For some people, Washington, D.C., is just the home of the White House and the Smithsonian. They’re not wrong — it is where some of our country’s most notable landmarks live — but what about all of the places you won’t necessarily find in a guidebook? What do you do and where do you go after you’ve crowded your camera roll with every possible angle of the Lincoln Memorial?
It may appear smaller than other tourist hotspots, but there’s no shortage of history or entertainment across the 68-square-mile district — most of which is off the beaten path. So, to help you plan your next trip to D.C., we compiled a guide to the places worth checking out once you’ve paid a visit to some of its famous landmarks — think: the Titanic Memorial, Capitol Hill, and Healy Hall at Georgetown University.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial has been a long-standing sight on the outskirts of the Tidal Basin for over a century. The open-air structure dedicated to the third president is always worth a photo op, especially from the inside: Look through the white Georgia marble columns to get a direct shot of the White House. Since you’re already near the Southwest Waterfront, it makes sense to spend the rest of your day around The Wharf. But before you make a pitstop at the Municipal Fish Market, take the short walk to Artechouse, a D.C.-born experiential art space consisting of large-scale immersive installations. Down the street, you’ll find the International Spy Museum, an equally unique destination.
Once you’re finished playing double agent, make your way down the riverfront. The good news about The Wharf is that there are a lot of places to eat — the bad news is that you probably won’t have time to try every one (at least, not this time around). Our suggestion: Book a reservation at ilili, a Lebanese restaurant best known for its often hard-to-find mezze options and hummus. Then wrap up your visit with a glass of wine on the spacious year-round patio at Easy Company.
Titanic Memorial
You likely know the story of the Titanic’s 1912 maritime disaster, but do you know that this Southwest sculpture is one of only five memorials in D.C. designed by a woman? After paying homage, you have a few options. First, you can head north to Union Stage and/or Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Both are top-tier venues for experiencing your preferred entertainment — whether that’s a concert, comedy show, or percussive dance-theater. Just east of the Titanic Memorial lives Nationals Park, an unmissable stop for sports fanatics, especially during the spring season. Take the 15-minute walk (or three-minute drive) to catch a home game before spending the evening winding down at the Pendry along the marina. Come for the sushi at Moonraker but stay for the waterfront views. No matter which direction your day takes you, make sure to fit in a visit to the Culture House. Formerly one of the oldest African American congregations in the District, this space now serves as a hub for community-based programming, including culturally rich art exhibitions and performances.
Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens
Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens may only be a few miles from the more famous landmarks, but this quiet oasis in Anacostia will make you forget you’re in D.C. at all. Cross the Anacostia River and stop for lunch (and shopping) at the Latin marketplace La Cosecha in NoMa’s Union Market, before driving over to the United States National Arboretum where you can visit one of D.C.’s most unusual landmarks, the National Capitol Columns, which appear, as if out of nowhere, in the abyss of the grassy meadow they call home. The truth is these columns are transplants. Originally used to support the east portico of the Capitol Building in 1828, they were eventually replaced and moved to storage before finding their final resting place in the Ellipse Meadow in the 1980s.
Take the five-minute walk north to the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, a free and public space that allows you to look at bonsai art in a whole new way. Most people come to D.C. to see the cherry blossoms, but if that doesn’t satiate your floral fixation, consider a trip to the U.S. National Arboretum Azalea Collection. End your day at Songbyrd Music House, a live music venue where you can more intimately mingle with local Washingtonians.
Blagden Alley
On your way to this artistic space, plan a visit to Planet Word, a voice-activated museum composed of immersive and interactive galleries where visitors can explore their love of language. A 10-minute walk north will land you at the southern mouth of Blagden Alley, where old D.C. meets new, behind the blocks of row houses. Here, you’ll find bars, restaurants and, most notably, vibrant murals covering every and any surface. Continue north to the center of the neighborhood, where you’ll find the African American Civil War Memorial. If you have the time, consider spending an hour in the statue’s museum across the street. Take the rest of the afternoon (and night) to explore U Street and the refurbished Howard Theatre on the border of Shaw, and do not leave before you’ve eaten at Oohh’s & Aahh’s, which works hard to preserve the legacy of D.C.’s Black culture with its soul food. Room for more? Head south for a mile and you’ll find Kinship, a modern American restaurant famous for its creative and contemporary cuisine.
Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill is so much more than the place where laws get passed. Yes, the walkable neighborhood is where you’ll find D.C. staples such as the U.S. Capitol and the Supreme Court, but it’s also home to some striking, underappreciated attractions, like the Folger Shakespeare Library, which houses the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare’s printed works. Five minutes away you’ll find the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument, an epicenter of the women’s rights movement for 90 years. Farther west on Constitution Ave lives Summerhouse. Set in the hills of the U.S. Capitol, this brick structure was originally created as a response to visitor complaints about the lack of seating near the landmark. Now, it’s the perfect place to rest your legs after hours of walking. Once you’ve regained some energy, follow the loop circling the Capitol until you reach the south edge of the park where you can find exotic and rare plant galleries at the U.S. Botanic Garden. Finish off your journey at the cafe and wine bar Little Pearl, a neighborhood favorite captained by the award-winning chef Aaron Silverman. If you order anything, make it the Angel Eggs.
Lincoln Memorial
It’s not impossible to experience everything the National Mall has to offer, but if you want to live less like a tourist and more like a local, there are a few more places worth visiting after a trip to the Lincoln Memorial. Before officially exiting the Mall, make your way toward the U.S. Park Police Horse Stables and Education Center, which serves as the new sustainable home for the Mounted Unit horses. When you’re finished humoring your inner horse girl, head north to the lesser-known but locally loved Albert Einstein Memorial, which was unveiled in 1979 in honor of the scientist’s 100th birthday. If you haven’t gotten your fill of history for the day, plan a visit to The Octagon, which served for six months as the White House after the burning of Washington in 1814. Next, head west toward The REACH at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to experience the new, permanent exhibit dedicated to JFK. It’s also worth spending an evening at The Club at Studio K inside The REACH, where you can watch a dynamic mix of musicians and comedians in this up-and-coming intimate space. But before a show, grab dinner and drinks at Kingbird, located within The Watergate Hotel. The menu is commendable, but we’re mostly fans of the interior design — make a reservation and you’ll see what we mean.
Healy Hall at Georgetown University
Healy Hall isn’t only a hotspot for Georgetown alumni and prospective students. Even we can admit the Victorian Gothic architecture is impressive. Fascinated by abandoned historic buildings? Take the short walk from the university to Heyden Memorial Garden where the old observatory lives. Although it’s been closed to the public since 1971 due to light pollution, you can still get up close and personal with the underrated landmark while taking in the views from the garden. Before moving to your next destination, consider making a stop at the Tombs, an elevated all-American pub beloved by Georgetown students. The Old Stone House, the oldest house in D.C. still on its original foundation, hides in this neighborhood, too. Go for the history, but leave room for La Bonne Vache, one of Georgetown’s newest French bistros. Later, take the four-minute drive north to Dumbarton Oaks Gardens, which was originally purchased in 1920 by the Bliss family. Mildred Barnes Bliss spent years overseeing the construction and design of the once-neglected farmland to transform it into the ever-evolving, lush garden tourists know and love today. Think: D.C.’s Gardens of Versailles but with a happier ending.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
If you’re only visiting for a day, or even a long weekend, don’t succumb to the pressure of visiting every Smithsonian museum. Instead, focus on one (if you’re really committed, make it two) before diving into everything else there is to explore outside the National Mall. The National Museum of Natural History is the ideal spot for first timers. From Henry, the African bush elephant who’s welcomed newcomers since 1959 in the museum’s rotunda, to the tropical butterfly pavilion, there’s hours worth of exhibits to take in. (Not only is it a classic must-see, it’s also the most visited in the District.) If you’re looking for something you haven’t seen before, consider spending the day in the National Museum of African American History and Culture right next door. Opened in 2016, this powerful space is one of the newest to the Smithsonian family and is the only national museum devoted to the documentation of African American life and history. If you do plan on exploring, consider reserving a pass to the museum’s Afrofuturism exhibit. It’s just an added bonus that both museums are in close proximity to Penn Quarter, which is where we suggest you visit next.
The eclectic neighborhood holds some of the buzziest sights, including the Old Post Office Tower, which boasts the best interior views of D.C. — trust us. Within walking distance, you’ll find Succotash, where award-winning head chef Edward Lee blends his Korean roots with classic Southern favorites, and Moon Rabbit, contemporary Vietnamese food helmed by acclaimed chef Kevin Tien. And be careful not to overlook the cutting-edge productions at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre.
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