Guidebook for Washington
Sightseeing
Tudor Place is a beautifully maintained home that dates back to the early 1800s. Once the home of George and Martha Washington's granddaughter, it has numerous artifacts from the first President.
25 locals recommend
Tudor Place
1644 31st St NWTudor Place is a beautifully maintained home that dates back to the early 1800s. Once the home of George and Martha Washington's granddaughter, it has numerous artifacts from the first President.
A great family museum, the Natural History museum has everything kids adore -- lions, elephants, dinosaurs, etc. Informative descriptions enable parents to make this a learning experience.
325 locals recommend
National Museum of American History
1300 Constitution Ave. NWA great family museum, the Natural History museum has everything kids adore -- lions, elephants, dinosaurs, etc. Informative descriptions enable parents to make this a learning experience.
Prepare to be amazed at these beautiful gardens. I especially love the indoor gardens, which house a diversity of plants in separate micro-climates (it's like a mini-world tour). And it's FREE!
253 locals recommend
United States Botanic Garden
100 Maryland Ave SWPrepare to be amazed at these beautiful gardens. I especially love the indoor gardens, which house a diversity of plants in separate micro-climates (it's like a mini-world tour). And it's FREE!
No visit to DC would be complete without a tour of the nation's Capitol. These guided tours offer a peak at country's political history and ongoing political life. FREE.
114 locals recommend
The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
First Street SoutheastNo visit to DC would be complete without a tour of the nation's Capitol. These guided tours offer a peak at country's political history and ongoing political life. FREE.
Even if you haven't been to a library since middle school, you must make an exception for the Library of Congress. This is one of the most beautiful buildings in DC. Guided tours are FREE.
314 locals recommend
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave SEEven if you haven't been to a library since middle school, you must make an exception for the Library of Congress. This is one of the most beautiful buildings in DC. Guided tours are FREE.
This museum is sure to dazzle children, engineers, history buffs, and anyone who ever wanted to be an astronaut. Amazing collection of planes and rockets. Great kid-friendly learning displays. FREE.
809 locals recommend
National Air and Space Museum
600 Independence Ave SWThis museum is sure to dazzle children, engineers, history buffs, and anyone who ever wanted to be an astronaut. Amazing collection of planes and rockets. Great kid-friendly learning displays. FREE.
This memorial quietly evokes the strength and sacrifice of the WWII era. Simple but moving. And a logical stop between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.
104 locals recommend
World War II Memorial
1750 Independence Ave SWThis memorial quietly evokes the strength and sacrifice of the WWII era. Simple but moving. And a logical stop between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.
This is our favorite monument, filled with waterfalls and reflecting pools. The path takes you through four separate pavilions, representing FDR's four administrations. Serene and inspiring.
104 locals recommend
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
1850 West Basin Dr SWThis is our favorite monument, filled with waterfalls and reflecting pools. The path takes you through four separate pavilions, representing FDR's four administrations. Serene and inspiring.
This monument has generated controversy for fees requested by MLK Jr.'s children, using an Asian sculptor, using white (instead of black) granite, and paraphrased quotes. See what you think.
197 locals recommend
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
1964 Independence Ave SWThis monument has generated controversy for fees requested by MLK Jr.'s children, using an Asian sculptor, using white (instead of black) granite, and paraphrased quotes. See what you think.
A monument worthy of the "Great Emancipator," Lincoln's figure evokes the enormous responsibility he carried. Awe-inspiring speeches line the walls, and the views over the reflecting pool are amazing.
697 locals recommend
Lincoln Memorial
2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NWA monument worthy of the "Great Emancipator," Lincoln's figure evokes the enormous responsibility he carried. Awe-inspiring speeches line the walls, and the views over the reflecting pool are amazing.
A beautiful garden filled with inscrutable modern sculpture. A perfect spot to enjoy a picnic while pondering how the Smithsonian selects which works to purchase.
385 locals recommend
National Gallery of Art
Constitution Avenue NorthwestA beautiful garden filled with inscrutable modern sculpture. A perfect spot to enjoy a picnic while pondering how the Smithsonian selects which works to purchase.
A beautifully restored mansion (and related buildings) on the breathtakingly gorgeous Potomac river. Surprisingly interesting "interpreters" in period dress describe life and respond to questions.
191 locals recommend
George Washington's Mount Vernon
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial HwyA beautifully restored mansion (and related buildings) on the breathtakingly gorgeous Potomac river. Surprisingly interesting "interpreters" in period dress describe life and respond to questions.
Definitely worth a trip for the pandas, big cats, and gorillas. Small run-down cages in the indoor exhibits (particularly the small mammals and gorillas) are depressing and better skipped.
771 locals recommend
Smithsonian National Zoological Park
3001 Connecticut Ave NWDefinitely worth a trip for the pandas, big cats, and gorillas. Small run-down cages in the indoor exhibits (particularly the small mammals and gorillas) are depressing and better skipped.
This small museum does an excellent job of putting art into context. Long descriptions explain not only the origins of each piece, but also their use in daily or ceremonial life. Focus on W. Africa.
55 locals recommend
1750 Independence Ave SW
1750 Independence Ave SWThis small museum does an excellent job of putting art into context. Long descriptions explain not only the origins of each piece, but also their use in daily or ceremonial life. Focus on W. Africa.
Inscrutable modern sculpture set in a sunken garden. Not really our thing, but thought we would mention it for the modern art lovers out there.
230 locals recommend
Hirshhorn Museum
7th Street SouthwestInscrutable modern sculpture set in a sunken garden. Not really our thing, but thought we would mention it for the modern art lovers out there.
This intimate museum hosts displays of gorgeous textiles from around the world. Definitely take a free guided tour -- the guides are exceptionally knowledgeable. The gift shop is surprisingly good.
10 locals recommend
The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum
701 21st St NWThis intimate museum hosts displays of gorgeous textiles from around the world. Definitely take a free guided tour -- the guides are exceptionally knowledgeable. The gift shop is surprisingly good.
Food Scene
Adorable French cafe with a tin ceiling, black and white photos of France, and huge windows. A perfect spot for brunch on weekends, with a wide selection of crepes, croissants, benedicts, etc.
23 locals recommend
Cafe Bonaparte
1522 Wisconsin Ave NWAdorable French cafe with a tin ceiling, black and white photos of France, and huge windows. A perfect spot for brunch on weekends, with a wide selection of crepes, croissants, benedicts, etc.
Fantastic Spanish tapas with a tremendous variety for both carnivores and vegetarians. Excellent happy hour specials ($4 tapas and drinks) until 7 p.m. on weekdays.
82 locals recommend
Jaleo
480 7th St NWFantastic Spanish tapas with a tremendous variety for both carnivores and vegetarians. Excellent happy hour specials ($4 tapas and drinks) until 7 p.m. on weekdays.
Creative take on interior Mexican food. Served tapas style, allowing you to try several different items.
66 locals recommend
Oyamel Cocina Mexicana
401 7th St NWCreative take on interior Mexican food. Served tapas style, allowing you to try several different items.
Shabby chic cafe that is perfect for checking email, people watching, or just resting your feet. The frozen mocha may be the best I've ever had. The menu is diverse and surprisingly delicious.
252 locals recommend
Tryst
2459 18th St NWShabby chic cafe that is perfect for checking email, people watching, or just resting your feet. The frozen mocha may be the best I've ever had. The menu is diverse and surprisingly delicious.
This is the best Ethiopian food I have ever eaten. Although the decor is average and the service is spotty, the food is heavenly. It's a trek to get out here, but your effort will be rewarded.
13 locals recommend
Addis Ababa Restaurant
8233 Fenton StThis is the best Ethiopian food I have ever eaten. Although the decor is average and the service is spotty, the food is heavenly. It's a trek to get out here, but your effort will be rewarded.
This laid-back, Austin-themed BBQ restaurant has live music almost every night of the week. The music is varied and often excellent, and there is generally no cover. A great place to relax.
27 locals recommend
Hill Country Barbecue Market
410 7th Street NorthwestThis laid-back, Austin-themed BBQ restaurant has live music almost every night of the week. The music is varied and often excellent, and there is generally no cover. A great place to relax.
This cute, intimate restaurant has some of the best Thai food in D.C. Most dishes come with its delicious colored sticky rice (sometimes green, sometimes blue, etc.) -- definitely get a rice dish!
1608 14th St NW
1608 14th Street NorthwestThis cute, intimate restaurant has some of the best Thai food in D.C. Most dishes come with its delicious colored sticky rice (sometimes green, sometimes blue, etc.) -- definitely get a rice dish!
This cute, popular pizzeria serves up some of the best pies in town, as well as excellent salads and reasonably priced wine. A great place to sit and rest after a hard day of shopping in Georgetown.
109 locals recommend
Pizzeria Paradiso
2003 P St NWThis cute, popular pizzeria serves up some of the best pies in town, as well as excellent salads and reasonably priced wine. A great place to sit and rest after a hard day of shopping in Georgetown.
Heaven in a cup (or cone). Fresh made daily from local, seasonal produce, this light flavorful gelato is the real thing. Thank goodness I don't live nearby, or I'd be here everyday.
11 locals recommend
Dolcezza
1560 Wisconsin Ave NWHeaven in a cup (or cone). Fresh made daily from local, seasonal produce, this light flavorful gelato is the real thing. Thank goodness I don't live nearby, or I'd be here everyday.
Great happy hour specials from 5 to 6:30 p.m., with a wide selection of small, tasty Cuban dishes ($4 each during happy hour). We recommend the taro bites and pineapple guacamole.
27 locals recommend
Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar - Washington, D.C.
801 9th St NWGreat happy hour specials from 5 to 6:30 p.m., with a wide selection of small, tasty Cuban dishes ($4 each during happy hour). We recommend the taro bites and pineapple guacamole.
Exquisite mouthwatering Italian fare in a beautiful understated atmosphere. We recommend the eggplant, carmelized onion, & goat cheese appetizer and the red snapper entree. Expensive ($20-30/entree)
6 locals recommend
Ristorante Piccolo
1068 31st St NWExquisite mouthwatering Italian fare in a beautiful understated atmosphere. We recommend the eggplant, carmelized onion, & goat cheese appetizer and the red snapper entree. Expensive ($20-30/entree)
Probably the best Ethiopian restaurant near U Street, with a chic atmosphere. Average prices ($12-20).
15 locals recommend
Etete
1942 9th St NWProbably the best Ethiopian restaurant near U Street, with a chic atmosphere. Average prices ($12-20).
Stunningly creative Indian food in a sleek, upscale atmosphere. This is, by far, our favorite Indian restaurant in DC. Cute bar with lots of small tables. $14-25 per entree.
104 locals recommend
Rasika
633 D St NWStunningly creative Indian food in a sleek, upscale atmosphere. This is, by far, our favorite Indian restaurant in DC. Cute bar with lots of small tables. $14-25 per entree.
This wood-paneled restaurant seems pulled from an earlier era, but it has the best pumpkin ravioli anywhere. Spinach and red pepper in the sauce makes it more savory than sweet.
20 locals recommend
Gallery Place
616 H St NWThis wood-paneled restaurant seems pulled from an earlier era, but it has the best pumpkin ravioli anywhere. Spinach and red pepper in the sauce makes it more savory than sweet.
Creative and fresh take on American classics, with a wide menu sure to please everyone. Large windows and an outdoor terrace make it a perfect summer spot.
Asia Nine
915 E St NWCreative and fresh take on American classics, with a wide menu sure to please everyone. Large windows and an outdoor terrace make it a perfect summer spot.
Hip urban vibe and Top Chef alum create a winning combination. The small plates are excellent (though expensive), and we loved the prosecco on tap. Be sure to sit upstairs, where there's more room.
23 locals recommend
Graffiato
707 6th Street NorthwestHip urban vibe and Top Chef alum create a winning combination. The small plates are excellent (though expensive), and we loved the prosecco on tap. Be sure to sit upstairs, where there's more room.
A great place for a winter lunch, with cozy tables and a fireplace on the middle level. Their small plates are diverse and very good, and surprisingly affordable at 3 for $13.
Cure Bar and Bistro
1000 H St NWA great place for a winter lunch, with cozy tables and a fireplace on the middle level. Their small plates are diverse and very good, and surprisingly affordable at 3 for $13.
Trendy restaurant with a wide selection of tapas-style DIm Sum dishes meant to be shared. The dark decor is intimate and alluring, making this a great date night selection. Dishes about $5 each.
20 locals recommend
Ping Pong Dim Sum
900 7th Street NorthwestTrendy restaurant with a wide selection of tapas-style DIm Sum dishes meant to be shared. The dark decor is intimate and alluring, making this a great date night selection. Dishes about $5 each.
Wow! If heaven were a restaurant, this would be it. Each stunning dish (sweet or savory) contains amazing artisan chocolate. Try the citrus ricotta pancakes with white chocolate lemon cream.
13 locals recommend
Co Co. Sala
929 F St NWWow! If heaven were a restaurant, this would be it. Each stunning dish (sweet or savory) contains amazing artisan chocolate. Try the citrus ricotta pancakes with white chocolate lemon cream.
A chic bar with plenty of cozy seating. The delicious happy hour menu (5-8 p.m. weekdays) offers creative Asian and Latin tapas-style dishes for $5 each, and is a fantastic bargain.
16 locals recommend
Zengo
781 7th St NWA chic bar with plenty of cozy seating. The delicious happy hour menu (5-8 p.m. weekdays) offers creative Asian and Latin tapas-style dishes for $5 each, and is a fantastic bargain.
This slightly dilapidated, unimpressive restaurants offers THE BEST hamburgers in D.C. Even vegetarians will go ga-ga over their plump, tender, tasty veggie burger. Good for a quick, cheap bite.
Ollie's Trolley
425 12th St NWThis slightly dilapidated, unimpressive restaurants offers THE BEST hamburgers in D.C. Even vegetarians will go ga-ga over their plump, tender, tasty veggie burger. Good for a quick, cheap bite.
Zorba's Café
1612 20th St NWGreek Restaurant - just okay.
Zola Wine & Kitchen
Just okay.
CIRCA at Clarendon
3010 Clarendon BlvdChic, modern restaurant but food is just okay.
Fiesta Restaurant & Lounge DC
1327 Connecticut Ave NWMexican restaurant - food is okay.
Haydee's Restaurant
3102 Mt Pleasant St NWNot good.
Toscana Cafe
601 2nd Street NortheastNeighborhood Italian restaurant -- good food but little ambiance.
Austin Grill
750 E Street NWJust okay - Definitely not authentic Tex-Mex. But great Texas-size margaritas.
Everything Else
1005 First St NE
1005 First Street NortheastEasy transport to other cities.
Union Station
Easy transport to other cities by train or Megabus.
Best avoided. A dearth of walking trails means that visitors walk along roads and noise from nearby highways penetrates the arboretum -- definitely not a place to "get away" from the city.
350 locals recommend
United States National Arboretum
3501 New York Ave NEBest avoided. A dearth of walking trails means that visitors walk along roads and noise from nearby highways penetrates the arboretum -- definitely not a place to "get away" from the city.
Shopping
Georgetown is a beautiful historic district brimming with shops and restaurants. A great place to soak up the atmosphere, grab a bite to eat, and hunt for that perfect new item you can't live without
664 locals recommend
Georgetown
Georgetown is a beautiful historic district brimming with shops and restaurants. A great place to soak up the atmosphere, grab a bite to eat, and hunt for that perfect new item you can't live without
Arts & Culture
If there's one thing that Democrats and Republicans can agree on, it's that the Capitol Steps are terrific. Totally hilarious political parodies will have you laughing in your seats. $40/pp.
The Capitol Steps
If there's one thing that Democrats and Republicans can agree on, it's that the Capitol Steps are terrific. Totally hilarious political parodies will have you laughing in your seats. $40/pp.
Drinks & Nightlife
This hip urban bar has a bevy of fantastic bartenders that will take your semi-formed desires (something sour and fizzy, something with coconut and lime) and create a personal concoction just for you.
39 locals recommend
The Passenger
1539 7th St NWThis hip urban bar has a bevy of fantastic bartenders that will take your semi-formed desires (something sour and fizzy, something with coconut and lime) and create a personal concoction just for you.
matchbox
521 8th St SEJust ok - Sliders and pizzas.