Bianka’s guidebook
Neighborhoods
Historic area on the Potomac River. Lined with restaurants and boutique shops. Potomac River water taxi available here. Can take you to Georgetown Waterfront, The Wharf, and National Harbor.
See: https://www.potomacriverboatco.com/water-taxi/
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Old Town
Historic area on the Potomac River. Lined with restaurants and boutique shops. Potomac River water taxi available here. Can take you to Georgetown Waterfront, The Wharf, and National Harbor.
See: https://www.potomacriverboatco.com/water-taxi/
M Street has many restaurants, here you will find the famous Georgetown Cupcakes which is always busy. Many stores, usually a lot more expensive since it is a tourist area. There is a historic canal and restaurant area along the Potomac River at the Georgetown Waterfront. There is also kayak and paddleboard rentals available here at Thompson's. Potomac River water taxi available here. Can take you to the Wharf and Old Town Alexandria.
See: https://www.thewashingtonharbour.com/
Water Taxi: https://www.potomacriverboatco.com/water-taxi/
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Georgetown
M Street has many restaurants, here you will find the famous Georgetown Cupcakes which is always busy. Many stores, usually a lot more expensive since it is a tourist area. There is a historic canal and restaurant area along the Potomac River at the Georgetown Waterfront. There is also kayak and paddleboard rentals available here at Thompson's. Potomac River water taxi available here. Can take you to the Wharf and Old Town Alexandria.
See: https://www.thewashingtonharbour.com/
Water Taxi: https://www.potomacriverboatco.com/water-taxi/
Area within walking distance of our house. Has restaurants with outdoor seating offering a variety of foods, boutiques, a grocery store, CVS, and movie theater. Can walk along 4 mile run canal.
Aroma - Indian
Carlye - New American
Copperwood Tavern - New American
Dak Chicken - Korean chicken
Damn Good Burger - Burgers and Shakes
Dudley's - Sports bar
Guapos - Tex-Mex
Ichiban - Japanese/Sushi
Moby Dick - Middle Eastern/Kebab
Osteria - Italian
Palette 22 - New American
Robeks - Juice and Smoothies
Samuel Beckett's - Irish pub
Taco + Pina - Mexican
Thai at Shirlington - Thai
Yogi Castle - Frozen yogurt
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Shirlington
Area within walking distance of our house. Has restaurants with outdoor seating offering a variety of foods, boutiques, a grocery store, CVS, and movie theater. Can walk along 4 mile run canal.
Aroma - Indian
Carlye - New American
Copperwood Tavern - New American
Dak Chicken - Korean chicken
Damn Good Burger - Burgers and Shakes
Dudley's - Sports bar
Guapos - Tex-Mex
Ichiban - Japanese/Sushi
Moby Dick - Middle Eastern/Kebab
Osteria - Italian
Palette 22 - New American
Robeks - Juice and Smoothies
Samuel Beckett's - Irish pub
Taco + Pina - Mexican
Thai at Shirlington - Thai
Yogi Castle - Frozen yogurt
The Wharf Marina has been recently developed. Has nice boardwalk lined with restaurants, shops, etc. Within walking distance of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. Plenty of seafood! Potomac River boat tours are available here.
The Wharf: https://www.wharfdc.com/
Water Taxi: https://www.potomacriverboatco.com/water-taxi/
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Southwest Waterfront
The Wharf Marina has been recently developed. Has nice boardwalk lined with restaurants, shops, etc. Within walking distance of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. Plenty of seafood! Potomac River boat tours are available here.
The Wharf: https://www.wharfdc.com/
Water Taxi: https://www.potomacriverboatco.com/water-taxi/
Tanger Outlet Mall, MGM Casino, Gaylord Convention Center, Topgolf, lots of restaurants, a Ferris wheel ($15), Air Force One Replica ($20). Potomac River water taxi available here from Old Town Alexandria. There are also other water sport activities available here.
See: https://www.nationalharbor.com/
Water Taxi: https://www.potomacriverboatco.com/water-taxi/
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National Harbor
165 Waterfront StTanger Outlet Mall, MGM Casino, Gaylord Convention Center, Topgolf, lots of restaurants, a Ferris wheel ($15), Air Force One Replica ($20). Potomac River water taxi available here from Old Town Alexandria. There are also other water sport activities available here.
See: https://www.nationalharbor.com/
Water Taxi: https://www.potomacriverboatco.com/water-taxi/
Shopping
Large mall, newly renovated. Usually packed, depending on season has lots of school tourist groups.
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Fashion Centre at Pentagon City
1100 S Hayes StLarge mall, newly renovated. Usually packed, depending on season has lots of school tourist groups.
Outdoor outlet mall across the river. Right behind the MGM Casino and National Harbor. Lots of stores at discounted prices.
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Tanger Outlets National Harbor
6800 Oxon Hill RdOutdoor outlet mall across the river. Right behind the MGM Casino and National Harbor. Lots of stores at discounted prices.
Another outdoor outlet mall, further away but has a few more higher end outlets.
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Leesburg Premium Outlets
241 Fort Evans Rd NEAnother outdoor outlet mall, further away but has a few more higher end outlets.
Factory outlet mall surrounded by many other stores/restaurants. Very busy area.
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Potomac Mills
2700 Potomac Mills CirFactory outlet mall surrounded by many other stores/restaurants. Very busy area.
High end mall. Lots of other stores in the surrounding area.
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Tysons Galleria Shopping Center
2001 International DrHigh end mall. Lots of other stores in the surrounding area.
Sightseeing
Free, due to high demand best to get tour reservation
See: https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/plan-visit/book-tour-capitol
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Kapitol
First Street SoutheastFree, due to high demand best to get tour reservation
See: https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/plan-visit/book-tour-capitol
Thomas Jefferson Memorial Bookstore
16 E Basin Dr SWFree
$1 tickets to ascend to top, can reserve up to 90 days in advance. Same day tickets available on first come first serve basis starting 8:30AM.
See: https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/234635
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Washington Monument
2 15th St NW$1 tickets to ascend to top, can reserve up to 90 days in advance. Same day tickets available on first come first serve basis starting 8:30AM.
See: https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/234635
Lincoln-Denkmal
2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NWFree
National World War II Memorial
1750 Independence Ave SWFree
Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NWVietnam Veterans Memorial
5 Henry Bacon Dr NWKorean War Veterans Memorial
900 Ohio Dr SWMartin-Luther-King-Nationaldenkmal
1964 Independence Ave SWFranklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
1850 West Basin Dr SWNational 9/11 Pentagon Memorial
1 N Rotary RdAdmission is $18. Open every day. Great view of the area from the top!
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George Washington Masonic National Memorial
101 Callahan DrAdmission is $18. Open every day. Great view of the area from the top!
Beautiful Japanese Cherry Blossom bloom all around the Tidal Basin. Usually late March to mid April. Also corresponds with many other local events such as the annual Blossom Kite Festival on the National Mall (March 28th).
See: https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/all-events/
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National Cherry Blossom Festival
900 Constitution Avenue NorthwestBeautiful Japanese Cherry Blossom bloom all around the Tidal Basin. Usually late March to mid April. Also corresponds with many other local events such as the annual Blossom Kite Festival on the National Mall (March 28th).
See: https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/all-events/
Great views especially during the spring. Paddle boats available for $20/hr-$36/hr.
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Tidal Basin
20245 National DrGreat views especially during the spring. Paddle boats available for $20/hr-$36/hr.
Free self-tour. Mornings only. Must be reserved at least 21 days ahead of schedule with one's Member of Congress. Non-US citizens can schedule tour with their embassy.
See: https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/tours-events/
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The White House South Lawn
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NWFree self-tour. Mornings only. Must be reserved at least 21 days ahead of schedule with one's Member of Congress. Non-US citizens can schedule tour with their embassy.
See: https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/tours-events/
Nature
Island located in the middle of the Potomac River. Parking available on-site. No biking. Free.
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Theodore Roosevelt Island
Island located in the middle of the Potomac River. Parking available on-site. No biking. Free.
The falls and rushing waters of the Potomac River. Excellent outdoor location with views and a park. About a 30 min drive.
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Great Falls Park
9200 Old Dominion DrThe falls and rushing waters of the Potomac River. Excellent outdoor location with views and a park. About a 30 min drive.
All sorts of gardens including Bonzi, Magnolias, Dogwoods, Boxwoods, Azaleas, Herbs, etc. Really beautiful destination during the spring. People bring blankets and have picnics here.
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United States National Arboretum
3501 New York Ave NEAll sorts of gardens including Bonzi, Magnolias, Dogwoods, Boxwoods, Azaleas, Herbs, etc. Really beautiful destination during the spring. People bring blankets and have picnics here.
University
Georgetown University
3700 O St NWThe George Washington University School of Business
2201 G St NWAmerican University
4400 Massachusetts Ave NWGeorge Mason University
4400 University DrMarymount University
2807 N Glebe RdHoward University
2400 6th St NWHappy Hour Deals
1/2 price sushi everyday from 3:00PM-6:00PM and 11:00PM to closing. Very fresh. Great American food as well.
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The Hamilton
600 14th St NW1/2 price sushi everyday from 3:00PM-6:00PM and 11:00PM to closing. Very fresh. Great American food as well.
1/2 price cocktails and oysters, less than $6 bar bites and sandwiches. Every day from 2:30PM-6:30PM. Can see some politicians here!
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Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
750 15th St NW1/2 price cocktails and oysters, less than $6 bar bites and sandwiches. Every day from 2:30PM-6:30PM. Can see some politicians here!
Ambar Clarendon
2901 Wilson Blvd$5 plates - Balkan food
Near the house. Select $4 sushi rolls, $6 cocktails, $8 special rolls.
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Ichiban Sushi & Ramen - Arlington
4251 Campbell AveNear the house. Select $4 sushi rolls, $6 cocktails, $8 special rolls.
Crystal City location. Sun-Fri 4:30PM-7:00PM, $4 beer, $9 cocktails and full sized appetizers. Great views of the DC area!
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Ruth's Chris Steak House
2231 Crystal DrCrystal City location. Sun-Fri 4:30PM-7:00PM, $4 beer, $9 cocktails and full sized appetizers. Great views of the DC area!
Authentic Japanese BBQ chain. 1/2 price alcohol, $1 off appetizers, happy hour special $50 for 2. Very high quality meats and veggies given that you grill. Also get salads, miso soup, edamame, and rice.
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
1119 N Hudson StAuthentic Japanese BBQ chain. 1/2 price alcohol, $1 off appetizers, happy hour special $50 for 2. Very high quality meats and veggies given that you grill. Also get salads, miso soup, edamame, and rice.
Food scene near us
Restaurants that are within walking distance
Near the house. Great lunch special. Good food, especially the curry, and nice outdoor seating during the Spring/Summer.
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T.H.A.I. In Shirlington
4029 Campbell AveNear the house. Great lunch special. Good food, especially the curry, and nice outdoor seating during the Spring/Summer.
Near the house. Complementary salsa and chips. Make sure to ask for the salsa verde if you like spicy! Freshly made tortillas and guacamole. Very fast service and good food. Great outdoor seating in the Spring/Summer, can get very busy! Has a $3 Taco Tuesday special.
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Guapo's Restaurant
4028 Campbell AveNear the house. Complementary salsa and chips. Make sure to ask for the salsa verde if you like spicy! Freshly made tortillas and guacamole. Very fast service and good food. Great outdoor seating in the Spring/Summer, can get very busy! Has a $3 Taco Tuesday special.
Less than 5 min walk from the house, nice outdoor seating. Has great lunch special - 3 rolls for $12.95. Rolls are a good size and very fresh!
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Sushi Jin Next Door
8555 Fenton StLess than 5 min walk from the house, nice outdoor seating. Has great lunch special - 3 rolls for $12.95. Rolls are a good size and very fresh!
Less than 5 min walk from the house with outdoor seating. American food, great for breakfast/brunch.
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Silver Diner
4400 Wilson BlvdLess than 5 min walk from the house with outdoor seating. American food, great for breakfast/brunch.