Sian G. 
Our Favorite Washington D.C. Attractions,
Hot Spots, and Restaurants
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington) A museum that focuses on understanding the natural world and our role in it. In late 2023, the museum debuted the first public display of a sample from Bennu, a carbon-rich, near-earth asteroid.
- Off The Record (800 16th St NW, Washington) Hidden away in the basement of the Hay-Adams Hotel is Washington D.C.’s best “place to be seen and not heard.” Off The Record is an old speakeasy where D.C.’s political elite and celebrities like Brad Pitt rendezvous.
- Old Ebbitt Grill (675 15th St NW, Washington) Founded in 1856, this iconic Washington saloon is known for its famed oyster bar and Victorian-style ambiance.
- Compass Rose (1346 T St NW, Washington) Drawing inspiration from her travels alongside her NPR-reporter husband, restaurateur Rose Previte launched this local gem with a menu inspired by the stamps on her passport.
- National Portrait Gallery (8th St NW & G St NW, Washington): DC is a museum lover’s dream and the National Portrait Gallery is no exception. Here every US president gets their moment in the spotlight alongside other influential Americans.
- The Anthem (901 Wharf St SW, Washington): A live music venue that draws acts like the Foo Fighters, Hasan Minhaj, and Bleachers. In May 2024, D.C.’s own Dave Grohl performed a one-night-only private concert here to advocate for a more affordable, and accessible healthcare system.
- Ben’s Chili Bowl (1213 U St NW Washington) A historic landmark on U Street, this Black-owned restaurant serves Washington DC’s original half-smoke.
- Willard InterContinental (1401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington): Treat yourself to a staycation or fancy afternoon tea at this legendary DC hotel, just a stone’s throw from the White House. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reportedly put the finishing touches on his “I Have a Dream” speech in the lobby.
- Iron Gate (1734 N St NW, Washington) Originally stables during the Civil War, and now D.C.’s oldest continuously running eatery, Iron Gate is a trendy hotspot serving Italian and Greek small plates. For more on Washington DC’s oldest and most historic restaurants head here.
- Dukem (1114-1118 U St NW, Washington) A long-standing favorite for Ethiopian and Salvadoran expat communities, in this award-winning Ethiopian joint, meat is prepared in three ways: stir-fried, minced, or broiled.
