Ruth E.’s guidebook
Food scene
Reliably great food and great for families - try their homemade pop tarts or adult milkshakes!
425 locals recommend
Ted's Bulletin
505 8th St SEReliably great food and great for families - try their homemade pop tarts or adult milkshakes!
This is our favorite coffee spot - best drinks in the city! We also have locally roasted Peregrine coffee beans for you to make your own coffee in the home if you need coffee before you walk to get coffee. :-)
171 locals recommend
Peregrine Espresso
660 Pennsylvania Ave. SEThis is our favorite coffee spot - best drinks in the city! We also have locally roasted Peregrine coffee beans for you to make your own coffee in the home if you need coffee before you walk to get coffee. :-)
These folks just got their first Michelin star recently! Great coffee and pastries in the morning and for lunch they have creative sandwiches, pastries and coffee and in the evening they offer a $49 eight-course prix fixe menu every night as well as optional wine pairings to match - they are happy to modify the menu to accommodate dietary restrictions, allergies and dislikes.
48 locals recommend
Little Pearl
921 Pennsylvania Ave. SEThese folks just got their first Michelin star recently! Great coffee and pastries in the morning and for lunch they have creative sandwiches, pastries and coffee and in the evening they offer a $49 eight-course prix fixe menu every night as well as optional wine pairings to match - they are happy to modify the menu to accommodate dietary restrictions, allergies and dislikes.
Souk
705 8th St SEVery cute local coffee / tea shop
In my opinion, the BEST breakfast in DC – try their “bluebucks” (blueberry buckwheat pancakes) or “brick” breakfast sandwich! Extra breakfast options on Saturday – definitely worth the visit! Cash Only (don't forget!)
37 locals recommend
The Market Lunch
225 7th St SEIn my opinion, the BEST breakfast in DC – try their “bluebucks” (blueberry buckwheat pancakes) or “brick” breakfast sandwich! Extra breakfast options on Saturday – definitely worth the visit! Cash Only (don't forget!)
My friends from NYC say these are the most legit bagels in the city
86 locals recommend
Bullfrog Bagels
317 7th St SEMy friends from NYC say these are the most legit bagels in the city
Belga Café
514 8th St SEKnown for their brunch with an option to order a “bucket of bacon”
Pete's Diner
212 2nd St SEOld time diner with reasonably priced food and friendly service
This place is unchanged since it opened in 1969 – it’s a no-frills diner serving breakfast all day. Portions are generous and coffee comes in mismatched thrift store mugs. It’s the restaurant that doesn’t care and we love them for it.
57 locals recommend
Jimmy T's Place
501 E Capitol St SEThis place is unchanged since it opened in 1969 – it’s a no-frills diner serving breakfast all day. Portions are generous and coffee comes in mismatched thrift store mugs. It’s the restaurant that doesn’t care and we love them for it.
Recently given a Michelin star and named many years running as a top restaurant in the country - they used to not accept reservations so you would have to line up in the afternoon to get a dinner slot. They do same day reservations now though starting at 9am, which you can access through their website. Definitely a splurge date night place!
303 locals recommend
Rose's Luxury
717 8th St SERecently given a Michelin star and named many years running as a top restaurant in the country - they used to not accept reservations so you would have to line up in the afternoon to get a dinner slot. They do same day reservations now though starting at 9am, which you can access through their website. Definitely a splurge date night place!
Creative and delicious Balkan food, served in a small-plate style. Everything is delicious here! The cocktails are also amazing, featuring rakia, the popular fruit brandy of the Balkan region.
134 locals recommend
Ambar Capitol Hill
523 8th St SECreative and delicious Balkan food, served in a small-plate style. Everything is delicious here! The cocktails are also amazing, featuring rakia, the popular fruit brandy of the Balkan region.
Lavagna
539 8th St SEAuthentic and delicious Italian food!
A local favorite, which grew from being a food truck to a DC favorite! The set-up is similar to a Chipotle (build your own burrito or taco). Try the fish/ shrimp tacos!
122 locals recommend
District Taco
656 Pennsylvania Avenue SoutheastA local favorite, which grew from being a food truck to a DC favorite! The set-up is similar to a Chipotle (build your own burrito or taco). Try the fish/ shrimp tacos!
Chinese/ Korean fusion, with delicious and unique dishes. If you love Asian food, this is a must try!
32 locals recommend
CHIKO
423 8th St SEChinese/ Korean fusion, with delicious and unique dishes. If you love Asian food, this is a must try!
Featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives – delicious pupusas and rotisserie chicken
39 locals recommend
Tortilla Café
210 7th Street SoutheastFeatured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives – delicious pupusas and rotisserie chicken
True hole-in-the-wall featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives
35 locals recommend
Tune Inn
331 1/2 Pennsylvania Ave. SETrue hole-in-the-wall featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives
Barrel
613 Pennsylvania Ave. SEIf you like bourbon and rye, this is your spot!
Great oysters and other seafood, and a great spot for happy hour small plates and drinks.
68 locals recommend
Hank's Oyster Bar
633 Pennsylvania Avenue SoutheastGreat oysters and other seafood, and a great spot for happy hour small plates and drinks.
Beuchert’s has amazingly creative cocktails and their bartenders are the real deal!
56 locals recommend
Beuchert’s Saloon
623 Pennsylvania Ave. SEBeuchert’s has amazingly creative cocktails and their bartenders are the real deal!
BETSY
514 8th St SEGreat rooftop happy hour. Wonderful for outdoor months!
Opened by a winner of Cupcake Wars on the Food Network - really delicious cupcakes and macarons.
19 locals recommend
The Sweet Lobby
705 8th St SEOpened by a winner of Cupcake Wars on the Food Network - really delicious cupcakes and macarons.
District Doughnut
749 8th St SESo delicious!
So many lovely, surprising and delicious flavors and, once you walk there, you've basically worked off all the calories!
52 locals recommend
Ice Cream Jubilee
301 Water St SESo many lovely, surprising and delicious flavors and, once you walk there, you've basically worked off all the calories!
There’s a new food hall in town. Across from the Potomac Avenue Metro station in Hill East is a “culinary clubhouse” with eleven and counting vendors. There’s an all day cafe (@cameocoffeetea), a burger spot (@redapronburger), a taco concept, a shop selling local goods (@shopmadeindc) and a craft beer place that also sells sour ales and cider. The other vendors will be open by Thanksgiving. While the weather is warm, there’s plenty of safe distance outdoor seating.
40 locals recommend
The Roost
1401 Pennsylvania Ave. SEThere’s a new food hall in town. Across from the Potomac Avenue Metro station in Hill East is a “culinary clubhouse” with eleven and counting vendors. There’s an all day cafe (@cameocoffeetea), a burger spot (@redapronburger), a taco concept, a shop selling local goods (@shopmadeindc) and a craft beer place that also sells sour ales and cider. The other vendors will be open by Thanksgiving. While the weather is warm, there’s plenty of safe distance outdoor seating.
Tasty fresh bagels basically around the corner. Enjoy!
26 locals recommend
Call Your Mother – Capitol Hill
701 8th St SETasty fresh bagels basically around the corner. Enjoy!
Paraíso Taquería & Mezcalería
1101 Pennsylvania Ave. SEGood eats just around the corner.
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
So many yummy options!
Bombay Street Food 2
Very delicious!
A fast casual “build your own” individual pizza. This is a local chain throughout DC, so you’ll likely see others as you tour around!
&pizza - Navy Yard
A fast casual “build your own” individual pizza. This is a local chain throughout DC, so you’ll likely see others as you tour around!
Sanphan Thai Cuisine
653 Pennsylvania Ave. SEVery tasty Thai food!
Municipal Fish Market at The Wharf
1100 Maine Ave SWLocal favorites
Everyone's favorite neighborhood hardware store - been around almost 100 years. If you need something, they most likely have it!
17 locals recommend
Frager's Hardware
1115 Pennsylvania Ave. SEEveryone's favorite neighborhood hardware store - been around almost 100 years. If you need something, they most likely have it!
Directly next to Eastern Market, this bookstore features floor-to-ceiling stacks of secondhand books. Fun to visit for book lovers!
20 locals recommend
Capitol Hill Books
657 C St SEDirectly next to Eastern Market, this bookstore features floor-to-ceiling stacks of secondhand books. Fun to visit for book lovers!
Eastern Market is a historic market, built in 1873 as part of Pierre L’Enfant’s design for the city to include local neighborhood markets throughout the city. The architect of Eastern Market, Adolph Cluss, was the same architect who designed the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building (the Smithsonian “castle” on the Mall!). The Market is open daily from 7am – 7pm (closed on Monday), and includes vendors who sell fresh local fish, meats, cheeses, flowers, and local goods. The big draw for the Market, however, is the weekend artisan market in which hundreds of DC’s local artists and crafters set up tents to sell their beautiful and artsy products. 7th street is closed down and it is a lot of fun! The artisan market is from 9am – 5pm each Saturday and Sunday.
The Market Lunch is a cafe in the Market that serves a great breakfast - be sure to check it out! The “blue bucks” pancakes (blueberry buckwheat pancakes) are amazing and “the brick” is their famous breakfast sandwich.
699 locals recommend
Eastern Market
225 7th St SEEastern Market is a historic market, built in 1873 as part of Pierre L’Enfant’s design for the city to include local neighborhood markets throughout the city. The architect of Eastern Market, Adolph Cluss, was the same architect who designed the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building (the Smithsonian “castle” on the Mall!). The Market is open daily from 7am – 7pm (closed on Monday), and includes vendors who sell fresh local fish, meats, cheeses, flowers, and local goods. The big draw for the Market, however, is the weekend artisan market in which hundreds of DC’s local artists and crafters set up tents to sell their beautiful and artsy products. 7th street is closed down and it is a lot of fun! The artisan market is from 9am – 5pm each Saturday and Sunday.
The Market Lunch is a cafe in the Market that serves a great breakfast - be sure to check it out! The “blue bucks” pancakes (blueberry buckwheat pancakes) are amazing and “the brick” is their famous breakfast sandwich.
World Series Champions! The Nats Ballpark is slightly more than a mile away and is always fun to catch a game! The Nats have some fun local traditions for the game, including a “President’s Race” at the top of the 4th inning! One great “trip hack” is to get same-day tickets (“Grandstand Seats”) for just $5/ ticket, which must be purchased at the box office two hours before the game begins. Check out https://www.mlb.com/nationals/ballpark/information/guide for more information.
455 locals recommend
Nationals Park
1500 S Capitol St SEWorld Series Champions! The Nats Ballpark is slightly more than a mile away and is always fun to catch a game! The Nats have some fun local traditions for the game, including a “President’s Race” at the top of the 4th inning! One great “trip hack” is to get same-day tickets (“Grandstand Seats”) for just $5/ ticket, which must be purchased at the box office two hours before the game begins. Check out https://www.mlb.com/nationals/ballpark/information/guide for more information.
Grocery Stores
Trader Joe's
750 Pennsylvania Ave. SEOur favorite!
Yes! Organic Market Capitol Hill
410 8th St SEThis is a great spot with a very good wine selection, which is only a few blocks away.
10 locals recommend
DCanter - A Wine Boutique
545 8th St SEThis is a great spot with a very good wine selection, which is only a few blocks away.
Mason & Greens
Gift Shops
This is the very best example of a local shop, with staff who give amazing recommendations, and lots of unique and/or locally themed games and puzzles in addition to well-known games.
33 locals recommend
Labyrinth Games & Puzzles
645 Pennsylvania Ave. SEThis is the very best example of a local shop, with staff who give amazing recommendations, and lots of unique and/or locally themed games and puzzles in addition to well-known games.
Fantastic books, cards, and local knick-knacks, this is a very well curated store with great finds!
24 locals recommend
East City Bookshop
645 Pennsylvania Ave. SEFantastic books, cards, and local knick-knacks, this is a very well curated store with great finds!
Groovy dc Cards & Gifts
321 7th St SEGreeting cards, small gifts, stationery, and other items.
Hill's Kitchen
713 D St SESo cute!
Shop Made in DC
Very cute DC themed gifts from local makers
Exercise
Old City CrossFit
1007 H St NEIf you do CrossFit, come drop in at my box!
DC is filled with neighborhood parks and green space, and the closest park to our home is Lincoln Park. Just walk north on 11th St (turn right out of the house) and walk 6-7 blocks. This is a great spot to take a run or walk, and has a playground for children.
106 locals recommend
Lincoln Park
DC is filled with neighborhood parks and green space, and the closest park to our home is Lincoln Park. Just walk north on 11th St (turn right out of the house) and walk 6-7 blocks. This is a great spot to take a run or walk, and has a playground for children.
One of my very favorite places in the city! I lead an Airbnb Experience in the Arboretum if you want to check it out.
350 locals recommend
United States National Arboretum
3501 New York Ave NEOne of my very favorite places in the city! I lead an Airbnb Experience in the Arboretum if you want to check it out.
Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, Washington, DC, USA
Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, Washington, DC, USA
Lovely walk by the water close to the house
Sightseeing
The Marine Barracks is the oldest active post in the Marine Corps. It was founded by President Thomas Jefferson and Lt. Col. William Ward Burrows, the second commandant of the Marine Corps, in 1801. The Barracks supports both ceremonial and security missions in the nation's capital. It is also the site of the Home of the Commandants (corner of 8th and G St SE), which, along with the Barracks, is a registered national historic landmark. https://www.barracks.marines.mil/
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, a fun activity is to attend the Evening Parade every Friday night, which features "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, "The Commandant's Own" The United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, the Marine Corps Color Guard, the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, Ceremonial Marchers, and Cpl. Chesty XV, the official mascot of Marine Barracks Washington.The event is free, but requires advance reservations, which you can find at https://paraderes.dcmarines.com/. If you aren’t able to get reservations, there is a General Admission line outside the Main Gate of the Barracks - those gates open at 8pm and allow guests to take any unclaimed seats - and often there are still seats available.
28 locals recommend
Marine Barracks
8th Street SoutheastThe Marine Barracks is the oldest active post in the Marine Corps. It was founded by President Thomas Jefferson and Lt. Col. William Ward Burrows, the second commandant of the Marine Corps, in 1801. The Barracks supports both ceremonial and security missions in the nation's capital. It is also the site of the Home of the Commandants (corner of 8th and G St SE), which, along with the Barracks, is a registered national historic landmark. https://www.barracks.marines.mil/
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, a fun activity is to attend the Evening Parade every Friday night, which features "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, "The Commandant's Own" The United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, the Marine Corps Color Guard, the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, Ceremonial Marchers, and Cpl. Chesty XV, the official mascot of Marine Barracks Washington.The event is free, but requires advance reservations, which you can find at https://paraderes.dcmarines.com/. If you aren’t able to get reservations, there is a General Admission line outside the Main Gate of the Barracks - those gates open at 8pm and allow guests to take any unclaimed seats - and often there are still seats available.
Barracks Row is a nationally recognized historic business corridor and is the heart of this neighborhood. Amazing restaurants and shops line each side of the street.
133 locals recommend
Barracks Row Main Street
731 8th St SEBarracks Row is a nationally recognized historic business corridor and is the heart of this neighborhood. Amazing restaurants and shops line each side of the street.
Near Nats Park is “Yards Park,” which is a fun waterfront park on the Anacostia River. From Memoria Day to Labor Day, the park hosts free Friday night concerts on the lawn and has a wading pool for kids. The Yards Park neighborhood also has great restaurants, whether fast casual such as Sweet Green, Nandos or Takorean (Korean tacos!) or nicer restaurants such as District Winery, Chloe, and Whaley’s. Paid parking spots are available at Yards Park, but it’s also possible to walk (about 25-30 mins; 1.5 miles) by walking down to the end of 11th St (turn left out of the house) and then turn right on the trail that goes along the riverfront (with the Navy Yard on the right). It’s a beautiful evening stroll on the riverfront!
145 locals recommend
The Yards Park
355 Water St SENear Nats Park is “Yards Park,” which is a fun waterfront park on the Anacostia River. From Memoria Day to Labor Day, the park hosts free Friday night concerts on the lawn and has a wading pool for kids. The Yards Park neighborhood also has great restaurants, whether fast casual such as Sweet Green, Nandos or Takorean (Korean tacos!) or nicer restaurants such as District Winery, Chloe, and Whaley’s. Paid parking spots are available at Yards Park, but it’s also possible to walk (about 25-30 mins; 1.5 miles) by walking down to the end of 11th St (turn left out of the house) and then turn right on the trail that goes along the riverfront (with the Navy Yard on the right). It’s a beautiful evening stroll on the riverfront!
United States Capitol
First Street SoutheastSo lovely!
This place is lovely and had a wonderful train exhibit for the holidays!
253 locals recommend
United States Botanic Garden
100 Maryland Ave SWThis place is lovely and had a wonderful train exhibit for the holidays!
Library of Congress
101 Independence Avenue SoutheastThey do regular tours and definitely worth doing!
National Gallery of Art
Constitution Avenue NorthwestSo wonderful and worth exploring!
The Sculpture Garden is marvelous - during the summer there is live jazz every Friday evening and during the winter they turn it into an ice skating rink!
55 locals recommend
National Gallery of Art - Sculpture Garden
7th Street NorthwestThe Sculpture Garden is marvelous - during the summer there is live jazz every Friday evening and during the winter they turn it into an ice skating rink!
Lincoln Memorial
2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NWYou can get tickets in advance now to go to the top of the monument - check out recreation.gov
790 locals recommend
Washington Monument
2 15th St NWYou can get tickets in advance now to go to the top of the monument - check out recreation.gov
Tidal Basin
20245 National DrMartin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
1964 Independence Ave SWStunning lilies and lotus plants in June / July
97 locals recommend
Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens
1550 Anacostia Avenue NortheastStunning lilies and lotus plants in June / July
Midsommar Farm, LLC
12093 Mountain Watch CtIn May this farm does pick-your-own peonies and they are amazing!
This super cute honor system farm store has artisan goat cheese and amazing local produce!
8 locals recommend
Georges Mill Farm Artisan Cheese
11873 Georges Mill RdThis super cute honor system farm store has artisan goat cheese and amazing local produce!
Smithsonian National Zoological Park
3001 Connecticut Ave NW
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NWSmithsonian Institution Building
1000 Jefferson Drive SouthwestSmithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Out from town, but totally amazing - a must see for anyone who love air travel of any sort
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Out from town, but totally amazing - a must see for anyone who love air travel of any sort
Absolutely stunning museum - could easily spend an entire day inside.
451 locals recommend
National Museum of African American History and Culture
1400 Constitution Ave. NWAbsolutely stunning museum - could easily spend an entire day inside.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl SWA must see museum for anyone visiting DC
National Museum of the American Indian
4th Street SouthwestSmithsonian National Museum of Natural History
10th St. & Constitution Ave. NWNational Museum of American History
1300 Constitution Ave. NWFord's Theatre National Historic Site
Old Post Office Pavilion
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NWOne of the best views of the city you can find
One of my favorite museums and has a lovely atrium café in the middle of the building with lovely tall ceilings and lots of light.
365 locals recommend
National Portrait Gallery
One of my favorite museums and has a lovely atrium café in the middle of the building with lovely tall ceilings and lots of light.
The National Archives Museum
701 Constitution Ave. NWGeorge Washington's Mount Vernon
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial HwyDumbarton Oaks Gardens
Lovely gardens
Tudor Place
1644 31st St NWHains Point
Entertainment
The Miracle Theatre
535 8th St SEGreat spot for live shows and movies in an old theater!
The Anthem
901 Wharf St SWGreat new venue to see live music!
Pearl Street Warehouse
33 Pearl St SWCute spot for eats and live music!
Folger Theatre
201 E Capitol St SEWonderful and check out their website for free shows!
498 locals recommend
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
2700 F St NWWonderful and check out their website for free shows!
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
2700 F St NWSo many fun shows!!