A unique little oasis within the National Arboretum, founded in 1976 with a gift of 53 bonsai trees from Japan to celebrate America's bicentennial. Some trees in the collection are hundreds of years old!
An outpost of the Air and Space Museum in an enormous hangar with every kind of plane you could possibly think of - the Space Shuttle Discovery, a Concorde, a Blackbird, the Enola Gay, so much more. Right by Dulles Int'l Airport!
Recently reopened after a long renovation, this museum and library holds the largest collection of printed works by Shakespeare anywhere in the world!
Surprisingly large natural waterfalls on the Potomac with great scenic hiking! Look for the Billy Goat Trail on the Maryland side (Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park) for adventurous hiking with some serious rock scrambles, or stick to the Virginia side (Great Falls Park) for easy to moderate hikes with great views of the falls.
Crunchy little downtown with some of the best shops and restaurants in the DMV. Stop by People's Book (new books and zines) and Laurel Leaf (curated used books, plants, vintage decor/furniture), and grab some food/drink at Cielo Rojo (contemporary Mexican) and Motorkat (cocktails/oysters).
Great strip of vintage and antique stores—midcentury furniture, records, sports memorabilia, tchotchkes, lots of weird stuff!
The city's longtime neighborhood for funky nightlife, queer culture, eclectic restaurants, and much more.