its cute cobbled stoned street and modern, energetic vibe; it had so many stores, restaurants, and dessert places to stop by in. I was super excited to find dessert stores that I previously thought was only available at other locations, like Levain cookies and Laudree macaroons. My husband and I love these pastries, so we obviously had to stop into each shop to get our fix.
If you follow my blog, you know I will always find my way to the local farmers market. Dupont Circle Farmers Market is located in the heart of Washington, D.C. and is probably one of the largest market that I’ve ever visited. It has over 50 venders selling products and produce and is currently only opened on Sundays from 8:30am to 1:30pm. I was in awe of all of the tents lined up selling a large variety of food, there seemed to be anything and everything you could imagine. There were stands selling seasonal veggies and fruits, meats, bread and baked goods, empanadas, bagel sandwiches, dairy, juice, coffee… pretty much everything. And you know your girl left with some pastries and empanadas in both hands, a definite success in my eyes!
Our hotel was located near D.C.’s Chinatown and we spent a few of our nights walking around this area. The neighborhood was super cute and has many restaurants and bubble tea shops to try. Be sure to stop by the infamous Friendship Arch, which marks the entrance to this historic neighborhood.
Places to Eat in Washington, D.C.
You may have noticed by my other posts that I am a huge foodie. I love trying new things, especially if it’s something I can’t normally get at home. So, I’ll dive into this section with my favorite food experience in Washington, D.C., but beware, this suggestion is not for my fellow budget traveler. My husband, an even bigger foodie than I am, has always wanted to try a Michelin star sushi restaurant, and we thought to ourselves, why not? We booked a reservation with Sushi Nakazawa at their sushi counter, where the service was suburb and the experience itself would leave an impressionable memory. It was a 2 hours experience, which served 20 pieces of Nigiri with fresh fish and shellfish sourced from all over the world, mainly Japan. We got the opportunity to watch our highly skilled and trained sushi chef make each and every roll by hand and delicately place them on our serving plate. It was a magical experience, and if you have it within your budget and love to try new food, I would highly recommend it. However, if you are not a fan of raw sushi, this experience may not be for you.
Another great spot that we dined in (twice) was at Oyamel Cocina Mexicana. This upscale restaurant takes a spin on Mexican food that would send your taste buds to a heavenly overdrive. Their decor and vibrant atmosphere makes it a great place for a night out with loved ones or for a nice romantic evening. Their staff were all knowledgable of the menu and super friendly, they even helped us pick our dishes. We were also recommended to order at least four dishes for the table, since the portions are small. To start off, we tried their shrimp ceviche from their special menu of the night, which was very light and refreshing. We then had the Camarones al mojo de ajo negro (shrimp), Pulpo negra (octopus), Arrachera (Black Angus skirt steak), Plato de Suadero (beef brisket), and Pescado Baja California (fish tacos). And, WOW! Each plate was so delicious and packed with so much flavor. Our favorite dish was the shrimp, which was seasoned to perfection and soaked in a flavorful sauce!! Another favorite was the skirt steak, which was so tender and cooked perfectly. My husband loved the fish tacos, so much that he had to order another one before getting our check. And to round up the night, we tried their Pastel de tres leche con fresca, which was the perfect sweet ending to the meal. This place was great!! I highly recommend you to try it! You would not be disappointed.
A great spot to dine in throughout the day is Founding Farmers DC. It’s a very popular and modern restaurant that serves American comfort food. My husband and I chose to dine in for brunch, which had a lengthy waitlist. (We ended up filling in our time by walking to the White House.) We didn’t reserve online ahead of time, but you can do so on their website or on Google. Once we got our table, I tried their Chicken Pot Pie, which had a buttery, flaky crust that just melted in your mouth. The filling had chicken, carrots, and potatoes that just made you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. My husband ordered the Crab Cake Benedict with hash brown. The dish was overall pretty good and made with large lumps of crab.
On our first night in the city, we stopped by a nearby restaurant, The Capital Burger, for dinner. My husband and I both ordered their signature burger, The Capital Burger, with regular and truffle fries. The burger was decent, but nothing too special, and the truffle fries were pretty good. This place was meant as a quick dinner spot for us, which wasn’t very quick since the kitchen lost our ticket and we ended up waiting 45 mins for a burger. Overall, it was just okay. If you go here, I hope that you’ll have a better experience than we did.
For a filling and cheap lunch, we stopped by DAIKAYA Ramen Shop, a modern and small ramen shop located in Penn Quarter. My husband and I both order their Veggie Ramen with regular egg noodles, which can also be ordered vegan. Their bowls were filled to the top with noodles, veggies, and broth! Overall the veggie ramen was okay, we’ve definitely had better ones elsewhere, but we found that was a great place for a quick bite to eat!
For a quick and cheap bite to eat, try Wiseguy Pizza. There are three locations where you could get pizza by the (oversized) slice, which we stopped by at the Chinatown location. They had so many different and unique pizza to choose from, like Tikka Masala, Buffalo chicken, and Tennessee Hot Chicken pizza. I just stuck to my usual, a slice of the Margarita pizza and a cheese, which were both really good and crispy. The pizza crust is thin and really reminded me of pizza from New York.
Located in Georgetown, another great place for a quick and budget friendly place to eat is Falafel Inc. This Palestinian owned To-Go restaurant serves wraps, bowls, fries, and hummus. My husband and I shared a wrap, that was filled to the rim with falafel, and a side of hummus. The wrap was delicious!! The falafel itself was made really good and was traditionally made perfectly. The hummus on the other hand was decent, but still a great lunch spot for all!
Dessert in D.C.
I mentioned in a previous paragraph about stopping by Levain and Laudree in Georgetown. I love both of these places and would recommend both to try. Be sure to try Levain’s famous chocolate chip walnut cookies, they are huge and always served warm. The melted chocolate chip cookie, with the crunch of both the walnuts and its crispy outing, is something that you would instantly fall in love with. Laudree is my favorite macaroon shop, where I originally tried in Paris. Each macaroon is perfect, no cracks and beautiful to the eye. They have so many flavors to choose from, my favorites are the raspberry, pistachio, and passionfruit. The macaroons are just the right amount of sweetness and melts so perfectly in your mouth with every bite. Both is a must try!
If you love cupcakes, then you should try Baked & Wired. This eccentric neighborhood bakery serves fresh, oversized cupcakes and coffee. Seriously, they are huge and probably weigh at least a quarter of a pound each. We tried the strawberry and lemon cupcake, which were both super fresh and sweet. The strawberry cupcake, a customer favorite, is made with fresh strawberries! Another known cupcake shop is Georgetown cupcakes. However, we didn’t try this place because the line was wrapped around the corner, but it will be on our list for next time!
I LOVE GELATO! And like my other posts, I always have to try all sorts of frozen treats. My husband, knowing my love for them, found a great gelato place for us to try, Pitango Gelato. And let me tell you, it is now one of my favorite places I’ve ever had gelato. We visited the location in Penn Quarter three times throughout our trip, as it is located near the main city with all the monuments and museums. (Be sure to stop by if you have dinner at Oyamel, it is only 2 stores down from there.) The gelato was perfection, so soft and smooth. All the flavors were vibrant and natural that it’s hard to choose which ones you want. It was absolutely so yummy!!! Another gelato shop I tried was Dolcezza Gelato, which was very close to our hotel. They offer unique flavors as well as coffee and drinks. Personally, I’m not a fan of toppings in my frozen desserts, which is why I probably didn’t return to this shop, but overall the gelato was very decadent and just okay.
Overall
Washington D.C. is so much more than it’s historical sites, which is also a great thing to experience too. My husband and I were very pleasantly pleased with every opportunity in this city, especially all of the food options there. (We love trying new food!!) My favorite restaurant experience during the whole trip was Sushi Nakazawa, since it was our first experience in a Michelin star restaurant and my favorite activity was definitely riding the scooters and visiting the monuments at night. This trip is truly one of my top experiences, and I can’t wait to go back! I hope that you will get an opportunity to experience this beautiful city and make your own experiences to hold on to and cherish too.
If you’ve been to Washington D.C., let me know what your favorite experience was! And if you have any tips or advice for our fellow rovers, don’t forget to leave them in the comments.
As always, thanks for being here!
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Lena The Rover 