A Helpful Guide to Washington, DC!
Neighborhoods
Adams Morgan is a lively and diverse area full of young urban professionals, families and even some college students heading to the nightlife scene.
Tryst is an amazing cafe to grab brunch/lunch at or just a very yummy Chai Latte while you rest your feet from walking around. The LINE Hotel has a see and be seen lounge for those looking for an upscale feel and I highly recommend Lapis, an Afghani restaurant on Columbia Road or Perry's, a Japanese restaurant with a lovely rooftop.
For the nightlife, just walk up and down 18th Street between Columbia Road and Kalorama Road and check out the bars. Pitchers and ALOHO are LGBTQ owned, operated and frequented.
287 locals recommend
Adams Morgan
Adams Morgan is a lively and diverse area full of young urban professionals, families and even some college students heading to the nightlife scene.
Tryst is an amazing cafe to grab brunch/lunch at or just a very yummy Chai Latte while you rest your feet from walking around. The LINE Hotel has a see and be seen lounge for those looking for an upscale feel and I highly recommend Lapis, an Afghani restaurant on Columbia Road or Perry's, a Japanese restaurant with a lovely rooftop.
For the nightlife, just walk up and down 18th Street between Columbia Road and Kalorama Road and check out the bars. Pitchers and ALOHO are LGBTQ owned, operated and frequented.
DuPont is a great place to shop, eat and just walk around. Kramers is an amazing local bookshop to browse through and they have an adjoining restaurant that is a bit on the pricier side but has tons of outdoor seating with heaters. Tatte is an adorable French style bakery and cafe great to take a break from walking around the city.
301 locals recommend
Dupont Circle
DuPont is a great place to shop, eat and just walk around. Kramers is an amazing local bookshop to browse through and they have an adjoining restaurant that is a bit on the pricier side but has tons of outdoor seating with heaters. Tatte is an adorable French style bakery and cafe great to take a break from walking around the city.
Georgetown is the high-end area of Washington, DC and is quite beautiful with cobble-stone streets, walkways and bridges over a small stream and an amazing waterfront with a view looking into Virginia.
While mostly expensive, shopping does range from designer to less cost heavy places such as H&M and Urban Outfitters.
Many like to stop at Georgetown Cupcake for their famous baked goods however you will almost certainly wait in line to do so so I'd recommend going with that in mind and hopefully when the weather is good enough to do so.
Martin's Tavern on Wisconsin is a very classic, American place to grab a bite although you may want to venture to some of the spots along the waterfront for a better view.
Note that the metro does not really run into Georgetown and parking can be hard to find. Busses do go into Georgetown and of course you can take a rideshare or Capitol Bikeshare.
664 locals recommend
Georgetown
Georgetown is the high-end area of Washington, DC and is quite beautiful with cobble-stone streets, walkways and bridges over a small stream and an amazing waterfront with a view looking into Virginia.
While mostly expensive, shopping does range from designer to less cost heavy places such as H&M and Urban Outfitters.
Many like to stop at Georgetown Cupcake for their famous baked goods however you will almost certainly wait in line to do so so I'd recommend going with that in mind and hopefully when the weather is good enough to do so.
Martin's Tavern on Wisconsin is a very classic, American place to grab a bite although you may want to venture to some of the spots along the waterfront for a better view.
Note that the metro does not really run into Georgetown and parking can be hard to find. Busses do go into Georgetown and of course you can take a rideshare or Capitol Bikeshare.
H Street Corridor is in a transition phase and can seem shiny and new in some areas and grungy and unkept in others. Depending on your interests, you can check out this neighborhood in the evening for a dive bar crawl but I would not recommend it for shopping or dining.
133 locals recommend
H Street Corridor
H Street Corridor is in a transition phase and can seem shiny and new in some areas and grungy and unkept in others. Depending on your interests, you can check out this neighborhood in the evening for a dive bar crawl but I would not recommend it for shopping or dining.
Logan Circle is the center of DC for most young professionals and those seeking trendy restaurants, fun nightlife and people watching.
Up and down 14th Street between Rhode Island and all the way up to U Street, you will find a ton of restaurants (nearly all of which require a reservation far in advance for a weekend evening dinner/brunch) and shops for clothing, furniture and other items.
Le Diplomate is an amazing French restaurants where the President, Vice President and many other DC celebrities have eaten (again, reservation far in advance required!) but other great spots include Barcelona, Gypsy Kitchen and Estadio.
For those leaning liberal (no judgement either way, just a guide!) there's a store called The Outrage with many progressive items for sale benefiting non-profit organizations. LGBTQ folks may want to check out Number 9, a bar on P St btwn 14 and 15 or Trade, on 14th St just south of P.
60 locals recommend
Logan Circle
Logan Circle is the center of DC for most young professionals and those seeking trendy restaurants, fun nightlife and people watching.
Up and down 14th Street between Rhode Island and all the way up to U Street, you will find a ton of restaurants (nearly all of which require a reservation far in advance for a weekend evening dinner/brunch) and shops for clothing, furniture and other items.
Le Diplomate is an amazing French restaurants where the President, Vice President and many other DC celebrities have eaten (again, reservation far in advance required!) but other great spots include Barcelona, Gypsy Kitchen and Estadio.
For those leaning liberal (no judgement either way, just a guide!) there's a store called The Outrage with many progressive items for sale benefiting non-profit organizations. LGBTQ folks may want to check out Number 9, a bar on P St btwn 14 and 15 or Trade, on 14th St just south of P.
Sightseeing
No, this is not a place for shopping! The National Mall is a large, green space that spans between the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol building including many other monuments and memorials such as the WW2, Korean War, Vietnam War, Washington Monument and tons of Smithsonian Museums along the way.
There are food trucks all around and usually portajohns scattered about as well. Look to rent a scooter or Capitol Bikeshare but honestly walking is fine as well! Best of all, all of the monuments and most of the museums are completely free!
1111 locals recommend
National Mall
No, this is not a place for shopping! The National Mall is a large, green space that spans between the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol building including many other monuments and memorials such as the WW2, Korean War, Vietnam War, Washington Monument and tons of Smithsonian Museums along the way.
There are food trucks all around and usually portajohns scattered about as well. Look to rent a scooter or Capitol Bikeshare but honestly walking is fine as well! Best of all, all of the monuments and most of the museums are completely free!