Exclusive for DC250
Be as in-the-know as a local with these neighborhood favorites and distinctly DC things to do.
The monuments on the Mall never get old, but challenge yourself to go beyond and take in neighborhood experiences like a second set at Blues Alley, a drag brunch at Perry’s, a play at Woolly Mammoth and so much more. Steal our three-day itinerary of you-can-only-do-it-here pastimes.
Your stay: Select from an array of DC250-themed packages and deals from local hotels.
Day 1
Morning
DC Bird Alliance
Make your grounding in DC a walking meditation. Experience the beauty of the wood thrush, DC’s state bird, along with many other avian friends, with a DC Bird Alliance tour. What better way to greet the native fauna thriving on DC’s two rivers, the Anacostia and the Potomac (which provide important “flyways” for migrating birds)? Let your sense of place unfold in the fresh air, and then, feeling connected, stop for a coffee or snack at one of DC’s many impressive coffee shops.
Afternoon
Blue Fern Travel Tours
After you’ve explored the animal kingdom, switch your focus to the real-life humans of DC in their natural habitats. Enjoy one of many in-depth neighborhood tours, full of little-known details and points of interest. If a focus on food entices, learn about DC deliciously with a Blue Fern Travel Food Tour (Georgetown or U Street) or a Mangia DC food tour (Dupont Circle). Try a self-guided walking tour in Adams Morgan or bike your way through several Northwest and Northeast neighborhoods on the Metropolitan Beer Trail (enjoy a brew or two on the way … safely).
Evening
You can’t be a local without a meal at Ben’s Chili Bowl – originator of the half-smoke and sustainer of Civil Rights activists, including Martin Luther King, Jr. himself.
If your hankering is for international flavor, try Ethiopian (the District is home to the largest Ethiopian community outside Africa) at Habesha Market and Carryout or Elfegne.
Gin rickey at Founding Farmers
Cap your evening off with the refreshment of a Gin Rickey – DC’s claim to cocktail fame – and a concert. Head to Blues Alley (the country’s oldest continuously running jazz supper club, a favorite of Dizzy Gillespie’s) in Georgetown or to the 9:30 Club or Howard Theatre in Shaw.
Day 2
Morning
Take it slow this morning in distinctly DC fashion: with brunch. Soak in the vibes at one of the city’s longest-running drag brunches at Perry’s, Adams Morgan’s decades-old Japanese restaurant. The brunch buffet swings from vegetable yakisoba to French toast to truffle mac ’n cheese. For a less interactive meal, try Busboys and Poets in the Brookland neighborhood. Savor the smoked brisket hash, sweet potato pancakes or vegan egg wrap while you dine among the books or at an open mic.
True Washingtonians know the grounds of the nearby Basilica (the largest Catholic church in North America) are a treasure trove for cherry blossom trees without crowds.
Afternoon
DC isn’t just a capital city; it’s a hometown. Uncover the real meaning behind this sentiment at the DC History Center, nestled inside the gorgeous Carnegie Library and steeped in the local lore that runs deep in this 68-square-mile diamond. Bonus points if you pick up a locally made souvenir from the gift shop – maybe a coveted Bailiwick sweatshirt or tote.
Just five blocks down 7th Street NW is the Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Museum. Skip the big tourist-flooded spots for the hidden gem where Barton lived, stored medical supplies and identified the fate of more than 22,000 soldiers during and after the Civil War.
You learned a lot today! Reward yourself with some of the city’s best cuisine and entertainment. You can walk straight from the Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Museum or the DC History Center to several of celebrity and humanitarian chef José Andrés’ most well-known restaurants. Oyamel (a Michelin Bib Gourmand), Zaytinya, China Chilcano and Jaleo spice up Penn Quarter and Chinatown with Mexican, Mediterranean, Asian/Peruvian fusion and Spanish, respectively. Beloved chef Peter Chang brings authentic Sichuan and Chinese dishes to Chang Chang, his first restaurant inside the District. It’s not even just locals who make Chang-inspired road trips, so don’t miss this Dupont Circle diamond.
Woolly Mammoth Theatre
After dinner, the theater beckons in many forms: Woolly Mammoth for cutting-edge avant-garde, Studio Theatre for contemporary shows in intimate spaces or GALA Hispanic Theatre, which offers works that explore the breadth of Latino performing arts. For nonstop laughs, check out DC Improv, one of the country’s top comedy spots.
Day 3
Morning
Southeast DC and the Anacostia River await. Discover the river’s riches by boat through an Anacostia Riverkeeper Tour or by foot or bike via the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, which passes the extraordinary Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, fully in bloom in the summer. You can also access the delightful Kingman + Heritage Islands via the trail.
After your outdoor adventure, head for the air conditioning and the deep cultural knowledge of the Anacostia Community Museum, the only Smithsonian dedicated to the exploration of community and one that illuminates often overlooked DC stories. While currently closed, the museum will reopen to debut a brand-new exhibit entitled We Make History in late spring.
Afternoon
For lunch, try DCity Smokehouse, where the award-winning smoked brisket and ribs are sure to convince you that “BBQ is more than a necessity…. It’s a lifestyle.” For more of a health food vibe, head to Turning Natural for juices, smoothies and soups.
Once you’re juiced up, you can check out Anacostia’s newest cultural gem: the Go-Go Museum, a tribute to the uniquely DC musical genre which you’re sure to hear at many local events. If you’re in more of a historical mood, the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site is not to be missed; guided tours are offered Tuesday through Saturday.
Evening
The beautiful food court and retail village Sycamore and Oak offers an abundant serving of community along with a range of culinary delights like the award-winning comfort of Dionne's Good Food. Then, use that energy to cheer on one of the city’s beloved and first-rate sports teams, whether it’s the WNBA’s Mystics, the NBA’s Wizards, MLB’s Nationals or the NHL’s Capitals.