The Washington, DC, Area for History Lovers

Visit the National Mall: The National Mall is called America’s front yard, but in reality it is one of our national parks. With the Washington Monument at one end and the Lincoln Memorial and reflecting pool at the other, the grassy area in between is lined with other monuments and memorials to visit. You can spend an entire day here, but my favorite time to visit is in the evening. There are significantly fewer people and all of the monuments are well-lit, so you have time to really take it all in as well as pay your respects.

Visit one or two of the Smithsonian Institution museums: The Smithsonian Institution is comprised of 21 museums, and there really is something for everyone here. All of these sites are free to visit (Where else can you say that?), but several do require advance reservations that can be made online. The Natural History Museum and the Air and Space Museum are two of my favorites—I’ve been visiting since I was a kid and they never get old!

See America’s founding documents: Visit the National Archives to see the original Declaration of Independence, The Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights. While these documents are the main attraction here, there are several other exhibits as well as archival research rooms you can visit. While this is another free site to visit, the lines can get long outside. The last time I visited, I ended up purchasing an annual membership (mostly for access to the members’ entrance) and have found that I really enjoy having access to some of the special programs they put on. I’ve even volunteered to transcribe historical documents for online viewing!

Visit Arlington National Cemetery: Arlington National Cemetery is the largest of the US national cemeteries and is not to be missed. There are numerous notable figures buried here, like JFK, Medgar Evers, John Glenn, and Ruth Bader Ginsberg, in addition to hundreds of thousands of active duty service members. No matter how many times I have been here, I always go see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony. The ceremony is incredibly moving and something I think everyone should experience. The guards demand silence, as the ceremony is a display of the upmost reverence and respect for those soldiers who remain unidentified. The grounds are quite large, so take advantage of their paid narrated tram service to maximize your visit.

Torpedo Arts Factory: I lucked into this spot when visiting a friend in Alexandria, VA. I buy photography/art from local artists as souvenirs of my travels and saw this arts center when I was wandering the neighborhood. It is located right on the waterfront in Old Town Alexandria and is actually an old Torpedo factory that has been converted into artists’ lofts. Not only can you walk into any of the lofts with an open door and view (buy!) the artists work, you can also see a test Torpedo and learn about the history of the building.

Take a day trip to Gettysburg, PA: This isn’t a day trip I chose, but to my surprise, I really enjoyed it! Gettysburg is just over a 1.5-hour drive from DC and really is worth the effort. Stop at the Visitor's Center for information and to explore if you have time, and pick up a map (and your National Park Passport stamp!). I downloaded an app that had a self-guided driving tour of the area, and it followed the progression of the Battle of Gettysburg. This tour gave me so much perspective about a battle I hadn’t thought about since high school. I never would have imagined how much ground was covered in a mere three days. With the self-guided tour, you’re able to stop when and where you want to see memorials and educational areas along the route. We finished the day in the cemetery where President Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address. Not only is it cool to be in the same place such a historical event took place—the cemetery is also neat to explore.

Jaleo: This is one of my all-time favorite restaurants! I watched a documentary about Chef José Andrés and his humanitarian work with World Central Kitchen and knew I needed to try his food. Jaleo serves Tapas-style Spanish cuisine and wine. It’s impossible to pick one favorite dish, but the pan de cristal con tomate, croquetas, paella (any of them!), and red sangria are at the top of my list.

Central Michel Richard: Eating at an American bistro by a French chef gives you the best of both worlds. I wasn’t expecting to see fried chicken on the menu, but it’s there—and it’s some of the best fried chicken out there! Oh, and their mussels were amazing, too!

Estuary: Each time I’ve stayed at Conrad DC, I’ve had breakfast here, as Estuary is inside the hotel. Estuary serves contemporary American cuisine and focuses on ingredients from the Chesapeake region. I love their bacon and egg croissant—it’s massive. I’m not usually one to order breakfast potatoes, but these are perfectly seasoned and really crispy!

Sushi AOI: I passed by this restaurant on my way back to the hotel after a cold and rainy day and decided to stop in. I’m picky about sushi and don’t usually order it from someplace I haven’t at least read a review of, but their volcano roll definitely exceeded my expectations. The chicken teriyaki bento box was also fantastic, and the portions were really large.

Hen Quarter: I’m a sucker for a good champagne brunch, and this one did not disappoint. Hen Quarter is located in Alexandria, VA, and serves Southern comfort food. You have the option of ordering family style or individually, and while I love breakfast food, if I see fried green tomatoes and shrimp and grits on a menu, that’s what I’m ordering. My friends went with breakfast—French toast and chicken and waffles—and I’m happy to say we devoured it all.

The Wharf: I’ll never turn down history and amazing food in the same place. The Wharf is located in a 200-year-old building in Old Town Alexandria, VA, and is an upscale seafood restaurant that serves locally sourced seafood.