Guidebook for Washington
Food Scene
Half a block from our apartment, Primrose has some of the best food we've eaten in DC. It's cozy and beautifully decorated, but it's popular, so make sure you call ahead! Primrose has a great wine list and is a wonderful place to grab a drink at the beginning or end of the night.
41 locals recommend
Primrose
3000 12th St NEHalf a block from our apartment, Primrose has some of the best food we've eaten in DC. It's cozy and beautifully decorated, but it's popular, so make sure you call ahead! Primrose has a great wine list and is a wonderful place to grab a drink at the beginning or end of the night.
Brookland's Finest is our favorite neighborhood brunch spot. They have an amazing burger, and the breakfast burrito is Scott's favorite. The restaurant has a great beer list and is about two blocks from our apartment.
169 locals recommend
Brookland's Finest Bar and Kitchen
3126 12th Street NortheastBrookland's Finest is our favorite neighborhood brunch spot. They have an amazing burger, and the breakfast burrito is Scott's favorite. The restaurant has a great beer list and is about two blocks from our apartment.
Amazing Indian food a few blocks from the apartment. Very casual spot with a full bar.
21 locals recommend
Masala Story
3301 12th St NEAmazing Indian food a few blocks from the apartment. Very casual spot with a full bar.
Union Market is an indoor market with a variety of vendors serving great food, including barbecue, Koran tacos, and ice cream. We like to go for lunch on the weekend.
906 locals recommend
Union Market
1309 5th St NEUnion Market is an indoor market with a variety of vendors serving great food, including barbecue, Koran tacos, and ice cream. We like to go for lunch on the weekend.
Arts & Culture
The Air and Space Museum is so fun to visit. The museum has great exhibits and cool stuff to learn for kids and adults. A great stop for the family!
809 locals recommend
National Air and Space Museum
600 Independence Ave SWThe Air and Space Museum is so fun to visit. The museum has great exhibits and cool stuff to learn for kids and adults. A great stop for the family!
This is one of the most interesting museums in DC, but keep in mind that this one isn't free. Still, the visit is worth the price of admission. Exhibits on the history of news, interesting videos, and an opportunity to try your hand at newscasting make this one of our favorite museums in DC. Also check out the views of the Capitol from the roof.
202 locals recommend
Newseum
565 Pennsylvania Avenue NWThis is one of the most interesting museums in DC, but keep in mind that this one isn't free. Still, the visit is worth the price of admission. Exhibits on the history of news, interesting videos, and an opportunity to try your hand at newscasting make this one of our favorite museums in DC. Also check out the views of the Capitol from the roof.
A collection of art galleries at Monroe Street Market - about a 10-minute walk form the apartment. Shop for original art or just meet the artists. There is also a farmers market starting in the spring.
8 locals recommend
The Arts Walk
The Arts WalkA collection of art galleries at Monroe Street Market - about a 10-minute walk form the apartment. Shop for original art or just meet the artists. There is also a farmers market starting in the spring.
The Portrait Gallery is best known for presidential portraits, but it has so much more, like performance arts and new media depictions of actors, poets, activists, and other interesting and important figures from American history.
365 locals recommend
National Portrait Gallery
The Portrait Gallery is best known for presidential portraits, but it has so much more, like performance arts and new media depictions of actors, poets, activists, and other interesting and important figures from American history.
This museum always has great exhibits and is a must-see for art enthusiasts.
385 locals recommend
National Gallery of Art
Constitution Avenue NorthwestThis museum always has great exhibits and is a must-see for art enthusiasts.
Entertainment & Activities
DC's free zoo is in the northwest quadrant of the city. The zoo has a ton of animals, including three giant pandas! Definitely a fun activity for the family or for a date!
771 locals recommend
Smithsonian National Zoological Park
3001 Connecticut Ave NWDC's free zoo is in the northwest quadrant of the city. The zoo has a ton of animals, including three giant pandas! Definitely a fun activity for the family or for a date!
Parks & Nature
The National Mall is home to most of the Smithsonian museums, including Air and Space, National History, African American History and Culture, National Archives, and more. You can also visit the Washington Monument or go on a jog to the Lincoln Memorial. Visit the FDR Memorial, where Alli and Scott got engaged!
1111 locals recommend
National Mall
The National Mall is home to most of the Smithsonian museums, including Air and Space, National History, African American History and Culture, National Archives, and more. You can also visit the Washington Monument or go on a jog to the Lincoln Memorial. Visit the FDR Memorial, where Alli and Scott got engaged!
If you're looking for fun outdoor activities, try paddle boating in the Tidal Basin! Alli grew up doing this, and it's always fun.
33 locals recommend
Tidal Basin Paddle Boats
1501 Maine Ave SWIf you're looking for fun outdoor activities, try paddle boating in the Tidal Basin! Alli grew up doing this, and it's always fun.
Sightseeing
A can't-miss! A historic monument to Lincoln with great views of the reflecting pool, the Capitol, and the National Mall.
697 locals recommend
Lincoln Memorial
2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NWA can't-miss! A historic monument to Lincoln with great views of the reflecting pool, the Capitol, and the National Mall.
Beautiful gardens with free public tours from April - November
74 locals recommend
Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land
1400 Quincy St NEBeautiful gardens with free public tours from April - November
Beautiful church near Catholic University in Brookland. One of the iconic buildings in DC.
134 locals recommend
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
400 Michigan Avenue NortheastBeautiful church near Catholic University in Brookland. One of the iconic buildings in DC.
Visit the Capitol Visitor Center for your tour of the Capitol, but make sure to book it in advance!
670 locals recommend
United States Capitol
First Street SoutheastVisit the Capitol Visitor Center for your tour of the Capitol, but make sure to book it in advance!
White House tours are hard to come by and generally have to be scheduled by your hometown Member of Congress.
1097 locals recommend
The White House South Lawn
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NWWhite House tours are hard to come by and generally have to be scheduled by your hometown Member of Congress.
Drinks & Nightlife
Brookland Pint
716 Monroe St NEGreat bar about a 10-minute walk from the apartment
Dew Drop Inn
2801 8th St NEVery cool neighborhood dive bar
Essentials
CVS
645 H St NELocal drug store
Giant Pharmacy
1345 Park Rd NWGrocery store is about a 5-minute drive from the apartment.