Emily's Guidebook
Food Scene
Great, fresh ingredients and food packed with flavor. My favorites are the red curry with tofu and the shrimp hotpot with noodles, but so much is delicious. They deliver, but it is usually an hour wait, so plan ahead.
13 Einheimische empfehlen
Kao Thai Restaurant
8650 Colesville RdGreat, fresh ingredients and food packed with flavor. My favorites are the red curry with tofu and the shrimp hotpot with noodles, but so much is delicious. They deliver, but it is usually an hour wait, so plan ahead.
Peruvian chicken is juicy and flavorful and the family platters are a great deal. Everything is a hit with the kids, but especially the rice & beans and plantains. Takeout is best.
14 Einheimische empfehlen
Crisp & Juicy
4540 Lee HwyPeruvian chicken is juicy and flavorful and the family platters are a great deal. Everything is a hit with the kids, but especially the rice & beans and plantains. Takeout is best.
Best pupusas in the DMV. Get the Vegemixtas, which are cheese, beans, and loroco, a Salvadoran green edible flower bud.
14 Einheimische empfehlen
La Casita Pupuseria & Market
8214 Piney Branch RdBest pupusas in the DMV. Get the Vegemixtas, which are cheese, beans, and loroco, a Salvadoran green edible flower bud.
A new, trendy brewery with a nice outdoor space and games when the weather is nice.
10 Einheimische empfehlen
Silver Branch Brewing Company
8401 Colesville RoadA new, trendy brewery with a nice outdoor space and games when the weather is nice.
Outdoor Activities
Great year-round Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings. Covered, outdoor skating rink on Veteran's Plaza October through March. Water fountain for kids to play in during the summertime. Often has street musicians.
21 Einheimische empfehlen
Downtown Silver Spring
916 Ellsworth DrGreat year-round Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings. Covered, outdoor skating rink on Veteran's Plaza October through March. Water fountain for kids to play in during the summertime. Often has street musicians.
Brookside gardens and nature center butts up against Wheaton Regional Park, all of which are great for hiking and playing. About a 10 minute drive north.
73 Einheimische empfehlen
Brookside Gardens
1800 Glenallan AveBrookside gardens and nature center butts up against Wheaton Regional Park, all of which are great for hiking and playing. About a 10 minute drive north.
DC Museums
All National Smithsonian Museums are FREE! There are too many for just one visit, but here are a couple of my faves.
This is an amazing museum, hard to see all in one visit. In addition to the amazing information and artifacts, there is so much symbolism and opportunities for reflection in the architecture of the building. The cafeteria has a celebration of food from the African diaspora and is delicious.
You need a (free) timed pass for the weekends, but can go without a pass on the weekdays. The only day of the year they are closed is Dec. 25th.
451 Einheimische empfehlen
National Museum of African American History and Culture
1400 Constitution Ave. NWThis is an amazing museum, hard to see all in one visit. In addition to the amazing information and artifacts, there is so much symbolism and opportunities for reflection in the architecture of the building. The cafeteria has a celebration of food from the African diaspora and is delicious.
You need a (free) timed pass for the weekends, but can go without a pass on the weekdays. The only day of the year they are closed is Dec. 25th.
This museum is great. They have traditional events in the atrium and the artifacts included in the collections are beautiful. I haven't seen the whole museum because we spend the majority of our time in the kids area, which is one of the best!
196 Einheimische empfehlen
National Museum of the American Indian
4th Street SouthwestThis museum is great. They have traditional events in the atrium and the artifacts included in the collections are beautiful. I haven't seen the whole museum because we spend the majority of our time in the kids area, which is one of the best!
This is such a comprehensive natural history museum, and they recently opened a new dinosaur and fossil wing, which is amazing. There are great activities for kids, including a butterfly pavilion and hands-on demonstrations by museum staff.
647 Einheimische empfehlen
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
10th St. & Constitution Ave. NWThis is such a comprehensive natural history museum, and they recently opened a new dinosaur and fossil wing, which is amazing. There are great activities for kids, including a butterfly pavilion and hands-on demonstrations by museum staff.
This is one of my favorite museums and older kids (over 5) can find short trips there interesting. We make a point to stop to view the presidential portraits and the exhibits always have interesting social commentary and are usually interactive. The gem of this museum is their glass-roofed atrium in the middle of the building. It has floor-level fountains, tables, and green plants and is a wonderful place to relax and let the children run a bit.
365 Einheimische empfehlen
National Portrait Gallery
This is one of my favorite museums and older kids (over 5) can find short trips there interesting. We make a point to stop to view the presidential portraits and the exhibits always have interesting social commentary and are usually interactive. The gem of this museum is their glass-roofed atrium in the middle of the building. It has floor-level fountains, tables, and green plants and is a wonderful place to relax and let the children run a bit.
Great modern art museum and sculpture garden. A mini reprise of the infinity mirrors (Yayoi Kusama) are coming back April 4th-Sept 20, 2020. You need to get there early to get a timed pass for the exhibition. The rest of the museum doesn't need a pass. Check ahead on the website for activities for kids. They have lots of options for small children, too.
230 Einheimische empfehlen
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
7th Street SouthwestGreat modern art museum and sculpture garden. A mini reprise of the infinity mirrors (Yayoi Kusama) are coming back April 4th-Sept 20, 2020. You need to get there early to get a timed pass for the exhibition. The rest of the museum doesn't need a pass. Check ahead on the website for activities for kids. They have lots of options for small children, too.
Tipps für Reisende
Verkehrsmittel
If possible, avoid driving
To get in to DC, it is easy to take the metro. The National Mall is walk-able from several metro stops. The Smithsonian stop is ON the mall, with L'Enfant Plaza to the south and Judiciary Square, Archives, and Federal Triangle to the north. Union Station is about a 15 minute walk to the Capitol Building and Foggy Bottom is at the other end of the Mall, north of the Lincoln Memorial. Even Chinatown is walk-able, due north on 7th Ave NW.
There are ride-shares, scooters and bikes for rent, and with limited parking, these are great options. If you must park, I would recommend street parking.