Welcome to DC - Top Spots for Food, Drinks & Sightseeing

FRIENDS & FAMILY,
we are so excited to welcome you to
our nation's capital!
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to be with us on our big
day. It means the world to us to have you there by our sides on such a special
occasion! Whether this is your first time in D.C. or your thousandth, and
whether you are driving up for just the day or making it an extended vacation -
we appreciate you being here, for however long you are.
Because we know many of you have traveled far and wide to be here, we
wanted to put together a guide to the city to ensure you make the most of your
trip! In the following slides, we provide some helpful tips for navigating the city
easily and efficiently. We also provided plenty of slides with our favorite places
to eat, drink and explore throughout the District.
We always get out and make the most of our weekends, so we hope our
favorite experiences might also make your trip just as memorable! Please share
all of the fun details from your trip once over - we can't wait to see all of the
memories that our wedding guests will make throughout the weekend, aside
from celebrating with us!
WITH LOVE,
Sarah & Ian

Things you should know...
Transportation
WALKING
- walking is the preferred & most accessible way to get around DC
Everything is within a few blocks away in each neighborhood. Bring comfortable shoes - DC is a walking-heavy city, especially to see all the sights!
Taking the metro
- Alongside walking, take the metro to hop between neighborhoods quicker
The Metro is the cheapest way to get around DC without walking. Our underground rail system is reliable and easy to access.
Use their website to familiarize yourself with the process, stations and times if the subway is new to you; attendants are at each station to help.
Purchase your Metro card at the station using the machines, and use it to scan in and out each time you ride the Metro.
TIP: If using the Metro to get around all weekend, consider getting a week, weekend, or daily pass instead of a normal card.
You pay a flat fee for unlimited rides throughout the duration of your pass, and will save SO MUCH money if you plan to primarily use the Metro.
- Be mindful of metro updates, delays, or changes to service That could impact your trip
TIP: Apple Maps has a great feature to monitor the Metro schedule. Just pull up the location, and it gives you time tables in-app for each direction
on each line at any given station. I use this religiously to plan & maximize my time, avoiding missing the train or waiting around the station too long.

Transportation
DRIVING
- We do not recommend driving your car around the city
Traffic can say 15min, and end up taking you over 1hr (just to drive a few miles) - Trust us from experience, missing events due to this!
There are also few places to park in most neighborhoods, as garages are mostly M-F during daytime hours, and street parking is always full.
If you prefer to still travel by car...
-take an Uber or lyft instead
Keep in mind these can be pricey due to city surcharges, and wait times could be up to 30min- schedule in advance if needed at a specific time.
- If Driving in for just the day
Park at a Metro station with a parking lot, and Metro into the city. Parking is abundant and cheap. Be sure to check hours & access online. If coming
from Virginia, I suggest the Huntington Metro Station on the yellow line, which you can take straight to GalleryPl- Chinatown right to the wedding.

Dining Out
Restaurants & Bars
- Reservations are necessary well in advance
- Reservations are necessary well in advance
- Reservations are necessary well in advance - Plan out your trip & Don't make us say "we told you so!"
DC is a food city- We have a large population and are known for our incredible award-winning restaurants.
Always assume that reservations are needed to eat out - whether breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, or cocktails.
And reservations are not same-day or same-week at many places either- We mean check one month out at most popular eateries.
Reservations will fill up very fast, especially on weekends, when most of you will be here. The more casual a restaurant is, the better the chance they
won't take reservations - but most popular places will require one, so better to prepare in advance if there are specific places you want to go.
- Be prepared for long lines at popular casual eateries
Places like Georgetown Cupcake, Levain Bakery, and Call Your Mother are highly-trafficked, and with good reason! These are casual grab-n-go
spots, but they are namesakes in the District. We encourage you to try them out & see how good they truly are - just be prepared for lines wrapped
around the block. To give yourself the best chances, try to visit in times outside of the peak (i.e. when they first open, outside of meal times, etc).

Food costs
Restaurants & Bars
- food/drink Prices in the city may be higher than in suburban areas
A $5 coffee back home may be a $10 coffee in DC.
A $10 cocktail back home may be a $20 cocktail in DC.
Fast food may go from $7 back home to $15 in DC.
And dining out may look like $30 plates at the average DC restaurant, instead of $15 back home.
Keep in mind, many of these eateries may be founded by famous chefs, use high quality ingredients, or pride themselves on offering a
complete experience in-restaurant, rather than just simply a meal. DC also adds additional taxes and fees to your check - BOO!
TIP: If trying to save on food, don't make every meal a full experience:
- Try grabbing fast-food during the day while sight-seeing.
- Skip appetizers & extras at nicer restaurants; OR go for just drinks and dessert to still get the experience
- Book an unlimited brunch somewhere nice, and then grab something light for dinner.
- Have a quick coffee and pastry for breakfast on the go, then splurge on a nice cocktail & atmosphere in the evening.

Activity costs
Museums & Attractions
- most activities are free in dc - That's right... free!
While food and drinks may be slightly more expensive than back home, DC is extremely well known for how cheap of a vacation it can be.
Most museums are completely free of charge: the Smithsonians, the Zoo, National Mall museums, the Holocaust Museum, etc.
Only a few museums charge admission: Museum of the Bible, Spy Museum, Hillwood, Law Enforcement Museum, etc.
Most sights in DC are also completely free of charge: all of the monuments, government buildings, historical sights, memorials, etc.
All you have to do is show up and walk through the doors - and maybe a metal detector or two! Really - it is that easy!
Check online in advance if there are specific museums you plan to visit:
- Map out their hours
- Account time for potential entrance lines
- Check for prohibited items
- Even if entrance is FREE, verify if you need to register for a timed-entry pass in advance (thanks, COVID!)

Shared Favorites
Tatte Colada shop International Spy Museum

Shared Favorites
Drinks & Coffee Food Things to do
Tatte $$
1301 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
- Aesthetic cafe w/ coffee, light food,
& desserts ; multiple DC locations
The Gibson $$
2009 14th St NW,
Washington, DC 20009
- Speakeasy with prohibition-era
cocktails & a charming outdoor patio
- TIP: Enter through the plain black door
National Gallery of Art
600 Constitution Ave. NW,
- FREE; Visit West Building for classics
- Ian's Pick: Claude Monet collection
- Sarah's Pick: Van Gogh collection
International Spy Museum
700 L'Enfant Plaza SW,
- $20; Go undercover & complete
interactive challenges to solve a case
Muncheez $
1071 Wisconsin Ave NW,
- Our favorite late-night shawarma
spot; open until 4:30AM on weekends

Colada Shop $$
10 Pearl St SW,
- Immigrant-owned DC Cuban staple;
try the empanadas & cocktail pouches
- Bonus: located on the waterfront

His Favorites
Jack rose dining saloon DC Jumbo slices National Shrine

His Favorites
Jack Rose Dining Saloon $$$
2007 18th St NW,
- Boasts one of the largest whiskey
collections in the Western Hemisphere
- 2687+ bottles of whiskey on the wall
Boulangerie Christophe $$
- Authentic French pastry shop w/ light
food and classic espresso drinks
Union market $$
1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
- Urban food hall w/ quick eateries and
shops; lots of outdoor/ rooftop seating
- Ian's favorite: "The Creamery"
Basilica of the National Shrine
of the Immaculate Conception
400 Michigan Ave NE,
- Upper Church, Crypt, & Chapels
visited by numerous Popes & Saints
Jumbo Slices $
Adams Morgan Neighborhood
- Birthplace of the "jumbo slice" (an
oversized New York-style pizza slice)
- Try Duccini’s, Pizza Mart, Bestoli
Pizza, or Jumbo Slice Pizza all in AdMo

A. Litteri $
517 Morse St NE,
- Old-school Italian grocer and deli,
featuring hearty made-to-order subs

Her Favorites
Cafe Georgetown Le Diplomate City Center DC

Her Favorites
Cafe Georgetown $$
3141 N St NW,
- One of DC's cutest cafes for coffee,
custom latte art, pastries, and yes,
Instagram stories. You're welcome!
Foxtrot $$
- Trendy city-style groceries w/ small
bites & coffee made-to-order
City Center DC
825 10th St NW,
- Luxury shopping with beautiful
window displays & seasonal decor
Capitol Hill Books
657 C St SE, Washington, DC 20003
- Floor-to-ceiling books on the Hill
Lincoln Memorial @ Night
- Best time to visit the monuments
Martin's Tavern $$
- Has hosted each U.S. President from
Harry S. Truman to George W. Bush
- John F. Kennedy proposed to his wife,
Jackie Kennedy, in a booth here!

Le Diplomate $$$
1601 14th St NW,
- Step into France at DC's favorite spot

Georgetown
Georgetown Glow Ladurée Call your mother
Ian Took Sarah for a walking
Tour of light art exhibits
on their
second date

Georgetown
Breakfast Sweets Things to do
Compass coffee $
- Our favorite coffee shop after
church on Sundays; great spot to work,
read, or relax with a cup of joe
Call Your Mother $
3428 O St NW,
- Instagram-worthy exterior makes
this colorful bagel shop a DC favorite
Take a walk
- M st. - shopping
- Wisconsin Ave. - shopping
- C&O Canal / Waterfront
- Historic row homes
Ladurée $$$
3060 M St NW,
- Famous French macaron shop; pick
out a Blair Waldorf favorite!
L.A. Burdick Chocolates $$
]
- Fine handmade chocolates & pastries
- TIP: Try the Drinking Chocolate!
Levain Bakery $$
3131 M St NW,
- NYC celebrity-favorite cookies
- $4 each; huge, thick cookies

14th & U St. / Shaw
Ted’s Bulletin Ben's Chili Bowl Florida ave Go-Go mural

14th & U St. / Shaw
Brunch Food DC Culture
Ted’s Bulletin $$
1818 14th St NW,
- Top family-friendly suggestion for
out-of-towners; homemade pop tarts!
Nina May $$-$$$
1337 11th St NW,
- Intimate restaurant with a fresh
seasonal menu; plenty of outdoor
seating; bright and clean!
Henry’s Soul Café $$
1704 U St NW,
- Soul food classics and a famous
signature sweet potato pie
Go-Go CD's
1915 7th St NW,
- Go-go music is especially unique to
DC culture; Sarah always passes by
this corner to hear some playing
Ben's Chili Bowl $
]
1213 U St NW,
- DC's most famous local spot; half
smokes, chili-cheese fries & shakes
Compass Rose $$
1346 T St NW,
- DC foodie favorite; small dishes that
highlight food from all over the world

Downtown Food
Flight Wine Bar Cafe Riggs Old Ebbitt Grill
This is the first place ian
took sarah when they
met for their
first date
Located just a block from where they are
now getting married exactly 2 years later!

Downtown Food
Coffee & Sweets Cocktails Food
Dolcezza $$
904 Palmer Alley NW,
- Famous gelati shop also serving
sorbet, sundaes & nitro cold-brewed
ice coffee; located in City Center DC
Gregorys Coffee $$
443 7th St NW,
- Incredible cold brew drinks;
something for every coffee-drinker
Old Ebbitt Grill $$
675 15th St NW,
- Washington's oldest bar & restaurant;
located right next to the White House
José Andrés Restaurants
Zaytinya $$$ - 701 9th St NW,
Oyamel $$ - 401 7th St NW,
Vue Rooftop @ The w $$$
]
515 15th St NW,
- Rooftop cocktail bar w/ incredible
views of the White House & monuments
Cafe Riggs $$$$
900 F St NW,
- Beautiful upscale historic building
- TIP: Go for drinks and dessert at
night, or try outdoor seating for brunch

Downtown Sights
FBI Headquarters US Navy Memorial White House North Lawn

Downtown Sights
Things to Do Things to do Things to do
Old Post Office - Formerly
trump International hotel
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW,
- Beautiful lobby for drinks & light food
Fbi Headquarters
- Apply for FBI Experience in advance
online; FBI cars parked outside to see
Cathedral of Saint Matthew
1725 Rhode Island Ave NW,
The White house
- Approach from the North side
through Lafayette Square; this will give
you a closer view for photos!
- See the Eisenhower Executive Office
Building and Treasury on each side
Ford's theatre
511 10th St NW,
- Where Lincoln was shot; Also see the
house where he died accross the street
- Can register to tour the inside online
United States Navy memorial
- Look for the Naval Aviator & US Naval
Academy plaques for Ian!

Capitol Hill
Eastern Market United States Capitol Library of Congress

Capitol Hill
Food Things to do Things to do
We, the Pizza $
305 Pennsylvania Ave. SE,
- Ian's go-to pizza shop when on the Hill;
cheap slices & great homemade sodas
Eastern market $-$$
225 7th St SE,
- Historic indoor market; outdoor
farmer's market on weekends
- Walkable area with local shops
Library of Congress
Jefferson Building
101 Independence Ave SE,
- A MUST; View the main reading room
Washington Union Station
50 Massachusetts Ave NE,
- DC's stunning historic transportation
hub; take the Metro here to see the Hill
United States Capitol
]
First St SE,
- View from both sides; register in
advance for tours of the inside
Supreme Court Building
1 First St NE,
- Try to avoid all of the protests...
...Or feel free to join in!
- Inside is open to public; details online

Dupont Circle
Dupont underground Embassy row Swingers Crazy Golf
make a reservation in advance!

Dupont Circle
Food & Drinks Things to do Things to do
Emissary $$
2032 P St NW,
- Day to night cafe; light food and
cocktails; great space to relax or work!
- TIP: Check out the bookshop next
door, Second Story Books!
Surfside Taco Stand $
1800 N St NW,
- Popular DC taco shack open 24/7!
Embassy row
Massachusetts Ave NW
- Most of the embassies & diplomatic
residences are concentrated here
- They are BEAUTIFUL; some have
events, statues, or exhibits to see
- Make a list of countries you want to
see & map them out, or walk a loop
through the closest to Dupont Circle
Swingers crazy golf $$
1330 19th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
- Mini golf meets nightclub; 21+; FUN!
Kramers $$
1517 Connecticut Ave NW,
- A DC favorite indie bookstore, also
featuring a restaurant open LATE!
Dupont Underground
19 Dupont Cir NW,
- Abandoned streetcar station turned
into a contemporary art gallery and
cultural hub; A very unique experience!

East of the Capitol
Starbucks Reserve The Salt Line Oysters The Wharf

East of the Capitol
Starbucks Reserve $$ - CUA
655 Michigan Ave NE Suite B1,
- One of 20 Starbucks Reserves in the
US; boasts a larger menu & craft drinks
Mission $$ - Navy Yard
1221 Van St SE,
- Infamous or famous depending on
who you are; every DC young
republican's favorite place to go out
Saint John Paul II National
Shrine - Brookland / CUA
3900 Harewood Rd NE,
- FREE; beautiful museum with JPII
relics; Can also attend daily Mass here
Walk The Wharf - From
Waterfront to Navy Yard
760 Maine Ave SW,
Busboys and Poets $$ - CUA
625 Monroe St NE,
- Books, breakfast & brunch near CUA
The Salt Line $$ - Navy Yard
79 Potomac Ave SE,
- New England classics & Chesapeake
dishes with a riverside patio; oyster
bar; Del's lemonade cocktails

Arlington
Arlington Cinema Targeted Victory Pentagon City
Ian Took Sarah to a
Stand-up comedy show
here on their
first date
Sarah's Political agency is in the
courthouse/Clarendon neighborhood
This is where Sarah Calls Home!

Arlington
Food & Coffee Things to do Things to do
Commonwealth Joes $
520 12th St S Suite 150,
Arlington, VA 22202
- Sarah's favorite coffee shop, & her
daily stop before work each morning
- Famous for their cold brew selection
& extensive seasonal menu / decor
Ireland's four courts $$
2051 Wilson Blvd,
Arlington, VA 22201
- Great Authentic Irish pub
Air Force Memorial
1 Air Force Memorial Dr,
Arlington, VA 22204
9/11 Pentagon Memorial
1 N Rotary Rd,
Arlington, VA 22202
St. Rita's Catholic Church
3815 Russell Rd,
Alexandria, VA 22305
- We go here for daily mass/confession
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, VA 22211
- Resting place of noteworthy figures
- The Robert E. Lee Memorial
- Once home of Confederate General
Robert E. Lee; Overlooks the Potomac
River & National Mall
- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Has been guarded 24/7 since 1937, even
when cemetery is closed & during
inclement weather; Watch the changing
of the guards every half hour
-

National Mall
Lincoln Memorial Tidal Basin Smithsonian Castle

National Mall
Things to Do Things to do Things to do
Washington Monument
2 15th St NW,
- Take a ride to the top for views of DC
Jefferson MemoriaL & Tidal
Basin / Cherry Blossoms
16 E Basin Dr SW,
- Our wedding may overlap w/ cherry
blossom season; best view @ Tidal Basin
Daughters of the American
Revolution Memorial Hall
1776 D St NW,
- FREE; historic period rooms from
each state in the US; little-no tourists
Albert Einstein Memorial
- This one's for you, Ms. Bagent!
World War II Memorial
1750 Independence Ave SW,
- Centrally located in the National Mall
Smithsonian Castle
1000 Jefferson Dr SW,
- Enter through the South gates to walk
through incredible gardens; has
benches and tables to relax from
walking up and down the Mall all day

Museums
Smithsonian National Zoo National Archives Hillwood Estate

Museums
FreE - kid Friendly Free - Fun for all Paid
Smithsonian National
Zoological Park
3001 Connecticut Ave NW,
- Visit DC's beloved panda cubs!
Smithsonian National
Museum of Natural History
110th St. & Constitution Ave. NW,
- Favorite overall museum; best exhibits
Hillwood Estate & Gardens
4155 Linnean Ave NW,
- Adult: $18; Senior: $15; Child 6-18: $5
- Breathtaking Post family estate;
fashion, jewels, collectables, &
extensive gardens; ~3hr to explore fully
National Law Enforcement
Museum & Memorial
444 E St NW, Washington, DC 20001
- Tickets from $0-$21.95; check online
National Portrait Gallery
8th and G Streets,
- Walkable from the wedding; open late
- See the US Presidents' portraits
National Archives Museum
- Don't try to steal the Declaration of
Independence like in National Treasure
- Sarah's favorite historical museum!

Welcome to DC - Top Spots for Food, Drinks & Sightseeing

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