There is always something to do in D.C. So while you are visiting, we hope you will take advantage of the many unique D.C. experiences. One of the best parts about visiting D.C. is that many activities are free!
MUSEUMS
MUSEUMS
All of the Smithsonian museums are free, including the Museum of Natural History, the Portrait Gallery, the Air and Space Museum and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
The National Zoo is also part of the Smithsonian Institute (which means it's free) and is one of our favorite places in D.C. You can see Tai Shan in the new Asia Trail, stop by the Great Cats exhibit or visit with the seals and sea lions. The zoo is a short walk from the Woodley Park Metro station.
A handful of museums do charge admission, including the Holocaust Museum, Corcoran Gallery of Art and the Spy Museum, but they are all worth visiting. The Holocaust Museum is only a three block walk from the Mandarin Oriental.
MONUMENTS
The monuments are a must-see when visiting Washington.
The Mall is walking distance from the Mandarin Oriental and the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel. Plus, there is a foot bridge near the Mandarin Oriental that leads to the Jefferson Memorial and the FDR Memorial, making them more accessible since they are on the other side of the Tidal Basin. Arlington National Cemetery is a beautiful place to go for a walk.
If you are a runner, we highly recommend going for a run on the Mall. The monuments are especially beautiful early in the morning and at night, and there are not as many tourists walking the Mall at those times. When Lara was working at the Senate, she often ran on the Mall after work, so she can suggest good routes. And Dave is a D.C. history buff from his time working with Close Up.
RESTAURANTS & BARS
D.C. has an interesting mix of restaurants ranging from cheap burger joints (Five Guys) to five-star restaurants (1789 and Citronelle), with most restaurants falling in between. And there are also plenty of bars to keep your thirst quenched.
Some of our favorite restaurants are:
Tallula
Arlington: 2761 Washington Blvd.
Tallula is probably our favorite restaurant in the D.C. area. It is located in Arlington, VA, and is an easy cab ride from D.C. All of the food is delicious, and there is something for everyone. The “Amuse Yourself” menu is a great way to try many different dishes because the portions are so small. The baby burger, risotto fritters and bbq pork pupusa are some of our favorites. The wine selection is great, as is the cocktail menu. All in all, you cannot go wrong with anything on any of the menus!
Pasta Mia
Adams Morgan: 1790 Columbia Rd. NW
Some might call it a hole-in-the-wall, but the food is wonderful. The tomato mozzarella salad is fantastic, and the pasta dishes are delicious and huge. They don’t take reservations (or credit cards!), so if you want to be seated early, get there early. Otherwise you might wait for more than an hour. The food is inexpensive as well, with entrees averaging around $11.
Butterfield 9
Downtown: 600 14th Street, N.W.
Butterfield 9 is the restaurant where Dave proposed! The service is fantastic, and the food is delicious. We had the tasting menu, so we were able to sample a variety of the chef’s creations, including delicious gnocchi and ostrich.
Bullfeathers
Capitol Hill: 410 First Street, S.E.
Back when we were students in AU's Washington Semester Program, our class would often stop at Bullfeathers for lunch. The Bull Burger is the prize of the menu, but it takes a hearty appetite and a brave soul.
Mr. Smith's
Georgetown: 3104 M Street, N.W.
Mr. Smith's is one of our old favorites; a lively piano bar in the heart of Georgetown never disappoints! With John playing 4 nightly sets on the piano, there will inevitably be a couple songs that you feel the need to sing along to at the top of your lungs.
Cantina Marina
Waterfront: 600 Water Street, S.W.
This waterfront bar, situated right on the shore of the Potomac, is just blocks from the Mandarin and L'Enfant Plaza Hotel. It feels less like a Washington bar and more like a beach party. If you are a Jimmy Buffett fan, then Cantina Marina is for you.
NEIGHBORHOODS TO CHECK OUT
(with recommended destinations)
Dupont Circle
On the Red line. Lots of fun shops, bars, and restaurants.
-Hank's Oyster Bar
Adam's Morgan
A bit of a walk from the Red Line. Bars, bars, and more bars.
-National Zoo and Pasta Mia
Georgetown
A short walk from the Foggy Bottom Metro. Lots of shopping, eating, and shopping.
-Georgetown Cupcake, Mr. Smith's, and lots of retail.
Clarendon
On the Orange Line in Arlington. Recently developed retail shopping and restaurants.
-South Moon Under, Bertucci's, Crate & Barrel (see our registry for details...just kidding)
Capitol Hill
Accessible by the Blue, Orange, and Red Lines. Lots of monuments, legislators, and lobbyists.
-The Capitol: Contact your Senator or Representative's office if you want a tour.
U Street Corridor
Accessible by the Green Line. One of Washington's many 'up-and-coming' neighborhoods.
- Health Bar, Stetson's, Cake LoveThe National Zoo is also part of the Smithsonian Institute (which means it's free) and is one of our favorite places in D.C. You can see Tai Shan in the new Asia Trail, stop by the Great Cats exhibit or visit with the seals and sea lions. The zoo is a short walk from the Woodley Park Metro station.
A handful of museums do charge admission, including the Holocaust Museum, Corcoran Gallery of Art and the Spy Museum, but they are all worth visiting. The Holocaust Museum is only a three block walk from the Mandarin Oriental.
MONUMENTS
The monuments are a must-see when visiting Washington.
The Mall is walking distance from the Mandarin Oriental and the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel. Plus, there is a foot bridge near the Mandarin Oriental that leads to the Jefferson Memorial and the FDR Memorial, making them more accessible since they are on the other side of the Tidal Basin. Arlington National Cemetery is a beautiful place to go for a walk.
If you are a runner, we highly recommend going for a run on the Mall. The monuments are especially beautiful early in the morning and at night, and there are not as many tourists walking the Mall at those times. When Lara was working at the Senate, she often ran on the Mall after work, so she can suggest good routes. And Dave is a D.C. history buff from his time working with Close Up.
RESTAURANTS & BARS
D.C. has an interesting mix of restaurants ranging from cheap burger joints (Five Guys) to five-star restaurants (1789 and Citronelle), with most restaurants falling in between. And there are also plenty of bars to keep your thirst quenched.
Some of our favorite restaurants are:
Tallula
Arlington: 2761 Washington Blvd.
Tallula is probably our favorite restaurant in the D.C. area. It is located in Arlington, VA, and is an easy cab ride from D.C. All of the food is delicious, and there is something for everyone. The “Amuse Yourself” menu is a great way to try many different dishes because the portions are so small. The baby burger, risotto fritters and bbq pork pupusa are some of our favorites. The wine selection is great, as is the cocktail menu. All in all, you cannot go wrong with anything on any of the menus!
Pasta Mia
Adams Morgan: 1790 Columbia Rd. NW
Some might call it a hole-in-the-wall, but the food is wonderful. The tomato mozzarella salad is fantastic, and the pasta dishes are delicious and huge. They don’t take reservations (or credit cards!), so if you want to be seated early, get there early. Otherwise you might wait for more than an hour. The food is inexpensive as well, with entrees averaging around $11.
Butterfield 9
Downtown: 600 14th Street, N.W.
Butterfield 9 is the restaurant where Dave proposed! The service is fantastic, and the food is delicious. We had the tasting menu, so we were able to sample a variety of the chef’s creations, including delicious gnocchi and ostrich.
Bullfeathers
Capitol Hill: 410 First Street, S.E.
Back when we were students in AU's Washington Semester Program, our class would often stop at Bullfeathers for lunch. The Bull Burger is the prize of the menu, but it takes a hearty appetite and a brave soul.
Mr. Smith's
Georgetown: 3104 M Street, N.W.
Mr. Smith's is one of our old favorites; a lively piano bar in the heart of Georgetown never disappoints! With John playing 4 nightly sets on the piano, there will inevitably be a couple songs that you feel the need to sing along to at the top of your lungs.
Cantina Marina
Waterfront: 600 Water Street, S.W.
This waterfront bar, situated right on the shore of the Potomac, is just blocks from the Mandarin and L'Enfant Plaza Hotel. It feels less like a Washington bar and more like a beach party. If you are a Jimmy Buffett fan, then Cantina Marina is for you.
NEIGHBORHOODS TO CHECK OUT
(with recommended destinations)
Dupont Circle
On the Red line. Lots of fun shops, bars, and restaurants.
-Hank's Oyster Bar
Adam's Morgan
A bit of a walk from the Red Line. Bars, bars, and more bars.
-National Zoo and Pasta Mia
Georgetown
A short walk from the Foggy Bottom Metro. Lots of shopping, eating, and shopping.
-Georgetown Cupcake, Mr. Smith's, and lots of retail.
Clarendon
On the Orange Line in Arlington. Recently developed retail shopping and restaurants.
-South Moon Under, Bertucci's, Crate & Barrel (see our registry for details...just kidding)
Capitol Hill
Accessible by the Blue, Orange, and Red Lines. Lots of monuments, legislators, and lobbyists.
-The Capitol: Contact your Senator or Representative's office if you want a tour.
U Street Corridor
Accessible by the Green Line. One of Washington's many 'up-and-coming' neighborhoods.
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