Jenlain & Matthew
Things To Do
Explore Alexandria
Check out what Alexandria has to offer! With just a quick walk the Westin, you can visit the George Washington Masonic Memorial - https://gwmemorial.org (in photo). Remember, the Westin also offers a free shuttle to Old Town.
Old Town Alexandria Waterfront
A free shuttle bus from the Westin will take you right to the water front or you could walk (approximately a 15-20 minute walk). It is a very quaint area with lots of shops, restaurants, and bars.
Potomac Riverboat Co
Take a water taxi or ferry from Alexandria to Georgetown, DC or to the Wharf in DC. It’s a great way to get to DC and have a different vantage point from the Potomac River!
Bus Tour
The best way to see the city. There's a few companies that operate in DC (Big Bus & Hop-on Hop-off). They're all of similar quality and hit what you need to see. It's usually good to do this first to get your bearings and gives you a better idea of places you want to explore more later.
Bike the National Mall
It is 2 miles from Lincoln Memorial to Capitol Building with so much to see along the way (Vietnam Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Great War Memorial, WWII Memorial, The White House, all of the museums & more), so there is a lot to fit in. If you're able to, biking usually saves some time and you get to see all the sites. You can rent bikes for the day through rental companies, or for 30 minutes at a time through Capitol Bikeshare.
Museums on the National Mall
THEY ARE FREE! All are excellent , so you'll have to prioritize. Our favorites are: Museum of National History - The best one! US Botanic Garden - Small and easy, easy to combine with seeing the Capitol building. Air & Space Museum - Big, likely the most popular African American History and Culture - Newest museum and people love it; tickets are normally needed (they are free and you should look online on the morning you’d like to go. You’ll be more likely to get tickets during the week as it is very popular). Newseum - News and history from the past and present, tickets must be purchased, but it is well worth it and you get a 2 day pass. You’ll also have an excellent view of the Capitol from here! Gallery of Art - Collections from every artist you can name and more!
Tidal Basin
This is where we got our engagement photos taken. You can come here from the mall and start at the MLK Memorial, walk through FDR's memorial and end up at the Jefferson memorial, all while looking out over the water of the Tidal Basin. Each one of these would be worth doing on their own, so it's great you get to hit them all at once. Be prepared to walk, bike or get a tour!
Cherry Blossom Festival
Our wedding is in the middle of Cherry Blossom Festival this year (running March 20-April 14). Hopefully, you will get to explore the cherry blossoms in all their splendor - like we did in our engagement photos. Regardless if the weekend is "peak bloom," you'll have a great chance to see DC in bloom at this time of year.
National Portrait Gallery
A fifteen minute walk from the National Mall, but also free and very good.
Arlington National Cemetery
A must see on your trip. It is a 15 minute walk from the back of the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, but the bus tours we recommended should take you right there and back.
The White House
Prepare to be underwhelmed, because the buildings either side of it are more striking. See it from the South side while on the National Mall and then come around the front on Pennsylvania to get really close to it!
POV
You’ll get the best view of DC from the W Hotel’s POV (Point of View) rooftop bar. We recommend coming for a cocktail right before sunset seeing DC in the light, watching the sun set and then seeing DC before you go to dinner or a more reasonably priced bar!
Washington Wizards NBA Game
Wed April 3rd vs Chicago Bulls Fri April 5th vs San Antonio Spurs Tue April 9th vs Boston Celtics These are the last games of the season so might be really meaningful or not meaningful at all. Prices are usually very reasonable (even as low as $20-$30).
Washington Capitals Ice Hockey Game
Thur 4th April vs Montreal These games usually have the best atmosphere of any sporting game in DC. They're the defending Stanley Cup Champions, too so that might add to it (or make the tickets more expensive). Tickets are usually $40-50.
Nationals Park
Tuesday April 2nd v Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday April 3rd v Philadelphia Phillies Baseball is a traditional American pastime! For those less familiar with baseball, these games are not for everybody. The games are long and can be slow, especially if you don't know the rules. But, they can be fun! There are many choices for food and beverages as well.
Georgetown M Street Northwest
This is probably the most famous neighborhood in DC. M street is the epicenter and you can make your way along the main shopping street, or down towards the water. Walking around the mansions and green spaces is usually a good way to spend your time. The famous stairs from The Exorcist movie are here, too! Places we love: Ice Cream - Thomas Sweets (get an ice cream or frozen yogurt blend-in) Taj of India - Our go-to Indian restaurant Clyde's - Old-school American restaurant Pizzeria Paradiso - DC-standard good pizza
Georgetown Waterfront Park
Come and check out Jenlain's office! If the weather is good then sit outside one of the restaurants and have a few drinks while looking over the water at Rosalyn, Virginia, and watching the rowers. Places we love: Farmers Fishers Bakers - One of Jenlain's favorite restaurants Mr Smith's - Piano bar with reasonably priced beer
Dupont Circle Northwest
Come and check out our neighborhood! This is a very happening neighborhood - ranging from fancier restaurants, sports bars, and fast-casual dining. This neighborhood is the start of Embassy Row and we highly recommend walking up Massachusetts Ave and taking in all of them (a guided tour is also a good idea). Places we love: Bagels - Bagels etc. & Bethesda Bagels Sports bars - Buffalo Billiards, Public, Lucky Bar Other bars - Sauf Haus, Madhatter, Board Room Casual Food - &Pizza, Nandos, Shake Shack, Super Pollo, Cava, Sweetgreen, BeefSteak
Adams Morgan
This is a favorite neighborhood at any time of day or night. It is also close to the zoo, so its worth combining this neighborhood and the zoo. There is no shortage of food, drinks, and big houses (Obama & Jeff Bezos live right here). Places we love: The Line Hotel - new and swanky Bars - Roofers Union, Jack Rose, Madams Organ Restaurants - Meze, El Tamarindo, Federalist Pig, SAKURAMEN
Woodley Park Zoo - Adams Morgan
The zoo is great (& FREE). Elephants, pandas, lions, tigers, gorillas & many more. Irene (mother of the groom) has visited DC roughly 12 times and has gone to the zoo each and every trip, so all questions should be directed to her.
Meridian Hill Park
This is the park where we got engaged. It is located In between Adams Morgan & 14th st so should be combined with either of those, or both.
14th Street Northwest
This area is filled with bars and restaurants of incredible variety. There are many good ones to choose from that its hard to go wrong. Places we love: Pearl Dive, Le Diplomate, Rice, Barcelona, Chicken & Whiskey, Estadio, Doi Moi, Ted's Bulletin, Taqueria Nacional, Lalibela, JINYA, BAAN Thai
U Street Northwest
Historically significant, and the center of late-night nightlife in DC. Ben's Chili Bowl is a DC institution but your stomach might not thank you after it. 9:30 Club, Howard Theatre and U Street Music Hall usually have fun things going on.
The Wharf
This is a big, new development in DC. There's some music venues and a nice park alongside the water. There are many food and drink options too, as well as some shopping. This is further from some of the other main DC neighborhoods, so we recommend combining the Wharf with a Nationals baseball game or a visit to the Capitol. See if there's something going on at The Anthem or get a drink at Cantina Marina!
Union Station
You'll be here if you train or bus in from another city. It's worth having a look around the main hall and spending some time there. It's also a stop on the different bus tours. Short walk to The Capitol Building, Supreme Court, and the Library of Congress if you wanted to come from the mall.
Eastern Market
Enjoy wandering around Eastern Market Saturday or Sunday morning. There is fresh produce, flowers, clothing and more.
United States Supreme Court Building
Explore around the outside of Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, and US Capitol Building. These are all in easy walking distance of each other and should be included in any National Mall tour.
Civil War Sites
Alexandria was one of the most important ports during the American Civil War, so there are countless things to do nearby. There's a bunch of things to see in Old Town, but there's also a lot more nearby. You'll need a car to get to some of these. Recommended Spots: Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site Manassas National Battlefield Spotsylvania & Fredericksburg Bristoe Station
Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon is George Washington's house. This is approximately a 20 minute drive from the hotel.
Hiking
Great Falls Park & The Billy Goat Trail are the best nearby hiking trails if you want to get outdoors and the weather permits.