INSIDER TIPS
20 Best-Kept Secrets of Washington, D.C.
All fun. No lines. Our top 20 secrets for enjoying the cherry blossoms, the crab cakes, the views, and the free moonlight concerts—away from the crowds.
The National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden fountain
(Michael Mohr)Standing in line is no way to spend a vacation. Yet the 16 million tourists who visit Washington from around the world every year wind up ensnarled in queues at major monuments for most of their trips. Follow these insights—from a resident expert, budget-minded foodie, and mom—to do D.C. just like a local.
1. Start with an overview
With Lincoln looming large over the National Mall and Arlington Cemetery beckoning two miles across town, it can be tough for first-time visitors to sort through the maze of D.C.'s must-see sites. The best way to dive in is with a brief introduction to them all. D.C. By Foot offers four free walking tours that range from two-hour strolls along the Mall to a six-hour "All-in-One" epic that takes in the Pentagon, Arlington Cemetery, and more (1740 18th St. NW Suite 304). If you'd prefer to see the sights while sitting down, Old Town Trolley Tours runs nightly two-hour "Monuments by Moonlight" rides, which cruise past the FDR and Iwo Jima Memorials as evening falls (trolleys depart at 7:30 p.m. from Union Station, $35 for adults and $18 for kids).
2. Catch million-dollar views—and classical tunes—all for free
Sweeping vistas are a tall order in this low-rise city, where the height of buildings is regulated by an 1899 Act of Congress. But at 150 feet, the uncrowded Pilgrim Observation Gallery at the National Cathedral is your elevator to the sky, with unobstructed 360-degree views. Down on the ground floor you can attend free organ demonstrations every Monday and Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. and explore the architecture of this neo-Gothic behemoth. (Bring binoculars to spot the carved head of Darth Vader outside, near the top of the northwest tower). 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW, $5 suggested donation
3. Get lost in space
Adults may see D.C. as a wonderland with more than 50 museums to explore. But those with children know to choose wisely—or pay the price. Home to vintage flying machines like Charles Lindburgh's 1927 Spirit of St. Louis plane and the 1969 Apollo 11 command module, the National Air and Space Museum is one of the most kid-friendly branches of the Smithsonian. Its lineup features a 20-minute planetarium show starring Sesame Street characters, and air-travel-themed story times, where little ones can keep their hands busy building model planes and rocket ships. Independence Ave. at 6th St. SW, free
4. See Obama's chopper, Marine One, touch down
White House tours aren't the same-old, same-old these days. President Obama and First Lady Michelle have recently opened up some new areas of the People's House, which makes for a much more exciting tour. In addition to being able to access the China Room, an archive that includes George Washington's and John Adams's tableware, visitors are now frequently invited to the South Lawn to watch the POTUS arrive or depart on Marine One. Best of all, Secret Service agents sometimes lead guided tours of the residence in the mornings. See whitehouse.gov for tour info.
5. A new crew of fashion talent (really)
For all of D.C.'s draws—power, monuments, and living history—shopping hasn't traditionally been at the top of the list. At least until recently. A string of shops as fashion-forward as the First Lady has popped up around 14th St. and the U St. Corridor. Jiwon Paik-Nguyen (who has worked for Theory, J. Crew, and Polo Ralph Lauren) imported a little SoHo style to her hometown two-and-a-half years ago with Rue 14, where she stocks wares by BB Dakota and Cheap Monday. And up the street, Christopher Reiter pulled the best contemporary housewares from his four-year adventures across Southeast Asia to fill the floor at Mulèh.
- Related: 18 Stunning Cherry Blossom Photos
6. Eat breakfast with the cheetahs
Looking for an early-morning destination to hit when the museums are shuttered? The 163-acre grounds of the National Zoo generally open by 8 a.m.(ish)—two hours before its exhibits officially come to life. Stick around until 11 a.m., and you'll be rewarded with the sight of six resident orangutans making their way—hand over hand—across a 400-foot-long stretch of cables connecting two areas. 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW, free
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