We gave unanswered Washington D.C. forum questions a full workup
On any given day, the Tripadvisor Forums for Washington, D.C. are buzzing with dozens of travelers ready to share their tips on the best ways to museum-hop, tap into the city’s nightlife, or spot its world-famous cherry blossoms. But even on the busiest forums, some questions can get overlooked. That’s why we’re giving a handful of unanswered (or under-answered) questions some extra love, with more robust answers that’ll help readers make the most of their next trip to D.C. If you’re looking for a surefire date-night spot, fun ways to see monuments after dark, or trip-making restaurant recommendations, keep reading. We’ve got answers.
Q: My husband and I will be in D.C. for an evening and the next morning on a weekday in June (driving in from NC to drop [off a kid] at a camp program). We have toured several museums and are looking for something different. Any suggestions on a few things to do?
A: Congrats on snagging some time for yourselves. First, let’s talk about the night you arrive. Our recommendation for a kid-free date night is to start with an early dinner at Martin’s Tavern in Georgetown. Open since 1933, it’s known for its upscale American dishes and its storied romantic atmosphere. (Booth #3 is where then-Senator John F. Kennedy proposed to Jackie Bouvier.) After dinner, take in a performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which offers everything from concerts and theater to ballet and opera, depending on their performance calendar. Up the romance factor by staying at The Jefferson, a plush historic hotel featuring luxury suites, and in the deluxe rooms, soaking tubs made for two.
The following day, if you want to spend time outdoors (versus cooped up in an exhibition gallery), head north and admire the trees, plants, and gardens of the U.S. National Arboretum or, just above the National Zoo, wander Rock Creek Park’s vast hiking trails. If you’re feeling museum-ed out but still want to visit the National Mall, opt for a guided bike tour, segway tour, walking tour, or do a DIY stroll to visit all your favorites. You can also take a Potomac River cruise or rent a paddle boat to view the Tidal Basin memorials and monuments from the water. Here are a few more options to get some fresh air and maybe do a little arm-in-arm strolling with your significant other:
Q: Any recommendations for good food and [a] unique (maybe decor, view, atmosphere) place to eat in Adams Morgan?
A: Our number one rule for dining in D.C.: Always make reservations if the restaurant takes them. This is a very food-forward city, and most places will be crowded, especially at dinner time or on weekends for brunch.
Adams Morgan in particular is known around the country for its eclectic food scene. Let us run through some of my top picks and offer a bit of guidance so you get the best possible experience at them.
Keren Cafe & Restaurant offers vegetarian and vegan East African cuisine hailing from Ethiopia and Eritrea. For a flavorful treat, try some of the all-day breakfast items like fūl (fava bean and garlic stew, garnished with tomato, onion, jalapeño peppers, and house-made yogurt) and silsi (Eritrean-style tomato sauce blended with veggies and traditional Berbere spices). We’d also recommend Lapis, which has a wonderful Afghan brunch. Try the rosewater-cardamom pancakes and thank me later. Tail Up Goat serves a four-course menu of Mediterranean-inspired dishes in its dining room (sit at the bar or out on the patio if you’d like to order a la carte), while its sister restaurant just around the corner, Reveler’s Hour, is known for its upscale Italian fare.
While you're here, it's worth walking a few blocks south to explore Dupont Circle, another neighborhood recognized nationwide for its bars and restaurants. Pisco Y Nazca is known for its traditional Peruvian cuisine, but its new Peruvian-inspired sushi menu shouldn’t be overlooked—the lomo saltado roll is quite tasty—think lomo saltado, but in sushi form, made with steak, shoestring potatoes, queso fresco, and panko bread crumbs.
And if you've got the time to explore farther, here are two other things to round out a food-themed getaway—food halls and food tours. Some of our favorites are below:
Q: Hi all, we are coming to town for a family event but thought it would be fun to do a nighttime tour. The problem is all the ones I see are 7–7:30 p.m. Any ideas where to find one or who could give us a tour at 8:30 p.m., which is the earliest we can do?
A: While many guided bus, bike, and walking tours do start between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., ghost tours reliably begin from 8:30 p.m. on. Scary D.C. hosts its Haunted D.C. Walking Tour on Capitol Hill on Friday and Saturday nights, while Ghost City Tours of D.C. has two tours daily at 9 p.m., a 90-minute Walking Tour of the Ghosts of Washington, D.C. and The Dark Nights of Washington, D.C. Ghost Tour. You could also head over to Old Town Alexandria for Alexandria Colonial Tours’ Original Ghosts and Graveyard Tour, held Friday and Saturday at 8:30 a.m. and 9 p.m.
The good news is, you will be able to see the monuments and memorials lit up at night with or without a tour by doing a DIY walk, ranging from 15–55 minutes depending on how many of them you want to see. String together a walk past these landmarks:
Q: Looking for an area in DC to stay that feels homey during a 3-5 day visit as a tourist. [I’m] in my 50s. Georgetown comes up a lot, so I’m looking for alternatives to Georgetown if available. Metro station close enough to walk is preferred.
A: The good thing about D.C. is you’re never too far from public transportation, whether you need the Metro, a bus, or the handy DC Circulator, which operates several routes across the city. That is, unless you’re staying in Georgetown, which lacks direct Metro access, leaving you at the mercy of the buses, Uber, and Lyft.
Georgetown is also home to a major university, with another one located just next door in Foggy Bottom. Read: These areas are full of college students, which means the bars here can get loud and rowdy. If architecture is your thing, there is a silver lining—the area’s multitude of historic homes, gardens, and museums, including Old Stone House, Dumbarton Oaks, and President Woodrow Wilson’s house, among others.
A better option could be the residential blocks surrounding Dupont, Scott, and Logan Circles, home to several hotels and B&Bs offering that “homey” neighborhood feeling you’re searching for, all within walking distance of the Dupont Circle Metro station. The same can be said for Shaw, a charming residential area near the Convention Center and its Metro station, complete with historic churches, beer gardens, and a trendy nightlife scene in Blagden Alley; and Adams Morgan, located along the D.C. Circulator bus line and home to some of the best nightlife in the city.
Though other hotels on the list below may be located in bustling Downtown areas or in Foggy Bottom, they offer up a distinctly home-away-from-home feel:
Q: I come in June for a day and a half to Washington, D.C. My first goal is of course to explore the city. My second goal is "party time at night." Where is the best place to sleep? [I want to visit the] Capitol Hill area for the day’s walk, so Dupont Circle area or Georgetown area for the party at night?
A: For starters, we want to applaud your party goals. With that in mind, we’d rule out Capitol Hill (too quiet at night) and Georgetown (too inaccessible by Metro). To make the most of your time here and max out your D.C. explore-by-day/party-by-night plans, choose a hotel near Dupont Circle or Adams Morgan. The hotels listed below will put you within stumbling distance (or just a short Uber/Lyft or bus ride) from some of the best bars and nightclubs in the city, and provide a buzzy atmosphere perfect for a young (or young-at-heart) crowd.
Near Dupont Circle, The Ven at Embassy Row and Hotel Zena each offer a swanky rooftop swimming pool for a pre-or post-night dip. They’re also about a 10-15 minute walk from popular bars and nightclubs along Connecticut Avenue NW, whether you’re in the mood to rock out to all your favorite nostalgic ‘80s and ‘90s tunes at Decades DC or up for a salsa or bachata lesson at Cafe Citron.
Dupont Circle is where D.C. goes to dance, as is Adams Morgan, to the north. Both areas are also home to a number of popular LGBTQ+ bars—A League of Her Own and Pitchers DC in Adams Morgan and Larry’s Lounge and JR’s Bar and Grill, closer to Dupont Circle. Stop by Dan’s Cafe, a legendary hole-in-the-wall where you can order mixers and your choice of booze served in squeeze bottles. (You then mix your own drinks, using as much or as little alcohol as you want.)
Stay at The Lyle, which has a killer brunch on the weekends—the perfect cure for any hangover—with local DJs that spin tunes as you eat. Or, opt for more budget-friendly “poshtel” accommodations like HighRoad Washington D.C. and Generator Washington D.C. so you can spend more on the party instead of where you’ll be crashing afterward.
Here are some of the top night clubs and party bars to aim for in Dupont Circle (the first three) and Adams Morgan (the last three):
