Jessica And Alan's Guidebook
Food scene
La Coop Coffee
5505 1st St NWDelicious coffee and pastries
Excellent Ethiopian coffee shop with a mix of American and Ethiopian food staples.
17 locals recommend
Büna Coffeehouse
4400 Georgia Ave NWExcellent Ethiopian coffee shop with a mix of American and Ethiopian food staples.
Menya Hosaki
845 Upshur St NWDelicious neighborhood ramen stop.
Timber Pizza Company
809 Upshur St NWTasty brick-oven pizza. A Petworth staple.
Hitching Post Restaurant
200 Upshur St NWClassic southern fare.
LIBRARY TAVERN
5420 3rd St NWNearby bar and Persian cuisine.
Excellent brunch with a charming patio between Petworth and Columbia Heights.
299 locals recommend
The Coupe
3415 11th St NWExcellent brunch with a charming patio between Petworth and Columbia Heights.
A great stop for varied seafood, famous East Coast oysters, and happy hour offerings near historic Logan Circle.
137 locals recommend
Pearl Dive Oyster Palace
1612 14th St NWA great stop for varied seafood, famous East Coast oysters, and happy hour offerings near historic Logan Circle.
Hidden gem of a coffee shop with ample outdoor seating on their spacious back patio. Try the pizza next door!
90 locals recommend
Doubles
3118 Georgia Ave NWHidden gem of a coffee shop with ample outdoor seating on their spacious back patio. Try the pizza next door!
Sightseeing
President Lincoln’s cottage, and the lovely surrounding grounds, are the site of Lincoln’s seasonal retreat where he crafted the Emancipation Proclamation.
126 locals recommend
President Lincoln's Cottage
140 Rock Creek Church Rd NWPresident Lincoln’s cottage, and the lovely surrounding grounds, are the site of Lincoln’s seasonal retreat where he crafted the Emancipation Proclamation.
Beloved DC park, delightful for a picnic and a stroll with spanning views of DC.
445 locals recommend
Meridian Hill Park
W Street NorthwestBeloved DC park, delightful for a picnic and a stroll with spanning views of DC.
A beautiful escape in the middle of the city. Just a short 1-mile walk or ride from the house, explore Rock Creek’s many forest trails.
584 locals recommend
Rock Creek Park
3545 Williamsburg Ln NWA beautiful escape in the middle of the city. Just a short 1-mile walk or ride from the house, explore Rock Creek’s many forest trails.
DC’s famed Zoo (free to visitors, as are all Smithsonian institutions) located in Rock Creek Park.
771 locals recommend
Smithsonian National Zoological Park
3001 Connecticut Ave NWDC’s famed Zoo (free to visitors, as are all Smithsonian institutions) located in Rock Creek Park.
Explore this gothic-style Cathedral and enjoy a picnic or a stroll through the adjacent Bishop’s Garden.
226 locals recommend
Washington National Cathedral
Explore this gothic-style Cathedral and enjoy a picnic or a stroll through the adjacent Bishop’s Garden.
Enjoy the outdoor sculptures and the garden’s large fountain (which is converted to an ice skating rink in the winter months!). In the summers, book your tickets in advance for jazz in the garden.
55 locals recommend
National Gallery of Art - Sculpture Garden
7th Street NorthwestEnjoy the outdoor sculptures and the garden’s large fountain (which is converted to an ice skating rink in the winter months!). In the summers, book your tickets in advance for jazz in the garden.
A must-see among the Smithsonian museums. Plan to stay for several hours.
451 locals recommend
National Museum of African American History and Culture
1400 Constitution Ave. NWA must-see among the Smithsonian museums. Plan to stay for several hours.
National Portrait Gallery
Great museum for kids to explore. It gets crowded so reserve your (free) entry pass in advance.
647 locals recommend
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
10th St. & Constitution Ave. NWGreat museum for kids to explore. It gets crowded so reserve your (free) entry pass in advance.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Exploring DC
Metro and Bus are easy, cost effective ways to get to the city center and the monuments. Once there, the best way to see all the monuments is by renting a bike or a scooter. For more info, see the “Transportation” section of our listing details.