What to See and Do in Washington DC – Tips from a Local

When I’m researching for the best travel tips for things to see and do at a destination, I love to get insider tips from a local.

As part of our “Travel Tips Tuesday” series, we interviewed local DC resident and travel blogger Matt Long from Landlopers.com for his tips on what to do in DC?

Not only did Matt give us great insider knowledge on what to see in DC, but also some handy tips for where to stay, where to eat, and where to go for a day trip as well.

Take it away Matt…

How long have you lived in Washington DC?

I moved here right out of grad school in 2000.

Must see Monuments and Museums? Any Free days to visit?

DC is a city of great museums and monuments and it’s hard to go wrong.

Some of my favorites include: Udvar-Hazy extension of the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, National Building Museum, Newseum and the International Spy Museum.

Another great thing about visiting DC is that all of the Smithsonian Institution museums (including the zoo) are free.

Any other areas worth visiting?

A great area many tourists miss is Georgetown, because there’s no metro access. But this historic neighborhood is the most posh in the city, with stunning homes, great restaurants and the best shopping in town.

How is the public transport system? Is DC a walkable city?

The metro is great for getting around town quickly and easily. I personally think it’s easy to understand, but I’m biased.

Parts of DC are walkable, but not all of course. The main tourist area around the National Mall is easy to navigate, but can be grueling on a hot summer’s day.

What Cafes and Restaurants do you recommend?

After years of suffering, DC is finally becoming a foodie town! Some of my favorite lower cost restaurants include: Good Stuff Eatery, We The Pizza, Ben’s Chili Bowl and Moby Dick House of Kabob.

On the higher end of the scale my picks are: Citronelle, Inn at Little Washington, Minibar, Vidalia and Bistro Bis.

Any cool Bars and Pubs?

For the best beer selection in town RFD Washington in Chinatown has everyone beat; they feature thousands of breweries from around the world.

Best place to have a drink with the locals (the who’s who of DC elite)?

Since DC is a political town, there’s no shortage of watering holes. To rub elbows with Congressional types, head to Hawk and Dove or The Capitol Lounge on Capitol Hill.

Best area for a night on the town?

Without a doubt it’s Dupont Circle, a mix of young Bohemians and polished professionals, there’s an abundance of restaurants, bars and clubs in this active neighborhood.

Where to Stay? Can you recommend any budget and high-end places?

For the ultra-budget traveler, there are hostels of course, but my advice for the moderate budget traveler is to stay outside of the District. Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia is on the metro and a quick ride from the city. Because it’s not in DC though, the hotels tend to be less expensive.

Given the number of high ranking officials who visit from around the world, there are plenty of high-end hotels. The Hay-Adams, the Mayflower Renaissance, the Willard InterContinental, the Ritz-Carlton and the Omni Shoreham are all fantastic choices.

Any markets or shopping districts worth a visit?

Locals all know and love Eastern Market, a DC institution. Built in 1873, Eastern Market was in continuous operation until 2007, when a devastating fire closed the
historic structure until it reopened in 2009.

Located just a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol, during the week the market offers fantastic fresh meats, cheeses, and produce from a variety of local farmers and vendors.

It is on the weekends though that Eastern Market explodes into a frenzy of food and art. Every Saturday and Sunday vendors from all over the Mid-Atlantic descend on Washington to sell their arts and crafts, antiques, and food. It can get quite busy, so be sure to visit early.

Major Events and Festivals throughout the year to consider?

Since we’re the capital city, there are always major events and festivals going on, but my favorite is the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. This annual festival is a two-week international exposition of living cultural heritage and provided free of charge on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

The always changing Festival overlaps with the Fourth of July celebrations and together the events showcase Washington at its best.

Favorite side trip? (half or full day)

One of my favorite day trips is to nearby Mount Vernon, the George Washington estate. It’s a beautiful property right on the Potomac and they’ve done a great job
making the experience interesting and fun for everyone who visits.

For an overnight escape, Maryland’s Eastern Shore is only a couple of hours away. The Eastern Shore sits on the Chesapeake Bay and the many small towns lining this historic part of the state are fun to explore.

When to Go? What is the BEST time of year to visit?

Fall is my favorite time in DC. The weather is comfortable, many tourists have gone home and you can enjoy the city in a less-harried way. DC in the middle of summer
is like walking through hell, avoid it if you can.

Getting There and Away? Any preferred airline for deals? Is train and bus an option?

DC is lucky to be serviced by three major airports, although Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is the most convenient. Southwest Airlines has a growing
presence, but there’s not a strong budget airline in the area.

Train and bus are both extremely easy to take from New York or Philadelphia. Bolt Bus and Megabus both run frequently and feature some cool onboard amenities.

Best “insiders” tip? Either a place to see or a way to save money?

Even though it’s located outside of DC, near Dulles Airport, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is one of my favorite area attractions. Founded in 1966 as the result of a gift of 100 acres of Northern Virginia farmland, Wolf Trap is the only National Park in the United States devoted to the performing arts.

This massive facility offers year round programming through the Barns at Wolf Trap and the Filene Center. The best time to visit is in the summer when a variety of acts, from Bill Cosby to Chicago, all perform onstage at the Filene Center.

The least expensive tickets at the Filene Center are, in my opinion, the most enjoyable – the lawn seats. Over the years, patrons have made lawn seating a tailgating event, bringing elaborate picnics to enjoy before the evening shows.

I love DC because?

It’s a big city that doesn’t seem like it. We don’t have sky scrapers and Washington doesn’t feel like a concrete jungle. Instead we have amazing historic buildings, lots of green space and neighborhoods that have tremendous character.

Bio – Matthew Long, travel writer, blogger and photographer is also Editor-in-Chief and creator of LandLopers.com, one of the top blogs in the world. As someone who has a bad case of the travel bug, Matt travels the world in order to share tips on where to go, what to see and how to experience the best the world has to offer. Matt is a Lonely Planet Featured Blogger as well as a contributor to many other travel sites and publications.

Matt’s site LandLopers.com is listed in the Viator Travel Top 25 Blogs, easyJet’s 12 Travel Blogs in 2012, the Top 100 Travel Blogs, Top 100 Independent Travel Blogs and Washington Flyer’s Top 100 Travel Blogs. You can also find him on Twitter and Facebook

 

Want More Travel Tips?…Then go visit our Best Of Travel Tips Page