Welcome to the DMV! the District, Maryland, & Virginia
I took a Greyhound Bus from Bangor, Maine to Washington D.C. in October or November 1989, all my worldly possessions fit into my Army duffel and a single suitcase, I had less than $100 in my pocket, and no real plan. I was going to live with my third grade bestie who needed a roommate in Fairfax, Virginia, and I’ve been here ever since. There’s so much to do here, but of course I don’t do as much of it as I should! But there are things worth suggesting, so here’s my faves, plus I go to SecretDC for ideas.
Of course the best things about DC are all the Smithsonian Institution 🏛️ Museums and 🐼Zoo! 21 National Museums! A great National Zoo! All free! Next best (tho not all free) are the National Mall and Memorial Parks, in over a dozen locations, there's over a hundred individual momuments, notably the Lincoln, Jefferson, WWI, WWII, & MLK Memorials, and the Washington Monument. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall is very special, physically and spiritually, nationally and personally, it warrants a dedicated and solemn half day. Same but more so for the Holocaust Memorial Museum.
The Kennedy Center is a vibrant cultural hub, offering free weekly film screenings and free performances at 6pm Wed-Sat on their Millennium Stage! I try to always attend the Navy Band Holiday Concert. The Shakespeare Theatre Company was nice. I sometimes go as far as Annapolis, Maryland for the Colonial Players, their historic little “theater in the round” is 360 degrees of delightfully enchanting intimacy! DC does have some big arenas if you're into big events.
DC also has some🎖️legendary 🍽️ dining! I suggest the Old Ebbitt Grill, Ben’s Chili Bowl, Founding Farmers, Martin’s Tavern, and others . . . near my job I love Cornercopia’s Chicken Salad! Out of my league for now, but I’d love to try these experiences, maybe start at Little Pearl, then Pineapple & Pearls, Rose’s Luxury, minibar by José Andrés, and a couple others.
Beyond the District, in Northern Virginia, I absolutely love Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant, and touring George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate in Alexandria. Shop at renowned Tysons Galleria & Tysons Corner adjacent malls in McLean, visit the former prison turned Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, and more . . .
Interested in the military? Naval History & Heritage Command Museums, the USMC Museum, the USMC War Memorial, the USAF Memorial, and if you know me IRL then maybe a guided tour of my beloved WNY.
Airports include DCA & IAD (both on 🚇Metro rail lines), or BWI is further north, Amtrak goes into DC by train, VRE goes into suburban Virginia, MARC into Maryland.
Last Updated January 2024
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