Table of Contents
Ever been to our nation’s capital? Washington D.C. is a bustling district and city filled with several different ways to entertain yourself, from exploring the expansive history of our nation to enjoying the city’s nightlife or enjoying professional sports.
But don’t feel like you always need to hit every museum in the city; many times, a night out to dinner and a wine bar in D.C. is more than enough to get a pulse for the area. Don’t put D.C. in a box that only includes educational outings; there are plenty of debaucheries to be had as well.
According to the Washington Post, nearly 19 million tourists visited D.C. in 2021, and of that number, 270,000 were international visitors. While museums and history-filled tours of landmarks largely headlined most tourists’ stay, there were plenty of other attractions they were after as well.
In this blog, we’ll break down five of the best things to do in the District of Columbia—some traditional and some more outside the box. There’s more than meets the eye about this unique area of the country.
What To Avoid
First, we’re going to list a few things to avoid. We’re going to assume you only have a limited stay ahead of you, so we’ll spare you the long lines and overrated attractions and list some better ways to maximize your time in the city.
Ignore the following attractions to save time (unless you’re dying to see them):
- The White House
- The Lincoln Memorial
- The United States Capitol
Of course, if you really want to see these things, go for it. Make your D.C. vacation everything you want it to be. But below we break down how your time could, perhaps, be spent more wisely to fit in more activities.
What To See
Now for what you’ve been waiting for: the top five things to do in Washington D.C., according to this writer.
Ben’s Chili Bowl
This historic restaurant has hosted presidents and diplomats alike on a daily basis. Serving up the best chili dogs, fries, and shakes in the area, Ben’s Chili Bowl has been seen on the foodie TV show Man Vs. Food, among others. For a real taste of the city in a landmark restaurant, have lunch at Ben’s to get your trip started.
National Mall & Veterans Memorials
Across from the Lincoln Memorial, the National Mall is a massive plot of land decorated with beautiful lawns and pools, and fountains. The spacious area has enough room for all tourists and provides a beautiful view, especially on a nice day.
At its center, visitors can pay their respects to veteran memorials such as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Women’s Memorial, and Korean War Veterans Memorial. Rather than glorifying past leaders, honor fallen heroes.
Go To A Washington Wizards Game
You may not think of D.C. as a super sports city like New York or Boston, but the fans are tenacious and loyal to their teams. A Washington Wizards game provides a modern, fun atmosphere for the entire family, and can be a nice break from all the history. If you prefer college basketball or hockey, go see Georgetown or the Washington Capitals play.
Visit The Library Of Congress
This one might be worth waiting in line for. The Library of Congress will have you feeling like you’re at the center of civilization and education. If you love books and spectacular architecture, this is a must-visit. Pretend you’re in the movie National Treasure (but try to avoid stealing the Declaration of Independence).
See The Smithsonian’s National Zoo
If you’re an animal lover and zoo lover, you have to visit the National Zoo in D.C. Home to more than 2,000 different animals, birds, and reptiles, roughly one-fourth of which are endangered. The zoo provides a haven for them and acts as a beacon for preservation and sustainability for certain species.
Conclusion
These are only a few of the vast selection of things to do in the District of Columbia, but these are some of the most worthwhile, and provide easy fun for the whole family. No matter what type of vacation you’re looking for, adding one or more of these activities to your to-do list is sure to take your vacation to the next level.
The best thing about D.C.? You’ll want to come back; and with the wide range of things to do and see, you’ll never run out of fun vacation activities.
No Comments