Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. is essentially two different cities in one. On one hand you have the nation’s capital; monuments, museums of priceless artifacts, marble statues, and the national mall. The other city is a buzzing metropolis with one of the best food scenes in the country, serious hometown pride, a multitude of cultures and ethnicity, and neighborhoods each with their own distinct feel. Getting to DC is fairly easy, there are three different airports serving the area, each with a basic degree of connectivity to the city. Dullus (IAD) and BWI have a limited degree of connection to the city. Expect slightly convoluted bus rides to far-out metro stops but it is doable with a basic degree of planning and a navigation aid (we love the Citymapper app). You can take a rideshare app but prices to these two airports can be steep so be prepared for that. DCA is much more convenient as it has its own dedicated metro stop relatively close to the city. Rideshare apps are also much cheaper here. Within the city, buses, metro, bikeshares (including a smattering of dockless bikes and scooters) make getting around the city easy. While we love DC, the taunts about it being a swamp are no joke and in the summer you should expect seriously bad humidity coupled with high temperatures and a blazing sun. Especially when downtown near the national mall, the long blocks and marble buildings somehow turn the area into a clay oven and with few cafes and restaurants to shelter in (especially on the weekend or after 5 pm when many of the “commuter” cafes and restaurants have limited hours) it requires some planning and lots of water.
The best time to go is usually autumn or spring (the cherry blossom festival in April is one of our favorites) but DC is a welcoming city with many different sides that is a gem to explore year-round.
To Stay:
Hotels
The Line: This top of the line (see what we did there) in Adams Morgan is the second hotel from the fabled brand in LA has its entrance in an old and beautiful revitalized church. Featuring restaurants from local power-chefs including Eric-Bruner Yang and it’s own radio station, the Line Hotel is staking its claim as the top hotel in the city.
Pod HOTEL: This newly opened hotel in Chinatown specializes in small rooms at an affordable price. With a whiskey bar, rooftop eatery, and modern finishes in a centrally located positions, this hip hotel is one of our new faves.
Embassy Row: This recently renovated hotel just off Dupont Circle is a modern and sleek hotel with fabulous customer service, a great seafood bar, fantastic rooftop pool (with great views), and an emphasis on highlighting local food and goods. This hotel is especially great for pride season with events and a prime spot for the parade.
Hotel Hive: Located downtown, this hotel boasts a great bar program and rooms that boast all the modern conveniences your heart desires.
The Gregory Hotel: This boutique hotel
Other
For airbnb or similar services, great neighborhoods to stay in include Columbia Heights, Logan Circle, Adams Morgan, Dupont, and Woodley Park
To Eat
Bresca: This new-age Italian eatery packs a powerful punch in the DC eating scene with it's inventive takes on Italian classics. With a plant-filled interior and right on 14th street, Bresca has cemented itself as one of our new favorite restaurants in the city.
Bad Saint: One of the best (and only) Fillipino restaurants in the area (if not the country), Bad Saint will open your eyes to an underappreciated cuisine that will leave you wanting more. The tiny restaurant is famed for its fiery food, loud music, and long lines (it also doesn't accept parties larger than four). Yet the food is like nowhere else we've ever had from and will be an unforgettable part of any trip to DC.
Elle: This neighborhood cafe and restaurant houses the pastry powerhouse team behind Paisley Fig (their pastries are in coffee shops all over the city) and churns out coffee, dinner, and drinks that are worth the visit. - Mt Pleasant
Little Red Fox: This hipster-dream cafe serves an all-day selection of some of the best coffee, pastries, and food in town. Almost on the border with Maryland, Little Red fox lies in the Chevy Chase neighborhood and is worth visiting if you want to escape the intensity of downtown and check out one of the best homegrown spots in town. With a top-notch retail selection of local treats and the best breakfast burrito in town, there's something for everyone here. - Chevy Chase (Pro Tip: Wander over to Politics and Prose afterwards to check out an amazing local bookstore)
Chaia: This airy Georgetown staple serves up inventive vegan tacos with creative twists and an eye for design and presentation. Their seasonally inspired menu showcases the wares of local farms and a little of the beaten track in Georgetown means it’s a delightful escape from the bustle.
Red Apron: We don’t say this lightly but we are in love with Red Apron. With two locations in DC, one at the food incubator Union Market, and one downtown, Red Apron serves up a mouthwatering selection of meats complimented by an excellent selection of local beers With creative sandwiches, platters, and more; there’s always an inventive way to sample their delicious fares.
Bantam King: We’ve all probably had great ramen by now, but have you had great chicken ramen? From the team behind the sensational Daikaya and Haikan comes this chicken-focused ramen spot in Chinatown in a former Burger King. The focused menu features ramen with broth that ranges from the delicate to the brash. Their gyozo are addictive and to round out the meal, try their soft serve.
Rose’s Luxury: The restaurant that put DC on the food map, this townhouse in Eastern Market/Barracks Row serves up some of the most reliably unique and amazing food in the city. Long lines require a little planning but it's well worth the wait for a chance to try some of the most inventive food in DC
Kith and Kin: This Afro-Fusion restaurant from chef Kwame Onwuachi is located on the newly opened Wharf in the Southeast. Featuring inventive dishes, an airy interior, and warm and welcoming service, this restaurant has earned its place among the top of DC's eating destinations.
Maydan: A hidden oasis awaits those who can find the Persian restaurant from the equally inventive Compass Rose owner Rose Previte. Serving all its food from a hearth located in the center of the restaurant and homemade flatbread, Maydan feels like an escape to a faraway land.
Himitsu: One of the gems of the DC dining scene, this Asian-fusion restaurant hidden in Petworth is a cozy spot to try some of the city's best seafood and wines. With an original menu that's both familiar and exciting, the buzz around Himitsu is well deserved.
Keren Coffee Shop: DC is filled with Ethiopian hotspots including most notably Habesha or Dukem. Keren, however, is a cozy sit-down (with amazing service) that slays, all together, Eritrean Sudanese & Ethiopian. Highlights include Ful (mashed bean dip with assorted toppings), a mean cappuccino, and a lentil-chickpea fondue called Shiro.
Bindaas
Thip Khao: Another rarity, Thip Khao serves up Malaysian cuisine with exotic ingrediants like crocodile and snake. This bustling restaurant in Columbia Heights has an unpronouncable menu but we've never ordered anything we didn't love (even when we didn't know what we were ordering). Paired with creative drinks and friendly staff, this restaurant welcomes all
Rapahanock Oyster: The best oyster bars in the area is located inside bustling Union Market. Serving a selection of local oysters from their farm in VA as well as other local seafood, Rapahanock is an upscale eatery recognized by the Wall Street Journal as one of the best places in America for oysters. Their locally curated selection of seafood paired with creative yet recognizable dishes makes this our favorite seafood destination in DC.