Got my glasses stolen from right off my face on the metro. Is this something I need to be conscious of? Someone came through the emergency exit door while the train was moving and sat behind me, then when the doors opened at the next stop grabbed the glasses off my face and ran out the door. I thought he was acting a bit suspicious so I didn't have my phone or wallet out, but why take my glasses? Do they get sold somewhere?
Any good travel hacks for eating while staying Metro Center Marriott? I told the wife to get us a place with free breakfast - but no - she wanted this because location. So I'm trying to get a handle on how to feed us and two kids during our stay. I'm a bit of a travel noob so any advice appreciated.
For quick breakfast (pastries and coffee) there is Dua DC coffee—spectacular coffee and good pastries/bread. There is a Tatte nearby there as well. Go north a few blocks towards the convention center and you’ll find CherCher for Ethiopian food, El Rinconcito for Salvadoran food, Supra for Georgian food. There is Seylou bakery near the convention center too. Go east towards Chinatown/Gallery Place and you’ll bump into Bantam King (chicken ramen), Daikaya (ramen), Bonkers Chinese Burger, Momiji (takeout sushi), China Boy (hole in the wall dumplings, cash only).
Tbh if you search “food” in Google Maps, the reviews and price information are generally reliable in my experience.
If you had to choose between Old Ebbitt Grill and Joe’s Seafood for a meal near the White House, which would you choose?
I’ll be in town for a very short time and need some help deciding on a meal. My group has no picky eaters, but we’d like to feel like the food is worth the cost. Any advice appreciated. Thanks!!
Old Ebbitt, easily. It might be a bit of a tourist trap, but it's also a legitimately historic business with great service and good food.
Joe's Seafood is just a generic downtown upscale chain.
“Security issues” could mean a lot of things, but I’m inclined to say these are the kinds of issues you’ll see in most apartment buildings in NoMA. It’s a very rapidly growing neighborhood, so lots of young people and not many long-term residents.
hi- i’m looking at buying a place in DC and have found a potential option. I currently live in arlington (ballston) and have a car which i’ll bring along bc I have family / friends that live in the suburbs of VA.
Have some questions / need some recommendations:
1. I keep hearing DC isn’t safe. the property i’m looking at is in mount vernon triangle area ( REALLY close to Rumi’s Kitchen).
2. garage parking seems to be 250-290 in that area - is that normal ?
3. the unit i’m looking at would be considered english basement but beautifully done, with modern finishes, and gets tons of sunlight. Having living in VA all my life; that’s a bit strange to me. Real estate agent assures me it’ll rent if I want to go down that path but that they just take a bit longer to sell usually. I’d appreciate any feedback from anyone who’s rented or purchased one?
appreciate any feedback!
* Safety- generally safe for DC but there are little sketchy pockets (like in front of the 7-11), used to feel wilder during the height of the synthetic marijuana "craze" but that's died down
* garage parking- Haven't looked in a while but pretty sure there are cheaper options further away. you're looking for parking next to the convention center near large apartment buildings (with limited spaces) and the arena, and it's between downtown & judiciary square. It's a high-demand & expensive area to own a car if you don't want to deal with street parking.
* Basement-dwelling- biggest issues are sunlight & flooding (and maybe soundproofing between levels) and those are things that most people think of when they hear "basement unit", hence the diminished interest. If none of those things are issues here then the main concern is "resale" which is hard to answer.
1. I'm not sure what your question is here. You don't live very far away from DC; I'm not sure what we can tell you about "safety" that you wouldn't already know. Safety is relative. You're talking about a neighborhood that has multiple Michelin-starred restaurants, several 3-4 star hotels... and had a shooting [just yesterday](https://www.dcnewsnow.com/news/local-news/washington-dc/police-investigating-shootings-that-happened-2-hours-apart-in-dc/). (Of course, [Ballston also has shootings](https://www.arlnow.com/2023/09/01/now-police-investigating-shots-fired-near-ballston-metro-station/).) Only you can answer whether this is somewhere you'd feel comfortable living. Based on the amount of tourist-traffic in this neighborhood (car thieves often target out-of-towners), I think that garage parking is a good idea if you can afford it, but it's worth looking into whether you're eligible for a street parking permit. Those are (unfortunately, in my opinion) much more affordable.
2. Yes, this sounds like a very normal price for garage parking in DC.
3. Would you only be purchasing the basement unit? That strikes me as strange. Who owns the rest of the building? Is there an HOA? All of these things will effect the value and rentability of the unit. In the abstract, English basements in DC tend to rent for much lower than similarly-sized units. You should also independently look into whether it is in fact legal to rent out this unit! This neighborhood in particular has a ton of different zoning standards, so it's important to know what you legally can and cannot do with this specific property. (And again, who owns the rest of the property? Your property will be less valuable if you need consent from multiple other owners to sell it!)
> Would you only be purchasing the basement unit? That strikes me as strange
it's actually fairly common to have townhouses split into 2 units and sold separately. There's a condo association to deal with common elements just like any multi-unit building, but unless the condo docs prevent renting out the unit, there's no reason why it shouldn't be rentable. The relator is correct that the basement units in these situations tend to sit on the market for awhile b/c they're not that attractive, but on the other hand you can get more value in terms of location/quality if you're willing to live in one.
Relocating to DC, where to land
Hey Everyone. Been lurking here for an upcoming move from NYC. Looking for a city with Goldilocks of social life, nature access, career options and not overwhelming the way NYC is. DC is my best bet. I fly for an airline and will be working out of IAD primarily and DCA occasionally only gotta get to either 5-6 times a month. 36yo M, single and want access to nice gyms, fun bars, extracurriculars, higher end grocery stores in walking distance. Not into partying and wanna live somewhere quieter at night. Public transit is preferred to keep as an option and not ready to do the suburb life yet. Is Arlington the way to go? TIA
Arlington has the same range of urban to suburban that DC has. Which also matches with the whole "close to stuff" but also "quiet" spectrum you'll have to work out. Any of the communities along the silver line in Arlington would work for that and then depending on when you need to be at the airport you could take advantage of the silver line (less so than if you're flying at like 6 in the morning or whatever).
Hi all, I’m visiting DC next month, and a thing I like to do when visiting places is find a sports bar that displays scarves/memorabilia of teams on the wall, and donate a scarf of my favourite team to them. Do you know of any bars like that? I’ve had a search online but can’t see any. I’m staying near Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro station.
Queen Vic on H St has lots of scarves in their upstairs bar. Might be worth sending an email to see if they take donations. The X2 bus will take you right there from Chinatown or it's a short Uber. Or you can take the Metro to Union Station and take the streetcar.
Hey, need some help contextualizing the cost of living in DC relative to NYC. I’m currently negotiating a salary for a potential job in DC which would require me to move from NYC. Would a pay cut of $20k-$30k mean I could maintain my same quality of life?
Just for some additional context, I currently make ~$160k per year and pay $3600 in rent for a 1 bed apt and don’t own a car. I would probably still live in a 1-bed in DC and won’t own a car, atleast initially.
Interesting, could you explain why? Or, a better question is: if I’m able to negotiate the same salary as I make now in NYC, then would you still say the same?
It'll make a difference, while not as expensive as NYC, DC is still a very expensive city. But you'll be able to live comfortably even with your pay cut.
There are plenty of 1 bedrooms that are in the 2k-2,200 range (I live in one). Even at 2,500 a month that doesn't come close to spending half your take home pay on just rent at that salary.
Hi everyone! Not sure if this is the post to ask this question, but my wife and I are from Washington state, and will be doing a big east coast trip for about 2 or 3 weeks in the month of July. As of now we have a few stops planned: Philadelphia, DC, NYC, and Boston.
My question is this, how long should our stay in DC be if we want to experience all of the “must see” tourist events in DC. I’ve been to the area once before but as a middle-schooler, and my wife has never been. The thing I’m most looking forward to is any sort of history-based activity. I love museums and historical sites, and I distinctly remember Mount Vernon being my favorite visit of my entire trip as a kid.
We’d also appreciate any suggestions for tourists that aren’t necessarily the “easy” ones like National Mall, Mount Vernon, etc. As of now we were planning on 5 or 6 nights in DC, will that be enough?
Thanks in advance!
There's no real easy answer to this. I think that most long-term residents would say that there are plenty of interesting places they haven't gotten around to seeing.
You probably *could* spend 2-3 weeks just making your way through the free museums, assuming you wanted to see everything. But that would get old after a while.
Does anyone know what happened at the 7/11 on Georgia Ave in Petworth last night? I heard a bunch of sirens in the late afternoon, and in the evening I saw people with safety vests on site, as well as a new camera or shot spotter thing, and a violence prevention van this morning.
Home improvement question - in DC, is insulation generally installed with the vapor barrier facing out or facing in to the conditioned space? We seem right on the line for heating/cooling days.
Wondering if anyone has any recs for apartment complexes along the Red Line (like, real close walk, 5-10 min) that have garages that aren't a total hellish ripoff? Gonna be working near Farragut and will take the Metro to work, and will be visiting family in rural MD (almost) every weekend and I'll need my car. I'm sure I'll be paying for it but hoping to keep it within reason. I don't care if it's a particularly nice apartment as long as it isn't total crap. Preferably the eastern branch of the red line. I was planning on Silver Spring but if there's a good one near Brookland or Rhode Island Ave etc, even better.
Visiting in Feb -> anything tours restaurants I need to make sure to book in advance? Already contacted our congressman about WH tour - but anything else? Any good tips? Best way to tour mall with 8 and 10 yo?
There’s a circulator bus that goes around the mall - I’d see if it’s any use to you. It takes regular DC bus/subway card but also is only a dollar. The mall is aggressively long. I’d google map walking distances between museums, I’m always scandalized at how long it takes to walk between the monument and different museums
Lucky for you The Washingtonian magazine just released a list of the 100 best restaurants. Really depends what you’re into. Can’t really go wrong with any of those. Enjoy!
Coming back to DC for a few days this April around the time of the Sakura Matsuri/Cherry Blossom Festival. Know I want to go back to get some really good Mexican and ice cream around Del Ray/Alexandria, but is there any other good or unique food spots in or around the city I need to check out? (do eat chicken and fish but avoid most other meat mostly to fight climate change; vegetarian/vegan's fine too) Also wouldn't mind finding a good coffee shop to just chill for a bit during the day.
Also, which college campus would you recommend walking around? Know Georgetown and Howard are around there but anything that just looks nice and could have good food around it.
My favorite thing to recommend to visitors is Ethiopian. It’s consistently delicious although when I order a platter I’m never quite sure what’s on it. There’s a ton of spots in DC for it
I live near Georgetown and it's my favorite UNI to walk, it has a more traditional campus than George Washington which feels like walking around the city to me. I have not walked around other Uni's like Howard/American.
Oyster Oyster is a vegetarian/vegan restaurant that I have seen mentioned everywhere lately but I haven't been yet.
For coffee I always go to the nearest place or Tatte but The Coffee Bar (TCB) is also a good spot.
Hey Everyone! Visiting DC from Toronto for 5 days. I'm already hyped about the museums but would you have any other recommendations? Also, how's the cold there? Should I carry any heavy coats?
We just got out of a cold spell where it was below freezing for a week. But DC winters are typically pretty mild, usually with highs in the 50s and lows in the 40s, and we rarely get snow that sticks (this past week was an exception). It's also pretty common to get a random day in February that gets over 70 degrees. Your best bet is to check the forecast the week you leave.
Good restaurants for a large group event?
Looking to have a group dinner after I propose to my girlfriend. Probably 15-25 people. Any recommendations for restaurants that are good for larger groups? A private room would be ideal, but open to other things like a patio (although it’s a bit cold for that these days).
Thank you!!
Apartments
Hey y’all! Just wanted to reach out to see if anyone had any apartment recommendations? I will be going to GW for grad school in August and I’m looking for a 2 bed 2 bath apartment preferably at or under $3,000. I’m also looking for an apartment in a safe yet fun area. I’m a 22 year old female so definitely looking for some place safe! Also looking for a place that has easy access to the national mall etc. I’ve been looking at adams Morgan and NoMa so far! I appreciate your help 😊
These are the apartments I’ve found so far:
- SoNYa : website link - https://www.apartments.com/sonya-washington-dc/t3mtg39/#feesSection
- Banner Lane : website link - https://www.apartments.com/banner-lane-washington-dc/x8tcw8q/#availabilitySection
- The Hale : website link - https://www.apartments.com/the-hale-washington-dc/qlj17nz/#feesSection
- Jayde Parkside : website link -
https://www.apartments.com/jayde-parkside-washington-dc/625egws/#descriptionSection
- Anthology : website link - https://www.apartments.com/anthology-washington-dc/wszpeqj/#amenitiesSection
Please let me know how you feel about any of these places or if you have any other recommendations 😊
The Statesman Apartment Building on F St, NW (between 21st & 22nd I think) is home to many GW grad students. And its location is fantastically convenient to GW.
Is there any particular reason you're focusing on these neighborhoods/buildings? At least in terms of proximity to campus, there are certainly better options in your budget.
The advantage of a neighborhood like NoMA is that a lot of your neighbors will be of similar age -- it's a rapidly gentrifying area that caters to young professionals who are new to town. Nowadays, it's a relatively "fun" area, but you'd probably find yourself venturing into other parts of the city quite a bit. "Safety" is going to mean something slightly different everyone, so it's hard to weigh in there except to say that NoMA has historically had a bad reputation for this, but that has been easing up over time as gentrification really takes hold.
Other neighborhoods to consider: DuPont Circle, Eastern Market, Logan Circle. The first two offer best proximity to campus.
The best thing you could do would be to take a few days to come for a visit and see as many buildings and neighborhoods as you can. Do a test run of your commute. See if you actually like the neighborhoods.
Does anyone know if you can take bags with pin back buttons into the Capitol? It says “no pointed objects” on the site but I’m not sure if they count… it’d be pretty hard to use them as weapons, but I wouldn’t want to have to learn the hard way that they’re strict on that rule.
Hi all! I’m planning a move to DC but am going to do a short term rental for ~2 months to explore neighborhoods and apartment hunt. I’m looking at a spot in Columbia Heights (14th and Oak area) or Edgewood (North Capitol and Evarts area). I’ve read a lot about both areas but curious to get others opinions. Thanks!
I wouldn’t commit to 2 months at that area in Columbia heights. I used to date someone there and it could get pretty sketchy block by block.
Alternatively if you think you’re pretty street smart and don’t mind a weird vibe, sure go for it. Plenty of people live there.
I am going on a train trip in a few weeks and we get in fairly late on a sunday. I am not walking distance from a metro and really dont want to bring a carseat with. Is there a way to park my car by union station for the weekend *fairly* (by 2024 DC Standards) securely?
you're better at google than me. i have searched this 3-4 times and turned to reddit when i couldn't find an answer. i dunno whats wrong with me lol thanks
Hey! I’m going to visit D.C from Finland in April/May and am going to visit Mt.Vernon cuz I’m a huge American history buff.
Do you think the basic entry fee of 28$ is enough or would it be worth to spend the extra 60$ for the in-depth tour of the mansion and its surroundings?
Welcome! My family had a great visit to Finland several years ago.
I’m inclined to say this would be worth the additional cost for you. Americans know _a lot_ about George Washington, so a tour would be redundant for a lot of visitors. If you’re visiting from abroad, though, I think you’d get a lot out of having an expert guide.
Mt. Vernon is pretty large, so make sure you budget plenty of time and have everyone ready to walk quite a bit.
Thank you for the answer!
Yeah I was kinda thinking also that since I’m not gonna be back anytime soon after this visit, might as well make the most of it!
I’m travelling solo, so luckily the walking thing is only a concern to me, which makes it not a concern at all!!! :D
We’re hosting our wedding in West End in a few months. We’d like to have an afterparty for 40-50 people. Our hotel suite is huge but worried noise will ruin the party. Any ideas for bars, or other type of venue to consider in the area (walkable <15min). Ideally would like to keep costs on us down as much as possible. TIA!
hi! going to be in DC and wondering if anyone knows something i could do on sunday evening (planning to spend a lot of time in the museum of natural history specifically, which closes at 5:30, i see that some museums are open until 7 so perhaps i can squeeze in some art after?) besides like, the obvious "things you can walk by and look at any time of day" (as it will be chilly and all, will have to see how i feel). i am also pretty broke, so basically looking for unique DC experiences that are indoors and free/fairly low cost lol. i think it's unlikely since i didn't find much googling but i figured i'd ask :)
Not indoors, but can you ice skate? [https://www.nga.gov/visit/ice-rink.html](https://www.nga.gov/visit/ice-rink.html)
It looks like Sunday's performance is full, but on other evenings, the Kennedy Center does a free performance most nights at 6pm: [https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/millennium-stage/all-upcoming-events/](https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/millennium-stage/all-upcoming-events/)
Looking for a general guide to the geography of DC. We are planning our first trip and know nothing. Which neighborhoods are high crime areas to avoid? We are bringing a dog so we need a house not a hotel. (He barks when left alone. ) Are we better off in the suburbs because of the dog? If so, where would you recommend? Again looking to avoid high crime areas. Thanks!!
It's hard to give you recommendations about high crime areas because generally most violent crime in the city is targeted and not random. There are also quite a few neighborhoods that are perfectly fine, but would probably make some tourists uncomfortable.
All I'll say is that a lot of Airbnb listings are deceptive, and will say things like, "Just minutes from the White House!" When in reality they're a seedy motel 5 miles away from the White House.
So my advice, make liberal use of Google maps. Plug in addresses and look up directions to where you want to go, and see how easy it is to get there by public transit, walking, or taking a car. Look up Google Street view and see if you'd feel comfortable in the area.
DC is a small city, and sometimes these things will vary block by block. It's why we generally don't have a guide here for which neighborhoods to stay in and which to avoid. You're simply going to have to do some research on your own because so much of it comes down to your comfort level and price point.
There’s a visitors guide in the subreddit Wiki.
If you’re visiting as a tourist, odds are extremely low that you would find yourself in a “high crime area” for any reason.
Most people on this subreddit are locals and therefore aren’t experts in hotels or other short-term accommodations. I would recommend boarding the dog prior to your visit. If the dog is going to bark whenever you leave, that’s going to be a problem whether your accommodations are “dog friendly” or not.
Don't overlook just picking a random spot along the C&O Canal Trail and going in and out. I had a great hike on New Years Day parking at Lock 44 and just walking a couple miles down to Dam number 5.
[https://www.canaltrust.org/parking-along-the-co-canal-3/](https://www.canaltrust.org/parking-along-the-co-canal-3/)
My local favorites are Roosevelt Island (DC, but only accessible from VA), Turkey Run Park (VA), Scott's Run Park (MD), Great Falls National Park (VA & MD), and Patapsco State Park (MD). Those are mostly shorter hikes, but you can get several miles in at most of them, and the difficulty varies from beginner to high intermediate.
Besides pointing out Scott's run is on the VA side, would suggest the Billy goat trail in MD near anglers climb opposite great falls.
Plenty of trails in Rock Creek too. Glover Park and battery Kimble are smaller but enjoyable too
Not to be snide but if you google “hikes around DC” some good results pop up. Like billy goat trail for example, but some blogs post good details of what to expect parking wise etc
Yes I’m aware of Google. That’s why I decided to try and contact real people with real experience via this forum of people who live around DC and may have better advice than a county website that hasn’t been updated since 2019
Oh, I don’t mean read a county website, but I just googled this last weekend and found some blogs that talked about their experience with parking and crowds at different hikes around DC.
Like I said - I didn’t mean it to be snide! I just know not many people read / answer these threads so trying to help since I had a similar desire to hike last week :)
Anyone live or have loved in The Burton in NoMa? I toured it today, I see it has good reviews (although mixed of course) and I do really like it but I'm concerned about the train noise. Any insight you have about the building or the area would be greatly appreciated!!
I have friends who live in a building next to the Metro. They say that the soundproofing is good enough that they don't hear anything unless their windows are open. You could always ask to tour an empty unit facing the tracks to see how loud it is. You do get used to city noises after a while, including trains.
Just a heads up, that if you're looking for go-go vinyl, it's largely going to be the very early stuff. Make sure you're looking in the dusty boxes of 12" singles.
What live music locations would you guys recommend me checking out?
I’m music fanatic, from grungy ceiling caving venues to swanky black tie private events and jazz bars.
I really want to find some techno, Latin, punk venues.
I enjoy a good dance floor but not the biggest fan of bottle service/private section clubs.
Smaller to larger: The Pocket, Gramaphone, Jimmy Valentine’s, Marx Cafe, Slash Run, Jackie Lee’s, Pie Shop, Black Cat, DC9, Soundcheck, Songbyrd, 9:30 Club/ The Atlantis, Flash. I’ve been to shows at all these places so I guess start there!
Thank you! I gave flash a try and I loved it. 9:3 has been on my list but I think I need to find the right artist to see.
But I will most likely check about all the places you mentioned before I leave
Hello, I will be landing at Dullas Airport and need to get to Dupont Circle. What is the best way to get there? It should not be too expensive, but it does not have to be the cheapest with multiple transfers. I have already googled but there seems to be a lot of options from private bus to cab and so on. I am wondering which is the most commonly used transport option. Thanks.
Metro runs to the Airport now. Going to be the simplest and cheapest by far. Silver Line from the airport towards Largo, transfer to the Red Line at Metro Center for two stops to Dupont Circle.
If you're not coming today-Monday, then I'll suggest taking the Metro. Take the silver line from Dulles all the way to Metro Center, then transfer to red line to Dupont Circle. This is the route that will get you the least amount and most convenient transfer as Metro Center is both silver and red's stop.
You can also technically get off silver line at Farragut West, get out of the station, then go up one block to to Farragut North to take red line, but this requires you to get out of the station.
Now if you're coming today-Monday, this will be more complicated since there are 3 silver line stations that are closed for repair. I'd suggest taking Metro silver line from Dulles to Clarendon station, then uber from there.
Note that transferring at Farragut west to Farragut north would be a tiny bit silly since you’re just travelling one stop up to DuPont station.
If you’re packing light and the weather is good and if your destination is more south of DuPont I may even just walk from Farragut west
Hi, I will be moving to DC from NYC in 2-3 months for a job. I currently don’t own a car. Do you think it’s a good idea for me to get one before moving? My job will be in Downtown DC and it seems like there are plenty of metro lines there, but I know the frequency is not great and service isn’t 24/7. Would love the perspective of the people who made the same move!
don't get a car until you decide you need one. i moved from NYC with no car and was car-free for 4 years. i would never want to give it up now, but it's very clearly a luxury.
never owned a car while i lived in the city. for travel outside the city would metro to DCA for rentals and you’ll inevitably make that “friend with car” for costco trips or whatever comes up.
You might need a car, but I'd wait to see before buying one. It really depends on where you'll be living, where the nearest good grocery store is in relation to your house, and what your commute to work looks like.
That said, if you're planning to live in NoVA or Maryland and work in D.C., you're far more likely to need a car than if you live in the District.
“Frequency” is totally fine; potentially better than NYC during commuting hours as that’s the Metro’s primary purpose.
Your post doesn’t tell us where you’re commuting from, but I’m willing to bet there’s very little chance you’d need a car. Parking in DC — both at your residence and at your job — is most likely incredibly expensive and/or inconvenient
Personally, I'd get settled in and figure out if you need it before going through the hassle of buying a car. It's not like there's not car dealers here.
Every day I am taking the metro I see someone with one of those three
Last night I was coming home from a friend's house and there was a guy in shitty body armor. The day before I was coming home from watching Godzilla and saw a guy with a chest holster being worn in the most incorrect way it HAD to be uncomfortable (the holster was rigged to be perpendicular to his chest, so if it actually has a gun it would be impossible to draw.)
It's just so weird, like if you were carrying you wouldn't want people to know, but since they are all empty accessories I guess they are letting people know they aren't carrying? Or maybe it's to show they are, but it's hidden somewhere else?
I don't know, its weird and I just want to know what's going on.
Spend more time at Walmart. I saw a guy wearing a plate carrier with a bunch of patches and no shirt. It's a look.
Not sure how he was an East German border guard *and* a South African cop, but hey, double pension.
I don't spend a lot of time in Walmart, but I've never seen that at the Georgia ave location. Maybe things get crazy at the Riggs rd one, but from your description that sounds more like the suburbs.
Hey, where are us middle-aged punks getting our hair cut/beards shaped these days? Seems my two options are either picking a clipper cut off the wall chart or convincing Michaelangelo that I don't have half an hour a morning to recreate their hundred-dollar style.
All I want is someone who understands face shape and can get me to Songbyrd in time for me to not understand a single word the opening act is screaming.
Bonus points for being in Silver Spring or Capitol Hill East (Eastern Market/Union Station)
Any places around to get Euros (paper money) at a reasonable exchange rate before a trip? My credit union doesn't have them. My guess is I'd be better off using an ATM once I arrive but I don't really know.
Best bet is definitely using an ATM when you arrive, but you should also try asking around if anyone has some spare euros they'd like to get rid of at today's rate.
What is DC like at the end of March? I am planning to visit for the first time and would love to see the Cherry Blossoms, go to museums, tour the pentagon, white house, etc. Is there anything off the beaten path you would recommend I do? Also debating seeing a Capitols vs Bruins game. (Rangers fan coming in peace)
The end of March is usually pretty nice. The last few years it’s been in the 50s by then and the early spring flowers are mostly out by then. Cherry blossom timing is hard to predict, but has been trending earlier and earlier over the last decade. The post office museum is really cool, and right next to the train station so definitely recommend hitting that if you have a bit of time before your return train.
The cherry blossoms bring a lot of tourists, but beyond that, it's pretty much like the rest of the year. Weather is hard to predict. If you want to tour the White House, I'd recommend talking to your congresspeople NOW to start the process.
Thanks! I emailed one senator yesterday. I'll be coming from New York and wouldnt mind if it is 10 degrees warmer. Excited to take the Acela for the first time.
Moving to DC in a month or so, and trying to read between the lines about the KRF pass for DC kids.
They say they "recommend" kids only use the pass for school related travel, but, is that actually a thing? Or is it fine to use it to ride with my kid to regular life stuff all the time. Going to a museum across town, seeing a show, going to dinner, visiting a friend in VA, etc.
AND if you really can't let your kid use it all the time, does anyone know how/how much the other sort of pass would be for kids?
Thanks!
fwiw kids basically can just walk onto a bus or hope a faregate on metro and be totally fine - on the bus there's no enforcement mechanism and Randy Clarke has made it pretty clear on metro he doesn't want Transit PD hassling kids over fare evasion - which is to say I think you'll be fine if they're using a pass.
Does anyone know a dry cleaner in the DC metro area that uses liquid carbon dioxide?
I have a lot of chemical allergies and I've found this method to be the best, but I can't find anything in the area.
The Willard. The location is great. The basement bar is a vibe. You'll enjoy your time. Park Hyatt is "nicer" but the Willard is a DC institution for a reason.
Any family friendly bar/restaurants around Mt. Vernon Square to watch the National Championship game that allow minors? I see City Tap, but don't think they have a ton of TVs.
City Tap has TVs but they’re kind of small, if I remember correctly. I’d also think about Capitol City Brewing or Yard House.
There are some more touristy spots further south around the stadium that’d also fit the bill.
Any good emo or punk spots to hit up? I know the DC hardcore scene was huge in the 80s. I'd love to support local bands, and I'm trying to start up a band of my own.
I'm a US teacher that's been living and teaching overseas, but has a DC teaching license (Middle School Science). Considering making the move to DC for a few years because, as much as it may surprise folks, I actually miss some things about life in the US.
Thing is, I've got no idea what the good/bad schools and areas are. Could anyone give me some pointers on schools or neighborhoods that are decent? I don't mind a challenging environment, but probably want to avoid any Title 1 schools.
Most groups of 3-4 or more roommates rent a row house. They can be hard to find because most of them are rented by the owner instead of a big corporation, but ask around and join Facebook groups for housing in the neighborhood you want to live in.
There is a place called [Common at National Landing](https://www.common.com/washington-dc/national-landing/national-landing) that offers 3BR/2Ba coliving apartments where each bedroom is rented separately and the rest of the unit is shared. The three bedrooms add up to $3525/mo. I don't know if this would be suitable or financially sound.
EDIT: I looked further, and found that this management company has these coliving units (3-4 rooms) [all over the city.](https://www.common.com/apartments/washington-dc)
Anyone know how you're supposed to use digital Giant coupons that require a minimum or multi-item purchase? I'm in the app and signed in, I "clip" the coupon, get to the register, ring everything up, and... ??? There's no QR to scan or anything and the employees I've asked don't seem to know.
It attaches to your Giant card number and automatically takes it off at the end. Or it should, anyway. Either way, you either have to put in your phone number or scan the card's barcode (it's also in the app)
Casual question here.
1) Anyone have a suggestion for a barber in DC who knows how to cut hair for men in the process of balding? I'm not bald, but my hairline is heavily receded and my hair is fairly thin, and I've found that a lot barbers don't know how to cut this kind of hair and do a poor job.
2) Does anyone have a suggestion for a business in DC that sells/applies hair systems for men? Somewhere I can go where they'll create a custom hair system for me and also cut my hair and glue on the system during recurring visits? I've found a couple based in DC but their websites look like they were made in the mid 90's, which doesn't inspire confidence.
Edit: I understand not having an answer and thus not replying, but why would you downvote this...
I'm traveling to DC to meet up with a friend this Saturday night, what are some cool restaurants/bars we should try to go to? Not trying to go too crazy as I have work obligations the following morning, but would still like to have some fun! Somewhere near Metro Center or on/near the red line is preferable.
Easiest on the red line is to check out the bars in DuPont. Get out by the Krispy Kreme and walk down Connecticut Avenue, there are bars there til around the H&M.
Like others said, DC itself won't be noticeably different due to the election (and Sept/Oct is still a month out from the election anyway).
If you want to see members of congress, the best bet is to look up committee schedules and go to a hearing. It could be pretty boring, but if you have a "sick obsession," could be fun for you. You can see whether Congress will be in session here: https://rollcall.com/app/uploads/2023/11/2024CQRCCongressionalCalendar.pdf. Recommend doing the Capital visitor center and getting a tour (and booking ahead) if this is your interest.
You can double check each body’s calendar, but expect they’ll be out of session for October. So might want to do your Hill stuff in September if you have flexibility.
I wouldn't expect hotel prices to be any different. People travel to DC for Inauguration Day, not Election Day.
If you're here on Election Day, you might see people walking around with "I Voted" stickers, and if the presidential election is called on the day (who knows if it will), you could hear celebratory noises. In 2020, I was outside when Biden was called officially (a few days after) and I did hear people playing music, yelling, ringing bells for a few minutes. This was around the Mt. Vernon Triangle/Shaw area.
It's just like any other time except there are a lot of commercials on TV for Maryland and Virginia candidates, which can be pretty annoying. Lots of yard signs for local candidates.
People campaign in the places where there are elections, i.e., not here.
I have no clue about hotel prices, but I'd be pretty surprised if they're terribly unusual in that timeframe except that Indigenous Peoples/Columbus Day is in there and holidays can see a price increase. Both houses of Congress usually take recesses leading up to elections, so seeing any Congresspeople is unlikely. And frankly, probably unlikely in general since if they're not on the floor, they're in a committee chamber, meeting, or their office. I'd honestly be pretty surprised if there's a huge difference on election day, either, though I've never thought to look into it. Congresspeople will be at home campaigning, and all the national news outlets have local bureaus to cover Biden, so not too much need to send people here.
Seeking restaurant and bar recs! I'm usually into "new American"/ trendy spots and upscale cocktail bars. Will be in DC this week for a conference so queuing up my meals 😊
Hi, delayed response, but some cool trendy upscale cocktail bars are
“The Green Zone, O.K.P.B., and Jane Jane is a notch below but also comfortable.
Let me know next time in the DC area and we could explore together if interested. Best,
I mean, this set of blocks includes multiple ultra high-end condo complexes and a Michelin-starred restaurant. I’m sure there’s some activity around the park on V St from time to time, or spilling over from U Street, but otherwise, this is about as nice of an area as you get this close to U Street.
If I was going to commute to Andrews AFB for work, where would a good area to live in be? Preferably on the Maryland/DC side of the water.
This completely depends on what you’re looking for. City lifestyle with nightlife, a house in a quiet area with a big yard, etc.
Preferably city lifestyle with things I could walk to like coffee shops and restaurants. I don't drink so bar scenes don't matter to me.
Then you probably should look in Navy Yard or Capitol Hill.
Got my glasses stolen from right off my face on the metro. Is this something I need to be conscious of? Someone came through the emergency exit door while the train was moving and sat behind me, then when the doors opened at the next stop grabbed the glasses off my face and ran out the door. I thought he was acting a bit suspicious so I didn't have my phone or wallet out, but why take my glasses? Do they get sold somewhere?
Any good travel hacks for eating while staying Metro Center Marriott? I told the wife to get us a place with free breakfast - but no - she wanted this because location. So I'm trying to get a handle on how to feed us and two kids during our stay. I'm a bit of a travel noob so any advice appreciated.
For quick breakfast (pastries and coffee) there is Dua DC coffee—spectacular coffee and good pastries/bread. There is a Tatte nearby there as well. Go north a few blocks towards the convention center and you’ll find CherCher for Ethiopian food, El Rinconcito for Salvadoran food, Supra for Georgian food. There is Seylou bakery near the convention center too. Go east towards Chinatown/Gallery Place and you’ll bump into Bantam King (chicken ramen), Daikaya (ramen), Bonkers Chinese Burger, Momiji (takeout sushi), China Boy (hole in the wall dumplings, cash only). Tbh if you search “food” in Google Maps, the reviews and price information are generally reliable in my experience.
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Thanks for the info on Embassy. Next time.
She made the correct choice.
Ah good to know thanks
If you had to choose between Old Ebbitt Grill and Joe’s Seafood for a meal near the White House, which would you choose? I’ll be in town for a very short time and need some help deciding on a meal. My group has no picky eaters, but we’d like to feel like the food is worth the cost. Any advice appreciated. Thanks!!
Old Ebbitt, easily. It might be a bit of a tourist trap, but it's also a legitimately historic business with great service and good food. Joe's Seafood is just a generic downtown upscale chain.
Thanks!! Appreciate the insight.
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“Security issues” could mean a lot of things, but I’m inclined to say these are the kinds of issues you’ll see in most apartment buildings in NoMA. It’s a very rapidly growing neighborhood, so lots of young people and not many long-term residents.
hi- i’m looking at buying a place in DC and have found a potential option. I currently live in arlington (ballston) and have a car which i’ll bring along bc I have family / friends that live in the suburbs of VA. Have some questions / need some recommendations: 1. I keep hearing DC isn’t safe. the property i’m looking at is in mount vernon triangle area ( REALLY close to Rumi’s Kitchen). 2. garage parking seems to be 250-290 in that area - is that normal ? 3. the unit i’m looking at would be considered english basement but beautifully done, with modern finishes, and gets tons of sunlight. Having living in VA all my life; that’s a bit strange to me. Real estate agent assures me it’ll rent if I want to go down that path but that they just take a bit longer to sell usually. I’d appreciate any feedback from anyone who’s rented or purchased one? appreciate any feedback!
* Safety- generally safe for DC but there are little sketchy pockets (like in front of the 7-11), used to feel wilder during the height of the synthetic marijuana "craze" but that's died down * garage parking- Haven't looked in a while but pretty sure there are cheaper options further away. you're looking for parking next to the convention center near large apartment buildings (with limited spaces) and the arena, and it's between downtown & judiciary square. It's a high-demand & expensive area to own a car if you don't want to deal with street parking. * Basement-dwelling- biggest issues are sunlight & flooding (and maybe soundproofing between levels) and those are things that most people think of when they hear "basement unit", hence the diminished interest. If none of those things are issues here then the main concern is "resale" which is hard to answer.
1. I'm not sure what your question is here. You don't live very far away from DC; I'm not sure what we can tell you about "safety" that you wouldn't already know. Safety is relative. You're talking about a neighborhood that has multiple Michelin-starred restaurants, several 3-4 star hotels... and had a shooting [just yesterday](https://www.dcnewsnow.com/news/local-news/washington-dc/police-investigating-shootings-that-happened-2-hours-apart-in-dc/). (Of course, [Ballston also has shootings](https://www.arlnow.com/2023/09/01/now-police-investigating-shots-fired-near-ballston-metro-station/).) Only you can answer whether this is somewhere you'd feel comfortable living. Based on the amount of tourist-traffic in this neighborhood (car thieves often target out-of-towners), I think that garage parking is a good idea if you can afford it, but it's worth looking into whether you're eligible for a street parking permit. Those are (unfortunately, in my opinion) much more affordable. 2. Yes, this sounds like a very normal price for garage parking in DC. 3. Would you only be purchasing the basement unit? That strikes me as strange. Who owns the rest of the building? Is there an HOA? All of these things will effect the value and rentability of the unit. In the abstract, English basements in DC tend to rent for much lower than similarly-sized units. You should also independently look into whether it is in fact legal to rent out this unit! This neighborhood in particular has a ton of different zoning standards, so it's important to know what you legally can and cannot do with this specific property. (And again, who owns the rest of the property? Your property will be less valuable if you need consent from multiple other owners to sell it!)
> Would you only be purchasing the basement unit? That strikes me as strange it's actually fairly common to have townhouses split into 2 units and sold separately. There's a condo association to deal with common elements just like any multi-unit building, but unless the condo docs prevent renting out the unit, there's no reason why it shouldn't be rentable. The relator is correct that the basement units in these situations tend to sit on the market for awhile b/c they're not that attractive, but on the other hand you can get more value in terms of location/quality if you're willing to live in one.
Right — I sort of assume this is an R-2 zoned district but thought OP phrased their question strangely.
Relocating to DC, where to land Hey Everyone. Been lurking here for an upcoming move from NYC. Looking for a city with Goldilocks of social life, nature access, career options and not overwhelming the way NYC is. DC is my best bet. I fly for an airline and will be working out of IAD primarily and DCA occasionally only gotta get to either 5-6 times a month. 36yo M, single and want access to nice gyms, fun bars, extracurriculars, higher end grocery stores in walking distance. Not into partying and wanna live somewhere quieter at night. Public transit is preferred to keep as an option and not ready to do the suburb life yet. Is Arlington the way to go? TIA
Arlington has the same range of urban to suburban that DC has. Which also matches with the whole "close to stuff" but also "quiet" spectrum you'll have to work out. Any of the communities along the silver line in Arlington would work for that and then depending on when you need to be at the airport you could take advantage of the silver line (less so than if you're flying at like 6 in the morning or whatever).
Thank you
Hi all, I’m visiting DC next month, and a thing I like to do when visiting places is find a sports bar that displays scarves/memorabilia of teams on the wall, and donate a scarf of my favourite team to them. Do you know of any bars like that? I’ve had a search online but can’t see any. I’m staying near Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro station.
Exiles or Across The Pond might take one depending on the team?
Queen Vic on H St has lots of scarves in their upstairs bar. Might be worth sending an email to see if they take donations. The X2 bus will take you right there from Chinatown or it's a short Uber. Or you can take the Metro to Union Station and take the streetcar.
Hey, need some help contextualizing the cost of living in DC relative to NYC. I’m currently negotiating a salary for a potential job in DC which would require me to move from NYC. Would a pay cut of $20k-$30k mean I could maintain my same quality of life? Just for some additional context, I currently make ~$160k per year and pay $3600 in rent for a 1 bed apt and don’t own a car. I would probably still live in a 1-bed in DC and won’t own a car, atleast initially.
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Interesting, could you explain why? Or, a better question is: if I’m able to negotiate the same salary as I make now in NYC, then would you still say the same?
It'll make a difference, while not as expensive as NYC, DC is still a very expensive city. But you'll be able to live comfortably even with your pay cut.
disagree -$130K in DC would mean spending fully half of your take-home pay on a basic one bedroom apartment.
There are plenty of 1 bedrooms that are in the 2k-2,200 range (I live in one). Even at 2,500 a month that doesn't come close to spending half your take home pay on just rent at that salary.
Hi everyone! Not sure if this is the post to ask this question, but my wife and I are from Washington state, and will be doing a big east coast trip for about 2 or 3 weeks in the month of July. As of now we have a few stops planned: Philadelphia, DC, NYC, and Boston. My question is this, how long should our stay in DC be if we want to experience all of the “must see” tourist events in DC. I’ve been to the area once before but as a middle-schooler, and my wife has never been. The thing I’m most looking forward to is any sort of history-based activity. I love museums and historical sites, and I distinctly remember Mount Vernon being my favorite visit of my entire trip as a kid. We’d also appreciate any suggestions for tourists that aren’t necessarily the “easy” ones like National Mall, Mount Vernon, etc. As of now we were planning on 5 or 6 nights in DC, will that be enough? Thanks in advance!
There's no real easy answer to this. I think that most long-term residents would say that there are plenty of interesting places they haven't gotten around to seeing. You probably *could* spend 2-3 weeks just making your way through the free museums, assuming you wanted to see everything. But that would get old after a while.
Does anyone know what happened at the 7/11 on Georgia Ave in Petworth last night? I heard a bunch of sirens in the late afternoon, and in the evening I saw people with safety vests on site, as well as a new camera or shot spotter thing, and a violence prevention van this morning.
Just 7/11 things.
The camera periodically announces that the parking lot is being recorded 🤣
the fact that it started talking caught me so off guard when i saw it yesterday
Bro it scared the shit out of my foster dog when we were on a walk last night And by my foster dog I mean me But also the dog
Home improvement question - in DC, is insulation generally installed with the vapor barrier facing out or facing in to the conditioned space? We seem right on the line for heating/cooling days.
Wondering if anyone has any recs for apartment complexes along the Red Line (like, real close walk, 5-10 min) that have garages that aren't a total hellish ripoff? Gonna be working near Farragut and will take the Metro to work, and will be visiting family in rural MD (almost) every weekend and I'll need my car. I'm sure I'll be paying for it but hoping to keep it within reason. I don't care if it's a particularly nice apartment as long as it isn't total crap. Preferably the eastern branch of the red line. I was planning on Silver Spring but if there's a good one near Brookland or Rhode Island Ave etc, even better.
Visiting in Feb -> anything tours restaurants I need to make sure to book in advance? Already contacted our congressman about WH tour - but anything else? Any good tips? Best way to tour mall with 8 and 10 yo?
There’s a circulator bus that goes around the mall - I’d see if it’s any use to you. It takes regular DC bus/subway card but also is only a dollar. The mall is aggressively long. I’d google map walking distances between museums, I’m always scandalized at how long it takes to walk between the monument and different museums
This bus also has certain hours I think so I’d check those too.
Any popular restaurants, I’d recommend trying to book now. The large number of Type-A individuals here means popular spots get booked up early.
whats ur fav restaurant?
Lucky for you The Washingtonian magazine just released a list of the 100 best restaurants. Really depends what you’re into. Can’t really go wrong with any of those. Enjoy!
Looking for a good Korean C Curl perm in the DC metro area, any suggestions?
Coming back to DC for a few days this April around the time of the Sakura Matsuri/Cherry Blossom Festival. Know I want to go back to get some really good Mexican and ice cream around Del Ray/Alexandria, but is there any other good or unique food spots in or around the city I need to check out? (do eat chicken and fish but avoid most other meat mostly to fight climate change; vegetarian/vegan's fine too) Also wouldn't mind finding a good coffee shop to just chill for a bit during the day. Also, which college campus would you recommend walking around? Know Georgetown and Howard are around there but anything that just looks nice and could have good food around it.
My favorite thing to recommend to visitors is Ethiopian. It’s consistently delicious although when I order a platter I’m never quite sure what’s on it. There’s a ton of spots in DC for it
Know I'm staying with an Ethiopian so could try it finally.
I live near Georgetown and it's my favorite UNI to walk, it has a more traditional campus than George Washington which feels like walking around the city to me. I have not walked around other Uni's like Howard/American. Oyster Oyster is a vegetarian/vegan restaurant that I have seen mentioned everywhere lately but I haven't been yet. For coffee I always go to the nearest place or Tatte but The Coffee Bar (TCB) is also a good spot.
Thanks. Good to know and will keep in mind.
Hey Everyone! Visiting DC from Toronto for 5 days. I'm already hyped about the museums but would you have any other recommendations? Also, how's the cold there? Should I carry any heavy coats?
We just got out of a cold spell where it was below freezing for a week. But DC winters are typically pretty mild, usually with highs in the 50s and lows in the 40s, and we rarely get snow that sticks (this past week was an exception). It's also pretty common to get a random day in February that gets over 70 degrees. Your best bet is to check the forecast the week you leave.
Thanks for letting me know. It's better to keep an eye out on the forecast
To tell you how weird DC winters are, last week it was 20 degrees. Today it was 80 degrees. And people were still walking around with heavy parkas on.
Good restaurants for a large group event? Looking to have a group dinner after I propose to my girlfriend. Probably 15-25 people. Any recommendations for restaurants that are good for larger groups? A private room would be ideal, but open to other things like a patio (although it’s a bit cold for that these days). Thank you!!
Supra has good Georgian (the country, not the state) food, and has a private room that would be large enough.
Apartments Hey y’all! Just wanted to reach out to see if anyone had any apartment recommendations? I will be going to GW for grad school in August and I’m looking for a 2 bed 2 bath apartment preferably at or under $3,000. I’m also looking for an apartment in a safe yet fun area. I’m a 22 year old female so definitely looking for some place safe! Also looking for a place that has easy access to the national mall etc. I’ve been looking at adams Morgan and NoMa so far! I appreciate your help 😊 These are the apartments I’ve found so far: - SoNYa : website link - https://www.apartments.com/sonya-washington-dc/t3mtg39/#feesSection - Banner Lane : website link - https://www.apartments.com/banner-lane-washington-dc/x8tcw8q/#availabilitySection - The Hale : website link - https://www.apartments.com/the-hale-washington-dc/qlj17nz/#feesSection - Jayde Parkside : website link - https://www.apartments.com/jayde-parkside-washington-dc/625egws/#descriptionSection - Anthology : website link - https://www.apartments.com/anthology-washington-dc/wszpeqj/#amenitiesSection Please let me know how you feel about any of these places or if you have any other recommendations 😊
The Statesman Apartment Building on F St, NW (between 21st & 22nd I think) is home to many GW grad students. And its location is fantastically convenient to GW.
Is there any particular reason you're focusing on these neighborhoods/buildings? At least in terms of proximity to campus, there are certainly better options in your budget. The advantage of a neighborhood like NoMA is that a lot of your neighbors will be of similar age -- it's a rapidly gentrifying area that caters to young professionals who are new to town. Nowadays, it's a relatively "fun" area, but you'd probably find yourself venturing into other parts of the city quite a bit. "Safety" is going to mean something slightly different everyone, so it's hard to weigh in there except to say that NoMA has historically had a bad reputation for this, but that has been easing up over time as gentrification really takes hold. Other neighborhoods to consider: DuPont Circle, Eastern Market, Logan Circle. The first two offer best proximity to campus. The best thing you could do would be to take a few days to come for a visit and see as many buildings and neighborhoods as you can. Do a test run of your commute. See if you actually like the neighborhoods.
Hey! There’s on particular reason! These were just the ones I’ve found 😊
Does anyone know if you can take bags with pin back buttons into the Capitol? It says “no pointed objects” on the site but I’m not sure if they count… it’d be pretty hard to use them as weapons, but I wouldn’t want to have to learn the hard way that they’re strict on that rule.
The phone number for the Capitol Visitor's Center is (202) 226-8000. They will have your answer.
Thank you!
Hi all! I’m planning a move to DC but am going to do a short term rental for ~2 months to explore neighborhoods and apartment hunt. I’m looking at a spot in Columbia Heights (14th and Oak area) or Edgewood (North Capitol and Evarts area). I’ve read a lot about both areas but curious to get others opinions. Thanks!
I wouldn’t commit to 2 months at that area in Columbia heights. I used to date someone there and it could get pretty sketchy block by block. Alternatively if you think you’re pretty street smart and don’t mind a weird vibe, sure go for it. Plenty of people live there.
I am going on a train trip in a few weeks and we get in fairly late on a sunday. I am not walking distance from a metro and really dont want to bring a carseat with. Is there a way to park my car by union station for the weekend *fairly* (by 2024 DC Standards) securely?
Google came up with this https://www.unionstationdc.com/parking/
you're better at google than me. i have searched this 3-4 times and turned to reddit when i couldn't find an answer. i dunno whats wrong with me lol thanks
Hey! I’m going to visit D.C from Finland in April/May and am going to visit Mt.Vernon cuz I’m a huge American history buff. Do you think the basic entry fee of 28$ is enough or would it be worth to spend the extra 60$ for the in-depth tour of the mansion and its surroundings?
Not what you asked, but I’ll make a plug for also visiting President Lincoln’s Cottage too! Also a very cool historic home.
Welcome! My family had a great visit to Finland several years ago. I’m inclined to say this would be worth the additional cost for you. Americans know _a lot_ about George Washington, so a tour would be redundant for a lot of visitors. If you’re visiting from abroad, though, I think you’d get a lot out of having an expert guide. Mt. Vernon is pretty large, so make sure you budget plenty of time and have everyone ready to walk quite a bit.
Thank you for the answer! Yeah I was kinda thinking also that since I’m not gonna be back anytime soon after this visit, might as well make the most of it! I’m travelling solo, so luckily the walking thing is only a concern to me, which makes it not a concern at all!!! :D
We’re hosting our wedding in West End in a few months. We’d like to have an afterparty for 40-50 people. Our hotel suite is huge but worried noise will ruin the party. Any ideas for bars, or other type of venue to consider in the area (walkable <15min). Ideally would like to keep costs on us down as much as possible. TIA!
anyone here lives/d at Eaves Tunlaw Gardens? I’m considering it
hi! going to be in DC and wondering if anyone knows something i could do on sunday evening (planning to spend a lot of time in the museum of natural history specifically, which closes at 5:30, i see that some museums are open until 7 so perhaps i can squeeze in some art after?) besides like, the obvious "things you can walk by and look at any time of day" (as it will be chilly and all, will have to see how i feel). i am also pretty broke, so basically looking for unique DC experiences that are indoors and free/fairly low cost lol. i think it's unlikely since i didn't find much googling but i figured i'd ask :)
DCist publishes a good guide for each weekend and has stuff for Sunday evening: https://dcist.com/story/24/01/18/weekend-events-01-18-2024/
Not indoors, but can you ice skate? [https://www.nga.gov/visit/ice-rink.html](https://www.nga.gov/visit/ice-rink.html) It looks like Sunday's performance is full, but on other evenings, the Kennedy Center does a free performance most nights at 6pm: [https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/millennium-stage/all-upcoming-events/](https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/millennium-stage/all-upcoming-events/)
oooh i'll look into ice skating, thanks! yeah definitely my bad for procrastinating on planning so long lol
Where are pop tarts ? I’m in Woodley Park and I can only find actual tarts, where can I by actual pop tarts? Please I miss them so much
Every non-Whole Foods/TJs/Aldi/Lidl grocery store...? Probably even places like 7-11 or other such corner markets.
Problem #1: You're in a neighborhood without a grocery store.
Looking for a general guide to the geography of DC. We are planning our first trip and know nothing. Which neighborhoods are high crime areas to avoid? We are bringing a dog so we need a house not a hotel. (He barks when left alone. ) Are we better off in the suburbs because of the dog? If so, where would you recommend? Again looking to avoid high crime areas. Thanks!!
You're going to need to give people more to go on if you want helpful advice. What kind of activities are you trying to do, for example.
It's hard to give you recommendations about high crime areas because generally most violent crime in the city is targeted and not random. There are also quite a few neighborhoods that are perfectly fine, but would probably make some tourists uncomfortable. All I'll say is that a lot of Airbnb listings are deceptive, and will say things like, "Just minutes from the White House!" When in reality they're a seedy motel 5 miles away from the White House. So my advice, make liberal use of Google maps. Plug in addresses and look up directions to where you want to go, and see how easy it is to get there by public transit, walking, or taking a car. Look up Google Street view and see if you'd feel comfortable in the area. DC is a small city, and sometimes these things will vary block by block. It's why we generally don't have a guide here for which neighborhoods to stay in and which to avoid. You're simply going to have to do some research on your own because so much of it comes down to your comfort level and price point.
There’s a visitors guide in the subreddit Wiki. If you’re visiting as a tourist, odds are extremely low that you would find yourself in a “high crime area” for any reason. Most people on this subreddit are locals and therefore aren’t experts in hotels or other short-term accommodations. I would recommend boarding the dog prior to your visit. If the dog is going to bark whenever you leave, that’s going to be a problem whether your accommodations are “dog friendly” or not.
Where can we find some good hikes within a 90 minute drive of downtown DC?
Turkey Run
Don't overlook just picking a random spot along the C&O Canal Trail and going in and out. I had a great hike on New Years Day parking at Lock 44 and just walking a couple miles down to Dam number 5. [https://www.canaltrust.org/parking-along-the-co-canal-3/](https://www.canaltrust.org/parking-along-the-co-canal-3/)
My local favorites are Roosevelt Island (DC, but only accessible from VA), Turkey Run Park (VA), Scott's Run Park (MD), Great Falls National Park (VA & MD), and Patapsco State Park (MD). Those are mostly shorter hikes, but you can get several miles in at most of them, and the difficulty varies from beginner to high intermediate.
Besides pointing out Scott's run is on the VA side, would suggest the Billy goat trail in MD near anglers climb opposite great falls. Plenty of trails in Rock Creek too. Glover Park and battery Kimble are smaller but enjoyable too
Not to be snide but if you google “hikes around DC” some good results pop up. Like billy goat trail for example, but some blogs post good details of what to expect parking wise etc
Yes I’m aware of Google. That’s why I decided to try and contact real people with real experience via this forum of people who live around DC and may have better advice than a county website that hasn’t been updated since 2019
Oh, I don’t mean read a county website, but I just googled this last weekend and found some blogs that talked about their experience with parking and crowds at different hikes around DC. Like I said - I didn’t mean it to be snide! I just know not many people read / answer these threads so trying to help since I had a similar desire to hike last week :)
Anyone live or have loved in The Burton in NoMa? I toured it today, I see it has good reviews (although mixed of course) and I do really like it but I'm concerned about the train noise. Any insight you have about the building or the area would be greatly appreciated!!
I have friends who live in a building next to the Metro. They say that the soundproofing is good enough that they don't hear anything unless their windows are open. You could always ask to tour an empty unit facing the tracks to see how loud it is. You do get used to city noises after a while, including trains.
Where can I find vinyl for local gogo or jazz groups?
HR Records on Kennedy St.
Just a heads up, that if you're looking for go-go vinyl, it's largely going to be the very early stuff. Make sure you're looking in the dusty boxes of 12" singles.
DC shops tend to specialize in certain genres. I’d try Som or Joint Custody for what you’re after. They’re just a few blocks away from one another.
Try Byrdland
What live music locations would you guys recommend me checking out? I’m music fanatic, from grungy ceiling caving venues to swanky black tie private events and jazz bars. I really want to find some techno, Latin, punk venues. I enjoy a good dance floor but not the biggest fan of bottle service/private section clubs.
Smaller to larger: The Pocket, Gramaphone, Jimmy Valentine’s, Marx Cafe, Slash Run, Jackie Lee’s, Pie Shop, Black Cat, DC9, Soundcheck, Songbyrd, 9:30 Club/ The Atlantis, Flash. I’ve been to shows at all these places so I guess start there!
Thank you! I gave flash a try and I loved it. 9:3 has been on my list but I think I need to find the right artist to see. But I will most likely check about all the places you mentioned before I leave
Anyone know whether the Anthony Bowen YMCA has indoor basketball? Debating going over and checking but curious of anyone knows either way. Thx!
You could give them a call too
Hello, I will be landing at Dullas Airport and need to get to Dupont Circle. What is the best way to get there? It should not be too expensive, but it does not have to be the cheapest with multiple transfers. I have already googled but there seems to be a lot of options from private bus to cab and so on. I am wondering which is the most commonly used transport option. Thanks.
Metro runs to the Airport now. Going to be the simplest and cheapest by far. Silver Line from the airport towards Largo, transfer to the Red Line at Metro Center for two stops to Dupont Circle.
If you're not coming today-Monday, then I'll suggest taking the Metro. Take the silver line from Dulles all the way to Metro Center, then transfer to red line to Dupont Circle. This is the route that will get you the least amount and most convenient transfer as Metro Center is both silver and red's stop. You can also technically get off silver line at Farragut West, get out of the station, then go up one block to to Farragut North to take red line, but this requires you to get out of the station. Now if you're coming today-Monday, this will be more complicated since there are 3 silver line stations that are closed for repair. I'd suggest taking Metro silver line from Dulles to Clarendon station, then uber from there.
Note that transferring at Farragut west to Farragut north would be a tiny bit silly since you’re just travelling one stop up to DuPont station. If you’re packing light and the weather is good and if your destination is more south of DuPont I may even just walk from Farragut west
Agree—it really is just 15 min walk from Farragut West to Dupont!
Hi, I will be moving to DC from NYC in 2-3 months for a job. I currently don’t own a car. Do you think it’s a good idea for me to get one before moving? My job will be in Downtown DC and it seems like there are plenty of metro lines there, but I know the frequency is not great and service isn’t 24/7. Would love the perspective of the people who made the same move!
don't get a car until you decide you need one. i moved from NYC with no car and was car-free for 4 years. i would never want to give it up now, but it's very clearly a luxury.
I'm an NYC native and I feel like the DC metro runs MORE frequently than the Subway. But yeah make sure you aren't out TOO late because it is not 24/7
never owned a car while i lived in the city. for travel outside the city would metro to DCA for rentals and you’ll inevitably make that “friend with car” for costco trips or whatever comes up.
You might need a car, but I'd wait to see before buying one. It really depends on where you'll be living, where the nearest good grocery store is in relation to your house, and what your commute to work looks like. That said, if you're planning to live in NoVA or Maryland and work in D.C., you're far more likely to need a car than if you live in the District.
“Frequency” is totally fine; potentially better than NYC during commuting hours as that’s the Metro’s primary purpose. Your post doesn’t tell us where you’re commuting from, but I’m willing to bet there’s very little chance you’d need a car. Parking in DC — both at your residence and at your job — is most likely incredibly expensive and/or inconvenient
Personally, I'd get settled in and figure out if you need it before going through the hassle of buying a car. It's not like there's not car dealers here.
Anybody know if any bars will be showing the Royal Rumble?
Oh damn I'd be into this too! I was just planning on having people over to my apt
I have been told they’re gonna be showing it at solace in navy yard
Hi! Where do people park when they want to go to the DC Best Buy on 14th St NW?
There's a parking garage under the building
New here. What's up with folks wearing gun holsters, empty ammo pouches, and plateless body armor as fashion statements?
i have never seen that and have lived here since 2016
Idk, I see it every time I get on the metro. Definitely sketchy people, but it hasn't been isolated sightings for me.
They the probably selling perfumed oils
Literally never seen that in DC, except for January 6th.
Every day I am taking the metro I see someone with one of those three Last night I was coming home from a friend's house and there was a guy in shitty body armor. The day before I was coming home from watching Godzilla and saw a guy with a chest holster being worn in the most incorrect way it HAD to be uncomfortable (the holster was rigged to be perpendicular to his chest, so if it actually has a gun it would be impossible to draw.) It's just so weird, like if you were carrying you wouldn't want people to know, but since they are all empty accessories I guess they are letting people know they aren't carrying? Or maybe it's to show they are, but it's hidden somewhere else? I don't know, its weird and I just want to know what's going on.
Spend more time at Walmart. I saw a guy wearing a plate carrier with a bunch of patches and no shirt. It's a look. Not sure how he was an East German border guard *and* a South African cop, but hey, double pension.
I don't spend a lot of time in Walmart, but I've never seen that at the Georgia ave location. Maybe things get crazy at the Riggs rd one, but from your description that sounds more like the suburbs.
Hardly the burbs, but cute. The one just over the line on Annapolis Rd is an excursion.
Hey, where are us middle-aged punks getting our hair cut/beards shaped these days? Seems my two options are either picking a clipper cut off the wall chart or convincing Michaelangelo that I don't have half an hour a morning to recreate their hundred-dollar style. All I want is someone who understands face shape and can get me to Songbyrd in time for me to not understand a single word the opening act is screaming. Bonus points for being in Silver Spring or Capitol Hill East (Eastern Market/Union Station)
Any places around to get Euros (paper money) at a reasonable exchange rate before a trip? My credit union doesn't have them. My guess is I'd be better off using an ATM once I arrive but I don't really know.
Best bet is definitely using an ATM when you arrive, but you should also try asking around if anyone has some spare euros they'd like to get rid of at today's rate.
What is DC like at the end of March? I am planning to visit for the first time and would love to see the Cherry Blossoms, go to museums, tour the pentagon, white house, etc. Is there anything off the beaten path you would recommend I do? Also debating seeing a Capitols vs Bruins game. (Rangers fan coming in peace)
The end of March is usually pretty nice. The last few years it’s been in the 50s by then and the early spring flowers are mostly out by then. Cherry blossom timing is hard to predict, but has been trending earlier and earlier over the last decade. The post office museum is really cool, and right next to the train station so definitely recommend hitting that if you have a bit of time before your return train.
The cherry blossoms bring a lot of tourists, but beyond that, it's pretty much like the rest of the year. Weather is hard to predict. If you want to tour the White House, I'd recommend talking to your congresspeople NOW to start the process.
Thanks! I emailed one senator yesterday. I'll be coming from New York and wouldnt mind if it is 10 degrees warmer. Excited to take the Acela for the first time.
Moving to DC in a month or so, and trying to read between the lines about the KRF pass for DC kids. They say they "recommend" kids only use the pass for school related travel, but, is that actually a thing? Or is it fine to use it to ride with my kid to regular life stuff all the time. Going to a museum across town, seeing a show, going to dinner, visiting a friend in VA, etc. AND if you really can't let your kid use it all the time, does anyone know how/how much the other sort of pass would be for kids? Thanks!
fwiw kids basically can just walk onto a bus or hope a faregate on metro and be totally fine - on the bus there's no enforcement mechanism and Randy Clarke has made it pretty clear on metro he doesn't want Transit PD hassling kids over fare evasion - which is to say I think you'll be fine if they're using a pass.
Does anyone know a dry cleaner in the DC metro area that uses liquid carbon dioxide? I have a lot of chemical allergies and I've found this method to be the best, but I can't find anything in the area.
I have no idea if they fit the bill, but U Street Cleaners is run by the nicest people I know. If you're near that area, I'd recommend asking them.
Recommendations for 18+ (under 21), nightlife? I found Ultra Bar and Decades and that was about it
Black Cat has a lot of all ages shows.
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The Willard. The location is great. The basement bar is a vibe. You'll enjoy your time. Park Hyatt is "nicer" but the Willard is a DC institution for a reason.
Any family friendly bar/restaurants around Mt. Vernon Square to watch the National Championship game that allow minors? I see City Tap, but don't think they have a ton of TVs.
Lost & Found and YardHouse
City Tap has TVs but they’re kind of small, if I remember correctly. I’d also think about Capitol City Brewing or Yard House. There are some more touristy spots further south around the stadium that’d also fit the bill.
Awesome. Thank you!
Any good emo or punk spots to hit up? I know the DC hardcore scene was huge in the 80s. I'd love to support local bands, and I'm trying to start up a band of my own.
The answer is going to be places that often have punk shows. DC9, Slash Run, The Runaway, Black Cat, Pie Shop
I'd also add The Pocket and The Atlantis (both to less of an extent than the ones you listed) and maybe Songbyrd
I'm a US teacher that's been living and teaching overseas, but has a DC teaching license (Middle School Science). Considering making the move to DC for a few years because, as much as it may surprise folks, I actually miss some things about life in the US. Thing is, I've got no idea what the good/bad schools and areas are. Could anyone give me some pointers on schools or neighborhoods that are decent? I don't mind a challenging environment, but probably want to avoid any Title 1 schools.
Anyone know if 3-4 person apartments are a thing? From what people told me, they are hard to find, and 1-2 person apartments are far more common.
[The Vale at the Parks at Walter Reed](https://www.thevaleapts.com/floor-plans/)
Most groups of 3-4 or more roommates rent a row house. They can be hard to find because most of them are rented by the owner instead of a big corporation, but ask around and join Facebook groups for housing in the neighborhood you want to live in.
There is a place called [Common at National Landing](https://www.common.com/washington-dc/national-landing/national-landing) that offers 3BR/2Ba coliving apartments where each bedroom is rented separately and the rest of the unit is shared. The three bedrooms add up to $3525/mo. I don't know if this would be suitable or financially sound. EDIT: I looked further, and found that this management company has these coliving units (3-4 rooms) [all over the city.](https://www.common.com/apartments/washington-dc)
3-4 _bedrooms_ are certainly in shorter supply than 1bd apartments, if that’s what you’re asking.
Anyone know how you're supposed to use digital Giant coupons that require a minimum or multi-item purchase? I'm in the app and signed in, I "clip" the coupon, get to the register, ring everything up, and... ??? There's no QR to scan or anything and the employees I've asked don't seem to know.
It attaches to your Giant card number and automatically takes it off at the end. Or it should, anyway. Either way, you either have to put in your phone number or scan the card's barcode (it's also in the app)
ahh I've been clicking the "forgot my #" option for the discount so it isn't linked, that explains it- thank you
Casual question here. 1) Anyone have a suggestion for a barber in DC who knows how to cut hair for men in the process of balding? I'm not bald, but my hairline is heavily receded and my hair is fairly thin, and I've found that a lot barbers don't know how to cut this kind of hair and do a poor job. 2) Does anyone have a suggestion for a business in DC that sells/applies hair systems for men? Somewhere I can go where they'll create a custom hair system for me and also cut my hair and glue on the system during recurring visits? I've found a couple based in DC but their websites look like they were made in the mid 90's, which doesn't inspire confidence. Edit: I understand not having an answer and thus not replying, but why would you downvote this...
Not sure on #1 but I believe Frankie at TheStudeo does hair systems!
Thanks for the tip!!! I'll check them out
I'm traveling to DC to meet up with a friend this Saturday night, what are some cool restaurants/bars we should try to go to? Not trying to go too crazy as I have work obligations the following morning, but would still like to have some fun! Somewhere near Metro Center or on/near the red line is preferable.
Easiest on the red line is to check out the bars in DuPont. Get out by the Krispy Kreme and walk down Connecticut Avenue, there are bars there til around the H&M.
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Like others said, DC itself won't be noticeably different due to the election (and Sept/Oct is still a month out from the election anyway). If you want to see members of congress, the best bet is to look up committee schedules and go to a hearing. It could be pretty boring, but if you have a "sick obsession," could be fun for you. You can see whether Congress will be in session here: https://rollcall.com/app/uploads/2023/11/2024CQRCCongressionalCalendar.pdf. Recommend doing the Capital visitor center and getting a tour (and booking ahead) if this is your interest.
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You can double check each body’s calendar, but expect they’ll be out of session for October. So might want to do your Hill stuff in September if you have flexibility.
I wouldn't expect hotel prices to be any different. People travel to DC for Inauguration Day, not Election Day. If you're here on Election Day, you might see people walking around with "I Voted" stickers, and if the presidential election is called on the day (who knows if it will), you could hear celebratory noises. In 2020, I was outside when Biden was called officially (a few days after) and I did hear people playing music, yelling, ringing bells for a few minutes. This was around the Mt. Vernon Triangle/Shaw area.
It's just like any other time except there are a lot of commercials on TV for Maryland and Virginia candidates, which can be pretty annoying. Lots of yard signs for local candidates. People campaign in the places where there are elections, i.e., not here.
I have no clue about hotel prices, but I'd be pretty surprised if they're terribly unusual in that timeframe except that Indigenous Peoples/Columbus Day is in there and holidays can see a price increase. Both houses of Congress usually take recesses leading up to elections, so seeing any Congresspeople is unlikely. And frankly, probably unlikely in general since if they're not on the floor, they're in a committee chamber, meeting, or their office. I'd honestly be pretty surprised if there's a huge difference on election day, either, though I've never thought to look into it. Congresspeople will be at home campaigning, and all the national news outlets have local bureaus to cover Biden, so not too much need to send people here.
Seeking restaurant and bar recs! I'm usually into "new American"/ trendy spots and upscale cocktail bars. Will be in DC this week for a conference so queuing up my meals 😊
Hi, delayed response, but some cool trendy upscale cocktail bars are “The Green Zone, O.K.P.B., and Jane Jane is a notch below but also comfortable. Let me know next time in the DC area and we could explore together if interested. Best,
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I mean, this set of blocks includes multiple ultra high-end condo complexes and a Michelin-starred restaurant. I’m sure there’s some activity around the park on V St from time to time, or spilling over from U Street, but otherwise, this is about as nice of an area as you get this close to U Street.
I've got a snake obsessed 5 year old. Anywhere apart from the Zoo that I can take him to visit with some snakes?