Essentials
Safeway
5101 Wilson BlvdFully stocked grocery store- 2 min walk
Whole Foods Market
1440 P St NWFoodies' paradise.
Everything Else
16th St & Corcoran St station
Buses to White House, Columbia Heights, National Mall, etc.
Dupont Circle Station
1525 20th St NWSubway lines to EVERYWHERE (including the Reagan airport)
Dupont Circle
Lively park, street performers, vendors, etc.
Lively park outside White House gates. 10 minute walk from the house.
6 locals recommend
Teaism Lafayette Park
800 Connecticut Ave NWLively park outside White House gates. 10 minute walk from the house.
Bikeshare dock -- ride from here to any of hundreds across the city and simply leave the bike. $5/day. CapitalBikeshare.com
La Frontera Cantina
1633 17th St NWBikeshare dock -- ride from here to any of hundreds across the city and simply leave the bike. $5/day. CapitalBikeshare.com
VIbrant community -- dozens of restaurants, shops, museums, bars, etc. A great place to visit during the day or enjoy a night out.
14 locals recommend
U Street Cafe
1301 U St NWVIbrant community -- dozens of restaurants, shops, museums, bars, etc. A great place to visit during the day or enjoy a night out.
Adams Morgan
Bar central for DC. Lots of dance clubs, karaoke, etc.
Up and coming neighborhood. Historic homes being renovated, lots of new shops, etc.
14 locals recommend
Logan Circle & P St
P Street NorthwestUp and coming neighborhood. Historic homes being renovated, lots of new shops, etc.
Meridian Hill Park
Fantastic park! Lots of statues, grassy areas, people picnicking, joggers, etc.
Gym -- part of NY Sports Club and Boston Sports Club network
15 locals recommend
Washington Sports Clubs
783 7th St NWGym -- part of NY Sports Club and Boston Sports Club network
Another up and coming neighborhood. There are a lot of restaurants and big box stores (Target, Best Buy, etc.)
89 locals recommend
Columbia Heights
Another up and coming neighborhood. There are a lot of restaurants and big box stores (Target, Best Buy, etc.)
Food Scene
Steam Cafe & Pizzeria
1700 17th St NWDecent coffee, nice people, open late and early
Agora
1527 17th St NWGreat mediterranean food and cool atmosphere
El Centro
1819 14th St NWGreat mexican brunch (also a bar at night)
Floriana
1602 17th St NWGreat italian dinner and very good brunch too.
1635 P St NW
1635 P Street NorthwestGood thai food. Relaxed atmosphere.
Cafe Green
1513 17th St NWAMAZING vegan and vegetarian food. Even none vegetarians love this place.
Great margaritas and decent food. Super popular (crowded) on weekends. Fun atmosphere.
135 locals recommend
Lauriol Plaza
1835 18th St NWGreat margaritas and decent food. Super popular (crowded) on weekends. Fun atmosphere.
Rosemary's Thyme Bistro
1801 18th St NWRomantic atmosphere. Great food.
Luna Grill and Diner
4024 Campbell AveGood burgers.
Shake Shack
1216 18th St NWGreat burgers!!
Sacrificial Lamb Kabobs & Wraps
1704 R St NWIndian/Pakistani takeout. Pretty good.
Food is so-so, but they're open late and welcoming. More of a bar than a restaurant.
14 locals recommend
Dupont Italian Kitchen
1637 17th St NWFood is so-so, but they're open late and welcoming. More of a bar than a restaurant.
Level One
1639 R St NWBy day: best brunch in town.
By night: boisterous night club.
Bar Pilar
1833 14th St NWRestaurant/bar. Good food and drinks. Intimate.
Trio Bistro
1537 17th St NWSolid, inexpensive diner. Serves drinks.
1523 17th St NW
1523 17th Street NorthwestGourmet pizza restaurant
Arts & Culture
The Keegan Theatre
Great, small theatre company. Intimate venue.
Studio Theatre
1501 14th St NWhttp://www.studiotheatre.org/
Regal Gallery Place & 4DX
701 7th St NWHuge, well-appointed, but crowded on weekends.
AMC Georgetown 14
3111 K St NWGood cinema. Lots of dinner and shopping options nearby.
National Gallery of Art
Constitution Avenue Northwestamazing
National Gallery of Art
Constitution Avenue NorthwestGreat sculptures + outdoor iceskating!!
National Air and Space Museum
600 Independence Ave SWKids and adults will love it!
Newest museum. AMAZING. Also, the food court is legitimately gourmet. People visit the food court for dinner!
196 locals recommend
National Museum of the American Indian
4th Street SouthwestNewest museum. AMAZING. Also, the food court is legitimately gourmet. People visit the food court for dinner!
National Geographic Museum
1145 17th St NWGreat exhibits and a really unique and fun gift shop.
Never been there, but it looks nice from the outside and it evidently very popular.
9 locals recommend
Tranquil Space
1632 17th Street NorthwestNever been there, but it looks nice from the outside and it evidently very popular.
JCC has a gym, theater, museum, etc. Always something interesting going on. Very welcoming.
7 locals recommend
Dc Jewish Community Center
1529 16th St NWJCC has a gym, theater, museum, etc. Always something interesting going on. Very welcoming.
Sightseeing
Lincoln Memorial
2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NWYou must visit!
The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
First Street SoutheastAnother must-visit!
Washington National Cathedral
Great cathedral, plus amazing views of the city.
The White House South Lawn
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NWThe seat of power.
Free zoo! And one of the best in the world. Also, you can jog here and it's great.
771 locals recommend
Smithsonian National Zoological Park
3001 Connecticut Ave NWFree zoo! And one of the best in the world. Also, you can jog here and it's great.
You'll see it no matter what... but it's worth visiting the base.
790 locals recommend
Washington Monument
2 15th St NWYou'll see it no matter what... but it's worth visiting the base.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial Bookstore
16 E Basin Dr SWOften overlooked, but one of the best.
Shopping
1201 G St NW
1201 G Street NorthwestLots of traditional department stores around here.
Kramers
1517 Connecticut Ave NWGreat book store to browse and have a coffee.
Cairo Wine & Liquor
1618 17th St NWGreat wine selection.
CVS
645 H St NEAll your pharmacy needs...
Drinks & Nightlife
The Big Hunt
1345 Connecticut Ave NWFun dive bar.
19th Street Northwest
19th Street NorthwestClassy bar on the Circle.
Local 16
1602 U St NWBar/nightclub -- younger crowd.
Great sports bar. Pool, shuffleboard, darts, etc. They will be showing your game.
27 locals recommend
Buffalo Billiards
1330 19th St NWGreat sports bar. Pool, shuffleboard, darts, etc. They will be showing your game.
1801 14th St NW
1801 14th Street NorthwestGreat beer. Fun atmosphere. Mostly outdoor seating with heat lamps. Bench seating.