Guidebook for Washington
Food Scene
Le Diplomate
1601 14th St NWFine dining, authentic french cuisine
Upscale American Diner, including homemade pop tarts and boozy milkshakes
425 locals recommend
Ted's Bulletin
505 8th St SEUpscale American Diner, including homemade pop tarts and boozy milkshakes
Reliable, affordable American fare. Great for brunch, lunch, or dinner
52 locals recommend
Logan Tavern
1423 P St NWReliable, affordable American fare. Great for brunch, lunch, or dinner
sweetgreen
1461 P St NWGreat fast-casual salad spot
The Wydown Coffee Bar
1924 14th St NWPop-up coffee bar serving artisanal java & baked goods
Artisanal gelati & sorbetti, sundaes & pour-over coffees in retro space set in an 1878 apothecary
72 locals recommend
Dolcezza Gelato & Coffee
1418 14th St NWArtisanal gelati & sorbetti, sundaes & pour-over coffees in retro space set in an 1878 apothecary
Small, festive spot serving Spanish tapas & playful plates & cocktails in Moorish-styled digs.
117 locals recommend
Estadio
1520 14th St NWSmall, festive spot serving Spanish tapas & playful plates & cocktails in Moorish-styled digs.
Chef Michael Schlow's New American food with Mexican & Spanish flourishes in a neo-rustic setting.
51 locals recommend
Tico
1926 14th St NWChef Michael Schlow's New American food with Mexican & Spanish flourishes in a neo-rustic setting.
Market & cafe showcasing locally grown produce, prepared foods & craft beers
81 locals recommend
Glen's Garden Market
2001 S St NWMarket & cafe showcasing locally grown produce, prepared foods & craft beers
Farm-inspired American fare, plus sushi & cocktails served in sleek, eco-chic digs with river views
86 locals recommend
Farmers Fishers Bakers
3000 K Street NorthwestFarm-inspired American fare, plus sushi & cocktails served in sleek, eco-chic digs with river views
An airy, modern, industrial cafe & roaster offering artisanal brews, pastries, sandwiches & more.
174 locals recommend
Compass Coffee
1535 7th St NWAn airy, modern, industrial cafe & roaster offering artisanal brews, pastries, sandwiches & more.
Snug spot for espressos & microbrew coffees from far-flung locales like Ethiopia & Papua New Guinea
171 locals recommend
Peregrine Espresso
660 Pennsylvania Ave. SESnug spot for espressos & microbrew coffees from far-flung locales like Ethiopia & Papua New Guinea
Artsy neighborhood bakery, much better than Georgetown Cupake (overrated and not worth the wait!)
141 locals recommend
Baked & Wired
1052 Thomas Jefferson St NWArtsy neighborhood bakery, much better than Georgetown Cupake (overrated and not worth the wait!)
Cute bakery specializing in classic & unique flavors of gourmet donuts
50 locals recommend
District Doughnut
749 8th St SECute bakery specializing in classic & unique flavors of gourmet donuts
Arts & Culture
Monuments and Museums, lots of open green space, and lots of walking around stately and beautiful places. I recommend you do the monuments at night (do a loop of the Tidal Basin: Lincoln, Jefferson, FDR, MLK, WWII), which will free up your daytime for other things. For museums, I recommend: National Gallery of Art and Sculpture Garden (traditional, vast collection), Hirshorn Gallery (contemporary), American History, and the Newseum (this one takes a long time but is excellent)
1111 locals recommend
National Mall
Monuments and Museums, lots of open green space, and lots of walking around stately and beautiful places. I recommend you do the monuments at night (do a loop of the Tidal Basin: Lincoln, Jefferson, FDR, MLK, WWII), which will free up your daytime for other things. For museums, I recommend: National Gallery of Art and Sculpture Garden (traditional, vast collection), Hirshorn Gallery (contemporary), American History, and the Newseum (this one takes a long time but is excellent)
Contact your Congressman’s office for best chance of formal tour slots (most require several weeks’ notice). The East Wing tour of the White House is short, cool to see, but not too exciting. A tour of the Capitol Building is good and will be about 2 hours. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (money printing facility) is also well-liked by many people.
670 locals recommend
United States Capitol
First Street SoutheastContact your Congressman’s office for best chance of formal tour slots (most require several weeks’ notice). The East Wing tour of the White House is short, cool to see, but not too exciting. A tour of the Capitol Building is good and will be about 2 hours. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (money printing facility) is also well-liked by many people.
Studio Theatre is Washington’s premier venue for contemporary theatre, “where local audiences will find today’s edgiest playwrights” (Variety).
109 locals recommend
Studio Theatre
1501 14th St NWStudio Theatre is Washington’s premier venue for contemporary theatre, “where local audiences will find today’s edgiest playwrights” (Variety).
Sightseeing
Beautiful brick streets, a brand new park on the riverfront, townhouses, mansions, high-end shopping, restaurants, and all the DC cupcake places (Baked & Wired is the one to go to).
664 locals recommend
Georgetown
Beautiful brick streets, a brand new park on the riverfront, townhouses, mansions, high-end shopping, restaurants, and all the DC cupcake places (Baked & Wired is the one to go to).
Chinatown/Penn Quarter: Home of the Verizon Center. There are some actual Chinese restaurants here, but not really worth it if you’re only in town for the weekend. This neighborhood is home to the National Portrait Gallery and Museum of American Art (same building), Spy Museum, and National Archives.
20 locals recommend
Gallery Place
616 H St NWChinatown/Penn Quarter: Home of the Verizon Center. There are some actual Chinese restaurants here, but not really worth it if you’re only in town for the weekend. This neighborhood is home to the National Portrait Gallery and Museum of American Art (same building), Spy Museum, and National Archives.
There are two sides to the Hill (Senate and House), each have a slightly difference character. Senate (North) side is quieter and a bit more residential. On the House (South) side, there are several great bars and restaurants. It’s also home to Eastern Market, where you can get everything from flowers to produce to cheese to flea market items.
190 locals recommend
Capitol Hill
There are two sides to the Hill (Senate and House), each have a slightly difference character. Senate (North) side is quieter and a bit more residential. On the House (South) side, there are several great bars and restaurants. It’s also home to Eastern Market, where you can get everything from flowers to produce to cheese to flea market items.
Drinks & Nightlife
State-of-the-art concert space presents top-name rock, punk, hip-hop and country acts nightly
455 locals recommend
9:30
815 V St NWState-of-the-art concert space presents top-name rock, punk, hip-hop and country acts nightly
Showcases the best of local, national and international independent and alternative music in its main concert space and more intimate Backstage.
136 locals recommend
Black Cat
1811 14th St NWShowcases the best of local, national and international independent and alternative music in its main concert space and more intimate Backstage.
Entertainment & Activities
The National Zoological Park, commonly known as the National Zoo, is one of the oldest zoos in the United States, and as part of the Smithsonian Institution, does not charge admission
771 locals recommend
Smithsonian National Zoological Park
3001 Connecticut Ave NWThe National Zoological Park, commonly known as the National Zoo, is one of the oldest zoos in the United States, and as part of the Smithsonian Institution, does not charge admission