Exploring the Vibrant Tapestry of Washington DC
Welcome to the captivating city of Washington, D.C.! Nestled along the picturesque Potomac River, this extraordinary destination is a melting pot of history, culture, and politics. Join us on an adventure like no other as we delve into the heart of the United States' capital city.
OUR ADVENTURES
Two Lost Sailors
9/2/20238 min read
What can we say about Washington DC other than we LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it! From the minute we stepped outside of the train station the stark contrast between the high rise buildings and hustle and bustle of New York and the low buildings and wide open spaces of Washington DC was obvious, and we liked it!
We had travelled from New York City via Amtrak train using an Amtrak USA Rail Pass. This pass gives you 10 segments (or journeys) over 30 days of travel for $499. This worked out to be much cheaper than buying individual tickets. The Amtrak trains were surprisingly good, very clean and the seats in Coach class are nice and spacious with lots of leg room so very comfortable. We didn’t use all of our segments but this still worked out to be a great money saver over all.
On leaving the station we wanted to grab a UBER to the hotel but for some reason the app was crashing, it was so annoying! I searched for UBER alternatives and found an app called LYFT. As it turned out this worked out better for us as it actually links into Delta Airlines points system, so for every car ride we get air miles added to our Delta Airlines Account, every little helps and all that! LYFT works the same way as UBER, you select your destination and are shown a list of available cars along with the prices, you select which car you would like and it displays the drivers photo, name and a picture of the car with the registration number so you know exactly which ride is yours. You then get live updates telling you how far away your driver is etc. All payments are processed using the app, including the tip which makes it really easy.
Once we had booked into our hotel, we headed out to explore! The best way to do this by far was using the Scooters and Bikes that are widely available all around the city. There are several different companies that offer bikes and scooters in Washington DC so you need to make sure you have the correct apps on your phone. If you are travelling to a City that offers app based transport it’s a good idea to do your research before hand so you can make sure you have the apps on your phone before you go exploring, although you can download them on the fly if you have mobile data. You do need data in order to use the apps though as they are all internet based, if you don’t have data then make sure you have comfy shoes as you’ll be doing LOTS of walking !
The two main apps for Washington DC are LYFT (the same app we used to get a taxi) and LIME. They are both easy to use, you just scan the bike or scooter to unlock it, ride it around for as long as you like, then return it to a dock. It automatically knows you have docked the bike/scooter and bills your account for the amount of time you have been riding. Read the instructions first though, some insist you take the transport back to a dock, some let you lock it to a lamp post or even park it in the street so long as it isn’t obstructing the walkway or the road. All the apps have red no park zones in them, which means you can not end your ride in these areas without getting charged an extra fee, be sure to check you are in a green area before you leave your bike/scooter to avoid these fees. It’s also worth noting that all areas around the memorials and main buildings of interest are red zones. We ditched the bikes on the edge of the green zones and walked the rest of the way. One last thing on the bikes vs scooters, the scooters were great fun and effortless but the bikes are cheaper, however, if you are lucky enough to find one available there are electric assisted bikes but again, these cost a bit more than a basic bike although after cycling around for two days, on day three I found them worth every penny ! Your legs will thank you!!
Washington DC by night is definitely a MUST, not only is it beautiful to see the city lit up but is a great way to avoid the crowds and also avoid the heat of the sun ! It gets SO hot in the day, we found our night time adventures so much cooler and much more enjoyable.
There are many guided night tours available using different modes of transport. You can take a walking, cycling, bus or tram tour through the city after dark. We opted to go it alone and rented some bikes but if a guided tour is more up your street then you can find a list of available tours by clicking the link below…
Click to see a list of night tours available in Washing DC
Cycling around the city at night was amazing, the roads were quiet, there was hardly any people around. We visited all of the main monuments and buildings of interest at our own pace and really enjoyed seeing them all lit up. We got so carried away playing on our bikes that we didn’t get back to the hotel until 1am. This was quite possibly, the first time ever that we have been out that late without being drunk !
The hotel that we chose was amazing, we stayed in the “Thompson Washington DC” which was in a really great location on the edge of town. It was very comfortable, clean and the staff were really friendly and helpful. Once again we booked via Hotwire.com. The hotel average room price per night is normally $286 plus fees, we paid $121 plus fees. Be aware that prices for hotels are nearly always PLUS taxes and resort fees. For this booking we paid a $60 resort fee and $79.40 taxes for a 2 night stay. Remember that most hotels also take a refundable deposit for extras off your credit card when you check in, you do get this back but it can take up to 5 days, this is the most annoying part of travelling in the US, especially if you are staying in a lot of hotels as it soon adds up !
Washington DC had such a great vibe, we really enjoyed our time here, there was so much to see and do that we simply couldn’t fit it all in. There is lots to see and do, a great variety of restaurants and bars, the people are really friendly and it definitely makes our list of the top 5 best places to visit !
Our next stop will be Williamsburg Virginia, we once again travelled by train using our Amtrak travel passes and on arrival we were completely immersed in history and truly felt like we had travelled back in time! Look out for our next blog to find out more about our visits to Williamsburg, our 4th of July experience in Jamestown and our Axe throwing adventure with our amazing friends.
Although we didn’t get to see everything during our visit to Washington DC, we have put together a list of things to see and do in Washington DC for you to look at, hopefully it will give you some inspiration and help you navigate your way through this amazing city!
Happy Travels !
Things to see and do in Washington DC
1. Discover the Rich History:
Washington, D.C. is a treasure trove of historical landmarks that will transport you back in time. Begin your journey at the iconic National Mall, where you'll find the awe-inspiring Lincoln Memorial and the grandeur of the Washington Monument.
Don't miss the chance to explore the hallowed halls of the Smithsonian Institution, housing a vast collection of world-renowned museums, including the National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of American History.
2. Immerse Yourself in Political Power:
As the seat of the United States government, Washington, D.C. offers a unique opportunity to witness democracy in action.
Visit the majestic U.S. Capitol Building and take a guided tour to learn about the inner workings of Congress.
For an unforgettable experience, plan your trip to coincide with the captivating Cherry Blossom Festival, where the city comes alive with delicate pink blooms and vibrant celebrations.
3. Cultural Marvels Galore:
Beyond its political significance, Washington, D.C. boasts a thriving arts and culture scene.
Pay a visit to the renowned John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where you can catch mesmerising ballet performances, symphony concerts, and Broadway shows. The vibrant neighborhoods of Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle offer a kaleidoscope of culinary delights, trendy boutiques, and lively nightlife.
4. Natural Beauty and Tranquility:
Escape the bustling city streets and discover the tranquility of Rock Creek Park, a sprawling oasis right in the heart of Washington, D.C. Take a leisurely stroll along its scenic trails, rent a paddleboat on the picturesque lake, or simply bask in the serenity of nature. For a moment of reflection, make your way to the enchanting Tidal Basin, surrounded by the iconic Jefferson Memorial and the memorials honoring Franklin D. Roosevelt and Martin Luther King Jr.
5. The Smithsonian National Zoo:
No trip to Washington, D.C. would be complete without a visit to the Smithsonian National Zoo. Home to over 2,700 animals, including giant pandas, elephants, and lions, this world-class zoo offers a captivating experience for animal lovers of all ages. Don't miss the opportunity to witness the adorable pandas munching on bamboo or catch an engaging animal feeding session.
