16 Issues to do in Washington, DC
Past the long-lasting monuments and historic landmarks, DC gives a myriad of offbeat and distinctive issues to do this will make your time right here really memorable. From exploring the colourful Washington, DC neighborhoods and indulging in numerous culinary delights to immersing your self within the thriving arts and tradition scene, Washington, DC, is a treasure trove of unconventional adventures.
On this Redfin article, we’ll uncover a few of the greatest issues to do in DC, so you possibly can totally immerse your self in all the things it has to supply. Whether or not you’re out there for a home in Washington, DC, or trying to hire an residence within the metropolis, get able to embrace the extraordinary and dive into the lesser-known wonders of the nation’s capital that make DC a fantastic place to dwell.
1. Guide a one-of-a-kind expertise with a Parisian formulator at Elodie’s Naturals
At Elodie’s Naturals, you possibly can discover the enchanting world of making natural skincare merchandise, from hyaluronic serums to lemon scrubs, aromatherapy to beautiful pure fragrances sourced from France. You’ll have the chance to customise what goes in your pores and skin below the steering of an professional, and take house your very personal face or physique merchandise.
2. Republic Cantina
“Republic Cantina in Truxton Circle serves high-quality Tex Mex meals and drinks in a enjoyable, laid-back ambiance,” shares native photographer Katie Lewis Photography. “It’s a fantastic spot for al fresco eating amongst cacti and succulents on a quiet avenue throughout patio season, and the inside bar and cubicles have retro design that takes you to a different time and place. It’s enjoyable for pleased hour, late night time drinks, or any meal! For breakfast strive the chilaquiles or a breakfast burrito with an iced horchata latte. Weekday lunch specials embrace taco platters and wonderful salads. Later within the day, I like to share a platter of nachos with mates and order a spicy margarita, or get wild with a pico again shot.”
3. Shopkeepers
One other distinctive factor to do in DC is to take a look at Shopkeepers, a neighborhood retail store, cafe, and occasion area in Northeast DC. Prospects love the bubble tea, particularly the Brown Cow which is made with earl gray, black tea, oat milk, and brown sugar drizzle. The pantry is stocked with Asian staples that may be tough to search out in main grocery shops. You may also hire out the area for personal occasions like birthdays, graduations, bridal/child showers, and extra.
4. Rock Creek Park
“After transferring to Washington DC in 1993 from the rather more rural state of New Hampshire, certainly one of my best joys residing in DC is the straightforward entry to nature within the coronary heart of town,” explains Lisa Maco, Proprietor of Lisa Maco Photography. “Known as ‘An Oasis within the Metropolis,’ Rock Creek Park is a real gem. The park has many entry factors for a fast lunchtime respite or an extended bike trip on the weekends. It runs from the Nationwide Zoo within the south to the Maryland border within the north, repeatedly altering names alongside the way in which as much as Gaithersburg because it connects with many different parks.”
5. Mount Vernon Path
One other certainly one of Maco’s favourite spots is the Mount Vernon Trail, an 18-mile multi-use path that runs from George Washington’s Mount Vernon Property as much as Roosevelt Island alongside the Potomac River. “Then, while you’re drained from all of your park exploration, I like to recommend Sequoia DC on the Georgetown waterfront for spectacular views of the Potomac River, Kennedy Middle, and the Roosevelt Bridge, together with the sports activities and leisure actions on the water,” says Maco.
6. Enid A. Haupt Backyard
“There are such a lot of lovely and distinctive locations to discover in DC, however a favourite of mine is the Enid A. Haupt Garden behind the Smithsonian Fortress throughout peak saucer magnolia bloom,” says Laura Nockett, a New child, Maternity and Child Photographer at Precious Little Sprinkles Photography. “In early March the backyard transforms right into a sea of pink as the attractive saucer magnolias burst into full bloom. It’s the primary signal of spring within the DC space and leads into the long-lasting cherry blossom bloom across the tidal basin, a can’t-miss bucket checklist merchandise.”
7. Mia Gemma
A novel gem of a spot when you’re out there for brand new jewellery is Mia Gemma, a advantageous artisan jewellery gallery that gives customized design and concierge providers. Hand-crafted in valuable metals and advantageous gem stones, their jewellery and customized design providers permit you to discover and exhibit their individuality by means of inventive design and complicated fashion. The gallery additionally hosts two dwell occasions every year that you could’t miss.
8. Bishop’s Backyard on the Nationwide Cathedral
“My favourite factor to do in DC is exploring the Bishop’s Garden at the National Cathedral,” states Mary Catherine Wickham of Mary Catherine Photography. “One step by means of its arched stone entryway and also you’ll really feel such as you’ve stepped right into a secret English backyard. There’s something in bloom practically yr spherical and it’s by no means crowded. When you want a peaceable escape from the hustle and bustle of town, come chill out among the many chirping birds and luxurious greenery of the Bishop’s Backyard on the Nationwide Cathedral.”
9. The Outdated Publish Workplace Tower
A novel factor to do in DC, and one the place you don’t want tickets, is visiting the Old Post Office tower. “Though the tower sits atop the Waldorf Astoria, it’s operated by the Park Service,” shares Susannah Stevens, photographer at Lifetime Lens. “The journey by means of the basement and up the elevator appears like a journey to a secret lookout. On the way in which, you possibly can look down into the atrium of the resort. The viewing deck is open to the air, and though the concrete and plexiglass are a little bit gritty, I believe that provides to the allure.”
10. Chesapeake & Ohio Canal
“As business photographers, and ceaselessly vacationers, we’re within the Capital often, and have been capable of take pleasure in so many nice elements of town and its environment,” shares Sam and Kat of Edwin Photography in Tysons, Virginia, simply outdoors of Washington, DC. “Town is an outstanding place for hikers, bikers and sightseers like us, and certainly one of our absolute favourite issues to do is to go to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. It gives a glimpse into the historical past of the USA, and combines it with an distinctive outside expertise of its preserved nature. Simple for all ages, the canal path leads effortlessly to numerous distinctive locations, and brings limitless enjoyment to households and anybody that loves an journey.”
11. Fulfill your candy tooth at Chocotenango
Chocotenango is the place to go in DC for high quality artisanal bean to bar chocolate. Made out of the best high quality natural cocoa beans, Chocotenango turns nature’s deal with into scrumptious creations. Whether or not you’re in search of chocolate bars, sizzling chocolate combine or bonbons, Chocotenango has you lined.
12. The Smithsonian Gardens
“The Smithsonian Gardens are certainly one of our favourite locations in DC,” shares Anji and Pete Martin of Potoks World Photography. “Comprising the Enid A. Haupt and Mary Livingston Ripley Gardens, they’re concurrently refreshing inexperienced areas within the coronary heart of the Nation’s Capital and are straightforward to overlook among the many monuments and memorials. The Enid A. Haupt Backyard – basically the Smithsonian Fortress’s yard – is a sprawling garden with distinctive bushes crisscrossing it. Tucked away in a single nook of the area is the Moongate Backyard, an artsier spot that’s nice for inventive marriage ceremony or engagement footage. To the facet of the citadel is the Mary Livingston Ripley Backyard, a small and secluded space, excellent for getting respite from DC’s crowds.”
13. The Salt Line
“My favourite factor to do in DC is go on extremely lengthy walks all through town,” explains DC-based photographer, Lisa Blume. “I typically stroll from Dupont Circle to Navy Yard, which is at the least 5 miles. And not too long ago, a detailed pal and I did that stroll after which ended the stroll at The Salt Line for frozen cocktails on their outside patio. And, throughout Cherry Blossom season, I discover myself photographing on the tidal basin fairly a bit however I at all times be sure that I make time to go to at sundown and lay on a picnic blanket beneath the attractive pink blooms, It’s really magical.”
14. Escape to a novel dual-venue expertise at THRōW Social & Kick Axe Throwing D.C.
This can be a dual-venue, the place tropical paradise upstairs meets cozy cabin vibes downstairs, below one rooftop bar and patio. Upstairs, you possibly can chill out in cabanas, play enjoyable video games like cornhole, shuffleboard, and ping-pong, and dance to your coronary heart’s content material to dwell music. Or, head downstairs to Kick Axe Throwing D.C. and discover a cozy lodge-like setting the place you possibly can strive your hand at thrilling axe throwing. Compete with mates, problem your expertise, and expertise the frenzy of hitting the bullseye.
15. Union Market
“Union Market is a hip connoisseur meals corridor positioned within the NoMa (North of Massachusetts Avenue) neighborhood, a former industrial district in Northeast DC,” explains journey journalist and photographer, Tykesha Burton. “The feasting corridor options fare from 40-plus meals stalls, together with long-running Union Market staples and varied pop-up outlets. Altogether, they create a unbelievable number of international cuisines. Subsequent to Union Market is La Cosecha, a Latin American market. This market options distributors that symbolize fare, wines, clothes, textiles, and residential decor from nations throughout Central and South America, Mexico and the Caribbean.”
16. The Wharf DC
Burton additionally suggests visiting The Wharf DC, positioned simply 4 blocks from the Nationwide Mall. “This revitalized strip alongside the waterfront in DC’s Southwest quadrant is a good place to benefit from the metropolis’s waterways whereas grabbing a chunk to eat, procuring, or catching a live performance. This mile-long stretch alongside the Potomac River now boasts of greater than 20 eating places and bars, boutiques, a park, a 6,000-seat live performance corridor, and some extra intimate dwell music venues.”
Bear in mind to enterprise past the well-trodden path and discover the distinctive issues to do in DC that make residing in Washington, DC, so nice.
