Washington DC Favorites
In case you find yourself out in DC, some of my favorite places to go and places to eat. I’m working my way through as many of them as I can between events at the GPA Conference this week. I assume that most visitors know and can easily find out about the big tourist highlights of DC (which are great, and should not be missed!) so this list is focused on the things I always find myself coming back to when I visit:
Hillwood Museum: Marjorie Post (yes that Post) had a fascinating life and her estate and museum is beautiful and full of strange pieces of history that Mrs. Post happened to be in the right place and time to collect, that you won’t find anywhere else.
National Portrait Gallery: I think since the Obama portraits went up this Smithsonian has started getting the interest it deserves. A fantastic and somewhat overlooked Smithsonian.
Capitol Hill Summerhouse: An open brick building on Capitol Hill grounds that is one of my favorite places on earth. A funny little fairyscape respite near some of the busiest parts of DC. If you have time to track it down you should.
Eastern Market: A farmer’s market and indoor art market. A community center for the surrounding area for a very long time.
Renwick Gallery: Another hugely overlooked Smithsonian, across the street from the White House. The focus is arts and crafts. It’s small and never crowded, and has some really lovely exhibits.
Congressional Cemetery: No, this isn’t my secret goth self coming out. This is a beautiful historical cemetery turned neighborhood gathering place and dog park. In the summer you might see goats wandering around tidying the place up! Look for Sousa’s grave, it has a fun musical touch.
Kramerbooks. Best non-used bookstore in DC. The food and drinks are also pretty good. And speaking of food…
Start the day with coffee at either Peregrine if you’re in the mood for something on the Hill, or if you’re in a Georgetown frame of mind, at Baked and Wired. Yes, buy all the cupcakes.
Need some fast food while on the go? Try Tortilla Cafe, Ledo Pizza, or Amsterdam Falafel.
Ready to relax for something a little fancier? Check out Rasika, Ethiopic, Compass Rose, or Supra.
There is only one bar I still go to when I’m in town, mostly for old time’s sake: The Big Hunt. It’s an actual, don’t look at the floors or eat the food dive bar. There’s ski ball hidden up on the third floor.
