Try some new experiences that will make your visit memorable
The political climate in our nation’s capital may have drastically changed after the 2016 presidential election, but Washington, D.C. is still thriving, as it always has, and continues to be one of the most visited cities in our country. The historical monuments and landmarks dominate the attention of visitors and locals alike, while the easily mapped out city with its efficient transportation make sightseeing particularly easy. The metro system is very easy to use, the shopping is world-class and there’s an abundance of sights to see. Some pretty important people are constantly visiting the capital, so, of course, the hotel options are all going to be top-notch and ready for dignitaries. And, the culinary scene in the city has been on a constant climb that continues to keep growing, always outdoing itself. D.C. has some of the best restaurants in the United States, and, if you just go there to eat, you won’t be disappointed. No matter your political views, it’s easy to agree that D.C. is for everyone…and all are welcome.
An Artful Afternoon
The Phillips Collection is very much worth the time and is a petite but astonishing collection of private art that now hosts major exhibits in a mansion near Dupont Circle. The Phillips is the first museum of modern art in the U.S and includes works of arts by Picasso, Modigliani, Braque, as well as mid-century masters like Rothko and contemporary artists like Wolfgang Leib.
Go Under Cover
No other American city is spied on with the intensity of Washington, DC. It is estimated that there are at least 10,000 spies in the nation’s capital. No better place to learn the secrets of spy craft than at the International Spy Museum. Tour historical exhibitions, take on a spy persona or check out an interactive game.
Visit the Capitol Riverfront
Located in southeast D.C., this neighborhood, a 20-minute walk from The Wharf, had been anchored by the Navy Yard, but the arrival of the Washington National’s ballpark in 2008 breathed the excitement that has inspired new restaurants, including D.C.’s most ambitious brewery, Bluejacket.
Union Market
Inside Union Market, you can taste the District’s international side. After all, D.C. is the nation’s capital and home to 180 embassies and consulates. Toli Moli sells falooda, an icy Burmese dessert, and Gorsha, Ethiopian fast-casual (D.C. is home to the largest population of Ethiopians in America) and the Rappahannock River Oyster Company, a Richmond VA-based family-owned company that harvests oysters from the Chesapeake watershed.
Visit the National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery is an engaging way to present the history of America from its presidents to extraordinary citizens: revolutionaries, rebels, poets, sports heroes, scientists, civil rights champs and everyday people. Its new exhibit, “Votes for Women: A Portrait of Persistence,” commemorates the 100-year anniversary of women’s right to vote and is open through January, 2020.
Where To Eat
First and foremost, make reservations now for Fiola, which opened in 2011 and is still one of the city’s premier dining establishments. It is best described as an upscale trattoria, which uses the freshest ingredients for its daily changing menu.
Over at the Four Seasons Hotel, ENO Wine Bar is perfect for a light meal or pre/post drinks. ENO specializes in pairings, and the chocolate pairing is something that should be experienced by everyone. Also at the Four Seasons is Bourbon Steak, a restaurant by celebrity chef Michael Mina. It is a modern and visually appealing steakhouse offering some of the best cuts of meat in the city. Some other places to definitely check out and wait in line for, as they don’t take reservations, include Little Serow, which has no more than 30 seats and serves a zero-substitutions progressive menu of about seven or eight northern Thai dishes. Bad Saint is a 24-seat Filipino restaurant with great cocktails in Columbia Heights. Rose’s Luxury is an eclectic modern American restaurant known for its hospitality and amazing food. It was named best new restaurant in America by Bon Appetit in 2014.
D.C.’s next go-to dining neighborhood is Shaw, and the restaurants currently there prove it. Convivial is a refined Frenchman’s take on an American bistro, with dishes such as escargot in blankets and soft shell crab meuniere. Espita Mercaleria has 80 kinds of mezcal for your sipping pleasure, and its Oaxacan menu features ceviches, tacos and, of course, moles. The Dabney is more regional food and most of the cooking is done in a huge wood-burning hearth. The bare tables and brick walls play well into the unpretentious atmosphere, while the openness allows the kitchen team to showcase their skills.
Where To Stay
The Willard InterContinental
Since 1818, the Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C. has played host to the world’s social and political elite. An iconic hotel, often referred to as the ‘Residence of Presidents,’ The Willard has welcomed not only U.S. presidents but foreign dignitaries and celebrities, as well as has been the site of many historic moments in U.S. history for 200 years.
The Watergate Hotel
The Watergate Hotel takes classic elegance and bold mid-century modern design and adds all of the extravagance and warmth of contemporary luxury. This one-of-a-kind hotel pays tribute to its own storied past, while paving the way for a new chapter to be written.