Where Can I Stay? The Wharf.
I stayed at the InterContinental Washington DC – The Wharf when I was in Washington, DC. This contemporary, opulent, waterfront hotel is situated in the midst of the Wharf District, which is home to several upscale eateries and retail establishments, and is less than a mile from historical sites like The National Mall. The staff was kind, efficient, and helpful throughout my stay, and the rooms were clean in addition to the lovely views and handy location. All in all, I enjoyed my stay at this hotel and would most certainly return. If you’re thinking about visiting Washington, DC, I strongly suggest taking a look at this house! A brief tour of the hotel is shown in the video below so you may experience its splendor for yourself.
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For Foodies (Reservations at Restaurants)
During my time in Washington, DC, I mostly ate seafood because I lived by the water. Along the Wharf and Navy Yard, I sampled a variety of po’ boys, Connecticut-style lobster rolls, fish and chips, and oysters of various kinds. I patronized the black-owned eateries* (see below) around 14th and U-Street for breakfast. In Georgetown, cupcakes satiated my sweet craving. I drank at pubs along Adams Morgan at night and got coffee from neighborhood coffee shops during the day to satiate my thirst. A list of the individual locations I visited that I think are worth trying is provided below, along with links and images. I’ll include recommendations from friends and coworkers that I didn’t have time to see at the conclusion of the blog post, but I wanted to include them here since they’re so well-liked and deserving of recognition. You’ll thank me later if you check them out!
Monuments and Culture as Sights to See
The National Mall, a park-like area that houses the Smithsonian institutions and the Washington Monument, was the main focus of my tour. The entire region has a wealth of history and is quite picturesque. The Smithsonian museums are all fantastic, conveniently located, and free! In particular, I spent the most of the day at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Simply select your preferred time window and proceed to get your free and simple tickets online. It should be less busy if you visit on a weekday, but you will probably encounter student field trip groups there. Below is a video I created that describes my first impressions and feelings about the AA museum:
Other attractions include the National Gallery of Art, which is enormous and spectacular. Additionally, DC is renowned for its cherry blossoms, so if you visit in the spring, it would be the ideal time to see them. The zoo is also free and a lot of fun. DC is particularly special for other activities since it has the State Department, embassies, and consulates. There are several excellent Ethiopian restaurants in Washington, DC, where there is a sizable Ethiopian community. Free cultural programs are held in several embassies, particularly during the week. For a list of forthcoming cultural events, see this page. A somewhat tangential but crucial point to remember when taking in the sights is that DC is incredibly walkable. Because the metro is so dependable and safe, you will save money on transportation.
Word-of-mouth
Rome wasn’t built in a day, as they say. So, regrettably, during my brief visit to Washington, DC, I was unable to see all I wanted to. But I’m confident that I’ll be back, and I’ll have something to look forward to. As promised, I’ve included a list of more suggestions from some of my friends and coworkers who were once city dwellers.
This extensive list ought to be plenty to get you going, in my opinion. Please let me know in the comments if you visit any of the DC neighborhoods, attractions, pubs, lodging facilities, or dining establishments included in this post! Tell me about your experience, please. Even though Washington, DC, isn’t your average vacation spot, I still think it’s one of those locations that everyone should see and experience for themselves, even if just once. The city is generally fairly clean and walkable, plus it has a lot of history. There are activities for kids, young adults, senior citizens, and everyone in between, and the region seems secure. Since I attended college on the East Coast, I was able to readily adapt to the cold weather and time zone, even though the first few days of my trip were filled with rain and freezing winds.