Michael & Shannon
Things To Do in DC/Baltimore
Best Things To Do In Washington DC
US News and World Report has ranked Washington DC as the #1 place to visit in May. From the monuments and museums to the restaurants and theaters, Washington DC has something for everyone and is easy to get around thanks to the convenience of our metro subway. Please visit this link to see all the best DC has to offer, along with suggested tours you can take. Here are a few of our personal favorites.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Attracting millions of people each year, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum contains a trove of celebrated aircraft, including Amelia Earhart's Lockheed Vega 5B, Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis and Wilbur and Orville Wright's 1903 Wright Flyer, among others. We also highly recommend visiting the Air & Space Museum's companion facility at the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia (14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly, VA 20151). There they have two large hangars displaying thousands of aviation and space artifacts, including a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, a Concorde, and the Space Shuttle Discovery.
Washington Monument and the White House
No trip to DC would be complete without a trip to visit the Washington Monument and the White House. Visit the National Park Service website for tickets (they go quickly). Even if you don't go up to the top, its worth seeing in person and is closely situated to the Smithsonian museums and the Lincoln, WWII, Vietnam, and Korean War Memorials. It is also conveniently located right near the White House. If you'd like to try and get a tour of the White House while you are in town, please contact your congressman.
Lincoln, Vietnam War, Korean War, and World War II Memorials
These are four of the greatest memorials that DC has to offer and they are all conveniently located near one another. The Vietnam War Memorial and Korean War Memorial are located just to the side of the Lincoln Memorial. Once you're done visiting Honest Abe and paying your respect to some of our nation's fallen heroes, take a walk along the beautiful reflecting pool to the opposite end where the World War II Memorial sits in all its glory right across from Lincoln. We recommend going to these memorials at night when they are all lit up and you can enjoy them against the backdrop of the gorgeous DC skyline. It makes the whole experience even more special (plus there tends to be less crowds and its cooler).
Smithsonian National Museum of American History
The Smithsonian's American History Museum is Shannon's favorite museum (along with the Air & Space Museum...it's really a tie). Learn about our country's heritage and bear witness to the rich history that has defined us as a nation and as a people. Among the items on display is the original Star-Spangled Banner along with a treasure trove of other exhibits as well as a great gift shop.
Old Ebbitt Grill
The scene of Shannon and Michael's first ever date in the spring of 2002. Michael and Shannon's #1 favorite restaurant in DC, Old Ebbitt Grill is a DC institution, as famous as the Washington Monument itself. Old Ebbitts is the oldest saloon in Washington and is the place to see and be seen by the high powered players and politicos in DC. Situated right next to the Treasury Department and the White House, we highly recommend stopping in here for lunch or dinner after seeing the museums, memorials, and monuments. It tends to get very busy, so try and make reservations (but typically you can always find bar seating in a pinch). If you do go, get a cup of their famous chili (Shannon's absolute favorite!). If you enjoy seafood, order their orca platter (suggest during happy hour when its half price) and be blown away by its size.
Nationals Park
If you're going to be in our nation's capitol why not take in our nation's oldest and most beloved pastime (Shannon will fight anyone who says otherwise) BASEBALL!! See our winning Washington Nationals play in one of the country's best ballparks. Situated on the DC waterfront near the Navy Yard metro, take a stroll along the Anacostia River before or after the game and see the investment DC has made into making this area one of the most beautiful waterfronts in the country. Tons of local restaurants, bars, and breweries can be found in and around the stadium.
Baltimore's Inner Harbor & Camden Yards
Since Michael is from the Baltimore area (Go Ravens!) and many of our guests will be flying into BWI, we would be remiss if we didn't include some fun things to do in and around Baltimore. If you have a day to spend in Baltimore, we highly recommend seeing its crown jewel, the Inner Harbor. While there, take a water taxi to Fell's Point, one of Baltimore's oldest and most vibrant neighborhoods. Visit the Maryland Science Center or the National Aquarium. Take a stroll onboard the USS Constellation, the only Civil War-era ship still afloat. Walk over to the Camden Yards Complex and, if the O's (Orioles for out-of-towners), are in town take in a baseball game in one of America's oldest ballparks. After the sun goes down, head over to Power Plant Live!, a collection of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs in the Inner Harbor that is sure to have something for everyone.
Pike & Rose
For our guests staying in the area, if you're looking for a fun place to shop, dine, and be entertained you must visit Pike & Rose, a hot new commercial/retail complex located in North Bethesda. It's a 5 minute walk from the North Bethesda Marriott Hotel and the White Flint Metro Station. Pike & Rose has some of the areas best restaurants, from upscale dining to fast and casual eats. It also has an iPic movie theater, a Pinstripes Bowling, Bocce, and Bistro, as well as lots of stores and boutiques. It also has several hair and nail salons, including a Dry Bar, and several spas.