Laura's Guidebook
Sightseeing
If you like strolls, bike rides, or runs next to a river and nature, this paved trail is an excellent place to visit. I cycle and run here and always spot wildlife.
19 locals recommend
Anacostia Riverwalk Trail
Anacostia Riverwalk TrailIf you like strolls, bike rides, or runs next to a river and nature, this paved trail is an excellent place to visit. I cycle and run here and always spot wildlife.
This is an awesome spot to visit, but especially on Saturdays and Sundays when the vendors set up on the street to sell food, art, and other goodies. It’s a must visit.
699 locals recommend
Eastern Market
225 7th St SEThis is an awesome spot to visit, but especially on Saturdays and Sundays when the vendors set up on the street to sell food, art, and other goodies. It’s a must visit.
A great spot to have a picnic and people watch. This place is always a buzz with people socializing and exercising.
106 locals recommend
Lincoln Park
A great spot to have a picnic and people watch. This place is always a buzz with people socializing and exercising.
Reserve a pass in advance to visit this historic landmark at https://www.loc.gov/visit/.
314 locals recommend
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave SEReserve a pass in advance to visit this historic landmark at https://www.loc.gov/visit/.
Supreme Court of the United States
1 First St NEUnited States Capitol
First Street Southeast
National Mall
The National Mall is a must-visit when in DC.
The most beautiful time of year to visit DC is usually late March-early April, when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.
8 locals recommend
National Cherry Blossom Festival
900 Constitution Avenue NorthwestThe most beautiful time of year to visit DC is usually late March-early April, when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.
The Phillips Collection
1600 21st St NWFantastic art collection.
Fantastic art gallery oftentimes featuring special exhibits.
385 locals recommend
National Gallery of Art
Constitution Avenue NorthwestFantastic art gallery oftentimes featuring special exhibits.
Food scene
This is a hot new restaurant and cocktail bar, featuring inventive Indian food and craft cocktails. It was opened by staff formerly of the famous restaurant Rasika. Pro tip: make it to their happy hour that runs 5-6:30 and score a small portion of chicken tikka masala with rice and naan for $10 and discounted drinks (wine for $7!).
12 locals recommend
Daru
1451 Maryland Avenue NortheastThis is a hot new restaurant and cocktail bar, featuring inventive Indian food and craft cocktails. It was opened by staff formerly of the famous restaurant Rasika. Pro tip: make it to their happy hour that runs 5-6:30 and score a small portion of chicken tikka masala with rice and naan for $10 and discounted drinks (wine for $7!).
Delicious food and an excellent wine list at this Eastern Market spot where the employees are paid a living wage. The patio dining is lovely!
10 locals recommend
The Duck & The Peach
300 7th Street SoutheastDelicious food and an excellent wine list at this Eastern Market spot where the employees are paid a living wage. The patio dining is lovely!
The most adorable market next to Lincoln Park where you can pick up items for a gourmet picnic, along with excellent bottles of wine! They also sell coffee and have adorable little cafe tables facing the park where you can enjoy your coffee and snacks.
35 locals recommend
Wine & Butter Cafe & Market
1023 E Capitol St SEThe most adorable market next to Lincoln Park where you can pick up items for a gourmet picnic, along with excellent bottles of wine! They also sell coffee and have adorable little cafe tables facing the park where you can enjoy your coffee and snacks.
Rose's Luxury
717 8th St SEMichelin starred, delicious, inventive cuisine!
Trendy and casual Latin market featuring several excellent restaurants and bars, including El Cielo which is Michelin starred, and plentiful outdoor seating. Grand Cata, a Latin wine store inside the market, is an excellent spot too.
63 locals recommend
La Cosecha
1280 4th Street NortheastTrendy and casual Latin market featuring several excellent restaurants and bars, including El Cielo which is Michelin starred, and plentiful outdoor seating. Grand Cata, a Latin wine store inside the market, is an excellent spot too.
Union market is a trendy spot featuring a variety of restaurants with outside seating, including on the roof which is a great spot for drinks.
906 locals recommend
Union Market
1309 5th St NEUnion market is a trendy spot featuring a variety of restaurants with outside seating, including on the roof which is a great spot for drinks.
Trendy hipster rum distillery, selling the most delicious drinks and with both indoor and outdoor seating.
26 locals recommend
Cotton & Reed
1330 5th St NETrendy hipster rum distillery, selling the most delicious drinks and with both indoor and outdoor seating.
The Roost
1401 Pennsylvania Ave. SEThis is another cool food market.
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
1925 14th St NWAllegedly President Biden’s favorite ice cream shop.
Sticky Rice
1224 H St NEDelicious Asian fusion restaurant.
Toki Underground
1234 H St NEDelicious ramen.
Fancy Radish
600 H St NEPopular and highly-rated vegetarian restaurant.
Belga Café
514 8th St SEExcellent Belgian restaurant. I love it for brunch.
Delicious bagels. Try their speciality bagel with zaatar seasoning.
26 locals recommend
Call Your Mother – Capitol Hill
701 8th St SEDelicious bagels. Try their speciality bagel with zaatar seasoning.
This place has delicious homemade pasta for a very affordable price. The servings are generous and if you call the restaurant directly, they’ll deliver if they aren’t too busy: (202) 546-4522.
6 locals recommend
Nostra Cucina
320 D St NEThis place has delicious homemade pasta for a very affordable price. The servings are generous and if you call the restaurant directly, they’ll deliver if they aren’t too busy: (202) 546-4522.
This place has delicious Thai cuisine! Great for delivery via Ubereats or takeout!
18 locals recommend
Sanphan Thai Cuisine
653 Pennsylvania Ave. SEThis place has delicious Thai cuisine! Great for delivery via Ubereats or takeout!
El Cielo
1280 4th Street NortheastDelicious and Michelin starred Colombian restaurant.
The Pursuit Wine Bar
1025 H Street NortheastTigo's Peruvian Express
1322 H Street NortheastExcellent Peruvian chicken take out spot located nearby!
Manna Korean BBQ and Dosirak
409 15th Street NortheastGreat Korean BBQ takeout spot located nearby.
Bullfrog Bagels on H Street
1341 H St NEGreat bagels for breakfast nearby.
Copycat Co.
1110 H St NECool spot for drinks.
Cucina Al Volo
1309 5th Street NortheastFabulous pasta in Union Market, can also be ordered via Uber Eats.
Capitol Square Bar & Grill
1500 East Capitol Street NortheastNearby new restaurant with an all day menu!
Maketto
1351 H St NECute cafe, marketplace, and restaurant.
Pacci's
New Italian restaurant right on Lincoln Park.
Brine H Street
Tuesday is all night oyster happy hour, enjoy the raw bar oysters!
Chloe
1331 4th St SEThis place in the waterfront Navy Yard neighborhood is delicious.
The Hill Cafe
101 15th St NEdella barba pizza
Pro tip: make it to their happy hour from 5-6:30 for free fries with the purchase of a burger and $1 beer!
Hill East Burger
Pro tip: make it to their happy hour from 5-6:30 for free fries with the purchase of a burger and $1 beer!
Neighborhoods
H Street Corridor
Cool, urban, hipster area with lots of restaurants.
Navy Yard
Waterfront neighborhood near Nat’s stadium with restaurant options
Groceries
Small local market
The Cupboard Market
1504 East Capitol St NETrader Joe's
750 Pennsylvania Ave. SEMy favorite local grocery store which is near Eastern Market.
Economy Market
1804 D St NEThis very nearby corner store has cold drinks, snacks, and other helpful items.
Speakeasy
Cool gin focused speakeasy connected to the Duck and Peach restaurant.
The Wells
Traveler advice
Getting around
A variety of transportation options!
Take the metro at the Stadium-Armory station, rent a Capital Bikeshare, or grab the H St streetcar! Uber and Lyft also are available. You can also park near the guest suite and use your car to get around.
Don't miss
Eastern Market on Saturdays and Sundays is a must-visit
The typical street festival meets farmers market. Find fresh produce, baked goods, and local art.
Book before you go
Visiting indoor tourist attractions during Covid
If you have any must visit tourist attractions, I strongly recommend checking their websites 1.5 months ahead of time, as some require 1 month advance booking.