Masin & Steve
Things To Do
National Mall
The National Mall is the long, grassy area running from the Capitol Building on the eastern end to the Lincoln Memorial on the west end, and the White House on the north side. The Mall is punctuated with iconic monuments, memorials and museums -- a must-do if this is your first visit to the District. Due to its size, there's no right or wrong way to access the National Mall. By car, your best bet is to head to the U.S. Capitol and walk west or head to the Lincoln Memorial and walk east. By metro, get off at the Smithsonian station and walk in any direction you'd like!
National Gallery of Art
Masin’s favorite museum in DC! There are two buildings - the West Building has the greats including Da Vinci, Monet, Cezanne and so many others. The East Building has contemporary art and a giant blue rooster on the roof for a great photo opportunity. There’s also an outdoor sculpture garden to the west side of the West Building. The Gallery of Art is accessible by car or metro. Get off at the Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter station for the shortest walk or the Smithsonian station for the most scenic.
Union Market
Do you like fresh veggies? How about great food, hot coffee, artisan crafts, and cold beer? Ever wish that you could get all these things under one roof? Well you're in for a pleasant surprise! D.C.'s Union Market has all of these things and a whole lot more. First opened in 1871, this now-modernized staple of Washington commerce is sure to not disappoint. Access it via car or NoMa-Gallaudet University station on the metro red line.
Georgetown Waterfront
Home to some of the best shopping in the mid-Atlantic, D.C.'s historic Georgetown offers much more than just retail. Positioned adjacent to Georgetown University, this bustling neighborhood boasts amazing restaurants and views. Check out Georgetown Waterfront Park for a gorgeous riverside stroll, or venture up to Book Hill Park for a bird's eye view of D.C. and Rosslyn's imposing skylines. Georgetown is best accessed by car, but on a nice day, you can accompany a metro ride with a reasonable walk. You can take the orange/blue/silver line to either Rosslyn station and traverse the Francis Scott Key Bridge or Foggy Bottom station and follow K Street right into town.
District Wharf
District Wharf is a waterfront destination in D.C.'s southwest neighborhood. Featuring restaurants, retailers, music venues, and bars, there's a slice of fun for anyone. Due to its proximity to the Potomac River, it's known for an amazing seafood spread, so if you're an oyster fan, you'll fit right in. District Wharf is accessible via car or the Waterfront metro station on the green line.
Old Town
Visit historic Old Town, Alexandria, which is situated outside of D.C., just south of Arlington. This beautiful neighborhood offers cobblestone sidewalks, historic buildings, boutique shops, and much more. It's home to Gadsby's Tavern, the former stomping ground of key founding fathers including Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Madison, and Monroe. You'll also find the oldest farmer's market still in operation in its original birthplace, where locals have been buying goods since 1753. Old Town can be accessed via the metro blue line or by car. Once there, use the free trolley service to navigate throughout the neighborhood.
United States Botanic Garden
If you're a lover of the outdoors, the U.S. Botanic Garden is a must-see. Take one step into the historic greenhouse and the clean air, vibrant colors, and softly trickling fountains will immediately erase any sense of being right in the middle of an enormous metropolitan area. This 200-year old oasis offers one of the most bio-diverse conservatories in the United States, as it houses nearly 10,000 different specimens. The US Botanic Garden is accessible via car or metro. The closest metro stations are Capitol South and Federal Center SW, which are equidistant to the garden.
Arlington National Cemetery
Visit the world-renowned Arlington National Cemetery to pay respect and tribute to those who have offered the greatest sacrifice in defense of our great nation. Home to more than 400,000 servicemen and women, this 624-acre cemetery is also the final resting place of some notable historic figures. These include John F. Kennedy, William Howard Taft, Robert Kennedy, Edward Kennedy, and the son and grandson of Abraham Lincoln. Hike up to the Arlington House, former home of General Robert E. Lee to see one-of-a-kind views of D.C. The cemetery is accessible by car or metro by using the blue line Arlington National Cemetery station.