- Half-smoke (Ben's Chili Bowl's signature)
- Ethiopian (the U Street corridor's cuisine)
- Oysters (the Chesapeake's bounty)
Washington DC Guide
The National Mall, Washington DC. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Washington DC is the capital's greatest hits: the National Mall's monuments and free Smithsonian museums, the most museum value per mile in America. The monuments at night, lit and empty, are the essential experience.
Beyond the Mall: Georgetown's streets, the U Street and H Street corridors, the National Arboretum, and the embassy mansions of Massachusetts Avenue.
What to do in Washington DC
The Mall
- 1
National Mall and monuments Lincoln, Washington, WWII, Vietnam; best at night. - 2
Smithsonian museums Air and Space, American History, Natural History; all free. - 3
US Capitol The free tour; book through your representative. - 4
National Gallery of Art The West Building's old masters; free.
Neighbourhoods
- 1
Georgetown The historic streets and the waterfront. - 2
U Street Corridor The 'Black Broadway' history and the music clubs. - 3
National Arboretum The Capitol columns in the meadow.
Washington DC Hotel Guide
How to choose the best places to stay in Washington DC. Verified properties below; for the full list, search live availability on Booking.com.
Where to eat
Getting there and around
Reagan (DCA) is on the Metro; Dulles (IAD) and BWI cover the rest. The Metro serves the Mall and neighbourhoods; the Mall itself is a long walk end to end.