Washington D.C. Travel Highlights
It has been over a decade since I have visited Washington D.C. To be honest, I don’t remember much of my travels to the east coast as a child. Going to D.C. as an adult is an entirely new and different experience. I appreciated the history and sights of this district more now than I did when I was a kid. Traveling to D.C. made me realize two things: I love the East Coast and I love this country I call home. This trip reminded me that I have a lot to be grateful for. Here are a few of my travel highlights from this fun trip in D.C.!
1. National Mall
The long, grassy National Mall is home to all of the iconic monuments including the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. My favorite monument was the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. There was a wall that displayed MLK’s famous words. My favorite quote that was engraved on the memorial was, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” I would highly recommend visiting the monuments in the National Mall in the evening. The memorials are lit up at night which just makes them feel even grander than they already are. Catch the sunset as you walk to the national monument and make your way through the memorials as the lights and fireflies brighten up the space.
2. La Famosa
I love good food and Washington D.C. has a surplus of really great reastaurants. Taylor and I visited La Famosa on my first night in D.C., a hip and modern Puerto Rican restaurant. It’s located in Navy Yard. The restaurant has a really cute patio out front and a fun dining space indoors. I recommend eating inside if you visit the restaurant for dinner in the summer. The mosquitos in Washington D.C. do not mess around! They came after my legs when we chose to sit outside. Even bug spray couldn’t save me (lol)! I ordered their pork belly mofongo which is a Puerto Rican specialty. Mofongo is mashed fried plantains, and it’s really good. I would highly recommend visiting this restaurant if you get the chance.
3. The Anthem
The Anthem is a music venue and auditorium in the Southwest Waterfront neighborhood of Washington. Taylor and I bought tickets to see Lauv in concert. Lauv has consistently been one of my top 5 artists on Spotify for the last 5 years. He has always produced the best music, and I am his biggest fan. Seeing him perform live was a dream. He was one of the best performers I have seen to date. It’s in his blood to sing and perform. The venue is a very unique space. Besides the seating on the terrace, it is general admission for the rest of the space. So, the earlier you come, the better your view will be. We chose to stand in the balcony instead of the ground floor. Honestly, this was the best place to be. You could see the artist very clearly without having to be in the mob of people. I had so much fun at the concert. It was one of the highlights of my year.
4. Hillwood Estates
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens is a decorative arts museum in Washington D.C. It belongs to Marjorie Post, a socialite, collector, and philanthropist. This place is tucked in the suburbs of Washington D.C., but it’s definitely a location that you should visit. Post is rich an “old money” type of way. She collected really unique items and put all of her treasures out in display. But her gardens are even more impressive. Walking around the different parts of her estate, you will feel as though you were transported into an entirely different world. From the Japanese Style Gardens to the French Parterre, Hillwood is a whimsical and beautiful place.
5. Georgetown
Georgetown is such a fun neighborhood to explore. My main motive for visiting Georgetown was the universities. As you know, I am applying to graduate school. Georgetown and George Washington University are home to the one of the best public health programs in the country. Visiting the schools made going to graduate school all the more surreal. I loved the intricate architecture and history behind the area. Not to mention, the National Cathedral is in Georgetown! It’s comparable to the beautiful cathedrals that I’ve seen in Europe. I have never witnessed a Catholic church that is this grand in the United States. Though a part of it is under construction, it is still as beautiful as ever. Visiting Georgetown is an absolute must!
Overall, I had a really fun time at D.C. So much fun that I could really envision seeing myself there for graduate school. Crazy, right? Maybe this west coast gal is going to trade the California sunshine for some seasons. Only time will tell. Make sure to subscribe to my mailing list for more of my travel highlights! You can find more life-related posts here. Stay tuned for more updates on my adventures.
Emily
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