iBestTravel Local Barbara Noe Kennedy has been living in Washington, DC, for more than 20 years. She’s watched the cityscape transform from a staid affair into a buzzing global destination with an outstanding foodie scene, rejuvenated neighborhoods, thrilling theater, amazing music, and more. The short of it? It’s an exciting time to be in DC.
When I have friends in town…I always take them on a monuments-by-night walking tour. Seeing the Lincoln, Jefferson, and Washington monuments all lit up at night is world-class magnificence. The view from the Lincoln steps, looking back across the Mall to the Capitol, always blows me away. The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is remarkable as well, the larger-than-life figure of the great man glowing out of the darkness.
While the Smithsonian museums are great…there are so many more museums that get overlooked. Hillwood is a former heiress’ estate filled with French and Russian antiques, including two Fabergé eggs. Kreeger Museum features a private collection of Impressionist and American art displayed in a postmodernist house. Moreover, Anderson House, near Dupont Circle, serves as the headquarters and museum of the Society of the Cincinnati, a patriotic organization founded by George Washington. This location resembles a sumptuous Gilded Age villa, even more opulent than the White House itself.
A typical weekend involves…a run! I have run around the National Mall hundreds if not thousands of times (including during the Marine Corps Marathon), and I’m convinced it’s one of the world’s best runs. A grand esplanade edged by some of the world’s most famous museums and memorials, the Mall changes by the light of the day and by the season. I’ve seen it afloat in cherry blossoms, covered in snow, at the break of dawn, and beneath a star-studded night sky. Washington has been declared one of the nation’s fittest cities, so you won’t be the only one on the trail.
For delicious food on the go…lots of people head to Market Lunch at Eastern Market on Capitol Hill, where you can get their famous crab cakes and blueberry-and-buckwheat pancakes. Artisans and farmers set up stands to sell their wares around the market and on the street in front; you’ll find some cool gifts. That said, the hip spot these days is Union Market in Northeast DC, where various unique vendors sell culinary goodness. If you like oysters, the Rappahannock Oyster Bar is front and center.
For cheap eats…Julia’s Empanadas is a local favorite. There are now two locations, one in Adams Morgan and the other on Connecticut Avenue just off Dupont Circle. It’s a small walk-in place with nowhere to sit. Nevertheless, the empanadas—small handheld savory pies with various fillings—are amazing. I’m particularly fond of the turkey empanada, featuring spring onions, turmeric, and jalapeno.
One thing I hate about Washington is…the traffic. Furthermore, it’s getting worse and worse. Do yourself a favor and take the metro. Alternatively, you can hop on one of the Capital Bikeshare bikes (many of which are now dockless bikes—you just drop them off wherever you want when you’re done). Washington is a very bike-friendly city, and there are even paths designed for nice spins around the major monuments on the Mall, and even across the river and up to Old Town (which is about 10 miles, by the way).
When I want to get out of the city…it typically depends on the weather and my mood. My husband and I enjoy eating crabs at a crab shack near Annapolis (Cantler’s is one of the best); we love wine-tasting in Loudoun County (Chrysalis and Stone Tower are two of my favorite wineries); and hiking Old Rag or another trail at Shenandoah National Park. Additionally, you could explore the oyster trail in the Northern Neck of Virginia, bike the back roads outside Centerville, Virginia (notable for its beautiful rolling pasturelands, with the hazy Blue Ridge beyond), or visit Baltimore or Richmond…the options are endless.
For a night of entertainment…head to the brand-new Wharf area, which shows that DC is finally getting smart about utilizing its riverfront. Here, the Anthem theater accommodates big acts for audiences of 6,000, though my preferred venue has become the more intimate Pearl Street Warehouse, designed after an Austin roadhouse. On a warm evening, it’s also enjoyable to walk around the neighborhood and see what’s happening. There’s free live music, street performances, and numerous spots to grab a cocktail or a bite.
If I had to recommend one venue…I would suggest the Library of Congress, as it’s generally not on people’s radars. It’s like visiting a European palace, complete with columns, mural mosaics, and marble statues. The symbolism everywhere is amazing (be sure to take a tour). You’ll see a Gutenberg Bible from the mid-1450s and rotating exhibits showcasing American history and culture. For a unique souvenir, use your driver’s license to obtain your own library card.
To spend a day outdoors…hop aboard a kayak (available for rent at Thompson’s Boat Center, near the Kennedy Center) and paddle around the Potomac River, with some of the world’s greatest monuments in view. I used to kayak during lunch breaks when I worked downtown, and I never got tired of it. Kayak rentals are also available at Key Bridge Boat House, the new Wharf Boathouse, and Ballpark Boathouse.
For Washington secrets …In this city, of course, there are numerous secrets swirling around. I’m not referring to government conspiracies, but rather unique sights with hidden elements that make for a fun treasure hunt. The National Cathedral, for instance, features a Darth Vader gargoyle. There are also two “Kilroy Was Here” cartoons hidden in the National World War II Memorial. Additionally, the façade of the Embassy Row Hotel on Mass Ave showcases human-size angel wings by Colette Miller, who has painted them around the globe to remind humanity that we are angels on earth.
