SO YOU'RE TRAVELING TO WASHINGTON, DC... [WHAT TO DO IN DC]

I like to say I'm from DC. When I'm nowhere near home, it's much easier to say DC instead of Northern Virginia or even worse.. Virginia. (Northern Virginians are terribly prideful of our area and never, ever want to be associated with the rest of the state. It's petty.) In reality, I live about 15 or 20 minutes outside of the city on a good, non-traffic day. Let me say, those don't happen. So if you're visiting the area and are not staying directly smack dab in the middle, allow time for traffic. Lots of time.

Trying to stay on topic, I have lived here practically my whole life. Moved here from the grand ole state of Kansas when I was just three years old so I really know nothing other than this. If you're coming to visit, I am so excited! I wish I could be your personal tour guide because I am simply just enamored with everything in and around this place. Instead, I'm here to compile a list of things that you must do whilst in Washington. It may pull political, educational or just be a great place to see or eat!

Organized into categories, I hope you love the places that I've picked out to try while you stay here and I hope you leave loving this city as much as I do!

I must add a disclaimer that Washington, DC is really a huge metro area consisting of Maryland, Northern Virginia and the District so if you see an address for a place in another state, it's really not that far away. In some cases, it's just a metro ride!

Restaurants:

Founding Fathers
1924 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

William Jeffrey's Tavern
2301 Columbia Pike, Arlington VA

Clyde's

multiple locations - 3236 M Street NW

Matchbox
713 H Street NW

King Street Cafe
1018 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314‎

Shake Shack
1216 18th Street NW

Serendipity 3
3150 M Street NW

Sprinkles Cupcakes
3015 M Street NW

Nightlife:
Public Bar
1214 B Street NW

9:30 Club
815 V Street NW

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
2700 F Street NW

For you sports buffs,
the Washington Wizards and Capitals both play at the Verizon Center
601 F Street NW

the Washington Redskins play at FedEx Field
1600 Fedex Way Landover, MD 20785

DC United plays at RFK Stadium
2400 East Capitol Street SE

and the Washington Nationals play at Nationals Park
1500 South Capitol Street SE
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Museums:
(keep in mind, all museums are free except the Newseum)

Newseum
555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
14th Street SW

Smithsonian National Gallery of Art
4th & Constitution Avenue NW

National Museum of Natural History
10th Street & Constitution Avenue NW

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
1001 F Street NW

National Museum of American History
1400 Constitution Avenue NW

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
600 Independence Avenue SW

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Shopping:

Georgetown
the entirety of M Street NW

Tyson's Corner / Galleria
1961 Chain Bridge Road Tysons Corner, VA 22102
& 2001 International Drive McLean, VA 22102

Bethesda, MD
Bethesda Avenue Bethesda, MD 20814

Reston Towne Center
11900 Market Street Reston, VA 20190

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Things to see:

• Washington Monument
• White House
• Jefferson Memorial
• Lincoln Memorial
• WWII Memorial
• Ford's Theatre
• Vietnam Veteran's Memorial
• Mount Vernon
• National Archives
• Arlington Cemetery
• The Capitol Building
• The National Zoo
• Cherry Blossom Festival (beginning of April only)

& the stairs from 'The Exorcist'!
3600 M Street NW

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What to expect for different times of year

Winter
average temperature: 42°
snow frequents from January-March

Spring
average temperature: 67°
cherry blossom trees in bloom, absolutely beautiful time

Summer
average temperature: 89°
it can and does get into the hundreds very often, beware and pack lightly!

Autumn
average temperature: 68°
fall foliage is breathtaking in the suburbs

I wish I could just pack you all up and bring you here because I really do truly love DC more than any other city. I could be biased, but once you've come here once you'll see it. Washington is a no-frills kinda place and possibly the cleanest city there is. Certain areas will be completely deserted on a Friday or Saturday night where other parts will be stuffed full of people. You can be an important businessman (or even the President!) here, or a lively 20-something. It's for everybody. and when I say everybody, I mean that everybody needs to get here at least once in their lives.