I will be there in November. Only have 1.5 days to tour, but 3 night for dinners. Our hotel is near the Capital.
Looking for those popular places to go where it’s easy to Uber to. “Get dressed up, great bars and atmosphere”.
Not sure what do do those 1.5 days. Afternoon the day of arrival May just go see some monuments. I suppose Smithsonian. I’ve looked at the choices and the American History one seems interesting as does the space one. Which is better.
Any suggestions on things to do is much appreciated. We will actually be going to the Capital one day. I’ve already been to the WH years ago.
We recently had dinner at Rasika - West End and it was fantastic. Le Diplomate is a favorite. I understand St. Anselm is quite popular. The Wharf is a fun spot with quite a few popular spots - the Salt Line being one.
Be touristy. Go to Clyde’s. The birthplace of the song Afternoon Delight. A few locations, the most convenient probably being Gallery Place/Chinatown. 15-20 minutes on the Metro and you’re there.
A few years ago I had a day where I was on my own in DC.
I went to the Smithsonian and went in and out of a bunch of them. The only one that you had to make reservations for was the National Museum of African American history. It was amazing, we did it another day. But on the day on my own, I went to the national portrait gallery and the art museum to see the DaVinci. Went to the American Indian museum and the space museum. Saw the First Ladies dresses. I just went in and out of a bunch of places and saw a bit of this and a bit of that. It’s all free so why not.
It was a great day.
I’m not much of a food person so I can’t help there.
Our tour of the Capital was amazing. The White House while nice I wouldn’t go again.
Our D lives in DC (Arlington) and we try to visit some place of interest whenever we are in town. I loved the National Portrait Gallery - WAY more than I thought I would! We also love visiting the monuments at night. We enjoyed the tour of Arlington Cemetery (on a beautiful day.) This probably wouldn’t work in your schedule or location, but another site we thoroughly enjoyed was the National Cathedral. This past spring we hit cherry blossoms at the tail end, and while we were at the Tidal Basin we spent a lot of time perusing the FDR memorial - found it to be very interesting and well done. Always love seeing the MLK memorial. We are not fancy restaurant people so can’t help with that.
Agree the National Portrait Gallery is great. National Archives, Hillwood Estate, Library of Congress, the monuments, the Smithsonian museums, walking around Georgetown, etc. , etc.
So much to see and do . You need more time!
Even at some of the restaurants mentioned here, not everyone will be super dressed up .
If your hotel is in the Capitol area, the Rasika on D Street is closer (possibly within walking distance depending on where your hotel is) than the West End location. Also very good, although it’s been a few years since I’ve been to either location. There are more current reviews/recommendations online obviously.
