Veronica & Trevor
Things To Do
National Museum of the American Indian
A favorite museum for Trevor, but don't bring him with you, he will read every placard in every exhibit.
National Portrait Gallery
V. loves this museum! Whether you are looking for presidents and historical figures in front of green screens (shoutout to Kehinde Wiley's Hawaiian Obama), or more interpretive portraiture, covering everything from Hollywood's golden age, to the life of Frederick Douglass, you can find it here.
Planet Word
This museum takes a fun and interesting look at language, both English and otherwise. It can entertain & educate across age brackets. Immigrant Food is housed in the museum, if you want to pop in for a delicious snack or cocktail, post visit (or pre-visit, you do you).
United States Botanic Garden
If you are trying to check out the Capitol and need a zen moment, look no further than the Botanic Gardens. With beautiful plant life from all manor of climates, and rotating exhibits, it gives you the chance to experience nature in the middle of the city. Pro-tip: Watch out for the humidity in some of the tropical rooms
United States National Arboretum
This is a bit off the beaten path, but it is a beautiful collection of plants from around the country. It also houses the National Bonsai Museum, if you want to check out tiny plants older than the United States.
Great Falls Park
For all you outdoorsy types, or anyone who wants to get in some quality leaf-peeping during peak fall foliage, Great Falls is a great option. Just a half hour from the city, there are actually two different parks, one on the Virginia side, and one on the Maryland side, but the Virginia side is a bit more accessible. Enjoy stunning waterfalls and miles of tree tops!
Shenandoah National Park - Dickey Ridge Visitor Center
This one is a bit of a drive, and in peak leaf-peeping season, the closest entrance to DC in Front Royal could also offer a very long wait to get in. But there is a reason people come from around the world to look at fall leaves in Virginia. They are truly beautiful!
Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum
If you want to get to know DC as more than just the place where Congress meets, and tourists check out monuments, the Anacostia Community Museum takes you through the history of DC through the lens of those who call it home.
Going Out Options
Some of our favorite places to grab a drink or get a bite include: - Blagden Alley: Start the evening with happy hour at Calico then go to Tiger Fork for Chinese medicine cocktails and Hong Kong-inspired food -Chinatown: mainly a place to celebrate DC's sport mediocrity, but there are still some great places to check out. Visit our favorite ramen joint, Diakaya, go to Free State for a pregame cocktail, or check out one of the basement dive bars for a cheap drink (V. likes Jackpot!) -Adams Morgan also has a few favorites. Try great noodles at Sakuramen, Azeri baked goods even Tom Sietsema approves of at Sharbat Bakery, and check out cocktails with Middle Eastern flavors at The Green Zone