It’s wild to me that I’ve lived in Washington, DC, for a full year now. In some ways, it feels like I’ve always lived here (it seems like it’s been a decade since I was in college, although it’s really only been a little over a year). In other ways, it feels like just yesterday that I was unloading my U-Haul and configuring everything in my studio apartment. Before Max moved to Miami earlier this month, he mentioned that there were so many things he meant to do in DC but never got around to. The conversation got me thinking about my own “DC Bucket List,” as I’ve dubbed it. The city has so much to offer and while I’ve been fortunate to experience a lot in my year here, there’s still plenty I want to see and do!
Most of my list falls within the district lines, but there are a couple of to-dos in nearby Virginia, as well.
1. Visit Dumbarton Oaks.
Dumbarton Oaks is sixteen acres of gardens, orchards, meadows, and wooded pathways tucked away in historic Georgetown. The garden was designed by renowned landscape gardener Beatrix Farrand. Dumbarton Oaks is also home to a museum of Byzantine and Pre-Columbian art. It seems like the perfect oasis within the city and I can’t wait to pay the property a visit once it reopens to the public.
2. Go to an embassy event.
I think all of the foreign embassies are one of the coolest things about DC. I’m dying to attend one of the events that the embassies put on, or at the very least, explore Embassy Row by foot.
3. See the view from the top of the Washington Monument.
I’ve been inside of the Washington Monument once when my fifth-grade class took a field trip to our nation’s capital. All I remember is feeling extremely dizzy as soon as I reached the top of the obelisk, so I’d love to give the experience another go and take in the views as an adult.
4. Paddleboat in the Tidal Basin.
This one is perhaps cheesy, but I’ve wanted to paddleboat in the Tidal Basin ever since I first interned in DC during the summer of 2017. There is a 100% chance that I’ll be the most extra and choose the swan boat.
5. Explore the National Arboretum.
I went to the National Arboretum, which is a 466-acre park in northeast DC, for the first in July. It was a wonderful place to spend time in nature without being on top of other people. However, I did steer clear of the crowded columns, which used to be part of the U.S. Capitol building, so I’d like to go back and see those up close. I’d also like to explore the rest of the grounds more. It seems like a lovely spot for a cool autumn stroll!
6. Take a walking tour.
Last September, I went on a walking tour of the DuPont Circle area with a friend. It was such a fun experience! I learned a lot of DC history that I didn’t know before, like DuPont Circle previously being the site of both a slaughterhouse and a streetcar station. The walking tour was also was a budget-friendly activity. We went with the tour group DC By Foot, which operates on a name-your-own-price basis. It cost just a couple of dollars each to book our tickets online and then we could tip our tour guide whatever amount we wanted.
7. See the cherry blossoms.
I really thought 2020 was going to be the year! I had a light pink skirt picked out to match the cherry blossoms in photos and everything, LOL. But, alas, maybe next year!
8. Get a facial at Silver Mirror Facial Bar.
I walked past Silver Mirror Facial Bar all the time back when commuting to the office was a normal thing. I’ve never had a facial before and it made me want to get one. Perhaps a birthday treat to myself?
9. Do a tower climb at the National Cathedral.
This item is at the top of my DC bucket list. The National Cathedral is gorgeous and the adventurer in me wants to explore all of its nooks and crannies, including the tallest towers. Luckily for me (and you!), the National Cathedral offers a variety of tours. I think I want to do the Combination Tour, in which you climb the two western towers and get a close-up look at lots of gargoyles.
10. Watch a movie at Union Market’s drive-in theatre.
Union Market is the gem of NoMa. It’s a thriving indoor market that’s home to over 40 local food vendors, boutiques, and restaurants. During the summers, Union Market projects movies outside and you can watch them from your car, just like an old-school drive-in theatre. What a great socially-distanced activity!
11. Visit Old Town Alexandria.
I’ve been saying since November that I want to visit Old Town Alexandria, which is located nearby in Virginia, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet. From the photos, it reminds me of Charleston, which is my favorite place in the world.
12. Check out the George Washington Masonic National Memorial.
While I’m in Alexandria, I also want to check out the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. The nine-story neoclassical structure was built and is maintained by the Freemasons of the United States. I’ve been intrigued by the Freemasons ever since I found out that my eighth-grade social studies teacher was one, so I think visiting the memorial would be a fun and unique learning experience.
What’s missing from my list? If you have any DC recommendations, I’d love to hear them! The more off-the-beaten-path, the better. At some point, I’ll definitely do a full Washington, DC guide, but that feels daunting right now when there’s so much I still haven’t seen or done.
Other Washington, DC Posts You May Like:
Holiday Wreath-Making at Tudor Place
Fourth of July in Washington, DC
An Intern’s Guide to Summer in Washington, DC
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