Washington is a city of spectacles.
~ Martin Luther King Jr.
Hello, lovelies from one of my favorite cities: Washington D.C. (Fun fact, I am a licensed attorney in D.C.!)
I have spent now two weekends in D.C. and yet so much of this gorgeous and lively city remains unexplored! But if you are like me and often only have 36 hours to spend in D.C., here is a short overview of my most recent trip and my recommendations:
Where to Stay:
The Intercontinental: The Willard
Now, let me preface this: the Willard is not for those faint of price tag. This five-star hotel will set you back about $300-$500 a night. However, I cannot recommend enough joining the IHC Ambassador Program. For $200, it gives you two years of membership, a free weekend night stay, free upgrades and a whole bunch of other perks! Stay one night and it literally pays for itself. This Ambassador Program was a blessing my most recent stay! I got upgraded ~1,100sqrft to a city-facing one bedroom suite for a minimal upcharge, received complimentary sparkling water, macaroons and card waiting for me. This room was massive with one-and-a-half baths, spacious living and dining quarters, two queen beds, a pull-out sofa and dual thermostat, my family and I still talk about our stay over a month later!
Centrally located to the White House, the Washington Monument, and the Metro Center line, you absolutely cannot beat its location! If you take the double-decker tour buses, the Willard is one of the stops which make it even more accessible!
How to Get Around:
I cannot recommend enough the Metro! While you do have to purchase a card for each rider (cannot double swipe these cards), it is the easiest and most cost effective way to get around the city! You can get to most major landmarks via the Metro and its color-coded system makes it easily navigable. Take-it from a born-and-raised New Yorker who has taken the NYC subway system many-a-times: this is the easiest subway system to navigate (even for people like me who lack a general sense of direction geographically (and in life)).
I have taken the tour buses before, however, these tours come with hefty price tags ($50-$95 a person generally) and I often find the audio does not work on them. Compared to tour buses I have taken in the past (Belfast, Dublin, Glasgow) the D.C. tours are the least bang for your buck.
My advice: go get yourself a metro card and take a leisurely stroll around this beautiful city! Your wallet and figure will thank you!
Places to Eat:
D.C. is in no shortage of amazing eats! There is something for everyone. These are my go-to favs:
- Old Ebbits Grill
- Proper 21
- The Hamilton
- Astro-Donuts
What to do:
From historical landmarks, countless museums, parks, and the Arlington cemetery, there is no shortage of things to do and see.
Here are some of my must-dos:
(1) Capitol- Hill & Tour
How to get to: Metro- Capitol South Station – Accessible via blue, silver and orange lines
Hands down one of my favorite spots in D.C. As a young-lawyer with a strong interest in politics and national security, nothing beats the thrill of standing being in the “room where it happens.” (Hamilton fans?) You will want to be sure to reserve your tour time in advance as they fill up quickly! Remember, most tours in D.C. require you to go through TSA level security – pack lightly and accordingly.
Especially if you go in the summer like I often do (P.S. D.C. in the summer months is hot), the Capitol Hill tour provides a much needed break from the unrelenting heat. The tour-guides are treasure troves of information and you will be blown away by the stunning architecture and history.
If you wish to meet your representative and Congress is in session, you must coordinate this through your local Senator or Representative’s office.
After completing the tour, you can grab a bite to eat at the Capitol Cafe, tour the gift shop, or the museum area. There is a cute debate area where you can make your own campaign button, make your own speech in front of your constituents, or vote in a pressing matter.
The Capitol Building, additionally, has an underground tunnel to the Jefferson Library, which is next up on our list.
(2) Library of Congress/Thomas Jefferson Building
Have you ever been in love before? If not, and if you are a book-lover, you are about to.
The Jefferson Library is the keeper of – you guessed- Thomas Jefferson’s private collection and countless other texts.
And the sights are stunning. Head to its front side to see breathtaking views of the Capitol Building and Washington Monument. Approach the split stairs to see the Neptune Fountain and take in all the gorgeous Corinthian Columns and Beaux architecture. With quotes engraved into gold leaf all around, there is no shortage of sights to take in.
Grab a library card and you can enter places tourists can’t.
(3) The White House & Eisenhower Building
It is not a trip to D.C. without a stroll down Pennsylvania Avenue to see the White House and Eisenhower Building.
There is a heavy Secret Service presence around this area, so be on your best behavior! Many time throughout the year, there are many protests, movements, and similar demonstrations along this strip, so you may want to do a quick google search before heading down (but it is a great way to see democracy in action!).
The Eisenhower Building, originally constructed in 1888 and once serving as the State, War, and Navy Building, now houses a multitude of executive offices including the Office of the Vice President, the OMB, and the National Security Council. Part of the White House compound, you can certainly see why news travels quickly to the POTUS.
(4) International Spy Museum
If you are an intelligence nerd, like me, a history lover or simply wanting to get in touch with your inner 007, the International Spy Museum is a must. Conveniently accessible from the L’Enfant Plaza station, bring your student ID to enjoy a student discount.
Climb through air vents, hold onto a helicopter rail for dear life, complete mission’s on behalf of your agency and learn about real-life espionage.
I spent about 2.5 hours here and it was a blast.
(5) The Lincoln Memorial & Reflecting Pool
The Lincoln Memorial is another iconic D.C. landmark. From Obama’s 2009 inauguration, countless concerts, movements and memorials to making an appearance in films, books, and video games, the Memorial and Reflecting Pool is not to be missed!
Taking the metro? It’s closest station is Foggy Bottom. From this station it is about a mile walk to the monument.
The Lincoln Memorial is also accessible from the Washington Monument (though you are probably walking a mile either way).
Fun Fact: While you are at the Lincoln Memorial make sure you take a careful glance at the right-hand north-interior wall. You might just see a cleverly concealed spelling mistake in the Gettysburg address. When initially engraved “Future” was mis-engraved as “Euture.” If you know where to look, you can still see the remnants of an “E.”
(6) Jefferson Memorial
This is one I only got to see at a distance (twice) but this is another memorial I would not miss (do as I say, not as I do!). It offers a great view of the reflecting pool and Washington Monument and both times I have been in DC for a weekend trip there have been wedding ceremonies hosted within it!
(7) The Washington Monument
Did you know the Washington Monument is 555 feet tall? Now you do and you can go up in it to it’s look out! Tickets sell out quickly so I recommend you purchase at least a month before your trip.
Within walking distance to the White House and Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument gives you the perfect vantage point for not only the aforementioned, but also the Capitol Building and the Jefferson Memorial.
I have yet to see a lot of the war memorials, Arlington Cemetery and the tomb of the fallen soldier, the national archives, the Supreme Court (gasp) and countless other museums. These should all be added to an itinerary if room allows. I guess I will just have to go back (and I cannot wait!)
Have you been to D.C.? What are your favorite places to visit and eat? What are your tips? Leave a comment!