Travel blog — Washington D.C.
I have finally come around to writing my travel blog. I’ve always loved traveling, taking pictures, eating food, drinking local specialty drinks, enjoying the beautiful nature, mesmerizing views, swimming in an ocean, chilling by the pool, meeting new people, getting tanned and exploring new locations.
So I guess that’s what my blog will be about — the best, enjoyable highlights of my travel.
To begin, I’ll start with the essentials:
1. Where to stay
2. Where to eat and drink
3. Where to go out
4. Places to visit
5. Any other tips
Washington, D.C.
For starters, for anybody not from the US, or even some people from the US, D.C. Stands for — District of Columbia. It’s the nation’s capital, where most of the politics happen, however a very tiny city. Not huge on restaurants or nightlife, yet culturally delightful. We went there for the 4th of July weekend, since it’s always been my dream to see the fireworks at the White House.
The city is located between Maryland and Virginia, it’s in a shape of a (broken) crystal and has 4 districts.
- Where to stay
We stayed in Arlington, V.A. at a Residence Inn, Marriot hotel, which was super affordable and we got way more than expected for the $79 per night we paid on our Groupon deal.
A room was exactly as showed on the website — huge, spacious with all of the necessary commodities, perfect for a family, but a luxury for a couple. It included an amazing buffet continental breakfast, with a wide range of food.
The commute to the city was easy too, a hotel had a shuttle bringing you directly to the metro station, from where you could get a train to DC within 15mins, and in the evening it’s convenient to just get a Uber back (it’s only about 10$).
So the whole stay was super amazing, the only little negative was that we wanted to have some wine in our room, and the bottle opener was broken, so we called the front desk twice, but they never brought a new opener to us. Maybe because it was midnight on a Sunday, so it’s understandable and not a big deal after all.
Also, we were told upon arrival that the breakfast finishes at 10am, but that was the only the case over the weekends. Once a Monday hit, the breakfast wrapped up at 9.30am. We were fine with it, however there was a family with a baby that showed up at 9.45am on one of the mornings and they missed it. They still got their food in the end, but something I thought I’d point out to be aware of. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day after all, and when it’s as amazing as this one — you surely don’t want to miss it.
Recommend to stay: Definitely YES.
2. Where to eat and drink
Being naturalized New Yorker, and a girl who’s lived in big capital cities pretty much my whole life it’s important to have a wide variety of places to eat and drink. I’m not going to lie- it was pretty tough to find a great place in DC. Or at least it was much tougher than in NYC, so maybe I’m just biased.
On the first day, we followed Yelp ratings and went to:
⁃ Founding Farmers DC — Facebook Twitter Instagram
I got the chicken pot-pie and boyfriend had a steak and enchilada, and we both LOVED it. Very hearty foods, filling, delicious, super nice service.
For drinks — I went for a light grapefruit tasting beer (2.5%) and it lasted me the whole night, since a glass is huge, and super delicious. He got an IPA and an El Presidente and was not disappointed either. Well, maybe a cocktail was a little too small for a guy. However, it was a good quality and pretty strong, so would recommend.
We went there based on a friend’s recommendation, and weren’t disappointed. The beers were huge, great atmosphere and nice snacks. We went back again for lunch, and got Wienerschnitzel, and Konig as well as Svyturys beers, and were super happy. Definitely recommend.
- Copycat Co. — Facebook Twitter
It’s located very close to the Biergartenhaus, on the H street. We wanted to get some dumplings, skewers and cocktails — but they only had fried dumplings, which neither of us are fans of. So, we had 2 friend dumplings each and left. Wouldn’t recommend.
- Wok and Roll Facebook Twitter
Amazing, super affordable Chinese food place in Chinatown. We were pleasantly surprised with the great service we got and delicious food. We got 2 sets of steamed pork dumplings, which were super impressive, and a Lo-Mein to share and only paid 26$. I’m the most impressed with this place. And even though we thought we could BYOB according to Yelp, and a gentleman who welcomed us at a door, and then a waitress explaining to us that they don’t have BYOB, by which we were a little confused about, but still pleasantly surprised with the overall experience, and in the end — I would 100% recommend.
- Chinatown Garden Restaurant Facebook
For a variety, on a next day we went to get take out from this place. It was good, but not as amazing compared to Wok and Roll. We got the same 1 set of steamed pork dumplings, friend shrimp, noodle soup, and rice with seafood and it was good, however, still not as great as Wok and Roll. We also paid more. I would recommend going there instead.
We tried this place so many times, and it’s always been packed. Waiting time from an hour to two. Finally, we got there on our last day, and ordered pasta dishes. I wanted Carbonara but they couldn’t make it, even upon request, even though it’s advertised on Yelp and we went there specifically for it. However, the atmosphere was nice, it was quite affordable too. I wouldn’t put this on my priority list, kind of overrated.
Came across this one completely randomly, while getting soaked on by the DC rain, and were absolutely in-love. They welcomed us, and another random couple suggested to sit next to them. We got the guacamole, and a grapefruit margarita. They made it from scratch in front of our eyes, and we loved it. The only thing, it wasn’t as spicy as we expected. But still super awesome. Definitely recommend.
3. Where to go out
⁃ Nomad Hookah Bar Facebook Instagram
We went there for drinks and to smoke hookah. It was a vey lovely atmosphere, friendly staff, quite affordable. They gave us free bottled water, which was nice. We spent 4 hours there- smoked the Blue Mist hookah, which waitress suggested to us, it tasted quite mellow, but nice at the same time. We drank beers and Cuba Libras and were not disappointed. A great place to chill, definitely would recommend.
We didn’t go clubbing or out hardcore, so if you’re looking for a chill good time — this is your spot.
4. Places to visit
⁃ National Mall Facebook Twitter Instagram
This is going to be your main location to be a tourist. A number of free Smithsonian museums, a variety of monuments and memorials won’t leave you culture thirsty.
First time we went at night, and it was a little hard to see, a lot of people, and beautiful street music playing around. We came back during the day — a much better view, but super hot.
⁃ African Art museum and Freer Gallery of Art
Located right in front of each other, and interlinking underground, very nice, beautiful and huge museums, with a lot to see, explore and enjoy the exotic art and craft.
The biggest and the most impressive museum we visited. We spent 6 hours there. There is a lot to see- anywhere from planes, to shuttles, cosmos, to the history and the stars- there is something for everybody and it can keep you occupied all day.
Since we stayed in Arlington, it was a very close stop for us. The memorial was really unexpectedly great. For each victim there were the life symbols of a tree, a bench and a fountain. Very beautiful and impressive, definitely would recommend.
Back in the National Mall, this giant building is a massive tourist attraction. A beautiful view of the White House, and a 3 mile green field, designed by the French architects, reminded me of France and the Eiffel Tour. Great place to take pictures, lie down on your back and “walk” on the monument. A lot of people did it, was fun. :)
5. Any other tips
⁃ Bring walking shoes. You will be doing lots of that.
⁃ It’s not a party city, so prepare to get cultured.
⁃ Bring water with you, especially on a hot summer day, it’s very easy to get dehydrated.
Overall, we had a great experience. I would definitely recommend visiting it! I believe I wrote everything I did and knew about DC in this post, however if you have any questions, please comment and I’ll try to answer to my best knowledge!
Besame mucho,
Kristina
xoxo