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Washington D.C. is filled with white buildings—so much so that the White House itself nearly blends in with the rest (seriously, I almost mistook an Apple store for part of the White House!). The city is charming, quiet, businesslike, and family-oriented. It might be less appealing for younger couples, but two days is plenty of time to explore the city (excluding all the museums, which would require an additional full day). If you rent a car, a short drive to the stunning Shenandoah National Park in Virginia is highly recommended.
Getting There
Washington D.C. has two airports. It’s best to fly into DCA (Washington Ronald Reagan National Airport), just a 15-minute drive from the city.
The city is laid out in a grid system with north-south streets numbered, east-west streets named after letters of the alphabet, and diagonal avenues named after U.S. states. It might seem complicated at first, but it’s actually quite simple. Imagine walking along H Street, with each cross street being a number (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.). The main areas of interest are Downtown and Georgetown.
Day 1: Exploring Downtown We checked into our hotel, the AC Hotel by Marriott in Downtown, a comfortable and well-located option with clean, spacious rooms. It cost us $100 per night for a couple (we stayed two nights in January). Downtown is where you'll find the major attractions: the White House, the memorials, and the massive Smithsonian museum complex. The area also has plenty of well-known retail stores, great restaurants, and lively bars. It’s a vibrant, fun place to explore. We arrived in the afternoon and immediately set out to do some shopping on F Street and 11th Street. For outlet lovers, one of the largest in the U.S., Potomac Mills, is only a 30-minute drive south of the city. After shopping, we wandered from F Street to K Street and ended up at the Apple store, which looks like a mini White House or a public library—but no, it’s just an Apple store! We had dinner at a fantastic burger spot, The Capital Burger.
We originally planned to head out to Georgetown that evening. Georgetown is hip and youthful, with open-air bars and great music. Our plan was to grab a taxi to the main street and just wander around. However, if you’re anything like us, you might find yourself crashing on the bed five minutes after getting to your hotel room, shoes still on! But if you have the energy, Georgetown is worth checking out.
Day 2: Shenandoah National Park In the morning, we rented a car from Enterprise for $115 for 24 hours and drove to Shenandoah National Park. Located in Virginia, it’s a 2-2.5 hour drive from D.C., depending on traffic, with four entrances to choose from. If you're visiting in winter, be sure to check the weather beforehand, as rain or snow can close the park. Either way, it’s not worth going if the visibility is poor. You can check park conditions on their website.
The Skyline Drive is the park’s main road, offering breathtaking viewpoints and hiking trails. The park is enormous, so you won’t be able to see it all. Whether you're driving and stopping at lookouts or planning a short hike, focus on one general area. There are exit points along the way. In winter, the visitor centers are closed, so don't forget to bring snacks and water.
We entered through the Front Royal Entrance Station. The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle (regardless of how many people are inside), and they give you a map, which is super helpful since cell service isn’t reliable in the park. The map clearly marks all the viewpoints and stops along the way. We drove through stunning forested areas, climbing in altitude until we were above the clouds. The signage matches up with the map, making it easy to navigate. We stopped at every viewpoint out of sheer excitement—one of the most impressive was Signal Knob Overlook. After about an hour and a half, we reached the Thornton Gap exit, but decided to keep going to see three more spots: Mary’s Rock Tunnel, Hazel Mountain Overlook, and Pinnacles Overlook. They were absolutely worth it. We eventually exited the park and stumbled upon a charming little American-style shack that served excellent ice cream—a delightful surprise!
We continued to the small town of Middleburg for a late lunch. It’s about a 2.5-hour drive from Shenandoah, on the way back to D.C. (Remember, we spent nearly two hours driving through the park, so we were backtracking a bit). The road to Middleburg is scenic, lined with pastures and barns, and it's worth stopping to take in the views. The town is surrounded by vineyards, so if you're in a group of more than two, I recommend stopping at Boxwood Estate Winery or Greenhill Winery & Vineyards. We had delicious crab cakes and seafood at King Street Oyster Bar. It was a Saturday afternoon, and the place was bustling with great energy, and the food was fresh and tasty.
On our way back to D.C., we couldn’t resist a sweet stop at Krispy Kreme in Dupont Circle, the city’s main square. Even as someone who doesn’t usually like donuts, I have to say it was one of the best I’ve ever tasted—worth every calorie! We took a nighttime tour of the monuments and the White House, which was a major highlight. The flag was up, meaning the president was home (we made history!). Our hotel offered valet parking, so we didn’t have to worry about overnight parking. We ended the day satisfied and sweet-toothed.
Day 3: A Final Taste of Washington On our last day, after returning the car, we finished with a proper American breakfast at Founding Farmers—one of the best meals I’ve ever had, just a short walk from the hotel. It wasn’t the healthiest meal, but it was delicious! This diner experience inspired one of my most popular screen print designs. If you have more time in the city, or if you prefer to skip nature and spend all three days exploring Washington, here are a few spots I didn’t get to but are on my list for next time:
- Maydan – A Mediterranean bar and restaurant
- Georgetown – A must-visit neighborhood, already mentioned
- The Red Hen – A top-rated Italian restaurant (reservations required)
- Top of the Gate – A rooftop cocktail bar with stunning water views at the Watergate Hotel
- Ice Cream Jubilee – Ranked one of the best ice cream spots in America
- The Phillips Collection – One of the city’s 19 museums, featuring modern art
- Colada Shop – A Mexican spot for coffee, cocktails, empanadas, and desserts
- The Wharf – The city’s waterfront; don’t miss the s'mores in winter
- Le Diplomate – A French brasserie frequented by U.S. parliament members
- Ted’s Bulletin – A classic American diner with a modern twist
- Old Ebbitt Grill – A historic restaurant known for its oysters and stunning arched ceilings
