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The last time I was in D.C., it was for the classic eighth grade trip. Even if you didn't do this *exact* trip, you know exactly what I'm referring to here. I remember enjoying the museums and historical sites we visited, but mostly I remember taking stupid pictures with my friends, being sweaty, and not really having time to enjoy each place before it was time to hop back on the bus and get to the next attraction. No hate to the teachers and chaperones who made that trip happen, but let's just say I wanted to see D.C. again on my own terms. Thankfully, I got the chance to do so recently, and I'm here to tell you: D.C. is the city break you've been looking for.
Obviously, history buffs and politicos will find plenty to enjoy here—I mean, it’s D.C.! But that's just the beginning. The city is filled with incredible art, amazing restaurants, lots of shopping, cute bookstores, and plenty of opportunities to get your steps in while taking it all in. (Seriously, pack comfortable shoes for this trip.)
Whether you're there for a quick weekend getaway with your partner, a work trip, or a solo adventure, here are some recs for what to see and do in Washington, D.C.
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(P.S. The writer received comped accommodations and a meal during this getaway.)
Where You’re Staying
- The Madison Hotel. My boyfriend and I were lucky enough to spend a couple of nights at The Madison, a boutique hotel that’s close to basically everything you want to do and see in D.C. For you U.S. history buffs, here’s a fun fact: The hotel was designed to emulate the home of President James Madison and First Lady Dolley Madison.
We stayed in a gorgeous suite with a king-size bed and plenty of room to lounge, including a terrace. When we visited in late November, it was a little too chilly to hang out on the terrace, but if you’re staying here during a more temperate month, it’s a perfect spot to hang out. The room also had a large desk, which is a nice perk if you’re working while you’re staying here. But personally, I preferred to work downstairs in the Madison Hotel’s cocktail lounge, Lady Madison. There were tons of plush, comfortable couches and chairs along with counter seating near outlets (essential, IMO) and interesting people-watching. Plus, you know, cocktails!
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What You’re Seeing and Doing
- See the monuments and memorials. I mean, you can’t come to D.C. and not spend at least one afternoon taking in the famous monuments and memorials. Luckily, many of them are located around the National Mall and it’s easy to walk between them. The Martin Luther King Jr. memorial was especially poignant, but I also felt affected by the FDR Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. And the Jefferson Memorial was also gorgeous. I went with a group of friends who live in D.C. and we just walked between the monuments, but you can also book tours if you don't have built-in tour guides or if you wanna learn all about the history behind the memorials and monuments.
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- Visit the National Portrait Gallery. There’s no shortage of museums in D.C., but this one was my favorite. Obviously, I had to see the famous portraits of Michelle Obama and Barack Obama, but there’s so much more to enjoy here.
First up, the “Kinship” exhibition runs through January 2024 and features eight artists’ work on the theme of interpersonal relationships. Seeing how different artists interpreted the theme was incredibly interesting, and each room was a moving experience. You can also head to the 20th Century Americans or America’s Presidents sections to see some familiar faces, or learn more about civil rights through an exhibit called The Struggle for Justice.
- Pick up your next read at Capitol Hill Books. This cozy, quirky bookstore has three stories of used books for you to browse, stacked basically from floor to ceiling. Handwritten signs help you navigate the shop, often with cheeky comments from the staff. They also appeared to have a limited selection of new titles if you’re looking to get your hands on the latest books of 2023, but IMO, there’s something truly magical about just wandering through the narrow stacks of used books waiting for the perfect one to find you. Luckily, you’re right by Eastern Market, so once you’ve found your read, you can head over and grab a coffee or snack to enjoy with your book.
Where You’re Eating
- Lady Madison. In addition to being a cocktail bar and lounge perfect for getting some work done, Lady Madison also has a delicious food menu. Head down to the lobby and pull up a seat to enjoy delish options like cedar plank salmon, filet mignon, roasted chicken and more. They've got a fairly extensive wine menu, with many picks from Sonoma and Napa as well as wines from France, Italy, and New Zealand, starting at $13 for a glass. If cocktails are more your speed, they've got several craft ones on the menu. I can't resist a paloma, and the mezcal paloma on their menu was just what I wanted. If you're skipping the booze, they also offer a couple of zero proof cocktails. BTW, don't skip dessert: the raspberry and vanilla cheesecake is a must-try.
- Le Diplomate. This trendy restaurant describes itself as paying “sincere homage to French cafe culture,” and it’s clear that this idea guided both the atmosphere of the restaurant as well as the food and drink. My boyfriend and I both agreed that the french onion soup here was *incredible,* so definitely get that to start. I also really enjoyed the incredibly decadent pasta primavera with seasonal vegetables, but if I were to come back, I'd want to try the oysters and steak au poivre. Pro tip: Book your reservation ASAP, because it fills up fast. We managed to get here for lunch on a weekday, which was the only option because their dinner reservations were totally booked up the entire time we were in D.C.
- Farmers Fishers Bakers. This farmer-owned, sustainable restaurant in Georgetown can’t be missed. They have a weekend buffet brunch with classics like french toast and eggs Benedict along with unique brunch fare like molasses-glazed ham and seafood jambalaya. For lunch or dinner, you can expect options like sushi, fresh salads, pizza, burgers, tacos and more. Everything here is made from scratch daily and ingredients are largely sourced from family farmers, so it's super fresh and delicious. Plus, the restaurant's commitment to sustainability includes things like cooking with energy-efficient equipment, recycling and composting, and decorating the restaurant with reclaimed or recycled items. I'll admit I don't often think about the sustainability practices of restaurants I visit, but learning about Farmers Fishers Bakers' approach might have changed that for me. Also, when you're done eating, you should definitely do some shopping in the Georgetown neighborhood! Seriously, every store you love—including Aritzia, Everlane, Sephora, Patagonia, lululemon and so many others—is probably here.
- Ghion Ethiopian Restaurant. Something I didn't know before visiting D.C. is that it is home to the largest Ethiopian community in the U.S.. That means there are a ton of delicious Ethiopian restaurants in the city worth checking out. Seriously, you could spend a week here only eating Ethiopian food and probably never run out of new places to try. I made it to Ghion, which had tons of glowing reviews on Google. And they weren't wrong! This place serves spicy, delicious meat and veggie stews, served atop injera, a spongy flatbread. The portions are very generous, and there are plenty of vegan and vegetarian options if you’re not eating meat.
What You're Packing for Washington D.C.
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Jamie Ballard (she/her) is a freelance writer and editor who covers news, lifestyle, and entertainment topics, including sex and relationships, TV, movies, books, health, pets, food and drinks, pop culture, shopping, and personal finance. She regularly contributes to Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, and YouGov, among other publications. When she’s not working, you can find her running, traveling, or scrolling TikTok. Follow her on Twitter.
