Russ & Michaela’s Guidebook to DC
Sightseeing
Russ & Michaela met at the Kennedy Center in 2011, and we recommend visiting at 6pm any day of the week to attend a free show at the Millennium Stage!
https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/millennium-stage/
498 locals recommend
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
2700 F St NWRuss & Michaela met at the Kennedy Center in 2011, and we recommend visiting at 6pm any day of the week to attend a free show at the Millennium Stage!
https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/millennium-stage/
Great evening destination! Walk through the Gaylord Hotel, take a ride on the Capitol Wheel, and check out the Awakening statue on the beach (giant coming out of the ground). For an even more enjoyable time, take a boat taxi from Old Town Alexandria to National Harbor!
596 locals recommend
National Harbor
165 Waterfront StGreat evening destination! Walk through the Gaylord Hotel, take a ride on the Capitol Wheel, and check out the Awakening statue on the beach (giant coming out of the ground). For an even more enjoyable time, take a boat taxi from Old Town Alexandria to National Harbor!
Super fun tour, watching money (bills) being printed!
24 locals recommend
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
301 14th St SWSuper fun tour, watching money (bills) being printed!
Close by! Free trolley ride up and down King Street. The Torpedo Factory is on the water, has spaces rented out to artists, and is a great place to stroll around to see unique artwork.
84 locals recommend
Old Town Alexandria Waterfront
1 Prince StClose by! Free trolley ride up and down King Street. The Torpedo Factory is on the water, has spaces rented out to artists, and is a great place to stroll around to see unique artwork.
Favorite playground great for all ages of kids! Huge play structure for the big kids, and plenty of variety. Only 1.5 miles away.
Fairlington Playground
Favorite playground great for all ages of kids! Huge play structure for the big kids, and plenty of variety. Only 1.5 miles away.
If you can't get tickets to go to the top of the Washington Monument, visit the Old Post Office Pavilion to get a great view of the city AND the Washington monument! Free!
11 locals recommend
Old Post Office Pavilion
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NWIf you can't get tickets to go to the top of the Washington Monument, visit the Old Post Office Pavilion to get a great view of the city AND the Washington monument! Free!
Visit one of the most beautiful buildings in DC! An audio tour is available their website, and free time tickets are required.
314 locals recommend
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave SEVisit one of the most beautiful buildings in DC! An audio tour is available their website, and free time tickets are required.
This is the place to go if you want to pay respect to the only US president buried in Washington DC - Woodrow Wilson (his house is also open for tours). Helen Keller & her teacher Anne Sullivan are also buried here. A moon rock is embedded into one of the stained glass windows, and Darth Vadar is one of the gargoyles (although this one is hard to see!).
Reeser Str. 106, 46446 Emmerich am Rhein, Germany
This is the place to go if you want to pay respect to the only US president buried in Washington DC - Woodrow Wilson (his house is also open for tours). Helen Keller & her teacher Anne Sullivan are also buried here. A moon rock is embedded into one of the stained glass windows, and Darth Vadar is one of the gargoyles (although this one is hard to see!).
The Basilica is on the grounds of Catholic University, and features over 80 chapels honoring Mary, the Mother of God, each one representing a different country/ culture. The tours are very informative and showcase beauty, art, and diversity.
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
400 Michigan Avenue NortheastThe Basilica is on the grounds of Catholic University, and features over 80 chapels honoring Mary, the Mother of God, each one representing a different country/ culture. The tours are very informative and showcase beauty, art, and diversity.
Michaela is in awe of this place (and irreverently calls it Disneyland for Catholics). The grounds are beautiful and peaceful, the replicas of the Holy Land are detailed and fascinating, and there are catacombs!
74 locals recommend
Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land
1400 Quincy St NEMichaela is in awe of this place (and irreverently calls it Disneyland for Catholics). The grounds are beautiful and peaceful, the replicas of the Holy Land are detailed and fascinating, and there are catacombs!
The home and gardens of Marjorie Merriweather Post are a great place to visit if you want to get away from downtown and see the wealth and beauty that exist in DC. Her vast collection of Russian art (including Faberge eggs) is on display, and her 13 acres of intricate gardens are breathtaking with a view of the Washington Monument from afar.
63 locals recommend
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens
4155 Linnean Ave NWThe home and gardens of Marjorie Merriweather Post are a great place to visit if you want to get away from downtown and see the wealth and beauty that exist in DC. Her vast collection of Russian art (including Faberge eggs) is on display, and her 13 acres of intricate gardens are breathtaking with a view of the Washington Monument from afar.
When you are visiting the National Mall, don't miss this tiny island which features all the signers of the declaration!
56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence Memorial
When you are visiting the National Mall, don't miss this tiny island which features all the signers of the declaration!
When walking from Union Station (or the Smithsonian Postal Museum) to the US Capitol, make sure to visit this moving tribute to the Japanese Americans who fought for the US during WWII while their families and loved ones were forced into internment camps.
National Japanese American Memorial
When walking from Union Station (or the Smithsonian Postal Museum) to the US Capitol, make sure to visit this moving tribute to the Japanese Americans who fought for the US during WWII while their families and loved ones were forced into internment camps.
Sculpted by Robert Berks (who sculpted JFKs bust at the Kennedy Center, Mary McLeod Bethune's sculpture in Lincoln Park, and Mr Rogers in Pittsburgh PA). When standing in front of the statue, spoken words are amplified, and if you look at the ground, it shows the objects in the sky when the memorial was dedicated.
25 locals recommend
Albert Einstein Memorial
2101 Constitution Ave. NWSculpted by Robert Berks (who sculpted JFKs bust at the Kennedy Center, Mary McLeod Bethune's sculpture in Lincoln Park, and Mr Rogers in Pittsburgh PA). When standing in front of the statue, spoken words are amplified, and if you look at the ground, it shows the objects in the sky when the memorial was dedicated.
This is the place to go if you want to pay respect to the only US president buried in Washington DC - Woodrow Wilson (his house is also open for tours). Helen Keller & her teacher Anne Sullivan are also buried here. A moon rock is embedded into one of the stained glass windows, and Darth Vadar is one of the gargoyles (although this one is hard to see!).
Washington National Cathedral
This is the place to go if you want to pay respect to the only US president buried in Washington DC - Woodrow Wilson (his house is also open for tours). Helen Keller & her teacher Anne Sullivan are also buried here. A moon rock is embedded into one of the stained glass windows, and Darth Vadar is one of the gargoyles (although this one is hard to see!).
Food scene
The D.C. area is home to the largest Ethiopian population outside of Africa, so in our mind a visit to DC is not complete without enjoying a delicious Ethiopian meal. Be prepared for communal eating on a large plate of injera (spongy sourdough bread) with your party, using the injera as your utensils! Our favorite entrees are:
Special Veggie Combo
Bozena Shiro
Beef Tibs
Lamb Tibs
Tell the owner that Zeke & Zoe sent you!
Sora Ethiopian Market, Cafe,
5145 Duke StreetThe D.C. area is home to the largest Ethiopian population outside of Africa, so in our mind a visit to DC is not complete without enjoying a delicious Ethiopian meal. Be prepared for communal eating on a large plate of injera (spongy sourdough bread) with your party, using the injera as your utensils! Our favorite entrees are:
Special Veggie Combo
Bozena Shiro
Beef Tibs
Lamb Tibs
Tell the owner that Zeke & Zoe sent you!
Korean BBQ is a fun and unique experience. Expect loud music, the food to be cooked at your table, and delicious meat with a bunch of yummy sides. We recommend:
Bulgogi
Asking for lettuce wraps to bundle the rice / meat / sides
Korean Steamed Eggs
18 locals recommend
Honey Pig BBQ
7220 Columbia PikeKorean BBQ is a fun and unique experience. Expect loud music, the food to be cooked at your table, and delicious meat with a bunch of yummy sides. We recommend:
Bulgogi
Asking for lettuce wraps to bundle the rice / meat / sides
Korean Steamed Eggs
Taco Bamba is a local chain that has delicious street tacos. We haven't eaten anything there we don't like, but you can't go wrong with a "Cup O'Bamba" and some Mexican Street Corn!
Taco Bamba Taqueria
6259 Little River TurnpikeTaco Bamba is a local chain that has delicious street tacos. We haven't eaten anything there we don't like, but you can't go wrong with a "Cup O'Bamba" and some Mexican Street Corn!
Pho is a favorite comfort food in our household. It's Vietnamese Noodle Soup with a base full of flavor. We recommend:
Crispy Spring Rolls
Beef Eye Round Pho Soup
Pho Viet Flare Restaurant
514-B S Van Dorn StPho is a favorite comfort food in our household. It's Vietnamese Noodle Soup with a base full of flavor. We recommend:
Crispy Spring Rolls
Beef Eye Round Pho Soup
Outdoor garden patio or inside eating, the food is delicious and the ambiance is relaxing. Don't miss the Saganaki- kasseri cheese that comes out lit on fire!
16 locals recommend
Taverna Cretekou
818 King StOutdoor garden patio or inside eating, the food is delicious and the ambiance is relaxing. Don't miss the Saganaki- kasseri cheese that comes out lit on fire!
This is a local chain that is perfect for breakfast. All of their locations are great- this one on King St is new and the closest to our house.
Bob and Edith's Diner
1743 King StreetThis is a local chain that is perfect for breakfast. All of their locations are great- this one on King St is new and the closest to our house.
Located only a mile away. Fresh and delicious sushi and other Japanese entrees. We recommend the dinner boxes as a great sampler option.
6 locals recommend
Kyoto Sushi
201 Massachusetts Ave NELocated only a mile away. Fresh and delicious sushi and other Japanese entrees. We recommend the dinner boxes as a great sampler option.
Open 24×7, great place to stop on way back to Casa Rosa from DC. Order ahead (20-30 minutes) for quicker pickup and don't forget to order a Mango Lassi!
47 locals recommend
Kabob Palace
2315 S Eads StOpen 24×7, great place to stop on way back to Casa Rosa from DC. Order ahead (20-30 minutes) for quicker pickup and don't forget to order a Mango Lassi!
I order the clam chowder, oyster crackers, and horseradish. Yum! Sports bar atmosphere near the Old Town waterfront.
21 locals recommend
Fish Market Restaurant
105 King StI order the clam chowder, oyster crackers, and horseradish. Yum! Sports bar atmosphere near the Old Town waterfront.
BEST ICE CREAM IN DC. Seriously!
Opened by a swing dance friend of ours, this ice cream shop employs people with special needs. The dark chocolate ice cream and hot chocolate bombs are Kaela's favorite, but they constantly have seasonal options well as their standard flavors. There are multiple non-dairy flavors as well!
Jake's Ice Cream
BEST ICE CREAM IN DC. Seriously!
Opened by a swing dance friend of ours, this ice cream shop employs people with special needs. The dark chocolate ice cream and hot chocolate bombs are Kaela's favorite, but they constantly have seasonal options well as their standard flavors. There are multiple non-dairy flavors as well!
Cozy space to breakfast or lunch (not appropriate for large groups). The Turkish coffee is delicious, you can smell the different blends before you select your drink, and the pastries are light, fluffy, and delicious!
Turkish Coffee Lady
Cozy space to breakfast or lunch (not appropriate for large groups). The Turkish coffee is delicious, you can smell the different blends before you select your drink, and the pastries are light, fluffy, and delicious!
Delicious kabobs! We often buy the family platter and it feeds us for a few meals (includes kabobs, rice, salad, bread, and sides).
Moby Dick House of Kabob
Delicious kabobs! We often buy the family platter and it feeds us for a few meals (includes kabobs, rice, salad, bread, and sides).