Guidebook for Washington
Essentials
The nicest Walgreens you'll ever see, with frozen yogurt bar, fancy beers, and upscale products.
34 locals recommend
Walgreens
801 7th St NWThe nicest Walgreens you'll ever see, with frozen yogurt bar, fancy beers, and upscale products.
CVS
1418 P St NWThe ubiquitous drugstore.
Safeway
3830 Georgia Ave NWSafeway at City Vista, with a nut bar! www.safeway.com
$$$ an iconic neighborhood. The city's best Farmer's Market is here Sundays mornings, see website for hours. http://freshfarmmarkets.org/farmers_markets/markets/dupont_circle.php
27 locals recommend
FRESHFARM Dupont Circle Market
1600 20th St NW$$$ an iconic neighborhood. The city's best Farmer's Market is here Sundays mornings, see website for hours. http://freshfarmmarkets.org/farmers_markets/markets/dupont_circle.php
Whole Foods Market
1440 P St NWHere it is!
One week guest passes are available upon registration. http://www.mysportsclubs.com/clubsched/_clubdetail.htm?rg=WSC&a=D.C.&c=231
783 7th St NW
783 7th Street NorthwestOne week guest passes are available upon registration. http://www.mysportsclubs.com/clubsched/_clubdetail.htm?rg=WSC&a=D.C.&c=231
A fancy gym with an endless pool and all the machines. $25 daily passes, or $150 for 12 visits (won't expire). https://vidafitness.com/verizon
VIDA Fitness Gallery Place
601 F St NWA fancy gym with an endless pool and all the machines. $25 daily passes, or $150 for 12 visits (won't expire). https://vidafitness.com/verizon
Another VIDA Fitness, in the Renaissance Hotel. http://vidafitness.com/renaissance
VIDA Fitness Renaissance and Aura Spa
999 9th St NWAnother VIDA Fitness, in the Renaissance Hotel. http://vidafitness.com/renaissance
What, yet another VIDA Fitness nearby? They outnumber CVS and Starbucks in the immediate area, which is saying something in the District. http://vidafitness.com/cityvista
7 locals recommend
VIDA Fitness City Vista
445 K St NWWhat, yet another VIDA Fitness nearby? They outnumber CVS and Starbucks in the immediate area, which is saying something in the District. http://vidafitness.com/cityvista
The hott spin class is just down the block. Popularized in NYC, this new location launched in September 2015. Get it!
11 locals recommend
SoulCycle
601 Massachusetts Ave NWThe hott spin class is just down the block. Popularized in NYC, this new location launched in September 2015. Get it!
Arts & Culture
Just 4 blocks away! http://www.dcconvention.com/
150 locals recommend
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
801 Mt Vernon Pl NWJust 4 blocks away! http://www.dcconvention.com/
Free! One of the most popular museums in DC. http://airandspace.si.edu/
809 locals recommend
National Air and Space Museum
600 Independence Ave SWFree! One of the most popular museums in DC. http://airandspace.si.edu/
This was the former Pension Bureau building, and it is spectacular. An underrated tourist stop that is rarely crowded. There is a Building Zone for toddlers, too. Great gift shop. http://www.nbm.org/
92 locals recommend
National Building Museum
401 F St NWThis was the former Pension Bureau building, and it is spectacular. An underrated tourist stop that is rarely crowded. There is a Building Zone for toddlers, too. Great gift shop. http://www.nbm.org/
Housed in the former Patent Office, the building itself is gorgeous. Portraits of famous Americans, mostly. Basically a history museum, tour with a docent! http://www.npg.si.edu/
365 locals recommend
National Portrait Gallery
Housed in the former Patent Office, the building itself is gorgeous. Portraits of famous Americans, mostly. Basically a history museum, tour with a docent! http://www.npg.si.edu/
International Spy Museum
700 L'Enfant Plaza SW$$ Spies. How cool is that? http://www.spymuseum.org/
Located directly across from the Verizon Center, this beautiful venue does a lot of Shakespeare, as well as other classic theatre. http://www.shakespearetheatre.org/
56 locals recommend
Shakespeare Theatre Company: Lansburgh Theatre
450 7th St NWLocated directly across from the Verizon Center, this beautiful venue does a lot of Shakespeare, as well as other classic theatre. http://www.shakespearetheatre.org/
This venue focuses more on modern and "innovative" plays. http://www.woollymammoth.net/
27 locals recommend
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
641 D St NWThis venue focuses more on modern and "innovative" plays. http://www.woollymammoth.net/
$$ A museum dedicated to the First Amendment and the Press. A ticket is good for 2 days. http://www.newseum.org/
202 locals recommend
Newseum
565 Pennsylvania Avenue NW$$ A museum dedicated to the First Amendment and the Press. A ticket is good for 2 days. http://www.newseum.org/
They get snooty if you call them a Smithsonian, but a great art museum with big name artists. Has an ice rink during winter, and outdoor summer jazz. http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb.html
385 locals recommend
National Gallery of Art
Constitution Avenue NorthwestThey get snooty if you call them a Smithsonian, but a great art museum with big name artists. Has an ice rink during winter, and outdoor summer jazz. http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb.html
A museum of modern art, always worth checking out if you are so inclined. http://www.hirshhorn.si.edu/collection/home/#collection=home
230 locals recommend
Hirshhorn Museum
7th Street SouthwestA museum of modern art, always worth checking out if you are so inclined. http://www.hirshhorn.si.edu/collection/home/#collection=home
Entertainment & Activities
Sports and music! Concerts, Wizards, Mystics, Capitols, etc. http://verizoncenter.monumentalnetwork.com/
305 locals recommend
Capital One Arena
601 F St NWSports and music! Concerts, Wizards, Mystics, Capitols, etc. http://verizoncenter.monumentalnetwork.com/
The 6th and I Historic Synagogue hosts celebrity performances of all types. http://www.sixthandi.org/
8 locals recommend
Sixth and I Historic Synagogue
600 I St NWThe 6th and I Historic Synagogue hosts celebrity performances of all types. http://www.sixthandi.org/
14 screens of Hollywood's finest. Can be a boisterous crowd of unsupervised high schoolers there. http://www.regmovies.com/
105 locals recommend
Regal Gallery Place & 4DX
701 7th St NW14 screens of Hollywood's finest. Can be a boisterous crowd of unsupervised high schoolers there. http://www.regmovies.com/
$$ Bowling in a club atmosphere! I find it a bit obnoxious at night (dress code and all), but bowling in the afternoon is pretty fun.
28 locals recommend
Lucky Strike Washington DC
701 7th St NW$$ Bowling in a club atmosphere! I find it a bit obnoxious at night (dress code and all), but bowling in the afternoon is pretty fun.
Shopping
$$$ Neighborhood Farmer's Market is here Thursday afternoons, see website for hours. http://freshfarmmarkets.org/farmers_markets/markets/penn_quarter.php
FRESHFARM Penn Quarter Market
801 F Street Northwest$$$ Neighborhood Farmer's Market is here Thursday afternoons, see website for hours. http://freshfarmmarkets.org/farmers_markets/markets/penn_quarter.php
$$$ CityCenterDC has recently launched, and has all sorts of upscale restaurants and fashion. http://www.citycenterdc.com/retail
126 locals recommend
CityCenterDC
825 10th St NW$$$ CityCenterDC has recently launched, and has all sorts of upscale restaurants and fashion. http://www.citycenterdc.com/retail
Macy's
1201 G St. NW$-$$ The venerable department store. Macy's DC presence.
$-$$ Midrange liquor store, very solid. On the way to Subway grocery. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Capital-City-Wine-Spirits/137137709685678
Capital City Wine & Spirits
500 K St NW$-$$ Midrange liquor store, very solid. On the way to Subway grocery. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Capital-City-Wine-Spirits/137137709685678
DC's darling food scene. A collection of local vendors. A lot of prepared foods here and an oyster bar, but also a butcher, bakers, a fishmonger, and local dairy products. http://unionmarketdc.com/
906 locals recommend
Union Market
1309 5th St NEDC's darling food scene. A collection of local vendors. A lot of prepared foods here and an oyster bar, but also a butcher, bakers, a fishmonger, and local dairy products. http://unionmarketdc.com/
Clean, modern, with moderate to upscale beer, wines, and liquors.
Eye Street Cellars - Fine Wine, Spirits, & Beer
425 I St NWClean, modern, with moderate to upscale beer, wines, and liquors.
Farmer's Market on Tuesday afternoons! See website for hours. http://www.freshfarmmarkets.org/farmers_markets/markets/citycenter_dc.php
FRESHFARM Markets
1319 18th Street NorthwestFarmer's Market on Tuesday afternoons! See website for hours. http://www.freshfarmmarkets.org/farmers_markets/markets/citycenter_dc.php
Food Scene
Urban coffeeshop, usually featuring Intelligentsia espresso beans and a rotating cast of pour-overs. Try the local granola/yogurt parfait here, oh man! http://chinatowncoffee.com/
28 locals recommend
Chinatown Coffee Co.
475 H St NWUrban coffeeshop, usually featuring Intelligentsia espresso beans and a rotating cast of pour-overs. Try the local granola/yogurt parfait here, oh man! http://chinatowncoffee.com/
Starbucks
1101 S Joyce StStarbucks!
$-$$. Great ramen in Sapporo style on first floor. Izakaya on 2nd floor, with really great drink program too. My spot. http://daikaya.com/
82 locals recommend
Daikaya The Izakaya
705 6th Street Northwest$-$$. Great ramen in Sapporo style on first floor. Izakaya on 2nd floor, with really great drink program too. My spot. http://daikaya.com/
$-$$ DC-based salad chain. Local ingredients, juices, there are several around the city. Also the sponsor of their own concert, sweetlife festival. www.sweetgreen.com
25 locals recommend
sweetgreen City Vista
1065 5th Street Northwest$-$$ DC-based salad chain. Local ingredients, juices, there are several around the city. Also the sponsor of their own concert, sweetlife festival. www.sweetgreen.com
Chopt Creative Salad Co.
1735 N Lynn St$-$$ National chain of salads, nice cobb salad.
$-$$$ Yes, I am recommending the New Big Wong as the best area Chinese restaurant. Open late, will serve beer in a teapot after hours. Try the dried scallop fried rice! http://www.newbigwong.com/
9 locals recommend
NewBigWong
610 H St NW$-$$$ Yes, I am recommending the New Big Wong as the best area Chinese restaurant. Open late, will serve beer in a teapot after hours. Try the dried scallop fried rice! http://www.newbigwong.com/
$-$$ Decent noodles here, see the guy in the window stretching them out! Also, the roast meats hanging in the window are best in show for this neighborhood. http://www.chinatownexpressdc.com
107 locals recommend
Chinatown
604 H St NW$-$$ Decent noodles here, see the guy in the window stretching them out! Also, the roast meats hanging in the window are best in show for this neighborhood. http://www.chinatownexpressdc.com
$$ Baltimore based gelato with Counter Culture coffee. Really, really decent stuff. http://pitangogelato.com/locations/penn-quarter/
8 locals recommend
Pitango Gelato
413 7th St NW$$ Baltimore based gelato with Counter Culture coffee. Really, really decent stuff. http://pitangogelato.com/locations/penn-quarter/
$$$ Excellent Indian dining, always tops the Washington Post reviews. http://www.rasikarestaurant.com/
104 locals recommend
Rasika
633 D St NW$$$ Excellent Indian dining, always tops the Washington Post reviews. http://www.rasikarestaurant.com/
$$-$$$ A personal favorite, very civilized and quiet restaurant. Reservations recommended, or sit at the bar for a $30, three course meal. http://www.corduroydc.com/
19 locals recommend
Corduroy
1122 9th St NW$$-$$$ A personal favorite, very civilized and quiet restaurant. Reservations recommended, or sit at the bar for a $30, three course meal. http://www.corduroydc.com/
$$$ Wolfgang Puck Asian-themed restaurant, is excellent. If you visit the Newseum (in the same building), use your ticket for a discount. http://www.wolfgangpuck.com/restaurants/fine-dining/3941
9 locals recommend
The Source by Wolfgang Puck
575 Pennsylvania Avenue NW$$$ Wolfgang Puck Asian-themed restaurant, is excellent. If you visit the Newseum (in the same building), use your ticket for a discount. http://www.wolfgangpuck.com/restaurants/fine-dining/3941
$-$$$ DC's beloved Jose Andres flagship featuring Spanish tapas. http://www.jaleo.com/
82 locals recommend
Jaleo
480 7th St NW$-$$$ DC's beloved Jose Andres flagship featuring Spanish tapas. http://www.jaleo.com/
$-$$$ Jose Andres take on Mexican food, probably the best and fanciest of the genre in town. http://www.oyamel.com/
66 locals recommend
Oyamel Cocina Mexicana
401 7th St NW$-$$$ Jose Andres take on Mexican food, probably the best and fanciest of the genre in town. http://www.oyamel.com/
$$$ If this is the first time you are reading about minibar, then you are unlikely to secure a reservation during your stay. Jose Andres' molecular showstopper. http://www.minibarbyjoseandres.com/
8 locals recommend
minibar by José Andrés
855 E St NW$$$ If this is the first time you are reading about minibar, then you are unlikely to secure a reservation during your stay. Jose Andres' molecular showstopper. http://www.minibarbyjoseandres.com/
$-$$$ Jose Andres take on Peruvian/Chinese food. http://chinachilcano.com/
33 locals recommend
China Chilcano
418 7th St NW$-$$$ Jose Andres take on Peruvian/Chinese food. http://chinachilcano.com/
$-$$ Jose Andres take on Mediterranean food. Always a fashion-forward crowd, but very reasonable prices here actually. http://www.zaytinya.com/
121 locals recommend
Zaytinya
701 9th St NW$-$$ Jose Andres take on Mediterranean food. Always a fashion-forward crowd, but very reasonable prices here actually. http://www.zaytinya.com/
$$-$$$ Sometimes all you want is a big steak. https://www.thecapitalgrille.com/locations/dc/washington/8003
55 locals recommend
The Capital Grille
1861 International Dr$$-$$$ Sometimes all you want is a big steak. https://www.thecapitalgrille.com/locations/dc/washington/8003
$$-$$$ This New York based Texas-style barbecue is legit. The moist brisket is excellent. Downstairs often features live music. http://www.hillcountrywdc.com/
27 locals recommend
Hill Country Barbecue Market
410 7th Street Northwest$$-$$$ This New York based Texas-style barbecue is legit. The moist brisket is excellent. Downstairs often features live music. http://www.hillcountrywdc.com/
$$-$$$ DC area chain. Roomy, comfortable, family-friendly upstairs, very safe choice. And 50% off raw bar, at the bar, Sun-Thur from 3pm-6pm and 11pm-1am. http://www.clydes.com/gallery-place
24 locals recommend
Clyde's
707 7th St NW$$-$$$ DC area chain. Roomy, comfortable, family-friendly upstairs, very safe choice. And 50% off raw bar, at the bar, Sun-Thur from 3pm-6pm and 11pm-1am. http://www.clydes.com/gallery-place
$$ DC Chain, politically active restaurant and coffee spot. Great people watching and decent food. http://www.busboysandpoets.com/about/5th-k
569 locals recommend
Busboys and Poets
450 K St NW$$ DC Chain, politically active restaurant and coffee spot. Great people watching and decent food. http://www.busboysandpoets.com/about/5th-k
$ You love it. Head here instead of the one at Gallery Place.
306 locals recommend
Chipotle Mexican Grill
3113 14th St NW$ You love it. Head here instead of the one at Gallery Place.
$ Southeast Asian fare, brought to you by Chipolte. http://shophousekitchen.com/
ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen
710 7th Street Northwest$ Southeast Asian fare, brought to you by Chipolte. http://shophousekitchen.com/
$ Mediterranean food, brought to you by Chipolte. http://cavagrill.com/locations/filter/tag/dc
141 locals recommend
CAVA
3105 14th St NW$ Mediterranean food, brought to you by Chipolte. http://cavagrill.com/locations/filter/tag/dc
$ Cheap sandwiches from this Chicago chain. Their staff strikes me as always the friendliest in the city. http://www.potbelly.com/Shops/ShopLocator.aspx?PotbellyShopId=341
Potbelly
$ Cheap sandwiches from this Chicago chain. Their staff strikes me as always the friendliest in the city. http://www.potbelly.com/Shops/ShopLocator.aspx?PotbellyShopId=341
Corner Bakery
500 North Capitol St NW$ Cozy chain right across the street!
$$ Trendy dim sum joint, decent. Also check out The Source for upscale dim sum, and Tony Cheng's for bargain dim sum. http://pingpongdimsum.us/
20 locals recommend
Ping Pong Dim Sum
900 7th Street Northwest$$ Trendy dim sum joint, decent. Also check out The Source for upscale dim sum, and Tony Cheng's for bargain dim sum. http://pingpongdimsum.us/
$$ Tony Cheng is a somewhat notorious public figure, heavily involved in DC politics vis a vis Chinatown. http://www.tonychengrestaurant.com/
Tony Cheng
619 H St NW$$ Tony Cheng is a somewhat notorious public figure, heavily involved in DC politics vis a vis Chinatown. http://www.tonychengrestaurant.com/
$$$ Fabio Trabocchi's flagship. Creative Italian food, it is wonderful and always highly ranked. http://www.fioladc.com/
23 locals recommend
Fiola
601 Pennsylvania Avenue NW$$$ Fabio Trabocchi's flagship. Creative Italian food, it is wonderful and always highly ranked. http://www.fioladc.com/
$$$ We had our reception dinner here! Sadly, it isn't what it used to be, but is still a bit better than most others. Which is what my wife says about me now! http://www.centralmichelrichard.com/
9 locals recommend
Central Michel Richard
1001 Pennsylvania Avenue NW$$$ We had our reception dinner here! Sadly, it isn't what it used to be, but is still a bit better than most others. Which is what my wife says about me now! http://www.centralmichelrichard.com/
$$-$$$ Top Chef Mike Isabella's first restaurant, just half a block away! Stylish small plates. I like the chicken thighs in pepperoni sauce.
23 locals recommend
Graffiato
707 6th Street Northwest$$-$$$ Top Chef Mike Isabella's first restaurant, just half a block away! Stylish small plates. I like the chicken thighs in pepperoni sauce.
$$-$$$ Young professional hotspot. Have decent thin crust pizza, but their mini-burgers (expect attitude if you call them "sliders") are the real deal.
58 locals recommend
matchbox
750 E St NW$$-$$$ Young professional hotspot. Have decent thin crust pizza, but their mini-burgers (expect attitude if you call them "sliders") are the real deal.
$-$$ No frills, just an All-American burger at a reasonable price. President Obama took then-Russian president Dmitry Medvedev to the original Ray's Hell Burger in June 2010.
12 locals recommend
Ray's Hell Burger
449 K St NW$-$$ No frills, just an All-American burger at a reasonable price. President Obama took then-Russian president Dmitry Medvedev to the original Ray's Hell Burger in June 2010.
$$ This local bakery has superior products and great coffee. Also offers sandwiches and quiche. Fun spot!
61 locals recommend
A Baked Joint
430 K St NW$$ This local bakery has superior products and great coffee. Also offers sandwiches and quiche. Fun spot!
$$$ Celebrity chef David Chang returns to his hometown, opening up another outpost of his wildly successful NYC ramen shop and bakery. http://momofuku.com/dc/ccdc/
16 locals recommend
Momofuku CCDC
1090 I St NW$$$ Celebrity chef David Chang returns to his hometown, opening up another outpost of his wildly successful NYC ramen shop and bakery. http://momofuku.com/dc/ccdc/
$$ Straightforward, high-quality pizza by the slice or the pie. I usually carry-out but there is some seating there too. Open late. www.wiseguynypizza.com
35 locals recommend
Wiseguy Pizza
300 Massachusetts Ave NW$$ Straightforward, high-quality pizza by the slice or the pie. I usually carry-out but there is some seating there too. Open late. www.wiseguynypizza.com
$$ Comfortable Italian restaurant by Michael Schlow offers, personal pizzas, adventurous entrees, and homestyle pastas.
Alta Strada
465 K St NW$$ Comfortable Italian restaurant by Michael Schlow offers, personal pizzas, adventurous entrees, and homestyle pastas.
$$-$$$ Eric Ziebold's new venture, a top new restaurant in 2016. Generally requires reservations, but walk-in and have dinner at the bar. Try the mushroom torchon and the roast chicken! www.kinshipdc.com
19 locals recommend
Kinship
1015 7th St NW$$-$$$ Eric Ziebold's new venture, a top new restaurant in 2016. Generally requires reservations, but walk-in and have dinner at the bar. Try the mushroom torchon and the roast chicken! www.kinshipdc.com
$$-$$$ Sure, you have to enter the restaurant from the alley, but wow, this American spot with a wood-fired oven is spot on. Fun, contemporary, where the crowd is dressier than the food.
109 locals recommend
The Dabney
122 Blagden Alley NW$$-$$$ Sure, you have to enter the restaurant from the alley, but wow, this American spot with a wood-fired oven is spot on. Fun, contemporary, where the crowd is dressier than the food.
$$-$$$ Ok, I am not a fan of the decor. Dark like a club, lots of TVs in the bar like a sports bar. But the pasta here is delicious. Pizzas here are tiny, though.
40 locals recommend
RPM Italian
650 K St NW$$-$$$ Ok, I am not a fan of the decor. Dark like a club, lots of TVs in the bar like a sports bar. But the pasta here is delicious. Pizzas here are tiny, though.
$$$ Tremendous selections of tequila, and my Latino friends think this is the best Mexican food in town right now. Portions are a bit precious, but welcome to DC.
41 locals recommend
Espita Mezcaleria
1250 9th St NW$$$ Tremendous selections of tequila, and my Latino friends think this is the best Mexican food in town right now. Portions are a bit precious, but welcome to DC.
$$-$$$ French/American restaurant. Friendly, casual service and food that does not miss. A DC darling, and I love it.
68 locals recommend
Convivial
801 O St NW$$-$$$ French/American restaurant. Friendly, casual service and food that does not miss. A DC darling, and I love it.
Drinks & Nightlife
$ A gritty Irish bar, just around the corner in the Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites (oops, did I just mention the competition?) http://www.irishchanneldc.com/
Irish Channel Restaurant & Pub
500 H St NW$ A gritty Irish bar, just around the corner in the Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites (oops, did I just mention the competition?) http://www.irishchanneldc.com/
Fado Irish Pub
One Park Pl$$ A trendy Irish pub. http://www.fadoirishpub.com/washington/
$$ RFD stands for "Real Food and Drink". Well, I do agree that the drinks are solid. It offers over 30 beers on tap and over 300 beers in bottles. http://www.lovethebeer.com/rfd.html
11 locals recommend
RFD Washington
810 7th Street Northwest$$ RFD stands for "Real Food and Drink". Well, I do agree that the drinks are solid. It offers over 30 beers on tap and over 300 beers in bottles. http://www.lovethebeer.com/rfd.html
$$-$$$ Wine bar and excellent kitchen. I am partial to the cocktails. Sit at the bar for a $12 lunch, including entree and glass of wine. http://proofdc.com/
7 locals recommend
Proof
775 G St. NW$$-$$$ Wine bar and excellent kitchen. I am partial to the cocktails. Sit at the bar for a $12 lunch, including entree and glass of wine. http://proofdc.com/
$$$ Jose Andres fancy cocktail lounge. http://www.minibarbyjoseandres.com/#
16 locals recommend
barmini by José Andrés
501 9th St NW$$$ Jose Andres fancy cocktail lounge. http://www.minibarbyjoseandres.com/#
Getting Around
Underground garage parking at 700 6th Street NW. (202) 347-8679. 1 hr - $12; 2 hr - $19; 3 hr - $21; 4 hr - $24; and 5-24 hr - $26. Cash or credit.
http://www.galleryplace.com/Parking.aspx
Penn Commons
700 6th St NWUnderground garage parking at 700 6th Street NW. (202) 347-8679. 1 hr - $12; 2 hr - $19; 3 hr - $21; 4 hr - $24; and 5-24 hr - $26. Cash or credit.
http://www.galleryplace.com/Parking.aspx
620 Florida Ave NE
This is the closest, and coincidentally cheapest, gas station in the area.
A bit further than the other parking garages, but the rates seem to be better. 202-464-2900
425 I St NW
425 I Street NorthwestA bit further than the other parking garages, but the rates seem to be better. 202-464-2900