A Locals Guide to Washington DC

Out of all of the cities that I cover, Washington DC is one that I know far too well and have pretty much gotten used to the city. In other cities, I am just a tourist trying to blend in with their society for a short time but in Washington DC, I would consider myself a local. The Washington Monument, the Capitol, and the White House are all just a short drive or metro ride away. I have almost grown immune to all of the natural wonders of this city to the point that I don’t even notice these masterpieces anymore, it all just feels so normal. That being said, I have explored this city countless times in all seasons and I’m excited to give you a local’s guide to Washington DC.

Background

This photo shows crowds gathering during the “March on Washington” where Martin Luther King made his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Washington DC has been the epicenter for change ever since it was founded in 1790, as it’s the capital of the United States. Washington DC is where the President, Congress, and all of the other people in the government work, about 1.8 million people in total. One very unique aspect of Washington DC is that there are no tall buildings in the city. This is due to the government passing a law that limits how tall a building can be in the city. This means that icons such as the Washington Monument, National Cathedral, and the United States Capitol can be seen from almost any part of the city.

My Thoughts on Washington DC

Living in the Virginia suburbs, I hardly think about Washington DC much as the suburbs are large, vast, and have tall buildings of their own. Because of the height limit on buildings inside Washington DC, the suburbs in Virginia and Maryland are the ones with the tall buildings. When I am in the city, I am normally not around the National Mall as Washington DC has so much more to it that even I haven’t explored yet. One thing about DC that I love is the free museums, these museums are spectacular from the inside and you don’t need to pay a dime to see them. The Washington Metro system is also really convenient, it’s the second largest in the country with over 128 miles of track spread out across Washington DC and its suburbs. Without further waiting, let me present to you my take on 5 places that you must see when visiting Washington DC.

1. Washington DC Museums

There are nearly 20 Smithsonian Museums located in DC, all being 100% free. They are all impressive as each museum is dedicated to a different topic. You really can’t go wrong when choosing which museum to go to but my personal favorites are the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Gallery of Art. I have visited pretty much all of the Smithsonian Museums scattered across Washington DC and I have been impressed with all of them. If a museum sounds cool to you, it probably is. Over half of the museums are located around the National Mall which means that you can walk from one museum to another and explore. The newly renovated National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC takes the prize as the Smithsonian’s largest museum at over 160,000 square feet. Each museum will take around 2 hours to explore give or take so take that into account. Don’t worry about food because every Smithsonian that I have been to has a cafe or restaurant where you can grab a bite to eat. A trip to Washington DC isn’t complete without exploring the museums so make sure to check some of them out.

2. The Wharf DC

The Wharf DC is a fairly new addition to Washington DC having opened in 2017, and it’s quickly become my favorite part of the city. The 3.6 billion dollar project was finally completed just last year and it’s now home to 60 restaurants and over 3.5 million square feet of retail, office, and residential space. The Wharf DC is also an excellent place to stay in DC as you are in a happening place that’s located under a mile from the National Mall. The Wharf has loads of things to do which makes it a really fun place to hang out. The Wharf stretches over 1 mile and backs onto the Potomac River with various piers to hang out on. There is also a water taxi system called the Potomac Water Taxi that can connect you to National Harbor and Georgetown for a relatively inexpensive price, you also get cool views of DC by boat on the way.

3. National Mall

The National Mall is the most famous attraction in Washington DC by far. There are countless things to do at the National Mall, some that I will outline here. The National Mall is the center of Washington DC, it’s hard to miss. Here, you will see famous sights such as the United States Capitol, the Washington Monument, and the White House. You will also find memorials such as the Lincoln Memorial, World War ll Memorial, and the Martin Luther King Memorial. All of these landmarks are part of the National Mall. Make sure to dedicate a full day to the National Mall as there is a lot to see and do. I would recommend taking a tour to see the U.S. Capitol as it is vast and grand from the inside. I have yet to enter the Washington Monument as it recently reopened to the public but it’s something I’m planning to do soon. If you’re planning to visit in the spring, check out the Tidal Basin as it will be full of Cherry Blossoms, it does get pretty crowded on weekends though so going on a weekday might prove beneficial.

4. United States Botanic Garden

The United States Botanic Garden contains over 44,000 plants in a beautiful 28,000-square-foot conservatory. Located just across the Capitol Building, the United States Botanic Garden provides stunning natural beauty in the center of downtown. There is also an outdoor space where you can get views of the Capitol Building, Independence Avenue, and the stunning plants located around the entire garden. The United States Botanic Garden was established in 1820 and it is still a national icon in the city over 200 years later. Today, the Garden attracts over 1 million people per year. They come here to explore the beautiful nature and thousands of different plant species that this place has. The best part is that the Garden is free to visit so there is no reason not to see this place.

5. Georgetown

Georgetown is a charming neighborhood west of downtown Washington DC. Georgetown has been around since George Washington’s days with the neighborhood being founded in 1751. The neighborhood was part of Maryland for over 30 years until it became part of Washington DC. Georgetown has been popular ever since and still attracts over 10 million people a year. The historic architecture and buildings are cool to see as Georgetown is Washington DCs oldest neighborhood. The vibe of this place is also apparent even today, there are tons of shops and restaurants throughout the neighborhood and Georgetown’s main street buzzes with people and activity. Georgetown Waterfront Park is also a cool place to hang out with views of the Potomac River, Rosslyn, and the Watergate Hotel. Georgetown also weirdly enough has a huge cupcake scene with Georgetown Cupcakes and Baked and Wired both being called some of the best cupcakes in the United States.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Washington DC is a very special city to me because it feels like my city. I am just one resident in a city of millions and I am happy to be connected to such a cool and vibrant city. I hope that you will be able to experience that on a trip here. And who knows, maybe I’ll see you around!