Locals know the difference between Washington and DC. The latter is a city made up of neighborhoods, where people live and visit, where restaurants and pubs buzz, where cabs are hailed, hotels are busy, and friends laugh. No politics. No power plays. No problem. There’s so much to love about each one of DC’s neighborhoods. Get familiar with the lay of the land and find your place in DC.
DC Cycling Concierge
The best way to see and explore Washington DC and the region is by bike. And the best way to bike the city and region is with the DC Cycling Concierge! Let the DC Cycling Concierge customize a bicycle ride to meet your goals and fit your schedule.
Want a casual ride exploring the city and region and seeing awesome sights? Perfect! There are lots of great options and themes that will reveal the sights and history of DC you didn’t know existed. Want to go for a road ride or paved trail ride to get in a great workout? The DC Cycling Concierge can do that too! His motto is “Your Ride, Your Pace.” No worrying about getting lost, getting back late, or missing the local scoop. Discover cool sights and destinations off the beaten path with a knowledgeable local who happens to be a nationally-known bike expert. Enjoy the flexibility and VIP attention of a private guided bike ride with the DC Cycling Concierge.
The DC Cycling Concierge will meet you at your hotel or wherever you are staying and lead you on a safe and fun ride. Need a bike? Not a problem, he can also arrange the best bikes and helmets to be delivered.
DC is a top city for biking and one of the best in the world. Ride like a local, with a local, and learn about the amazing history and sights of our nations capital! Let the DC Cycling Concierge handle all the details so you can focus on a great experience! https://washington.org/find-dc-listings/dc-cycling-concierge
Be a real detective at the International Spy Museum
All is not what it seems. At the International Spy Museum, there’s something for the spy in all of us.
Gain access to the world’s largest collection of international espionage artifacts. Through interactive exhibits with state-of-the-art audiovisual effects, film and hands-on components, the International Spy Museum traces the evolution of espionage through the people who practice the profession and provides a context for guests to interpret the role intelligence plays in current events. The Museum’s permanent exhibition presents the tradecraft of espionage and showcases the ingenuity and imagination of real-life spies and spymasters.
Guests adopt a cover, break codes, identify disguised spies, and become the subjects of covert surveillance throughout their visit. Through intense interactive experiences and immersive environments, the Museum examines actual events, reveals true stories, and presents hundreds of authentic tools of the spy trade. https://washington.org/find-dc-listings/international-spy-museum Rate Type: $13-30
Go food tasting as a local with Carpe DC
Come taste the district as you eat your way through DC’s iconic neighborhoods with Carpe DC Food Tours! Get away from the “Do Not Touch” signs in the museums and museum fatigue and get connected to Washington DC through all five of your senses. Carpe DC Food Tours give you a six-course meal that highlights the heritage of the District’s unique neighborhoods. Tour guests always end on a full stomach and with loads of knowledge about the role DC and its residents played in shaping our nation’s history and culture. You’ll also get a great tour book that is full of local discounts, restaurant suggestions, and fascinating things to see and do-perfect for your locals and tourists! https://washington.org/find-dc-listings/carpe-dc-food-tours?cid=3072
Check out ARTECHOUSE that combines art with technology
At the crossroads of art, science and technology, ARTECHOUSE brings a true 21st century art experience to the nation’s capital.
Opened in June 2017, ARTECHOUSE is a first-of-its-kind innovative art space dedicated to showcasing experiential and immersive large scale installations by artists who are forerunners of the new age in arts and technology.
Through bringing art, science, technology and creativity together, their goal is to create immersive, sensory art experiences and a digital playground for all ages. Celebrating these ideas through art, music and innovation, this multipurpose art space invites participants of all ages to immerse themselves into the world of digital art while exploring multi-sensory installations, as well as new cultural and artistic experiences using the latest technology.
**Artechouse offers a unique space with evolving exhibitions that transform the space throughout the year. No one experience is the same.**
CAMP at the LINE DC
CAMP at the LINE is a rooftop event series from James Beard Award-winning Chef Spike Gjerde and Corey Polyoka of A Rake’s Progress. An escape from the city, CAMP takes inspiration from Summer and Fall travels with friends and family, downtime well spent over local food, local beers, and – of course – the LINE’s panoramic rooftop view of Washington, DC.
CAMP is held in support of a lineup of our favorite community and cultural organizations, with $5 per guest going towards their work and mission.
The bar will be cold, the snacks will be endless, and with morning, afternoon, and evening hours in full effect, CAMP at the LINE is something to write home about. CAMP is in session from August 25 until October 20th, and registration is now open. https://www.thelinehotel.com/dc/summer2019/#campattheline?utm_source=washingtonorg&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=camp-line-dc
Enjoy (or join in) the drum circle at Meridian Hill Park
Feel the beat of a local tradition: Head to Meridian Hill Park near U Street and Columbia Heights on Sunday afternoons (weather-permitting) to witness the famous drum circle, a fixture in the park for more than 40 years. People from a range of backgrounds flock to this gathering to hear thudding drum beats and dancing. You’re free to join in, too!
The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays
December 3, 2019 – December 8, 2019
Ring in the holidays with the mind-blowing spectacular THE ILLUSIONISTS – MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS, showcasing the jaw-dropping talents of the most incredible illusionists on earth. THE ILLUSIONISTS has shattered box office records across the globe and dazzles audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever seen on stage. This nonstop show is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions. https://washington.org/event/illusionists-magic-holidays
Enjoy a concert at The Wharf
The Wharf features three pristine music venues that add to DC’s already robust roster. The Anthem is an acoustically optimized, 6,000-seat concert hall that brings pure bliss to music lovers. Pearl Street Warehouse is more intimate, letting you and your date enjoy the artist up close while savoring all-American dinner fare, craft brews and cocktails. There’s also Union Stage, a dynamic spot that offers a packed calendar with a wide range of independent acts paired perfectly with beers and pizza from their Tap Room.
Enjoy a free performance at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage
If you’re dating on a budget and want to enjoy a show, head to the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, which hosts free performances every evening at 6 p.m. Acts are wide-ranging; one night, you can catch the National Symphony Orchestra; the other, a poetry slam. The Kennedy Center also offers deep discounts to patrons ages 18-30 and members of the armed services through its MyTix program.
Sip on local brews
The District has many beer-centric pubs where kids feel welcome, and adults get to sample from an impressive selection of local, national and international brews.
City Tap House in Chinatown is known as a gastropub, because the dining room serves top-notch, family friendly fare along with 40 draft beers. If you love Belgian beer, treat yourself to Brasserie Beck. The upscale restaurant carries more than 100 Belgian beers, including Chef Robert Wiedmaier’s own Antigoon brew.
On the Capitol Riverfront, Bluejacket provides beer lovers with an expansive range of lagers and ales, as well as kid-friendly starters and sandwiches.
