Starting with the most important information! Where you must go to eat when in DC:
Menya Hosaki (karaage, tonkotsu, and tantan)
Affogato (recommended with pistachio ice cream) at Dolcezza Gelato (904 Palmer Alley NW location)
Thoughts and impressions from our trip 7/26 – 8/4 in Washington D.C.
- Not all ride shares use the air conditioning even if it’s over 95 degrees outside
- There was a little suitcase without any apparent owner on the bus and someone saw it, immediately told the bus driver, and then got off
- There is a price surge for rideshare that can be 3x during the 5-6pm rush hour window
- There is a price surge for rideshare that can be 4x when it’s raining out (which creates more traffic)
- There are so many bikes, e-bikes, and scooters available to rent everywhere
- Capital Bikeshare is a great deal for a day pass at $8 but even for a monthly pass if you can use it more than a day or two
- A few blocks’ walk is tough when it’s over 90 degrees out
- Sometimes parking can be just as expensive as an Uber (but not more than the bus)
- We probably should have gotten a toll pass since we hit more than one toll in one direction and avoided it on the way back but added to our trip time
- Food at many of the restaurants we went to came out absurdly fast
- The food was more expensive and of higher quality than I was expecting
- I regret that we didn’t get to eat Menya Hosaki twice — by the time we tried them they were closed for the remainder of our trip and we couldn’t order from them again
- You can make reservations easily for restaurants and cancel within a certain time frame without penalty (and check back for openings that were not there before if you really want to go the day of and there are no more reservations available)
- So many of the sightseeing and tourist stops are free! But some require advance reservation (like the Air and Space Museum)
- Some of the more secure tourist stops are still free but require advance reservation much sooner than the requirement as they do fill up (White House and Pentagon among other places if you want to go inside)
- Many of the museums close before the evening on weekdays
- Some of the places to see are not open on weekends or Sundays (like the Supreme Court)
- If sightseeing is outside – go early or late to avoid the summer heat
- I wish we went to Philly when more places were open and available (Sunday was not the best day)
Other food recommendations:
Zatyinya restaurant – Ayran, bone marrow kibbeh, Turkish coffee chocolate cake
Ottoman tavern – Beyti Kebap
Ariake Japanese restaurant – Eel Cucumber Roll
Unconventional Diner – meatloaf and Lebanese fried rice, pot pie poppers
Ted’s bulletin – street fried corn
Honeymoon chicken – chicken poutine and/or chicken sandwich
Old Ebbitt Grill for dinner – fried oyster deviled eggs, oyster riot burger, melting thin mint dessert drink, and peanut butter pie
Avoid these:
The Baklava Pie at Gypsy Kitchen (an insult to Baklava everywhere)
The Kebab platter at Zaytinya (oddly spiced, a bit dry, and not worth eating)
Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken (expensive and meh food)
Tsehay Ethiopian Restaurant & Bar (overpriced food that wasn’t that great)
Other stats and thoughts:
- We tried out 24 unique restaurants/cafes
- We spent a day in Philadelphia and hit at least 3 tolls on our way from DC to Philly
- We took 15 Ubers and rode the bus twice
- Had to purchase large band-aids, Neosporin, and nail clippers that we didn’t bring
- We spent 4 nights in a hotel downtown and 5 nights at a house sit with two lovely Ragdolls just North of the city
Actual Spending for Dual Income No Kids Trip to DC, including a day trip to Philly
|
Category |
Spent |
% of trip cost |
|
Food, Snacks, Groceries, Consumables |
$1691 |
37% |
|
Airfare (United) |
$1150 |
25% |
|
Hotel 4 nights |
$844 |
18% |
|
Car Rental Avis 8 days |
$300 |
7% |
|
Parking & Tolls & gas |
$296 |
6% |
|
Transportation (Uber, bus) |
$241 |
5% |
|
Misc., Souvenirs |
$49 |
1% |
|
Entertainment – tourist activities |
$29 |
1% |
|
|
$4600 |
|
DC activities planning chart
|
Activity |
Notes |
Hours |
Cost |
In/Out |
|
White House |
Landmark, historic home & office of the United States president, with tours for visitors. 45-minute self-guided public tours must get timed entry 21-90 days advance notice for tours My rep: Michael T. McCaul |
Public tours are typically available from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday |
Free |
In |
|
Pentagon |
Tours requested 14-90 days in advance (booked up for the next 5 weeks so book 6+ weeks in advance) Fill out visitor registration form in advance (7 days prior) Tour is 60 minutes, 1.5 miles https://pfpa.experience.crmforce.mil/PortalTour/s/tour-creation |
10AM – 4PM Monday – Thursday, 12pm – 4PM Friday |
Free |
in |
|
Diplomatic Reception Room Tours |
Monday – Friday 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, and 2:45 PM Arrive 30 mins. Before tour |
|
Free |
in |
|
U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing |
Requires reservation |
|
Free |
|
|
The Kennedy Center |
https://www.kennedy-center.org/visit/Tour/ Daily tours every 15 minutes |
Mon. – Fri. 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Sat. & Sun. 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. |
Free |
In |
|
The Supreme Court |
https://www.supremecourt.gov/visiting/visiting.aspx Self-Guided Tours |
Monday – Friday (except Federal Holidays) 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Closed on Saturday and Sunday |
Free |
In |
|
Washington Monument |
A Landmark obelisk rising from the National Mall that honors America’s first president. |
9AM – 5PM |
$1 |
Out |
|
Lincoln Memorial |
Parthenon-inspired tribute to Abraham Lincoln with a 19-ft. marble statue, murals & reflecting pool. |
24 hours |
Free |
Out |
|
World War II Memorial |
An iconic outdoor memorial honoring the 16 million Americans who served during World War II.
|
24 hours |
Free |
Out |
|
National Mall |
Washington Monument plus memorials to Lincoln, MLK, FDR, WWII & Vietnam vets along a grassy mall. |
24 hours |
Free |
Out |
|
Vietnam/Korea Memorial |
Monument to Vietnam War service, featuring a wall with over 58,000 names of dead & missing soldiers.
|
24 hours |
Free |
Out |
|
MLK Jr. Memorial |
Memorial pays tribute to slain civil rights leader near where he delivered “I Have a Dream” speech. |
24 hours |
Free |
Out |
|
Smithsonian Air and Space Museum |
Museum documenting the history of aviation & space exploration, with displays of vehicles & more. |
10AM – 5:30PM |
Free |
In |
|
Smithsonian National Museum |
Artifact exhibits & modern interactive displays examine the history & culture of Native Americans. No tickets required |
10AM – 5:30PM |
Free |
In |
|
Washington National Cathedral |
Grand, storied cathedral with stained glass, organ recitals & scenic vistas from the top. https://cathedral.org/calendar/wind-down-wednesdays/
|
10AM – 3PM/5PM |
$15 |
In |
|
Planet Word |
19th-century building home to immersive exhibits & karaoke sessions dedicated to the spoken word. |
10AM – 4PM/5PM/6PM |
Free |
In |
|
The U.S. Capital and Library of Congress |
This federal cultural institution is the world’s biggest library & features tours, talks & concerts. Advance tickets are available 1 month at a time |
10AM – 5PM W/F/Sat/Tues 10AM – 8PM Thursday Closed Sunday-Monday |
Free |
In |
|
Union Market |
Warehouse-like food market with a host of artisans offering charcuterie, empanadas, gelato & more.
|
8AM – 9PM |
|
In |
|
National Archives Museum |
10AM – 5:30PM |
Free |
In |
|
|
9:30 Club |
Enduring, intimate rock concert venue with shows, dancing, a pub food menu & beer. |
Open 24 hours |
$25-$37 |
In |
|
Hirschhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden |
The sculpture garden closed atm |
10AM – 4:30PM |
Free |
In |
Further cost breakdown and schedule:
|
Day |
Date |
Location |
Type |
Description |
Price |
|
Friday |
7/26 |
NA |
Uber Bus |
Uber to airport |
$31 |
|
|
|
ATX airport |
Food |
Airport voucher meals |
$21 |
|
|
|
ATX to IAD |
Transportation |
Fly from AUS to DCA |
$1150 |
|
|
|
Avis IAD |
Transportation |
Car rental for 9 days |
$300 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Transportation |
Parking downtown in/out 4 days |
$169 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Hotel |
Hilton Garden Inn 4 nights |
$844 |
|
Saturday |
7/27 |
DCA |
Transportation |
Capital Bikeshare Day Pass x2 |
$16 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Entertainment |
Mega Lucario Raid Day |
$0 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Food |
Farmer’s Market Cocoi’s Taste of Philippines (guava donut, caramel flan donut, brown sugar drink, and sweet corn pudding) |
$27 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Food |
Farmer’s Market Turkish Baklava |
$7 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Food |
Zaytinya restaurant: still water, 2 semi-sweet Turkish coffee, Ayran, Sprite, karpuzi me feta, hunkar begendi, bone marrow kibbeh, kebab platter, and Turkish coffee chocolate cake |
$174 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Groceries |
WaWa: water, milk, OJ, and cookies |
$12 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Groceries |
Whole Foods: Allagash white beer and water |
$23 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Entertainment |
Bike around the White House, National Mall, Reflecting Pool, Washington Monument, World War II Memorial, Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, Korean War Veteran’s Memorial, MLK Memorial, and Lincoln Memorial |
$0 |
|
Sunday |
7/28 |
Philly |
Food |
Dunkin’ Iced Latte |
$5 |
|
|
|
Philly |
Transportation |
DCA to Philly tolls |
$13 |
|
|
|
Philly |
Transportation |
Rental car toll upcharge |
$24 |
|
|
|
Philly |
Transportation |
Hilton Garden Inn Garage for walking around the Reading Terminal Market |
$4 |
|
|
|
Philly |
Food |
Kamal’s Mediterranean (in the market) Halva milkshake, kibbi, and meat pie |
$27 |
|
|
|
Philly |
Transportation |
Rocky Steps and statue near parking |
$2.50 |
|
|
|
Philly |
Misc |
Rocky Gift shop shirt for Jon |
$33 |
|
|
|
Philly |
Transportation |
Autopark at Independence Mall |
$24 |
|
|
|
Philly |
Entertainment |
Independence Mall Visitor’s Center |
$0 |
|
|
|
Philly |
Entertainment |
Liberty Bell |
$0 |
|
|
|
Philly |
Uber Bus |
Uber to cheesesteak area |
$10 |
|
|
|
Philly |
Food |
Geno’s Steaks (fries and soda, cheesesteak cash only) |
$27 |
|
|
|
Philly |
Groceries |
Supermarket drinks |
$6 |
|
|
|
Philly |
Food |
Pat’s cheesesteak for small fish cake and original cheesesteak) |
$21 |
|
|
|
Philly |
Uber Bus |
Uber back to the parked ca |
$10 |
|
|
|
Philly |
Transportation |
Drive DC to Philly |
$0 |
|
|
|
Philly |
Food |
Dunkin for coolatta and donut |
$8 |
|
Monday |
7/29 |
DCA |
Food |
Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken (4 donuts – Crème Brulee, Chocolate, PB&J, and jelly-filled along with a fried chicken biscuit $38.62) |
$39 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Food |
Gong Cha Early Grey and Milk tea with boba ($15.02) |
$15 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Food |
6PM reservation Unconventional Diner $108.92 |
$109 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Food |
Dolccezza gelato ($18) |
$18 |
|
Tuesday |
7/30 |
DCA |
House Sit |
House sit |
$0 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Food |
Elle brunch (quiche, latte, goat cheesecake, Reuben sandwich ($66.56 |
$67 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Transportation |
Drive to Trader Joe’s |
$0 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Food |
Ted’s Bulletin for dinner (truffle mac n cheese, fried calamari, shrimp tacos, and crab cakes benedict for ~$71 |
$71 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Groceries |
Trader Joe’s groceries ($34.21) |
$34 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Entertainment |
6:45PM – 7:45PM POLETRY INT/ADV ($28.62) |
$29 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Groceries |
CVS for supplies $18.50 |
$19 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Uber Bus |
Uber home $9.22 |
$9 |
|
Wednesday |
7/31 |
DCA |
Food |
Honeymoon Chicken for lunch (~$100 for 2-piece chicken tenders with rolls, chicken sandwich, mac n’ cheese, chicken poutine, and lobster sliders) |
$100 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Uber Bus |
Uber downtown ($13.70) |
$14 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Food |
Old Ebbitt Grill for dinner ($157.50 for 2 raw oysters, fried oyster deviled eggs, crab cake single, oyster riot burger, Irish coffee, melting thin mint, and peanut butter pie) |
$158 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Uber Bus |
Uber Home ($12) |
$12 |
|
Thursday |
8/1 |
DCA |
Uber Bus |
Bus to dinner ($2.25×2) |
$5 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Food |
Café Divan dinner |
$136 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Entertainment |
AMC movie |
$0 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Uber Bus |
Uber back home $11 |
$11 |
|
Friday |
8/2 |
DCA |
Food |
La Tejana 6 tacos for $24 ($26.40) |
$26 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Food |
Tsehay Ethiopian Restaurant & Bar $53 (Ye Belay (Superior) Medium Rare / Leb leb and Injera |
$53 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Food |
DC Boba $22 (sea salt coffee and bubble milk tea) |
$22 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Uber Bus |
Uber to dinner |
$7 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Food |
Lullabelle’s waiting for dinner affogato |
$7 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Food |
Entitlement Lounge waiting for dinner drinks Dark and smoky and 829 mojito |
$23 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Food |
Menya hosaki karaage, tonkotsu, and tantan |
$64 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Groceries |
Yes! Organic Market for dried fruit and 2 pints of Mcallan’s ice cream (peanut butter and vanilla) |
$24 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Uber Bus |
Uber back to house sit |
$9 |
|
Saturday |
8/3 |
DCA |
Uber Bus |
Bus downtown |
$5 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Entertainment |
Smithsonian museum of natural history |
$0 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Misc. |
Gift shop fry bread and milk chocolate chips |
$16 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Entertainment |
Sculpture garden |
$0 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Food |
Gordon pizza |
$55 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Uber Bus |
Uber to Dolcezza |
$7 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Food |
Dolcezza affogato x2 |
$22 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Uber Bus |
Uber home |
$12 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Uber Bus |
Uber to dinner |
$28 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Food |
Ottoman tavern for Icli Kofte, raki, Ayran, and Beyti Kebap |
$81 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Uber Bus |
Uber to Gypsy Kitchen |
$11 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Food |
Gypsy Kitchen Gypsy Dragon drink and Baklava pie we didn’t like and didn’t eat |
$30 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Food |
Ted’s Bulletin for a Glazed Donut |
$5 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Uber Bus |
Uber home |
$12 |
|
Sunday |
|
DCA |
Transportation |
Gas at Exxon |
$43 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Food |
Ariake Japanese restaurant Lion King Roll, Eel Cucumber Roll, Ariake Roll, Rainbow Roll, Dragon Roll, Super Dynamite Roll |
$145 |
|
|
|
DCA |
Food |
Airport snack Dunkin’ 2 donuts and an iced coffee |
$10 |
|
|
|
ATX |
Uber Bus |
Uber Airport to home |
$48 |
Rachel Author Barnard 