The Insider’s Guide to Washington, D.C.: Where To Stay, What To Know & How To Do It Right

The monuments at night

I always tell people: do not skip the monuments after dark. Something shifts when the crowds thin out and the memorials light up against the night sky. It’s one of those moments that genuinely stops you in your tracks, no matter how many times you’ve seen it.

Dinner at Dōgon

This is my non-negotiable recommendation for every client I send to D.C. Chef Kwame Onwuachi’s Afro-Caribbean restaurant inside the Salamander is one of the most exciting dining experiences in the country right now. The kind of meal you’re still talking about a week later.

The Wharf

I love sending people here because nobody expects it. A full mile of waterfront restaurants, bars, live music, and energy that just pulls you in. Tell clients to plan one evening here and leave the rest of the night open. They’ll thank you.

Hotel bars & rooftops

Some of my favorite spots in all of D.C. are inside the hotels themselves. The Vue at Hotel Washington with White House views, Silver Lyan in the old bank vault at the Riggs. These aren’t just hotel bars—they’re destinations.

Adams Morgan & Dupont Circle

These are the neighborhoods I point people to when they want to feel like they actually live in D.C. for a few days. Incredible restaurants, local shops, beautiful rowhouses. This is the D.C. that doesn’t make it onto the tourist maps.

The Smithsonian Museums

Free, world-class, and genuinely overwhelming in the best way. I always tell clients to pick two or three and go deep rather than trying to rush through everything. The National Museum of African American History and Culture especially deserves a full half day.

Georgetown on a Sunday morning

There’s something about Georgetown before the crowds arrive that I find really special. Grab coffee, walk the C&O Canal, wander the side streets. It’s one of those slow mornings that ends up being a trip highlight.

The National Portrait Gallery

Every time I recommend this one, clients come back saying it was their favorite thing they did. The Obama portraits are stunning in person, but the whole museum has an energy that surprises people. And it’s completely free.

Eastern Market on a weekend

This Capitol Hill institution has been around since 1873 and it shows, in the best way. Local vendors, fresh food, artisan goods, and a neighborhood vibe that makes you want to move to D.C. immediately.

Catch a game

D.C. is a real sports city, and people underestimate how fun it is. A Nationals game at Navy Yard with the river in the background or a Capitals game at Capital One Arena. Either way, it’s a great night and a side of D.C. most tourists never plan for.

Dōgon at the Salamander

Chef Kwame Onwuachi’s Afro-Caribbean restaurant is one of the most talked-about dining experiences in the entire country right now. This is my first recommendation for every single client I send to D.C.

Café Riggs at The Riggs

A grand European brasserie-style restaurant inside a former bank, serving an all-day menu of French-American classics in one of the most beautiful dining rooms in the city. Do not leave without trying the pastries.

Silver Lyan at The Riggs

Tucked inside the original bank vault, this award-winning cocktail bar from the internationally acclaimed Mr. Lyan team is unlike anything else in D.C. It’s moody, intimate and the drinks are exceptional.

Vue Rooftop at Hotel Washington

Cocktails with a direct view of the White House and Washington Monument from the 11th floor. It’s one of those experiences where you sit down, look up, and genuinely can’t believe where you are.

Albi

Chef Michael Rafidi’s Michelin-starred, wood-fired Middle Eastern restaurant in Navy Yard is consistently ranked one of the best restaurants in the country. The kubaneh bread service alone is worth the reservation.

Maydan

A wood-fired, Middle Eastern gathering place in the heart of D.C. that has been wowing critics and locals alike for years. The whole menu is designed to be shared and the atmosphere is electric every single night.

Moon Rabbit

Chef Kevin Tien’s Vietnamese-inspired restaurant in Penn Quarter is one of those places that makes you stop mid-bite and think “how did they come up with this.” Creative, soulful, and unlike anything else in the city.

Fish Shop at The Wharf

The best of the Chesapeake in a relaxed, nautical setting right on the waterfront. Fresh oysters, blue crab, Chesapeake rockfish, and one of the best happy hour deals on The Wharf.

Osteria Mozza DC

Nancy Silverton’s Michelin-starred Georgetown pasta destination is the kind of place you plan a whole evening around. The orecchiette with fennel sausage is legendary and the bar pours an exceptional amaro selection.

St. Anselm

The kind of steakhouse that makes everyone happy, no exceptions. Iconic biscuits with pimento cheese, blue crab deviled eggs, perfectly cooked steaks, and a vibe that feels like a warm hug the second you walk in.

Filomena Ristorante

A beloved Georgetown institution that has been serving homemade Italian classics for over 40 years. The kind of place that feels like a warm, whimsical Sunday dinner at someone’s Italian grandmother’s house. The homemade pasta is the reason people keep coming back decade after decade.