5-Days in Washington, DC — dctravelgirl travel itineraries

I decided to call Washington, DC home ten years ago. I instantly fell in love with its historic charm, culture-rich attractions, active outdoor lifestyle and a super diverse population and cuisine that comes with the territory. The love has grown as I’ve seen DC evolve and transform since 2010. If you haven’t been in DC in awhile, you owe the city a visit (especially if the last time you came was your eighth grade class trip).

Writing an itinerary for 5-days in my hometown was almost as hard as writing a travel itinerary for Charleston, SC, my original hometown. I’ve distilled a list of my favorite DC hotels, restaurants, bars and places for you to visit on your next trip.

5-DAYS IN WASHINGTON, DC

DAY 1: Arrive into Washington, DC. Check into your hotel. Get a lay of the land by taking a monuments by moonlight tour, before having drinks at The Columbia Room and dinner at Little Serow.

DAY 2: Start the day with a tour of the White House (request tickets through your Congressman). Enjoy lunch at Little Sesame. In the afternoon, plan to visit a Smithsonian Museum; my personal favorites are the American History Museum and the National Museum of African American History & Culture. After the museum, snag a ride to the top of the Washington Monument (beat the line, tickets are $2 online). Dinner at Lapis.

DAY 3: Enjoy a day in Navy Yard/Wharf area. Visit Artechouse, an interactive museum for 21st century art. Lunch at Bluejacket Brewery. Opt for a Nationals game if it’s baseball season. Take a walk around The Wharf, grab drinks at Whiskey Charlie and then dinner at St. Anslem.

DAY 4: Tour Mt. Vernon. Head back to the city for lunch at Union Market and then visit an independent museum like The Phillips Collection, International Spy Museum or National Bible Museum. Dinner at Iron Gate.

DAY 5: Opt for a day in Georgetown. Walk along the waterfront, pop into the shops, have lunch at The Berliner, rent kayaks at the Key Bridge Boat House on the Potomac River and then enjoy a cupcake at Bake & Wired.

Where to Stay:

The LINE DC - A 110-year old church in Adams Morgan (a neighborhood in Northwest DC) has been converted into a hotel created by the local community (local chefs, artists, contributors, etc.). The LINE DC is convenient to the rest of the city and also features a delicious coffee bar and three restaurants, A Rake’s Progress, Brothers and Sisters, and Spoken English.

Thompson Navy Yard - A part of the Thompson Hotel collection, this lifestyle hotel in Navy Yard (SE DC) is one of my new favorites to recommend. The hotel features a Danny Meyer restaurant and a rooftop with stunning views.

Where to eat:

Bluejacket Brewery - a lively brewery and restaurant in Navy Yard - their food and beer are A+.

Iron Gate (Greek-Italian) - named one of the most romantic restaurants in DC, Iron Gate is intimate for couples or friends. Gas light lanterns lead the way to the bar, followed by a historic carriage house in the back and a courtyard covered by a wisteria tree. Iron Gate is my classic go-to in DC. Their Greek-Italian menu is ever-changing.

Lapis (Afghani) - it feels like you’ve been transported to the family’s living room in this candlelit Afghan bistro.

Little Serow (Northern Thai) - this restaurant is tiny but the spice content is mighty! It’s an old Subway shop turned into a restaurant. The sea-foam green walls and candles make this Northern Thai spot feel super intimate but go early around 5 or after 8. The dishes are served family-style on set course menu at a per person price.

St. Anselm (American) - this American tavern is in an old warehouse in the Union Market neighborhood but inside it feels like a hunting tavern. Their buttermilk biscuits with pimento cheese is a strong reason why I included St. Anselm on the list.

Union Market - one of my favorite spots for lunch - it’s a food hall with over 40 different culinary vendors.

Little Sesame - a fast casual restaurant with roots in DC. They serve bowls with the most delicious hummus as the base. Don’t miss this spot while you’re in town.

The Berliner (German) - inspired by Berlin’s street food and beer, I can’t stop thinking about the chicken schnitzel. This is a cute spot in Georgetown underneath the Whitehurst Freeway - the perfect spot for lunch.

Where to grab a drink:

Anchovy Social - Navy Yard

Calico - Blagden Alley

Columbia Room - Blagden Alley

District Winery - Navy Yard

Off The Record - Downtown

Whiskey Charlie at The Canopy - The Wharf

Summer in DC: It’s not summer in DC without attending one of these summer traditions

Around the World Embassy Tour - the first two weekends of May each year, the embassies in DC open their doors to the public. You have the chance to tour the embassy, see live cultural performances, sample food, and get a glimpse into their country’s culture.

Jazz in The Garden - Every Friday evening in the summer months, DC enjoys live jazz in the National Sculpture Garden. Bring a blanket and a picnic. Sangria is available for purchase. Get thereby 4:30-5 to snag a spot.

Nationals Games - Go to a baseball game at Nationals Stadium. I prefer the Pups in the Park themed-games if you have your pup in tow or just love to see dogs at a baseball game.

Outdoor Plays at the Dumbarton House - Look out for performances by the Picnic Theater Company on the lawn of the historic Dumbarton House in Georgetown.

Outdoor movies - Catch an outdoor movie at one of the parks in the city.

Live music at Capital Riverfront - On Fridays nights in the summer, head to Yards Park for a free outdoor concert along the water.

Around the World Embassy Tour inside an Embassy

Common Questions

Which Smithsonian museum? There’s more than one. There are over 17 Smithsonian Museums in DC to explore and they’re all free. I would dedicate a minimum of 4 hours to visit a museum. For the National Museum of African American History and Culture, I would recommend two days to really digest all of the floors. Reserve your tickets online in advance.

Cherry Blossom Festival - So you want to come see the Cherry Blossoms in DC along the Tidal Basin? There’s a month-long festival each year usually between March - April, however, that’s not when the trees are necessarily blooming. National Park Service usual predicts peak bloom about a month in advance if you’re looking to time your trip.

Best time to visit? DC has four distinct seasons. Fall is my favorite with its beautiful and colorful foliage. You’ll find the best rates on hotels when Congress is not in session (July, August, and December).

Do you have other questions? Feel free to send me a note. I would love to provide tips or advice for your future trip to Washington, DC.