Keeping Up in the Capital: A Guide to Washington, D.C.

Indoor Activities

• The National Portrait Gallery: With D.C. being home to many world-class Smithsonian museums (that you can visit for free), I'd say that aspect of culture is truly a crown jewel of the city. The National Portrait Gallery has been my favorite museum since I was young. There are countless priceless art pieces that you can discover. The layout of the museum feels less jam-packed than somewhere like the National Museum of Natural History.

• Washington National Cathedral: The National Cathedral is simply put, beautiful. Both its grounds and interior are breathtaking, and learning about their 130+ year history is worth a self-guided tour. Fun fact, the former Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Michael Curry, delivered the wedding sermon of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry!

• Library of Congress: If you're a bookworm, this is the place to be. The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, and its massive research catalog supports the work that our elected officials do every day. The interior of the library shows a rich history of the early development of the city. Walking tours will even take you through its prolific Main Reading Room. Without a doubt, worth a visit!

• Capital One Arena: I know that suggesting a stadium seems...not super fancy. But! If you happen to be in town during hockey season, then I encourage you to see the Washington Capitals in action. While most of D.C.'s sports identity is less than stellar, the Caps have had a stretch of successful seasons the past few years (I was on a work trip when they won the Stanley Cup in 2018, and I'll never forgive myself). If you happen to not be a sports fan, the surrounding Chinatown neighborhood is fun to explore, too!

Outdoor Activities

• The Tidal Basin: If you're looking to get your steps in, the Tidal Basin is a great place to do it. A two-mile walking path (lined with Japanese cherry blossom trees) surrounds a man-made reservoir in the heart of the city. It provides a nice opportunity to reflect and appreciate the area. Fair warning, tourists tend to flock here when the cherry blossom trees are in bloom during spring!

• Riverbend Park: Riverbend Park is like the younger, more casual brother of the very popular Great Falls Park. There is a small (but awesome) visitor nature center that provides information about local flora and fauna as well as a picnic area that overlooks the Potomac River. If you visit in early-mid-spring, you may be able to catch the bluebell flowers that grow along the park's walking trails!

• Smithsonian National Zoo: The Smithsonian National Zoo is as vast as it is diverse. It spans 163 acres and cares for animals from many different biomes (with a special shout out to their amazing giant pandas!) The zoo has taken special attention to being very accessible, so those with mobile restrictions should be able to tour the zoo without issue. Absolutely worth a visit, especially if the weather is nice.

• DC Waterfront — The Wharf and Navy Yard: These adjacent neighborhoods along the Washington Channel have gone through a ton of redevelopment over the past couple of decades. Thanks to the building of Nats Park (D.C.'s baseball stadium), the region has become a hub for all things entertainment and nightlife. There are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat, and there are even a handful of smaller concert venues to catch a show. Truthfully, you could easily spend a weekend here!

Rose's Luxury: If there's one thing I want you to take away from this guide, it's that D.C. is a vibrant hub for all things food and drink. Rose's Luxury was my first Michelin star experience, and I still believe it's a perfect first foray into fine dining. The menu is creative but approachable, and their cocktails are out of this world. Reservations are encouraged, but they can accommodate walk-ins if you catch them on a slower day.

Agora: A Mediterranean feast. Agora has held a place in my heart as one of the best brunches around. Their bottomless brunch option is perfect if you're visiting with a group, and I promise you won't leave even remotely hungry. Usually I tackle a bunch of dishes off their starters, but their mains offer solid choices as well. Thanks to the simple/fresh nature of the cuisine, many of the dishes can accommodate a variety of dietary restrictions.

Oyamel Cocina Mexicana: Oyamel is a Mexican cuisine brain-child of José Andrés, a chef and restaurateur who is beloved as a pillar of D.C.'s food scene, as well as his work leading World Central Kitchen. While many of its sister restaurants lean more towards fine dining and gastronomic adventures, Oyamel is perfect if you want a couple of good tacos along with free-flowing cocktails that cater to every palate. Definitely order the Oyamel Margarita — the "salt air" is mind-blowing.

Bistro Aracosia: With a cozy atmosphere and authentic menu, Bistro Aracosia is my go-to for Afghan cuisine. If you're a meat and bread kind of person, then you'll love the various kabobs and chops on the menu to help you satiate that craving. Portion sizes are also generous, so arrive hungry. Plus, I love that the restaurant is located in the northwest part of the city, which tends to be a little more quiet and easy to navigate.

The Sovereign: If you're really into Belgian beer (or want to check it out!) then the Sovereign is the place to be. The beer bar is surprisingly spacious for being in D.C.'s tourist-driven Georgetown neighborhood, and the ambiance has a cool, subtle Nordic vibe. If you're looking for European-style bites, then they have plenty of that too! Featuring 50 drafts with a massive variety of ales, I promise you'll find something up your alley.

Captain Gregory's: On the "Virginia" side of the D.C. area, Captain Gregory's is a great example of the city's speakeasy and cocktail scene. Located within a doughnut shop, you can expect some semi-familiar drinks that boast unique ingredients, all produced by some talented bartenders. I HIGHLY advise making a reservation as the space can be tight, but I promise that the drinks, creative small bites and vibe are worth it.

Liberty Tavern: It might not seem like much walking in, but Liberty Tavern has served me some of the most consistent meals in the area. Liberty holds its own in Arlington's busy Clarendon neighborhood (another Virginia location). It manages to achieve elevated pub fare, if that's what you're looking for. Having an upstairs dining room helps prevent it from feeling overcrowded, and you can often come across multi-course specials during the holidays or D.C. restaurant week.

The Wine Kitchen: Okay, I know adding a restaurant that is definitely a ways away from the city seems like a bad call, but hear me out. Leesburg, Virginia, is about an hour outside the city, but its small-town feel and historic main street will always put you in a good mood. I grew up one town over and my husband took me to the Wine Kitchen early on in our relationship. What we discovered was a fantastic use of local ingredients, great wine from all over the world and a friendly neighborhood atmosphere that money can't buy. It is my favorite restaurant, and I miss it dearly all the way from my new home in Atlanta.