Hayley & Alex
Things To Do
Union Market
This food hall is a fun place to kill an afternoon trying some local D.C. spots. Lao Ban dumplings, District Doughnut, and the Suburbia airstream bar out front are some favorites. Also check out Cotton + Reed Distillery down the street!
National Portrait Gallery
Our favorite of the Smithsonian museums—all of which are free!
Rock Creek Park
Located steps from our apartment, this is a great walking trail cutting through northwest DC.
Malcom X Park
Once an encampment during the Civil War, Malcolm X Park became a federal park after a failed bid to become the Lincoln Memorial. It's a favorite and central gathering spot for many locals!
Baked & Wired
Anyone who has visited Hayley (and now Alex) in D.C. over the years knows they will eventually be forced to come here for a cupcake, coffee, and walk along the Georgetown waterfront to sit by the Potomac and watch the rowers go by.
Rose's Luxury
If you are looking for a reason to celebrate, Rose's Luxury is hard to beat. We have celebrated a few special life events here over the years!
Republic Cantina
In one Tucsonan's opinion, these are some damn good tacos—breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Don't sleep on the margaritas, either. Alex thinks so too, but he's from the North Shore of Massachusetts—not exactly known for its tacos.
Ethiopic Restaurant
D.C. is known for its Ethiopian food and this spot is a classic!
Southwest Waterfront
One of D.C.'s oldest neighborhoods, and home to the oldest continuously run fish market in the country, the SW waterfront has some great views of the river and lots of places to eat and drink. Check out Tiki TNT for some fun drinks, browse Politics and Prose Bookstore, and stop by Hanks if you're feeling like seafood.
garden district
Classic beer garden with a solid beer list and even better fried chicken sandwich (doughnuts if you're lucky!)
The Phillips Collection
Dupont townhome with an amazing art collection!
Yellow the Cafe
Stop here after checking out Nats Park for amazing coffee and middle eastern inspired pastries!
Nationals Park
World Series Champs! A beautiful stadium which looks out on to Yards Park and the Anacostia River.
Blagden Alley Northwest
A fun spot near both recommended hotels to grab food and drinks! The Dabney, and Tiger Fork are favorites for dinner, while Calico and Columbia Room ($$ big spender alert) are top notch cocktails. Check out Seylou Bakery around the corner as well.
Theodore Roosevelt Island
The Conservationist President wouldn't have had it any other way than to leave an island in the middle of the capital city undeveloped. Trails surround a memorial to our 26th and meander through the woods by the water with views back toward DC. Great spots for a picnic.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
If you're going to do a touristy thing, do this. A dedication to one of Alex's favorite presidents, it's inspirational, artistic, and feeds right into the tidal basin surrounded by all those cherry blossoms you hear about.