A Local's Guidebook to DC
Sightseeing
Stroll among butterflies & beautiful blooming plants in the tropical oasis at the Natural History Museum's Butterfly Pavilion. Butterflies fly freely around the Pavilion, landing on plants and sometimes people.
The Butterfly Pavilion is a brightly lit climate-controlled environment kept at 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 80 percent humidity, making it the ideal home for hundreds of butterflies.
Tickets can be purchased online or in person. All tickets are for a specific entry time beginning at 10:15 a.m. & ending at 5:00 p.m. Tuesdays are free!
Ticket Prices for Butterfly Pavilion:
Adults (13-59): $7.50
Seniors (60+): $7
Children (2 to 12): $6.50
647 lokalkjente anbefaler
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
10th St. & Constitution Ave. NWStroll among butterflies & beautiful blooming plants in the tropical oasis at the Natural History Museum's Butterfly Pavilion. Butterflies fly freely around the Pavilion, landing on plants and sometimes people.
The Butterfly Pavilion is a brightly lit climate-controlled environment kept at 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 80 percent humidity, making it the ideal home for hundreds of butterflies.
Tickets can be purchased online or in person. All tickets are for a specific entry time beginning at 10:15 a.m. & ending at 5:00 p.m. Tuesdays are free!
Ticket Prices for Butterfly Pavilion:
Adults (13-59): $7.50
Seniors (60+): $7
Children (2 to 12): $6.50
The Obama portraits have catapulted the Smithsonian museum to the top tier of the city’s attractions by dramatically increasing attendance. The Old Patent Office Building — the historic home to the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum — had a record-breaking 2.3 million visitors in 2018, about a million more than in 2017.
The portrait hangs on its own wall at the end of the “America’s Presidents” gallery, which features former commanders in chief. The Sherald portrait of Michelle Obama is displayed in a third-floor gallery alongside a Wiley portrait of LL Cool J and portraits of Beyoncé, Denyce Graves and Toni Morrison.
Unveiled with fanfare on Feb. 12, 2018, the portraits attracted attention for the historic choice of African American artists as well as their popular subjects. The paintings, which were commissioned by the gallery and paid for with private funds, are part of its permanent collection.
365 lokalkjente anbefaler
National Portrait Gallery
The Obama portraits have catapulted the Smithsonian museum to the top tier of the city’s attractions by dramatically increasing attendance. The Old Patent Office Building — the historic home to the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum — had a record-breaking 2.3 million visitors in 2018, about a million more than in 2017.
The portrait hangs on its own wall at the end of the “America’s Presidents” gallery, which features former commanders in chief. The Sherald portrait of Michelle Obama is displayed in a third-floor gallery alongside a Wiley portrait of LL Cool J and portraits of Beyoncé, Denyce Graves and Toni Morrison.
Unveiled with fanfare on Feb. 12, 2018, the portraits attracted attention for the historic choice of African American artists as well as their popular subjects. The paintings, which were commissioned by the gallery and paid for with private funds, are part of its permanent collection.
Neighborhoods
Barracks Row is located on 8th Street and is lined with great neighborhood shops, bars and restaurants. It's easy to get to via the Eastern Market Metro stop.
8 lokalkjente anbefaler
8th Street Southeast
8th Street SoutheastBarracks Row is located on 8th Street and is lined with great neighborhood shops, bars and restaurants. It's easy to get to via the Eastern Market Metro stop.
U Street was once truly the heart of black culture in Washington, DC, attracting locals and visitors for an unparalleled music and nightlife scene. The U Street Corridor is a commercial and residential district in Northwest Washington, D.C., most of which also constitutes the Greater U Street Historic District, centered along a nine-block stretch of U Street from 9th to 18th streets NW, and home to the famous Ben's Chili Bowl.
98 lokalkjente anbefaler
U Street Northwest
U Street NorthwestU Street was once truly the heart of black culture in Washington, DC, attracting locals and visitors for an unparalleled music and nightlife scene. The U Street Corridor is a commercial and residential district in Northwest Washington, D.C., most of which also constitutes the Greater U Street Historic District, centered along a nine-block stretch of U Street from 9th to 18th streets NW, and home to the famous Ben's Chili Bowl.
Things To Do
SPIN DC is located in the heart of Downtown/Metro Center area of DC in the National Press Building, and offers ping pong, and full service on-site food and beverage. Best of all, you don't have to chase your balls, as the attentive staff collects and replenishes your bucket for you!
SPIN DC is a load of fun with special events during the weekend and all you can play for $9 on Sunday's. It's gotten very popular and I recommend reserving a table if you're looking to visit.
1332 F St NW
1332 F Street NorthwestSPIN DC is located in the heart of Downtown/Metro Center area of DC in the National Press Building, and offers ping pong, and full service on-site food and beverage. Best of all, you don't have to chase your balls, as the attentive staff collects and replenishes your bucket for you!
SPIN DC is a load of fun with special events during the weekend and all you can play for $9 on Sunday's. It's gotten very popular and I recommend reserving a table if you're looking to visit.
Rock and Roll Hotel is a great spot to catch a live show. They have live music nearly every night of the week, and are usually priced under $20 / ticket. So, take a chance on someone you're unfamiliar with.
188 lokalkjente anbefaler
Rock & Roll Hotel
1353 H St NERock and Roll Hotel is a great spot to catch a live show. They have live music nearly every night of the week, and are usually priced under $20 / ticket. So, take a chance on someone you're unfamiliar with.
H Street Country Club is the LEAST classy country club you'll ever see. It's a 3-story bar featuring traditional bar games on the first floor, in-door DC themed mini-golf on the second, and a dreamy rooftop patio on the third. Every level has it's own bar, so just keep going up until you find a spot you like.
196 lokalkjente anbefaler
H Street Country Club
1335 H Street NortheastH Street Country Club is the LEAST classy country club you'll ever see. It's a 3-story bar featuring traditional bar games on the first floor, in-door DC themed mini-golf on the second, and a dreamy rooftop patio on the third. Every level has it's own bar, so just keep going up until you find a spot you like.
Dangerously Delicious Pies serves sweet and savory pies on the first floor, but hosts live music in their second floor concert venue and back patio.
102 lokalkjente anbefaler
Pie Shop
1339 H St NEDangerously Delicious Pies serves sweet and savory pies on the first floor, but hosts live music in their second floor concert venue and back patio.
Nomad
1200 H St NENomad is a dark, relaxed hookah bar. That's it. It's great.
Brewery, Distillery and Wine Crawl:
Ivy City is an up and coming DC neighborhood built around the historic Hecht Warehouse and Water Tower (which is lit pink at night). Tons of new bars and restaurants are opening every week, but the space is only newly rejuvenated.
Because, the area was primarily warehouse space, there are several established breweries, distilleries and wineries within a small 5 block radius. Rent a scooter and do your own booze crawl through Ivy City!
Here's my recommended list in order of location stops:
1. One Eight Distilling: www.oneeightdistilling.com
Casual tasting room with boardgames and Distillery tours on weekends.
2. Don Ciccio & Figli: www.donciccioefigli.com
Generational crafters of a range of Italian liqueurs, from the bitter to the sweet. Born in the old country (Italy) 135 years ago, now reborn in the USA.
Tasting Room - no tours
3. Republic Restoratives: www.republicrestoratives.com
Tasting Room and Distillery Tours
4. EAT FOOD: Ivy City Smokehouse or Via Chicken and Pizza
5. City Winery: www.citywinery.com
Do a tasting flight and catch some live music, tasting class, or winery tour before moving along.
6. Atlas Brew Works: www.atlasbrewworks.com
Great brewery run on solar energy! Settle in with a beer to end your night.
22 lokalkjente anbefaler
Ivy City
Brewery, Distillery and Wine Crawl:
Ivy City is an up and coming DC neighborhood built around the historic Hecht Warehouse and Water Tower (which is lit pink at night). Tons of new bars and restaurants are opening every week, but the space is only newly rejuvenated.
Because, the area was primarily warehouse space, there are several established breweries, distilleries and wineries within a small 5 block radius. Rent a scooter and do your own booze crawl through Ivy City!
Here's my recommended list in order of location stops:
1. One Eight Distilling: www.oneeightdistilling.com
Casual tasting room with boardgames and Distillery tours on weekends.
2. Don Ciccio & Figli: www.donciccioefigli.com
Generational crafters of a range of Italian liqueurs, from the bitter to the sweet. Born in the old country (Italy) 135 years ago, now reborn in the USA.
Tasting Room - no tours
3. Republic Restoratives: www.republicrestoratives.com
Tasting Room and Distillery Tours
4. EAT FOOD: Ivy City Smokehouse or Via Chicken and Pizza
5. City Winery: www.citywinery.com
Do a tasting flight and catch some live music, tasting class, or winery tour before moving along.
6. Atlas Brew Works: www.atlasbrewworks.com
Great brewery run on solar energy! Settle in with a beer to end your night.
Coffee
The espresso drinks that Little Pearl serves up are as wonderful as the fresh sandwiches and pastries. If you don't plan to spend $600 a meal, then this might be the only way you'll taste anything from the renowned Pineapple and Pearl restaurant!
48 lokalkjente anbefaler
Little Pearl
921 Pennsylvania Ave. SEThe espresso drinks that Little Pearl serves up are as wonderful as the fresh sandwiches and pastries. If you don't plan to spend $600 a meal, then this might be the only way you'll taste anything from the renowned Pineapple and Pearl restaurant!
The barista's can be very...hipster... but they make a mean coffee. The bar also offers a variety of great craft cocktails.
60 lokalkjente anbefaler
Slipstream
1333 14th St NWThe barista's can be very...hipster... but they make a mean coffee. The bar also offers a variety of great craft cocktails.
This place is unique! Coffee shop in the morning, clothing store during the day and Asian fusion restaurant at night. 20 minute walk from the apartment, and great coffee.
284 lokalkjente anbefaler
Maketto
1351 H St NEThis place is unique! Coffee shop in the morning, clothing store during the day and Asian fusion restaurant at night. 20 minute walk from the apartment, and great coffee.
This coffee shop is off the lobby of a fancy apartment complex, The Apollo. It's a small shop with great espresso and cold brew drinks, small pastries, and plenty of seating. If you just want a classic coffee shop experience, this is your place.
57 lokalkjente anbefaler
The Wydown at the Apollo
600B H St NEThis coffee shop is off the lobby of a fancy apartment complex, The Apollo. It's a small shop with great espresso and cold brew drinks, small pastries, and plenty of seating. If you just want a classic coffee shop experience, this is your place.
Great Watering Holes
This is a no-frills dive bar with a school bus bar upstairs. They often screen random old movies and generally keep a low-key clientele. I love reading at this bar.
77 lokalkjente anbefaler
Trusty's
1420 Pennsylvania Ave. SEThis is a no-frills dive bar with a school bus bar upstairs. They often screen random old movies and generally keep a low-key clientele. I love reading at this bar.
German beer garden with expansive patio (heated in the winter). It's a great place to watch a soccer game or enjoy a beer int eh afternoon.
Biergarten Haus
1355 H Street NortheastGerman beer garden with expansive patio (heated in the winter). It's a great place to watch a soccer game or enjoy a beer int eh afternoon.
Duffy's Irish Pub is my go to bar. I love the staff. They keep the clientele in-line and the bar running smoothly. You'll find me here on Sunday's watching football, even though it's technically a Packers bar, not many have found their way there yet, and the 6+ tv's are enough to screen nearly every game.
16 lokalkjente anbefaler
Duffy's Irish Pub
2153 P Street NorthwestDuffy's Irish Pub is my go to bar. I love the staff. They keep the clientele in-line and the bar running smoothly. You'll find me here on Sunday's watching football, even though it's technically a Packers bar, not many have found their way there yet, and the 6+ tv's are enough to screen nearly every game.
This brewery puts out some of my favorite beer - like their Ponzi IPA, and the brewery is powered by solar! Tours of the brewery are offered on Saturdays at noon, 2pm, and 6pm. No reservations required, but please inquire at the bar for a tour, as tours cannot be guaranteed when the bar is busiest!
79 lokalkjente anbefaler
Atlas Brew Works
2052 West Virginia Ave NEThis brewery puts out some of my favorite beer - like their Ponzi IPA, and the brewery is powered by solar! Tours of the brewery are offered on Saturdays at noon, 2pm, and 6pm. No reservations required, but please inquire at the bar for a tour, as tours cannot be guaranteed when the bar is busiest!
Where DC Locals Eat (i.e., not every meal needs to be expensive to be great)
Granville Moore's is not much to look at and smells a little damp inside, BUT they run a three time RAMMY Nominated beer program and a kitchen which has received both local and national accolades for it's moules frites and chef inspired tavern food... Monday's have 1/2 prices mussels, Tuesday's are bottomless mussels, and every day they serve a steak frites that will make you close your eyes to savor as you chew.
169 lokalkjente anbefaler
Granville Moore's
1238 H St NEGranville Moore's is not much to look at and smells a little damp inside, BUT they run a three time RAMMY Nominated beer program and a kitchen which has received both local and national accolades for it's moules frites and chef inspired tavern food... Monday's have 1/2 prices mussels, Tuesday's are bottomless mussels, and every day they serve a steak frites that will make you close your eyes to savor as you chew.
Get the pizza. They also have a bottomless mimosa brunch that gets a bit rowdy on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
92 lokalkjente anbefaler
RedRocks H Street
1348 H St NEGet the pizza. They also have a bottomless mimosa brunch that gets a bit rowdy on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Stable DC
1324 H St NETheir Swiss-American fusion with a delightful heated patio.
Pie Shop
1339 H St NESweet or Savory - They serve the pies
North Indian & Pakistani bites plus an extensive cocktail list served in an exposed-brick setting. Be warned that the "spicy" option WILL ACTUALLY melt your face-off.
33 lokalkjente anbefaler
Cusbah
North Indian & Pakistani bites plus an extensive cocktail list served in an exposed-brick setting. Be warned that the "spicy" option WILL ACTUALLY melt your face-off.
Le Grenier
502 H St NESlightly fancy French food with a great atmosphere.