City Guide: Family Trip to DC!
as an eldest daughter who does way too much research
This was my first time in DC playing tourist. It’s been on my list of places I could move to after London even though I haven’t spent much time in DC proper as an adult. I have family in Virginia and the surrounding areas of DC but of course visiting family has never been the same as visiting a city with the thought of living there. This was a way to see DC through a different lens. It was also the week that the cherry blossoms bloom, lucky us!! A sea of pink and white trees!!? What more could an original Pinterest lover need? Huge shoutout to Japanese magnolias too because they were in bloom and they are stunning.
Overall I was pleasantly surprised. We stayed in Georgetown for the charm and charm we got! Georgetown’s historical row homes reminded me so much of London. As a note, early morning on the weekday was the best time to explore.
Below are my favorites from the trip. If you’re a paid subscriber (thank you!) you’ll also receive access to my exact itinerary and the template I made so you can create your own. Enjoy!
Welcome to DC!
For Drinks: Jane Jane
Jane Jane is a TikTok find. I get iffy about these just incase it gets too popular and turns into a tourist overflow. It was busy, not touristy, and the drinks were tasty. The side of Cheez-Its were a bonus lil snacky snack. The decor is funky and aesthetic with nude sketches of bodies in the bathroom, an embroidered “please don’t do coke in the bathroom” sign that looks like your grandma made it, and moody hues filling the bar. The staff was friendly and patient. It’s the perfect pre-dinner drinks spot. It’s on 14th street which has multiple cocktail bars and leads us to dinner at Le Diplomate!
For Dinner: Le Diplomate
OOoooooh how do I even start with this one? I loved Le Diplomate. I tried not to have high expectations because I had heard so much about it and I thought it might ruin it. Well, it was incredible. This was the most perfect date night spot for my birthday dinner with my boyfriend. My parents joined us for this trip a day later so enjoyed this one for ourselves. They gave us little cheese biscuits topped with caviar for a complimentary sharing nibble. We got the escargot for an appetizer which was delicious (because it’s mainly garlic and butter of course!!!). We also enjoyed the steak frites and scallop entrees and decided to split them both between us. They did a great job of pre-splitting. I keep telling people how it was so busy and buzzing in the restaurant but I had no trouble at all hearing which helped seal the deal for me.
For History: African American History Museum
The new African American History Museum is truly something special. It’s a transformational project that continues to build. Starting at the very bottom floor and working it’s way up floor levels in chronological order. I expected to spent 1-1.5hrs here and we spent double that. There is a wide range of feelings that comes with learning even more deeply about my own background in a place where others are clearly interested to learn too. There’s so much sadness in the past that seeps into our lives as a culture now. There’s layers of unfairness, hope, faith. There’s pride and joy in so many of the more recent stories of athletic achievements and black entertainment. There’s happiness and love in the music and fashion. You can get a little bit of everything here. I was very impressed. Highly recommend.
For Fresh Air: Dumbarton Oaks Gardens
I recognize this was probably one of the best times to go. The cherry blossoms were showing off. It’s easy to book and I don’t think it was expensive? If not, free? There’s not a ton to say about this other than, it’s beautiful and it’s a great filler if you have a family that can’t sit down.
For Sightseeing:
My first bus tour ever was with my dad in Ireland. This was my second. We did the Monuments & Memorials sunset bus tour (linked here). I liked it all the same. It was a bit windy but I find the sunset bus tour the perfect activity with parents because you’ve escaped the heat of the day, there’s little to no walking for those that need a rest, and you get a lot done in a short amount of time. DC has so many monuments and it’s flooded with history. We had limited time and by this time, we were tired. So it was perfect! The guide gave us headphones to plug into our seats and learn more about each monument we passed. They stopped at the most popular spots so we could get out, stretch our legs, and take photos. Cheat code: we actually hopped off early because we saw all the monuments we wanted to see and I realized the bus was closer to our hotel than it’s end point would be. We were all happy with that decision. Definitely recommend.
Okay, that rounds up my absolute faves.
I highly recommend booking anything that may need to be booked, especially if it doesn’t require a credit card hold. You’d be surprised how quickly things book up. Especially on the weekend.
I also recommend the metro at least once. It’s easy to navigate, inexpensive, and saves your feet!
Below I have included our actual itinerary. **Saturday is a little different than our Saturday was because we ended up doing something for our extended family. However, the rest is what we did. I’ve also included the template for this itinerary so you can make your own adjustments and send the family a schedule if you’re like me. Acts of service is my love language so I love doing this for family and friends. Even if it does get a little stressful at times. Hopefully the links below will help you prep a fantastic trip for the next time you’re in the Capitol.
A note to my subscribers: Hi! To view the DC itinerary I’ve created and the *downloadable template* please consider becoming a paid subscriber. Paid subscribers get full in-depth city guides with links, early access to events and future announcements, and additional content. Paid subscribers will receive at minimum one specialty piece per month. I appreciate and understand that while the economy is looking a little bleak, my paid subscription is the equivalent of a cup of coffee or two depending on where you live. It helps support me to do what I love to do and encourages me to continue doing it. It’s a craft I’d love to continue and appreciate all of your support. It’s been just over 6 months since opening this newsletter and I feel growth and joy each time I write. And to my current paid subscribers, I hope to never let you down. I feel so blessed to be invited into your inbox each week with whatever I’ve got on my mind. Thank you so much! Until next time xx Katie.
See below for the goods: