DC Diaries
the perfect itinerary for a trip to our nation’s capitol
After months of planning, coordination across time zones, and one too many FaceTime meetings, our family converged in Washington, D.C. for our summer vacation. We all flew into IAD (Washington Dulles International Airport), beating flight changes and layovers to have a much-anticipated family reunion.
An oversized Uber took us to Hotel Washington, where we dropped off our bags and headed up the street to the Old Ebbitt Grill. Steak, crab cakes, and a well-earned toast set the tone for our trip.
Sunday, July 20: History, Tea, and Sunsets Over the Potomac
We started our first full day with mass at Saint Patrick Catholic Church—a beautiful, gothic church, small in comparison to the surrounding skyscrapers. After a beautiful mass with a resonating homily, we found comfort (and caffeine) at Le Pain Quotidien, fueling up for a full day.
Next stop, Ford’s Theatre right down the street. With paper tickets in hand, we waited in a long line that accumulated outside the front entrance. At 10:00am sharp, the line started moving, circling us into a museum with historical mementos of the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln's presidency. Then, the whole reason we went—the inside of the theatre. It was beautiful and eerie to see the location where the 16th President was shot, and equally eerie to see the drop to the stage where assassin John Wilkes Booth leapt to in his escape.
We moved across the street to the inn where Lincoln spent his final moments. The solemnity hit us all; it's one thing to read about history and another to stand in the room where it happened.
We headed back to the hotel for a quick outfit change for our reservation at the elegant Willard InterContinental’s Peacock Alley for afternoon tea. The tower of treats was colorful and delicious, the teapots bottomless, and the setting refined with the most elegant tea service.
Our evening plans included a sunset boat cruise with Potomac Riverboat Company. The hum of the boat’s engine filled our ears as we overlooked the water, overtaken by a hue of pink and orange from the sky above, illuminating the monuments in a natural glow. We wrapped up with seafood at Tony and Joe’s, enjoying each other’s company, reflecting on the perfect first day.
Monday, July 21: Archives, Portraits, and America’s Favorite Pastime
We began the day at the National Archives Museum, where the country’s founding documents are housed. In awe, I stared at the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, getting so close my nose could practically touch the glass that encases them. I read the preamble of the Constitution directly from the document itself, squinting to see the faded ink. A round rotunda, a bit brisk and dimly lit, protects the documents from aging more than they already have.
From there, we took a long walk over to the National Portrait Gallery, surprised to learn that it houses much more than the presidential portraits. I recommend bypassing the fluff and heading upstairs to take in the beautiful displays representing our 47 Presidents.
We ended the day by cheering on the Nationals at Nationals Park. The perfect mix of American summer fun: hot dog dinners in the stands, the roar of the crowd, the coolness of the night, and the little baseball helmet golf cart that did a drive-by for every inning.
Tuesday, July 22: From FBI Files to Cathedral Spires
Our first stop of the day: the FBI Headquarters. With tickets secured ahead of time, we moved through security and into a behind-the-scenes look at one of the country’s most iconic institutions. An interactive exhibit educates you on the different jobs and tasks of FBI agents.
Next, an overwhelming trip to the National Gallery of Art, where we spent more time trying to figure our way around than looking at the paintings, exhibits, and sculptures.
After, we Ubered to the striking Washington National Cathedral. Gothic architecture made from 150,000 tons of Indiana limestone, intricate stained glass, and panoramic views of DC from the top, as it sits on a hill overlooking the city. Our tour guide informed us that it houses the bodies of famous individuals like Woodrow Wilson and Helen Keller, and for the right price, it can house you, too. They offer a variety of tours, which I recommend, as it is far too big with too many hidden tidbits to explore on your own.
A five-minute walk from the Cathedral sits a bunch of little shops and restaurants, including 2Amys, a cozy pizzeria serving Neapolitan-style pies. The pizza was delicious as I got their marina with pepperonis. The highlight of the meal was their cantaloupe sorbet, a perfectly smooth and fresh flavor made in-house. It was like nothing I had ever tasted before.
Wednesday, July 23: Democracy Up Close
Our US Capitol Tour gave us a window into the working heart of American democracy. The architecture of this building still takes my breath away, from the grandiose white outside to the most stunning carvings, statues, paintings, and designs that I’ve ever seen. I fell absolutely in love.
It connects to the Library of Congress via a tunnel. We entered at our timed entry window and were transported to a place where beauty and literature coexist in the same space, feeding off of each other.
We popped over to the Supreme Court next door. The timing worked out perfectly as we caught the last Courtroom Lecture of the day, which gave us a rare peek into the judicial process.
Dinner at Le Diplomate wrapped the day with French flair. When I say this was the best meal I’ve ever had, I mean this was the BEST meal I’ve ever had. We started with the “Farmer’s Cheese,” which is made in-house and topped with sprigs of mint, honeycomb, and hazelnut. My main dish was their “Steak Au Poivre,” which was a black pepper-crusted New York strip. My family ordered the “Scallops Provençal” and the “Beef Bourguignon.” For dessert, our waiter recommended the “Profiteroles” (praline, banana, vanilla ice cream, and bittersweet chocolate). We also got the “Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée” and “Lemon Sorbet.” I want to go back solely to visit this restaurant.
Thursday, July 24: Power and Remembrance
Thursday took us to the heart of American power: The White House. We weaved through stately rooms: green, red, and blue. We ended in front, taking photos under the presidential seal and on the front steps, amazed by the beauty and history.
Next was Arlington National Cemetery on what became a particularly hot day. We witnessed the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. A deeply intimate ceremony watched in absolute silence. A pure moment of stillness and reverence we’ll never forget.
We went out of our way to visit the Pentagon. Remembering the lives lost on 9/11 as we walked throughout their memorial. We ate an early dinner at The Hamilton as we were all starving from the walking and the heat. A humongous restaurant with unique booths. The food was not as good as the atmosphere.
Our evening walk took us past the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, each monument reminding us of the sacrifices made for the greatest nation in the world.
Friday, July 25: The Smithsonian Marathon
Our final full day was dedicated to the Smithsonian. We started at the National Air and Space Museum. The exhibits captured the awe of human flight and exploration, including a lawn chair that flew with the help of hundreds of weather balloons and the first flight in human history, taking place close to my current home: Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Next up, the National Museum of Natural History, where dinosaur fossils and geodes stole the show. We wrapped our Smithsonian tour at the National Postal Museum, an underrated gem full of quirky exhibits and historical letters.
Saturday, July 26: Farewells
We checked out of our hotel bright and early and took a quiet morning Uber to the airport in Virginia. We quickly made our way through security and boarded the train that took us to our gates. We waited near mine as I flew out first, reflecting on the excitement and beauty of the trip and how much we would miss each other. When it finally came time for me to board, we said our farewells and walked in opposite directions, turning back periodically to give our final waves.
Seven Days, One City, Countless Memories
Washington, DC delivered on history, food, reflection, and connection. From quiet church pews to bustling ballparks, from solemn memorials to sparkling tea trays, every moment was worth remembering. We all left with a deeper appreciation for the stories that shaped this country, and to see the history we had only read in books or seen pictured on TV makes every new connection more worthwhile. We made memories that my family will reflect back on every time we see each other.