Tag

austin grill

Browsing

Washington, DC Travel Guide

I was in Washington, DC last weekend for a calligraphy workshop with Meant to Be Calligraphy. Mum came with me on the trip (she’s an amazing calligrapher!), and although we were only in DC for a day and a half, we put on our tourist hats and went all around the city. It was my fourth trip to our nation’s capital – I love it there (pictures of our trip two years ago here). We didn’t get to go to all of my favorite spots, mainly due to time constrictions, but I’ve compiled a “Best of the Best” city guide (according to me). Do you have any suggestions for my next trip to DC? I’m off to San Francisco today! Cannot wait.

Best Restaurants

Rasika (Penn Quarter) – Hands down, the best Indian food of my life – you have to go, and you need to try the crispy spinach appetizer dish

Founding Farmers (Dupont Circle) – My favorite restaurant in DC due to their extensive vegetarian menu (both veggie burgers are amazing), innovative daily popcorn flavors, and ambience

Neyla (Georgetown) – Skip the entrees and order a ton of mezze and you won’t regret it (I’ve tried 6 or 7, and they’re all fantastic)

Austin Grill (Chinatown) – It’s rare for a Texan to want Tex-Mex outside of Texas, but Austin Grill is worth it! Try the Bevo Salad

Zengo’s (Chinatown) – The grilled edamame – enough said – but really, every thing you order is also delicious

SweetGreen (Capitol Hill) – My favorite salad bar style restaurant in the world – add falafel or tofu (or a million other options) as protein to your salad!

Ted’s Bulletin (Capitol Hill) – I’m not a huge breakfast person, but this place is good (tasty granola and 10 Grain Hot Cereal) and always busy

Busboys and Poets (Various) – Books, music, and great good (the trifecta) with a solid vegan and vegetarian menu – go for breakfast, lunch or dinner

Must-Do Activities

Walk around the Smithsonian National Museum of American History (free)

Spend at least 2 hours at the Newseum ($22)

Take your picture in front of the White House (free)

Go to the Jefferson Memorial at night when it’s lit up (free)

Take a tour of Ford’s Theater and see the room in which he died

Visit the Old Post Office Pavilion (before it becomes a hotel!)

Tour the Capitol – or at least take your picture outside (great view from the top of the Newseum)

Shop in Georgetown (try a vegan Georgetown Cupcake!)

Have a drink at the rooftop bar at the W Hotel

Sip a cocktail amongst the ritsy at the Willard Hotel’s Round Robin Bar

Walk through the bustling Chinatown (and eat – see list above!)

Visit the WWII Memorial (and snap a picture in front of your state)

Take the metro and walk around the Pentagon (or take a tour inside!)

Go to the Arlington Cemetery to see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Walk down the Reflecting Pool to see the Lincoln Memorial

Absorb the chaos of Union Station

Visit the National Postal Museum (and make a stamp with your face on it!)

DSC_0279

Being touristy in front of the White House

DSC_0299

Sunset at the Capitol Building

DSC_0301

I still prefer Texas’ Capitol building (can I say that?)

DSC_0305

DSC_0313

Get there early! The line at Ford’s Theater can stretch on and on and on

DSC_0338

DSC_0335

In front of the actual theater where Lincoln was shot

IMG_5571

We LOVE snail mail

DSC_0341

Can you imagine my pure joy? An Anchorman exhibit at the Newseum? Biggest fan ever

Other city tours here:

 ParisDurango (Colorado)AustinHouston, Bali