Favorites in Washington, DC

Favorites in Washington, DC

After going to college in the area, and spending the majority of my twenties in DC, I amassed a collection of favorites bars, restaurants, activities, and coffee shops. Here you'll find my tried and true favorites, plus some recommendations from my current local friends there.
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Hotels

InterContinental the Willard Washington D.C., an IHG Hotel
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Perfect walking distance to all the classic DC monuments and restaurants.
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The Mayflower Hotel, Autograph Collection
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Great location between downtown and Dupont Circle.
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JW Marriott Washington, DC
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Close to the White House, a metro station, and great restaurants.
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Hamilton Hotel DC
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An absolute DC classic, there's a great concert venue and restaurant here as well.
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Capital Hilton
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For those who love to stick to the Hilton loyalty program.
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Marriott Marquis Washington, DC
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For those who love to stick to the Marriott loyalty program.
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Grand Hyatt Washington
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For those who love to stick to the Hyatt loyalty program. Great location in Chinatown.
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Chester A. Arthur Bed and Breakfast
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A great option for more of a neighborhood joint in Logan Circle, but still close enough to downtown.
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Tabard Inn
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Dupont Circle is always a great place to stay, and there's a delicious restaurant in this hotel.
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Bars

Jack Rose Dining Saloon
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A classic Adam's Morgan bar with some great 2nd floor patio space overlooking 18th Street.
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Muzette
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If you love private room karaoke - this is the spot for you. This was always our special occasion event for our friend group!
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Showtime Lounge
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I love a good dive bar, and this one is hard to beat. There will often be live music, there are always movies playing (probably in black and white), and it's cash only. The best part - Granny & the boys usually plays there (a fabulous band).
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TAKODA Beer Garden & Rooftop Bar
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It's been awhile since I've been to this bar, but it was all the rage when it opened up ~7 years ago. With a very aesthetic interior and great views of U street, I'm sure it's still a winner.
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Dacha Beer Garden (Shaw)
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A fantastic beer garden in DC - with great pretzels, very LGBTQIA+ friendly, German beers, and a cozy patio.
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Cafe Citron
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A great place to salsa dance!
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Board Room
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The name says it all - a great bar to enjoy something other than just drinking, board games!
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El Rey
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I'm biased because this bar opened up a ~5 minute walk from my house and so I frequented it a lot - but they have the best margaritas, micheladas, and nachos in the city!
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Franklin Hall
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A fun beer hall with games and a huge bar - this was always a great place to meet people!
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Bluejacket
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A perfect place to grab a beer before a Nats or DC United game!
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Lost Society
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A classic DC bar on 14th & U St - can't go wrong with this choice.
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the Gibson
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My favorite speak easy in the city! Great for a date night filled with cocktails.
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Left Door
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An intimate cocktail bar that's a little lesser known - perfect for a date!
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Murphy's Grand Irish Pub
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My friends and I would often travel from DC to Alexandria just to go to this Irish pub for the beer, vibes, and live music.
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Hill Country Barbecue Market
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Delicious BBQ served cafeteria style, and karaoke and dancing in the basement?! Sign me up.
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Dan's Cafe
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The diviest dive bar - cash only, menus that are spelled wrong on pieces of cardboard, everything is sticky, there's a pool table that no one has ever played pool on and is only used as a table. The best part - when you order a drink, it comes in a squeeze bottle, with a chaser, and you're given shot glasses to drink out of.
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Restaurants

Jaleo by José Andrés
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Delicious tapas, and Jose Andres can't miss.
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Oyamel Cocina Mexicana
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A tasty Mexican restaurant in Penn Quarter, perfect for after exploring the monuments.
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Zaytinya by José Andrés
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I always recommend this place for amazing Mediterranean food when they come to DC, and any Jose Andres restaurant is a hit!
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Founding Farmers & Distillers
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A DC classic with tons of seating, a diverse menu, and tasty drinks.
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The Red Hen
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Located in charming Bloomingdale, Red Hen has some of the best pasta in the city, in a romantic atmosphere with a garden in the backyard.
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Shaw's Tavern
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A neighborhood joint with great food and a nice patio.
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The Salt Line
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An oyster and seafood bar in Navy Yard with yummy drinks.
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Lupo Verde
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Even after moving from DC years later, I still think of Lupo Verde. In a charming corner location on 14th street, this is one of my favorite Italian spots that I always recommend to people.
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Old Ebbitt Grill
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A DC classic that appears on every touristy list on the internet - adjacent to the White House with a historic feel.
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Le Diplomate
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The most well known French restaurant in the city - order the steak frites and sit on the patio.
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Barcelona Wine Bar
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A perfect place for happy hour, tapas, and red wine.
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SUNdeVICH
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The coolest, funkiest sandwich joint in the city. Each sandwich is named after a city throughout the world, with it's ingredients inspired by said city.
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All-Purpose Shaw
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An amazing pizza place located in one of the best neighborhoods, Shaw.
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Maydan
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Incredible North African and Middle Eastern cuisine with multiple locations.
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DAIKAYA
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The best ramen in the city on the first floor, with an incredible izakaya restaurant on the second floor,
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Bantam King
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Daikaya's sister restaurant, located in an old Burger King, with the decor honoring that.
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Momiji
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When I lived in Chinatown, this was our group's favorite spot to grab sushi. The quality was delicious, it was quick, and it had the most fun rolls - try the valentine roll while you're here!
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Rose's Luxury
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A Michelin star rated restaurant in Capitol Hill.
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Brunch

Busboys and Poets
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An absolute staple in the city - amazing food with a bookstore inside.
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Ted's Bulletin
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The best poptarts are made here, in an elevated diner experience with a few locations.
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Cava Mezze
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This was our group's favorite bottomless brunch location in Capitol Hill. Fun fact - this started the beloved Cava chain.
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Ambar Shaw
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Spice up your normal brunch with this Balkan cuisine.
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RedRocks Columbia Heights
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A bottomless brunch favorite for our group in Columbia Heights.
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Boundary Stone
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A fantastic bar and restaurant in the charming Bloomingdale neighborhood.
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Barrel
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A great date spot or place to go out with friends in Capitol Hill.
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Green Pig Bistro
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A delicious restaurant in Arlington if you're across the river in Virginia.
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Maketto
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Located on H Street, a clothing store on the bottom with a restaurant is the epitome of this neighborhood.
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Boqueria Dupont
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An amazing tapas place in Dupont Circle that's perfect for bottomless brunch or a nice dinner out.
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Lavagna
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Get the spaghetti carbonara and thank me later.
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Duke's Grocery
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I've been here for dinner, I've been here for drinks, I've been here for brunch - it's casual but with charm.
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Nellie's Sports Bar
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An LGBTQIA+ friendly sports bar on the heart of U Street Corridor?! It's the best.
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Coffee Shops & Bakeries

A Baked Joint
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Come for the delectable baked goods, stay for the coffee. This is a great, spacious, welcoming place in Chinatown.
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Compass Coffee
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Started by two guys that got out of the military, this DC based coffee chain serves delicious coffee and pastries with lots of places to work.
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The Wydown Coffee Bar
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A relaxing coffee shop on 14th Street.
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The Coffee Bar
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Quintessential DC coffee shop, perfect for a Saturday morning pop in.
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La Colombe Coffee Roasters
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This popular chain in the city has a few different locations, but the one in Blagden Alley might be the best.
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The Royal
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Located in an old liquor store, this corner spot is a cute place to grab breakfast.
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Slipstream
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A great coffee shop option to pop in while perusing Logan Circle.
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Museums

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
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Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
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Smithsonian National Museum of American History
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National Museum of African American History and Culture
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United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
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National Portrait Gallery
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International Spy Museum
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Activities

Capitol City Circus School
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An amazing place to take trapeze lessons - with both indoor and outdoor options.
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Ford's Theatre
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Best known for where Lincoln was assassinated, this beautiful theater is still home to active plays today.
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Smithsonian National Zoological Park
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The best free zoo I've ever been to.
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Washington Union Station
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A metro station connected to an amtrak station, this stunning building is where you hop on the train to NYC, Philly, Richmond, etc.
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Eastern Market
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The most expansive market in the city, with lots of food options, gifts, and decor.
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The Wharf DC
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What was once a classic fish market when I first moved to DC, is now a bustling harbor with a concert venue, condos, bars, and restaurants.
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Landmarks

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
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A stunning venue that hosts plays, concerts, and operas.
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National Mall
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The main strip of landmarks and museums live on the National Mall.
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Nationals Park
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Home of the Washington National's baseball team.
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Audi Field
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Home of the DC United soccer team and located by the National's Stadium.
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Tidal Basin
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Where the infamous cherry blossom festival is. The tidal basin with the Thomas Jefferson memorial and Washington Monument in the background is my favorite spot in DC.
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Union Market
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One of the original food halls in the city that also hosts shopping vendors, events, and concerts.
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Lincoln Memorial
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Classic DC landmark located on the National Mall.
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Washington Monument
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Classic DC landmark located on the National Mall.
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Library of Congress
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Close to the White House, this stunning building is worth a visit. If you have a DC library card, you can enter for free.
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The White House
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Classic DC landmark located on the National Mall.
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Thomas Jefferson Memorial
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Classic DC landmark located south of the National Mall.
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United States Capitol
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Classic DC landmark located on the National Mall.
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Arlington National Cemetery
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A beautiful and moving burial ground of US military members.
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Air Force Memorial
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Meant to mimic a fighter jets contrails, this is one of the more creative DC landmarks.
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US Marine Corps War Memorial
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A lesser known DC landmark, but worth the visit across the river.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hi! I'm Bethany, an explorer with a passport stamped in 52 countries. Having called three different nations home, I've cultivated a deep appreciation for the cultures our world offers. By day, I navigate a full-time job outside the travel sphere, which fuels my passion for crafting concise yet insightful guides to the remarkable places I've been lucky enough to travel to. Embarking on a journey with me means embracing a blend of adventure, relaxation, and immersion in local customs. As a solo female traveler, I've ventured through 21 countries, and I'm here to share insights on safety and the empowering experience of navigating the globe alone. A glimpse into my roots reveals an American spirit born in Seoul, nurtured in Germany during my childhood, and blossomed in the United States. A decade in the vibrant DC area enriched my life with a wealth of experiences that I'm eager to recommend. Now, I find myself based in Denver, Colorado, brimming with tips for skiing and snowboarding in the winter, and hiking and camping in the summer. Whether it's strolling through historic cityscapes or savoring the diverse flavors of the world, I'm an enthusiast for walking tours and foodie adventures. Balancing a demanding full-time job with an insatiable wanderlust, I make it a goal to take at least three international trips a year, and monthly domestic trips. Join me on this adventure, and let's explore the world together—one destination at a time!
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