TRAVEL GUIDE: A WEEKEND IN WASHINGTON D.C.
Capital idea: A weekend away in Washington, D.C.
OUT OF TOWN: A WEEKEND IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
A series of online guides to weekends away from New Orleans. This guide is brought to you in association with DCAcar - Upscale transportation trusted by DC locals for years
There aren’t too many destinations in the United States that can rival New Orleans for history, but one of the strongest contenders is the nation’s capital, Washington DC. As well as grand historical landmarks such as the White House, the United States Capitol and the National Mall, there’s an enviable list of world-class museums. The biggest challenge for visitors is forward planning, whether you want to see the National History Museum, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History or eat at any one of its award-winning restaurants.
All of the places mentioned below have been personally tried and tested. Links to everything mentioned are listed at the end of the feature.
A Weekend in Washington DC: What to Know
Flight time from New Orleans: Around 2.5 hours
Direct flights: United, Southwest
Drive time from New Orleans to Washington D.C.: 15-16 hours
Average citywide hotel room price: $178/night, with high season prices around $332
There aren’t too many destinations in the United States that can rival New Orleans for history, but one of the strongest contenders is the nation’s capital, Washington DC. As well as grand historical landmarks such as the White House, the United States Capitol and the National Mall, there’s an enviable list of world-class museums. The biggest challenge for visitors is forward planning, whether you want to see the National History Museum, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History or eat at any one of its award-winning restaurants.
All of the places mentioned below have been personally tried and tested. Links to everything mentioned are listed at the end of the feature.
A Weekend in Washington DC: What to Know
Flight time from New Orleans: Around 2.5 hours
Direct flights: United, Southwest
Drive time from New Orleans to Washington D.C.: 15-16 hours
Average citywide hotel room price: $178/night, with high season prices around $332
where to stay in washington d.c. ($-$$$)
Viceroy Washington D.C. ($$-$$$)
There are a few Viceroy properties in DC, but this downtown outpost takes the biscuit. There’s a relaxed but distinguished air to the place - the lobby has a huge bookshelf and comfy armchairs, perfect for plopping down with a coffee to read or plan your day’s exploration.
Hotel Hive ($)
If you’re a hardcore sightseer and you just need an affordable base of operations, then you could do worse than this ‘micro-hotel’. It’s not that tiny - the rooms are about half the size of traditional ones, so it’s not like you’re sliding into a capsule, but you can’t host a dinner party. Still, it’s clean, functional, and good value for tour-focused travelers who just need a bed for the night.
The Dupont Circle Hotel ($$-$$$)
The plummest of plum locations awaits guests here, with proximity to many of the city’s big-hitter attractions, but all the while managing to maintain a residential, neighborhood feel. As part of the Doyle Collection, the hotel boasts elevated Irish hospitality that keeps A-listers and high-end politicos coming back.
Hotel Zena Washington DC ($-$$)
One for arty types who want to indulge their senses a little in a city of hard-nosed political animals. It bills itself as “part hotel and part art gallery”, and has a striking art collections (curated to be female-forward). The most photographed is the huge mural of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The hotel also has a serviceable (seasonal) rooftop bar and pool, and an amenity called a ‘Z Shed’, which rents everything from Polaroid-style cameras to board and video games.
The Watergate Hotel ($$-$$$)
It’s an address that became iconic for reasons that a hotel wouldn’t necessarily choose, but you can at least stay in a place where history happened. It was completely restored in 2016, and now it’s a contemporary luxe property with mid-century modern touches, and it feels suitably classy.
There are a few Viceroy properties in DC, but this downtown outpost takes the biscuit. There’s a relaxed but distinguished air to the place - the lobby has a huge bookshelf and comfy armchairs, perfect for plopping down with a coffee to read or plan your day’s exploration.
Hotel Hive ($)
If you’re a hardcore sightseer and you just need an affordable base of operations, then you could do worse than this ‘micro-hotel’. It’s not that tiny - the rooms are about half the size of traditional ones, so it’s not like you’re sliding into a capsule, but you can’t host a dinner party. Still, it’s clean, functional, and good value for tour-focused travelers who just need a bed for the night.
The Dupont Circle Hotel ($$-$$$)
The plummest of plum locations awaits guests here, with proximity to many of the city’s big-hitter attractions, but all the while managing to maintain a residential, neighborhood feel. As part of the Doyle Collection, the hotel boasts elevated Irish hospitality that keeps A-listers and high-end politicos coming back.
Hotel Zena Washington DC ($-$$)
One for arty types who want to indulge their senses a little in a city of hard-nosed political animals. It bills itself as “part hotel and part art gallery”, and has a striking art collections (curated to be female-forward). The most photographed is the huge mural of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The hotel also has a serviceable (seasonal) rooftop bar and pool, and an amenity called a ‘Z Shed’, which rents everything from Polaroid-style cameras to board and video games.
The Watergate Hotel ($$-$$$)
It’s an address that became iconic for reasons that a hotel wouldn’t necessarily choose, but you can at least stay in a place where history happened. It was completely restored in 2016, and now it’s a contemporary luxe property with mid-century modern touches, and it feels suitably classy.
Getting Around in Washington, D.C.
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DCAcar service is a top-rated, executive transportation company based in Washington, D.C., offering private car service, luxury tours, and group transportation for travelers and events. Their rates reflect quality, reliability, and professionalism - you’re investing in an stress-free, seamless experience. DCAcar service is a place where diversity is valued, and the standard of living is raised for visitors to the city. DCAcar service over-delivers , providing guests with more than their money’s worth. Click here for more information.
things to do in washington, d.c.
We’re going to assume that all of the national monuments, etc, are already on your radar, but here’s a few less touristy suggestions once you’ve ticked off the main attractions (best done on a guided tour if you want to see them efficiently).
National Museum of Health and Medicine
The museum’s showpiece is the bullet that killed Abraham Lincoln, which is encased alongside bits of his skull, which gives you a flavor of the macabre leaning of this museum. Likely not for the squeamish, but if you love gore and guts and weird artifacts, then this is a great bet. Giant hairballs from inside real humans and something called a megacolon await the curious.
The Crypt at Washington National Cathedral
Woodrow Wilson’s marble tomb and Helen Keller’s ashes (next to those of her lifelong teacher, Anne Sullivan) are some of the most famous sites here. You may have also seen photos of the gargoyle that’s shaped like Darth Vader and a moon rock embedded in a stained-glass window. One of the stranger church tours.
The Phillips Collection
There are so many museums in the city, it’s easy to overlook the less famous ones. This is the country’s oldest modern art museum, though, and it has major works by famous names such as Renoir, Rothko and other modern art icons.
Anderson House
The Gilded Age of Washington is alive and well at Anderson House, a 1905 Beaux Arts mansion built as the home of Larz Anderson, an American diplomat, and his wife, Isabel. The sheer wealth on display is worth coming to gawp at, with their opulent ballrooms, tapestries and sparkling chandeliers.
Green Spaces
It’s easy to get caught up in monument and museum visits, but Washington DC sightseeing shouldn’t confine you to being indoors. Spend time recharging your batteries in the city’s beautiful green spaces. The US Botanic Garden, the National Arboretum and the National Zoo are among some of the most scenic, and during the cherry blossom season (late March-early April), a walk along the scenic Tidal Basin pool, drenched in pinks and reds, is hard to beat. Take an afternoon to soak in the ambience of Dumbarton Oaks or the equally historic lawns of Mount Vernon, where you can also pay your respects at the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial.
National Museum of Health and Medicine
The museum’s showpiece is the bullet that killed Abraham Lincoln, which is encased alongside bits of his skull, which gives you a flavor of the macabre leaning of this museum. Likely not for the squeamish, but if you love gore and guts and weird artifacts, then this is a great bet. Giant hairballs from inside real humans and something called a megacolon await the curious.
The Crypt at Washington National Cathedral
Woodrow Wilson’s marble tomb and Helen Keller’s ashes (next to those of her lifelong teacher, Anne Sullivan) are some of the most famous sites here. You may have also seen photos of the gargoyle that’s shaped like Darth Vader and a moon rock embedded in a stained-glass window. One of the stranger church tours.
The Phillips Collection
There are so many museums in the city, it’s easy to overlook the less famous ones. This is the country’s oldest modern art museum, though, and it has major works by famous names such as Renoir, Rothko and other modern art icons.
Anderson House
The Gilded Age of Washington is alive and well at Anderson House, a 1905 Beaux Arts mansion built as the home of Larz Anderson, an American diplomat, and his wife, Isabel. The sheer wealth on display is worth coming to gawp at, with their opulent ballrooms, tapestries and sparkling chandeliers.
Green Spaces
It’s easy to get caught up in monument and museum visits, but Washington DC sightseeing shouldn’t confine you to being indoors. Spend time recharging your batteries in the city’s beautiful green spaces. The US Botanic Garden, the National Arboretum and the National Zoo are among some of the most scenic, and during the cherry blossom season (late March-early April), a walk along the scenic Tidal Basin pool, drenched in pinks and reds, is hard to beat. Take an afternoon to soak in the ambience of Dumbarton Oaks or the equally historic lawns of Mount Vernon, where you can also pay your respects at the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial.
Museums and tours to Take in Washington DC
Insider tip: There are lots of tours that you can pick and choose the stops for, to make it a more personalised tor that reflects your tastes. If you have a special interest in the life of Abraham Lincoln, for example, ask your tour guide to take you to Ford’s Theatre and Lincoln’s Cottage.
National Museum of African American History and Culture
This relatively new addition to the city’s museum landscape has everything from Harriet Tubman’s hymnal to bills of a sale for enslaved humans, Louis Armstrong’s trumpet, photos capturing Black women during the Civil Rights Movement, to a collection of costumes from ‘The Wiz’.
Washington D.C. Politics Tour: From the Willard Hotel to Capitol Hill
A crash course in United States government. Learn how US politics works (or not) on this three-hour Washington DC City Tour focusing on the political process and insider intrigue, led by a local historian or journalist.
National Gallery of Art Tour: A Guided Crash Course
Get up close and personal with prized masterworks and lesser-known gems from the museum’s world-famous art collection. In the company of an art historian, you can explore highlights by Van Eyck, Rembrandt, and a host of American masters.
National Museum of African American History and Culture
This relatively new addition to the city’s museum landscape has everything from Harriet Tubman’s hymnal to bills of a sale for enslaved humans, Louis Armstrong’s trumpet, photos capturing Black women during the Civil Rights Movement, to a collection of costumes from ‘The Wiz’.
Washington D.C. Politics Tour: From the Willard Hotel to Capitol Hill
A crash course in United States government. Learn how US politics works (or not) on this three-hour Washington DC City Tour focusing on the political process and insider intrigue, led by a local historian or journalist.
National Gallery of Art Tour: A Guided Crash Course
Get up close and personal with prized masterworks and lesser-known gems from the museum’s world-famous art collection. In the company of an art historian, you can explore highlights by Van Eyck, Rembrandt, and a host of American masters.
Where to Eat in Washington DC ($-$$$)
D.C.’s reputation as a global powerhouse is evident through its dynamic global food scene. The city boasts over 20 Michelin-starred restaurants, so book well in advance to experience the city’s most decorated kitchens.
Jônt ($$$)
An intimate, 14-seat counter that showcases some of the best Japanese-influenced plates in the country.
Roaming Rooster ($)
If you’re missing fried chicken and you like yours more towards the Nashville Hot ballpark, then this former food cart now has nine outlets across town. Huge sandwiches with high-quality meat and superb, crunchy buttermilk-fried chicken.
Pineapple and Pearls ($$$)
A high-end tasting menu that has innovative deconstructed dishes such as its famous ‘French toast’ with foie gras, blue cheese and black truffles.
Love Makoto ($-$$)
A Japanese food hall in downtown, opened by celebrity chef Makoto Okuwa. This whole complex is a celebration of Japanese cuisine, with stuff like omakase at Dear Sushi or a lively atmosphere and grilled steaks at Beloved Barbecue. Hit Hiya Izakaya's bar for happy hour before a hearty dinner of fresh-made ramen at Love on the Run.
The Red Hen ($$)
Something of a local institution, as demonstrated by the week-long waiting list, so book well ahead (although on some nights, there are walk-in seats, but it’s a gamble). It’s a cosy Italian-American joint and its signature rigatoni with sausage and fennel has been on the menu since the place opened. The house-made pastas include colorful variations such as spaghetti verde and squid ink linguine.
Cheap eats in general
There’s no shortage of excellent casual spots, either, with Southeast Asian cuisine enjoying a particularly good reputation. Locals line up outside the most popular Filipino places, and you should also head for the Middle-Eastern joints of Navy Yard, the Ethiopian restaurants of Ninth Street NW and the Salvadorian cafes that have popped up across the city.
Jônt ($$$)
An intimate, 14-seat counter that showcases some of the best Japanese-influenced plates in the country.
Roaming Rooster ($)
If you’re missing fried chicken and you like yours more towards the Nashville Hot ballpark, then this former food cart now has nine outlets across town. Huge sandwiches with high-quality meat and superb, crunchy buttermilk-fried chicken.
Pineapple and Pearls ($$$)
A high-end tasting menu that has innovative deconstructed dishes such as its famous ‘French toast’ with foie gras, blue cheese and black truffles.
Love Makoto ($-$$)
A Japanese food hall in downtown, opened by celebrity chef Makoto Okuwa. This whole complex is a celebration of Japanese cuisine, with stuff like omakase at Dear Sushi or a lively atmosphere and grilled steaks at Beloved Barbecue. Hit Hiya Izakaya's bar for happy hour before a hearty dinner of fresh-made ramen at Love on the Run.
The Red Hen ($$)
Something of a local institution, as demonstrated by the week-long waiting list, so book well ahead (although on some nights, there are walk-in seats, but it’s a gamble). It’s a cosy Italian-American joint and its signature rigatoni with sausage and fennel has been on the menu since the place opened. The house-made pastas include colorful variations such as spaghetti verde and squid ink linguine.
Cheap eats in general
There’s no shortage of excellent casual spots, either, with Southeast Asian cuisine enjoying a particularly good reputation. Locals line up outside the most popular Filipino places, and you should also head for the Middle-Eastern joints of Navy Yard, the Ethiopian restaurants of Ninth Street NW and the Salvadorian cafes that have popped up across the city.
Where to Drink in Washington DC ($-$$$)
The one thing about bars in D.C. is that you can always try to imagine what dirty..I mean, discreet deals must have been done over malt whiskies in dark corners. There are good options, from traditional favorites to new craft cocktail spots.
Round Robin Bar ($$$)
This place has been around since 1847, and has definitely been the venue for any number of secret handshakes. It’s a classic D.C. politico backdrop - polished mahogany, portraits of political figures, leather seating, etc, and the round bar is perfect for people/politician watching.
Bluejacket ($$)
A brewery, restaurant, and bar located in a historic building in Navy Yard. You can see much of the operation as you look out over the fermentation vessels - the bar serves a rotating selection of 20 beers and five cask ales daily. If you take a shine to any, they have plenty of take-out options.
Trusty’s Full Serve ($)
A dive bar with character to spare, and beloved by its neighborhood regulars as well as those visitors that seek it out. It has an interior bar that is fashioned out of most of an old school bus, for starters. Add to this activity nights such as rotating live music, paint night, and bingo, and you’ve got yourself some juice that‘s well worth the squeeze.
Round Robin Bar ($$$)
This place has been around since 1847, and has definitely been the venue for any number of secret handshakes. It’s a classic D.C. politico backdrop - polished mahogany, portraits of political figures, leather seating, etc, and the round bar is perfect for people/politician watching.
Bluejacket ($$)
A brewery, restaurant, and bar located in a historic building in Navy Yard. You can see much of the operation as you look out over the fermentation vessels - the bar serves a rotating selection of 20 beers and five cask ales daily. If you take a shine to any, they have plenty of take-out options.
Trusty’s Full Serve ($)
A dive bar with character to spare, and beloved by its neighborhood regulars as well as those visitors that seek it out. It has an interior bar that is fashioned out of most of an old school bus, for starters. Add to this activity nights such as rotating live music, paint night, and bingo, and you’ve got yourself some juice that‘s well worth the squeeze.
SUMMARY
Where to Stay in Washington DC
Viceroy Washington D.C.
Hotel Hive
The Dupont Circle Hotel
Hotel Zena Washington DC
The Watergate Hotel
What To Do in Washington DC
National Museum of Health and Medicine
The Crypt at Washington National Cathedral
The Phillips Collection
Anderson House
What Tours to take in Washington DC
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Washington D.C. Politics Tour: From the Willard Hotel to Capitol Hill
National Gallery of Art Tour: A Guided Crash Course
Where to Eat in Washington DC
Jônt
Roaming Rooster
Pineapple and Pearls
Love Makoto
The Red Hen
Where to Drink in Washington DC
Round Robin Bar
Bluejacket
Trusty’s Full Serve
Where to Stay in Washington DC
Viceroy Washington D.C.
Hotel Hive
The Dupont Circle Hotel
Hotel Zena Washington DC
The Watergate Hotel
What To Do in Washington DC
National Museum of Health and Medicine
The Crypt at Washington National Cathedral
The Phillips Collection
Anderson House
What Tours to take in Washington DC
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Washington D.C. Politics Tour: From the Willard Hotel to Capitol Hill
National Gallery of Art Tour: A Guided Crash Course
Where to Eat in Washington DC
Jônt
Roaming Rooster
Pineapple and Pearls
Love Makoto
The Red Hen
Where to Drink in Washington DC
Round Robin Bar
Bluejacket
Trusty’s Full Serve