When you think of traveling to Washington, D.C., the first places you probably think of visiting are the many monuments and museums that the city contains.
It’s easy to see why: it is pretty spectacular to walk down the tree-lined paths that surround the Reflecting Pool and gaze at the Lincoln Memorial in the west and the Washington Monument in the east. I’m also a sucker for the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, given my incredibly nerdy love for astronomy.
Lincoln Memorial by flickr user Tim Evanson
But as I’ve grown into my adult self, I’ve learned to appreciate destinations for more than their most obvious attractions. During the five years I lived in New York City, I tackled all the main sites, and I never stopped wanting to see more. Now when I travel, I try to mix up my agenda to see some of the sites that locals return to time and again.
When it comes to D.C., here are a few things beyond the museums and monuments that you might want to put on your list:
Eastern Market
Washington’s Eastern Market is located just seven blocks off the eastern end of the National Mall area, past the United States Capitol building. It’s notable not only for being a nice place to stroll and shop; it’s actually the oldest public market in the city!
Inside South Market Hall by flickr user NCinDC
If you’re in town for a while, it can be a great place to pick up some fresh food for your stay. They have everything from produce and dairy to meat and handmade pasta in the South Hall Market building. The market is open every day except for Monday, and if you visit on a Tuesday evening, Saturday, or Sunday, you’ll catch local farmers selling goods in tents outside.
Eastern Market by flickr user NCinDC
Eastern Market can be a neat place to go even if you’re not looking to buy from the food vendors. On weekends there are artisans and seasonal live music, and on Sundays there’s even a large flea market across the street.
One more tip: If you’re a foodie, but interested in grabbing a meal instead of visiting a market, I’d recommend hitting up one of these local dining hotspots.
– Busboys and Poets is a great spot for vegans, vegetarians, and those following gluten free diets. They specialize in local and slow food and can be found either at their flagship location on 14th and V (where they also have a bookstore!) or at their newer location on 5th & K.
– Le Diplomate is a bit more fancy, yet still has a casual atmosphere. Their menu will remind you of a French café.
– Ben’s Chili Bowl is a D.C. classic that’s been in operation for over 50 years and beloved by locals, visitors, and celebrities alike.
Rock Creek Park
Located at the top of D.C.’s Northwest quadrant, Rock Creek Park contains nearly 2000 acres of land. You can visit again and again and still see something new each time. If it’s your first visit, I recommend stopping by the Nature Center & Planetarium, where you’ll find lots of great maps and information on the park.
Some of the main highlights within the park include the Peirce Grist Mill museum, concerts at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre, guided trail rides from the Rock Creek Park Horseback Center, and stargazing nights once per month. If you’re more interested in exploring the park on your own, there are miles of trails for hiking and biking. Bikes, kayaks, canoes, rowing shells, and sailing vessels can be rented from the Thompson Boat Center.
One more tip: If you love the outdoors, you can take a day trip out to Skyline Caverns in Front Royal, Virgina. The underground wonder takes a little over an hour to get to from the central parts of the city, but if you’ve got some extra time, it is more than worth it to explore the stalactites, stalagmites, and calcite crystals that are millions of years old!
Comedy
There is really no better way to end a long day than with laughter, and the comedy scene in D.C. is the perfect solution to get you smiling after a long day of touring. Here are a few places you might want to check out:
– The DC Improv is where you’ll find the bigger names and touring acts, with more frequent shows than most other venues. There’s a two-drink (or food item) minimum per person.
– The folks at StandupComedy ToGo organize comedy acts in venues all the way from Maryland to Virginia, and they have a reputation for bringing in quality talent. In D.C. you can find their Thursday night show, Buddha-ha, at the Topaz Hotel in Dupont Circle. It’s a free show featuring several comedians with a joke contest amongst the audience for a $25 prize at the end.
– Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse consistently earns great reviews from its patrons, and though they bring in some big-name acts, it’s often the smaller acts in the Green Room that folks leave talking about. Currently they have a Cool Cow Comedy Showcase on Thursdays, The Final Draft on Fridays, and free Open Mic Stand-Up Comedy on Saturdays.
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse by flickr user wfyurasko
One more tip: If you just can’t get enough giggles, you might want to check out the interactive murder mystery Shear Madness at the Kennedy Center.
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Today’s post was contributed by:
Christina Loiacono is a contributor at Zerve, a site dedicated to highlighting extraordinary experiences. Outside of work, she’s often found hanging out with her white mini-schnauzer (Leroy) and is constantly seeking out new places to explore! She’s also really into wine, and bakes …a lot! Follow Christina on Google+.
