Jilanne & Isaac
Things To Do
National Mall
A must-visit for any first time to DC! Along the 2.5 mile stretch of the Mall, you'll find the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, the WWII, Vietnam, and Korean War Memorials, nearly all of the (free!) Smithsonian Museums, and the U.S. Capitol.
Arlington National Cemetery
The iconic National Cemetery where you can visit the graves of Presidents and war heroes, and monuments to American service.
US Marine Corps War Memorial
Located right next to Arlington National Cemetery, the Iwo Jima memorial honors the U.S. Marines (Isaac's branch of the military!).
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
Jilanne's favorite of all the major monuments!
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
The hidden gem of memorials in the city! This lesser-known site is truly unique in its layout – and fun fact, the granite is entirely mined from Milbank, South Dakota!
National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial
Visit the Pentagon and see the 9/11 memorial at the site of the plane's impact.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
You could visit this free museum 50 times and notice something new every time! A truly incredible museum.
National Portrait Gallery
Our personal favorite of the art museums in the city! This is also the location of the full gallery of official Presidential Portraits.
Smithsonian National Zoological Park
An obvious favorite for families and animal lovers! Be sure to visit the Giant Pandas!
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
An important stop for any visit to DC. Be sure to allocate several hours for a visit to the Holocaust Museum as it is quite extensive and contemplative.
George Washington's Mount Vernon
For any fans of our first president, visit his estate and winery!
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
This massive collection of air and space history is one of the closest museums to the hotel blocks!
Old Town Alexandria Waterfront
Old Town is a beautiful colonial neighborhood with lots of great shopping, restaurants, and a walkable waterfront district!
Georgetown Waterfront Park
Visit our old stomping grounds in the Georgetown neighborhood near the University (where we met!). The waterfront is a beautiful park close to great restaurants, cocktail bars, and M St shopping.
The Winery at Bull Run
One of the wineries we looked at for our reception! Bull Run is located right next to the Civil War battlegrounds of the same name. The venue itself showcases hundreds of Civil War artifacts found nearby... and the wine is delicious!
The Pinemoor
This restaurant is one of our neighborhood favorites! Great drinks, delicious appetizers, and a giant "Willie for President" Willie Nelson mural.
Compass Coffee
Compass is a local favorite with locations all around the District! You can't go wrong with a classic or seasonal drink from this local coffee chain founded by a pair of Marines.
Jack Rose Dining Saloon
For those looking for a fancy cocktail spot or a genuine whiskey bar, look no further. Jack Rose has the largest whiskey collection in the Western Hemisphere!
Clyde's of Georgetown
The jack of all trades when it comes to delicious food, chill atmosphere, and great drinks! Clyde's really is one of our favorite spots in DC.
Pizzeria Paradiso
Another local favorite spot with several locations. If you're looking for a delicious Neapolitan-style pizza and fresh draft brews, Paradiso is a great pick.