6 Things To Do On A Girl’s Trip To Washington DC

1. National Mall

I know it seems a bit cliche, but this was my friend’s first trip to DC and I wanted to make sure that she saw as much as she could in the time allotted. With a little walking you can see a ton of monuments and get some great pictures.*TIP TIME: Go first thing in the morning. We went right at 9:30 am when parking opens up on the streets between the National Mall and The White House. We pulled right into a spot on the street and didn’t have to move the whole time we were in downtown. There was hardly anyone else there so all of our pictures are of us without other tourists milling about.

2. Smithsonian (Any)

A short walk away from the National Mall are several Smithsonian museums. We chose one and we walked around for a while. They are always changing the setup and putting new things out so it is like a new museum every time I go. We were able to walk and talk for a couple of hours and visit while we looked at the different exhibits. We live in Utah so when we saw a big exhibit on Latter Day Saints we had someone take our picture with it.

3. Alexandria Pastry Shop Cafe

Oh. My. Gosh. This place is so good. Not only do they have hot and cold sandwiches with tons of salads and sides, but they also have a great breakfast menu with both hot and cold options. The best part is the walk in side of the eatery where you can get to-go pastries, fruit, and desserts. Just 5 – 10 minute drive from the National Mall and you can have a perfect breakfast, brunch, or lunch. Most days you will see the owner Tom serving up fresh sandwiches and salads for lunch and making suggestions to customers looking for the perfect coffee break treat.

4. Take A Drive Through Wine Country

Did you know that just 40 minutes outside of DC is great wine country? Enjoy one of many winery tours. Located near DC and throughout in Northern Virginia, winery tours are accessible and offer a multitude of touring options. Not to mention the beauty that surrounds the wineries. Holly was here just a week after the trees “peaked” for the fall, but it was still a beautiful drive out to Harpers Ferry, and back to DC.

5. National Harbor

National Harbor has so much to do. “Come on a Whim, Stay for the Day” is what it says on their website. You really can do that. Between the outlet mall just around the corner, the pier with boats and a sandy beach area, and all of the shops and restaurants it is easy to go for lunch and spend the rest of the day exploring. We spent a whole afternoon/evening there. We found an awesome restaurant for a late lunch followed by shopping, riding the Capital Wheel, and walking through the Gaylord Hotel.

6. Busboys And Poets

After staying out late and then partying until morning you will need a good breakfast to fuel the rest of your weekend. Just down the block from our hotel we found this amazing spot to eat. (The name Busboys and Poets refers to American poet Langston Hughes, who worked as a busboy at the Wardman Park Hotel in the 1920’s, prior to gaining recognition as a poet.) Breakfast is served daily until 11 am, so there is no need to get up early. They can have a bit of a wait on the weekend so don’t show up too late. They have lots of great options including vegetarian and vegan meals. Plus, they double as a store where you can find lots to read.

Hopefully I gave you at least one new idea of something to do on your next trip to DC.