If you are looking for a guide to experience all the historical monuments and government buildings, this guide is not for you. I think there is already plenty of resources out there for the history buffs.
Instead this guide is some of my personal favorite neighborhoods of the city and personal recommendations I would give for shopping, eating and just a little bit of history.
You will may be surprised how much more there is to explore outside of the most famous landmarks!
We loved staying here- Right smack dab in the middle of downtown (Chinatown) and has a beautiful rooftop bar!
Add to
Details
How to Get Around
The DC metro is one of the cleanest public transportation lines I have used in the US. I would use this official guide for navigation, but your map application will work just fine! The only thing you will need to remember is purchasing a transit card to use!
Probably what you think of when you think of DC. There are some obvious choices of famous places to go, but if I had to choose my top five it would be as follows! Plus if you are into local spirits I have a great distillery for you!
Famous place where Presidents live!
You really can only see from a distance
If you want a public tour, you have to plan very far in advance and coordinate with your state representative
We had a great time using lime scooters to tour all the famous memorials in one go. Start at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, then Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial and end at the Lincoln Memorial. These are just a couple of the most famous but that whole area is full of memorials.Â
We decided to take advantage of the cooler temperatures over the summer and take the tour at sundown. Seeing the memorials all lit up was special! But they can be viewed any time of day.Â
When I visited in March this year (2023) the Tidal Basin was SWAMPED with people visiting the Cherry Blossoms. However, once the sun set it was practically empty. A perfect way to tour the place without the crush of crowds :)
This was my favorite museum that I visited on my last trip. Not only is the art fantastic, but the building itself is so beautiful
Add to
Details
Georgetown
One of my favorite neighborhoods. There is history from the Washingtons to the Kennedys, shopping for antiques and small shops and a variety of delicious places for food!
Start with the Embassy of Australia and continue for two miles to see dozens of embassies!
It was so cool seeing all the flags, architecture and public art!
A little bit out of the way, but a historic city that is not to miss. Cobble stone streets where George Washington once walked and on a beautiful river!
Shopping on Kings Street, here are some of my favs!
Hey it's Hayley !!
Latte enthusiast, used bookstore connoisseur and huge fan of walkable neighborhoods
Having spent at least one day and night in 42 states and counting my specialty is traveling within the USA. I grew up in Southern California, lived for six years in Utah, had a brief stint in Orlando and now on year 2 in New York City.
Want to know the cheapest times and places to fly? My day job is a flight attendant based in NYC!
Trains more your speed? I once spent a month backpacking from Utah to Boston using Amtrak!
Love a long road trip? I have driven across the country three times!
After years of travel planning for my friends and family I thought I would share my resources with the world wide web :) I enjoy planning the trips more then actually leaving for the trips so this is the perfect place for me.
