For Our Guests
The National Mall
The National Mall is a must if you haven't been to the D.C. area before. You will find: ‣ The Smithsonian Museums (all are free, but check ahead in case you need tickets) ‣ The Washington Monument ‣ The Lincoln Memorial ‣ The Jefferson Memorial ‣ The MLK Memorial ‣ The Vietnam War Wall ‣ The Korean War Memorial ‣ The White House ‣ Congress Please note: If you decide to walk around the National Mall, there are not many places to eat or use the restroom outside of the museums. You may want to plan ahead to decide where you'd like to go.
Arlington National Cemetery
Visit the resting place of the Kennedy Family and feel the weight of history for our troops who have served over time. The Cemetery is a beautiful place to go on a walk and watch the changing of the guards. Please note: It is best to wear comfortable walking shoes as the cemetery has some inclines and covers a large area. You may reach the National Cemetery via Metro.
Old Town Alexandria
Walk along King Street and shop, dine, explore Old Town! Recommended stops: ‣ The Torpedo Factory (explore some Naval history while you look at different local artists) ‣ The Waterfront ‣ Prince Street (cobblestone street neighborhood parallel to King St)
Tysons Corner Center
For any of you who decide to stay closer to the venue, Tysons Corner will most likely be your top pick. There are two sides to the mall - one is Tysons Corner Center and the other is Tysons Galleria. Both have numerous stores and food options. We recommend trying Lady M Cake Boutique in Tyson's Galleria for their Mille Crêpes cakes.
Mosaic District
Located about 10 minutes away from Tysons Corner, if you are looking for a place to grab a bite or shop outdoors, this is a cute area to stop by. We recommend True Food Kitchen for some healthy meal options and Pastry Xpo Cafe for delicious pastries.
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
An extension of the National Air and Space Museum in DC, this museum is an EXCELLENT place to visit. Note: This museum is physically separate from the National Air and Space Museum in DC. It is located near Dulles International Airport.
The Wharf DC
The Wharf is a relatively new area in D.C. and has a number of restaurants as well as a Fish Market. If you plan ahead, you may get a reservation at Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen!
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens
A hidden gem tucked away in NW DC and one of our favorite places to visit. The estate hosts the most comprehensive collection of Russian imperial art outside of Russia, a distinguished eighteenth century French decorative art collection, and 25 acres of gardens and natural woodlands. Fun fact: the former estate owner, Marjorie Merriweather Post was laid to rest in the center of the Rose Garden. There is a cafe located on site.
International Spy Museum
Unfortunately, this is not one of D.C.'s many free museums, but is still a fascinating place to visit (especially with kids)!
Dumbarton Oaks Gardens
Similar to Hillwood Estate, this is another location filled with beautiful gardens. Tucked away in quaint Georgetown, we recommend walking around the surrounding area as well and grabbing a bite to eat somewhere on Wisconsin Ave.
Tudor Place
Expansive landscapes, landmark architecture and thousands of historic objects. A model of Federal-period architecture in the nation’s capital, Tudor Place was home to generations of the Peter family, descendants of Martha Washington.
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
For anyone looking to see a performance, we highly recommend taking a look at the calendar to see what's on during your visit.
George Washington's Mount Vernon
Mt. Vernon is a beautiful place to visit and learn more about George Washington. Please note that you will need to get here by car, as it is not located near a metro.
Washington National Cathedral
A beautiful landmark in DC with grounds to walk on. It is the second largest in the U.S.
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
This is another beautiful landmark and one that not many people may think to visit in DC. If you are looking to get away from the National Mall, we recommend visiting the Shrine and then grabbing some pizza at Menomale.
United States National Arboretum
This location also requires a car. Weather permitting, it is a large area with gardens/trails/specific sections dedicated to plants such as bonsai trees. It is a lovely place to walk around.
US Marine Corps War Memorial
The Memorial is tucked in between the Rosslyn area of Arlington and Arlington National Cemetery. You can drive in and park or walk from Rosslyn. This Memorial has a beautiful view of DC from a slightly higher elevation.
Great Falls Park
If you are looking to get outdoors, Great Falls is a lovely park to picnic at/walk around/hike. There are a series of waterfalls you can view, while also watching people hike the Billy Goat Trail across the water in Maryland (that's always an option too, but be warned it is a strenuous hike that involves some rock climbing). Please note: this is not a free park and the road to enter is only two ways, causing it to back up during busy periods.
Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
This National Park is located a few minutes drive from the venue. It is the only National Park dedicated to the performing arts. If you are looking to get outdoors, this is conveniently located if you are staying near the venue.
Reston Town Center
Located near Dulles International Airport, you can find food/shops to explore in this outdoor area.
The Exorcist Steps
This one is tricky because there is not an exact address! For any horror movie fans, you can visit the famous site from The Exorcist movie. At the top of the stairs, you will be greeted by a pleasant surprise: Lifesized Transformers! Please note: We recommend going here if you are already walking around Georgetown. The location of the stairs is inconvenient and there will likely be no parking, unless you find street parking somewhere in Georgetown.
Recommended Food in Downtown DC
These are a few picks for food in Downtown DC: ‣ Le Diplomate (French) ‣ Supra (Georgian - as in, the country Georgia, not the state) ‣ Zaytinya by Jose Andres (Mediterranean) ‣ Compass Rose (Eclectic) ‣ Daikaya (Ramen) ‣ Rasika (Indian) ‣ Ben's Chili Bowl ‣ Old Ebbitt Grill (American) ‣ Founding Farmers (American) ‣ Lapis (Afghan) ‣ Rumi's Kitchen (Persian) ‣ Duke's Grocery (Burgers) ‣ Kramers (a bookstore with American fare) ‣ Un je ne sais Quoi (French pastries) ‣ China Chilcano (Peruvian) ‣ Ambar (Balkan/Serbian)
Recommended Food in Northern Virginia
‣ Pho 75 (Vietnamese) ‣ Fettoosh (Moroccan) ‣ Founding Farmers Tysons (American) ‣ Barrel & Bushel (American) ‣ Bonsai Grill (Sushi) ‣ Silver Diner (American) ‣ Livin' the Pie Life (Pies) ‣ Pupatella (Pizza) ‣ Kogiya (Korean BBQ) ‣ Fogo de Chao (Brazilian Steakhouse) ‣ Nicecream (Nitrogen Ice Cream) ‣ Kabob Palace (Pakistani/Afghan) ‣ Caphe Banh Mi (Vietnamese) ‣ Ambar (Balkan/Serbian)