Washington DC Uncovered: Exploring the Capital and it's Local Treasures

Angeleah Parey

Jun 12, 2023

2 min read

Updated: Jun 13, 2023

Like many students in the US, I visited Washington DC for the first time in 8th grade and saw all the historic, touristy landmarks. I didn't have a huge desire to go back until my best friend moved there and I took a long weekend trip in 2022. Thus started my love affair with the nations capital.

Girl standing in front of the reflection pool at the National Mall

One of the things I love most about Washington DC is how easy and affordable it is to visit (within driving distance!) for a weekend trip. I've traveled there 4 times within 2 years and that's majorly because it's fairly cheap to do so. If you have a friend in the area to stay with that's ideal, but there's a ton of Airbnb's that will have you immersed in the different neighborhoods, like this one! My parents and I stayed in an Airbnb in Capitol Hill once and it couldn't have been more perfect. Capitol Hill is a quaint, historical neighborhood lined with stunning row houses and houses the US Capitol and the Supreme Court! The atmosphere is vibrant, especially in the summer. I highly recommend visiting Eastern Market (inked below) if you are ever in the area! Filled with local artwork, jewelry, food and more, it's a blend of a farmers & flea market and there's no doubt you'll find something you like.

Another part of DC I love is Navy Yard. This is a downtown city area of DC that I imagine is like FiDi in NYC (which I've never been to so that could be totally wrong!). It is home to my best friend <3 and also one of my top recommendations, the Washington Nationals ballpark. If you're a baseball fan, this is a great park to check out. There's also a ton of bars, restaurants & more surrounding it too so enjoy a patio and try something local! My favs are Takoda, GATSBY, Dacha, and Kilwins - all linked below.

Lastly, DC is incredibly walkable and easy to get around while using the public transportation. The Washington DC Metro is amazing. It's quiet, clean and affordable. It is so much better and cheaper than driving & paying to park or even taking Lyft/Uber everywhere you go! 10/10 recommend.

Thanks for reading about my love for the US capital! Scroll down for lists of my most recommended places to visit in Washington DC.