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TIME TO VISIT DC

Optional title: 8th grade reunion trip!

It’s time to hit up the transplant city of Washington, DC!

If you would have asked me 5 years ago, I would not have guessed that DC/Arlington would be the place I would settle in for 2 years and find my people. Although the nation’s capital is beautiful and rich in history, this was just not where I pictured starting my post grad life. Admittedly, not proudly, I had often skipped my history classes in school and had limited political knowledge. And yes the city is loaded with a lot of these topics, but there is so many other things that make this place memorable and a great place to visit.

After taking a chance on this beautiful city settled in between Maryland and Virginia with close distance to many neighboring East Coast cities, I took the liberty (ahhh DC pun, I’m limiting this to only one) to see and do as much as I could. So while I have only been in the area for 2 years, my busy bee self, has complied a list of tried and true recs. I could go on with so much information but I’m trying to compile it all so let’s get into it.

Where to stay:

  • The city of DC has plenty of options of hotels and Airbnbs. Note that this can get expensive especially if you are visiting in peak cherry blossom or summer time.
  • Arlington, Virginia: this where I lived for my 2 years. Pick an airnbnb or hotel close to a metro stop and use Google maps to see how long it will take to get into DC and what you are willing to do. (FYI Uber is usually going to take the same or longer amount as transit would).
    • For those looking at long term living: I stayed in Courthouse which is an area about 2 miles from the Key Bridge that leads into Georgetown, DC. I loved it here. Generally late 20-to-30-year-olds live here and has good restaurants/things to do but is also quieter.
    • Many young people especially post grad lived in Ballston or Clarendon. There is a collection of bars, restaurants, shops and is residential but busy fun for young people.

Getting around:

  • KEY POINT: Whether you are visiting short term or long term, my biggest recommendation is picking a spot within walking distance to a metro stop. Having a car is expensive and stressful, said by your favorite informed passenger princess. Using the metro in the DC area is very accessible, affordable, generally clean, and safe.
    • The main lines are orange/silver, blue, yellow/green, and red.
    • My opinion of the lines are:
      • Orange/silver hit the major points from getting home to the most attractions in the city of DC.
      • Silver line’s last stop is the Dulles International airport. Helpful for getting to and from this airport.
      • Blue is a transfer line you use to go to business stops, the Arlington Cemetery, and Alexandria.
      • Yellow/Green are a pain to use b/c you almost always transfer but can get to Mt. Vernon’s Square, and Navy Yard
      • Red line goes to the convention center, the zoo, and sporting events in DC.
      • Buy a metro card at any metro station, load about $20-$30 (each ride is about $3 each way per person) and use Apple Maps to figure which way to go and when to get off.
  • Uber, Lyft, and Empower are the riding apps and are very useful if you are out late at night or prefer this. It is pretty expensive city prices.

What To Do:

  • Cherry Blossoms at the Jefferson Memorial: peak season hits around mid March to early April. It gets CROWDED. Go for sunrise to avoid crowds and a special experience
  • Kennedy Center: see a Broadway show or an orchestra performance
  • White House tour: email your senator months in advance to set up a tour
    • Otherwise I would just go to the Washington Monument and turn to see the White House, if you walk towards, you cannot really get close at all and it’s difficult to get pictures
  • World embassies: most are situated on Massachusetts Ave west of DuPont Circle. If you time it right, usually in May, there is Passport DC where almost every embassy is open to the public and offers cultural experiences on the street
  • THE NATIONAL MALL: put on your WALKING SHOES. This is the long strip with grassy patches and lined with trees that hits the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument (aka the pencil), and the US Capital. It is surrounded with museums on each side. They are FREE 99 and INCREDIBLE
    • My favorites and I went to almost all of them: The Portrait Gallery (make a stop at the Kogod Courtyard), National Gallery of art (SO impressive), National Museum of African American History and Culture*, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, United States Botanical Gardens, and National Air and Space Museum*
    • Allow 2-3 hours each museum to see it all
      • *Book tickets 1-3 weeks in advance. You won’t be allowed in without tickets reserved in advance and there is still a line
  • Library of Congress: book tickets in advance, this is so beautiful, must see
  • Jefferson Memorial: so beautiful, another 20 minute walk off to the side of the national mall
  • Martin Luther King Memorial: such a captivating memorial, one of my favorites, can walk through it
  • Mt Vernon: George Washington estate, lot of historical info and pretty scenery
  • Arlington Cemetery: Extensive military cemetery with beautiful scenery
  • Old Post Office Tower: a semi hidden gem, gorgeous free view of the city and can get a REALLY expensive drink in beautiful Waldorf Astoria Hotel afterwards
  • Ford Theatre: where Abe Lincoln was shot, still an operating theatre, tours offered
  • Capital One Arena: see a hockey, basketball game, or concert
  • Georgetown: go shop on M street and then walk to waterfront for a lovely walk or yummy meal
  • Union Market: warehouse with lot of food options, great bar on the rooftop
  • Eastern Market: open daily with food options, but has clothing/cute products on Saturdays/Sundays
  • NATURE:
    • Great Falls: hiking by split by a river, also so beautiful in fall
    • Shenandoah Valley: gorgeous hikes in Virginia about 1.5 hour car trip from Arlington, absolutely STUNNING during the fall
      • COUPLES RETREAT
    • US National Aboretum: picnic and walk around
    • Gravely Point: CUTE picnic with airplanes flying right above
      • Open flight apps to see which planes are above you

Where To Eat, Drink, and Go Out:

  • Old Ebitt’s Grill: oysters in popular historic building near White House
  • Filomena: very popular authentic Italian restaurant (need reservation) with good food in Georgetown
  • Amber: tapas vibes restaurant such good food and cute vibes
  • Zaytina: Mediterranean tapas
  • Navy Yard: any restaurants on waterfront or Datcha Beer Garden
  • Georgetown: any restaurants on the waterfront
  • Arlington bars:
    • Bronsons Bierhall
    • Courthaus Social Beer Garden
    • Clarendon Ballroom
    • Spider Kelly’s
    • O’Sullivans
  • DC Bars:
    • DuPont Circle: Sauf Haus, Public Bar Live
    • Whitlows, Vegas Bar
    • Navy Yard: Dakota, Bullpen (on a Nationals baseball game day)

Wow, so much information, but I tried to drop the highlights for a great experience in a place that stole my heart. I could write so much about my gratitude for this lovely well-rounded city for post grad life. Overall, I am sending my best recommendations to visit the area for a short or long while and I promise your 8th grade inner self will thrive.

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