I have recently returned from a trip to our country's capital, Washington D.C. with my younger, teenage brother and I must say that D.C. has more to it than its lawyers and court cases. The trip set forth a wave of happiness. I was exploring the world and enjoying our earth's beautiful scenery. Washington has many parks and exhibits to grab your attention into inner peace and thankfulness that will make you proud to be an American. You will be able witness the greatness our world has to offer too. Want to go on journey where you will find yourself smiling and saying the words, "wow, really?!!" then a visit to Washington D.C. is your best bet. While you are there you should experience my top ten things to do in Washington D.C. which won't disappoint!
1. Ben’s Chili Bowl
If you want to experience
tastes from 55 years ago then this is the place to visit. Ben’s Chili Bowl is a
Washington Landmark since 1958. It is the home of the famous chili half-smoke
that can be added onto any meal you chose. Don’t like chili? You will
definitely change your mind once you take one bite from any of Ben’s meals.
Even the milkshakes that are served are tummy filling. My mouth is watering
just thinking about the different meal choices Ben has to offer. Come in the
morning, afternoon, and evening to discover a taste from the past.
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| Cheesy Fries with Ben's Chili |
2. DC Tour by Foot
I happened to visit
Washington D.C. on the hottest week, July had to offered. Instead of spending
careless amount of time walking aimlessly I took the National Mall walking
tour. Taking this one-mile tour allowed me to visit the memorials and monuments
without getting lost, which normally happens to me. The tour as well gave me a
historical background of our country’s capital. The tour guides are truly
informative and enthusiastic! They are willing to answer any questions as you
look around and snap images for remembrance. The best part about taking this
tour was that it was completely free...yes, FREE!
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| Abraham Lincoln |
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| Washington Memorial (currently under construction) and Reflecting Pool |
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| Abraham Lincoln Memorial |
3. The Metro System
Living in New York City I
thought the best way to travel in any place could not top NYC’s train system.
Boy, was I wrong! Washington D.C. Metrorail system is amazing! It is very
simple to understand even if you have never travel using public transportation.
Each station is clean, convenient and organized to prevent any confusion. If
you happen to feel confuse you can speak with a Metrorail booth worker to guide
you around.
The Metro lines only
consist of five color-coded trains: Blue, Green, Orange, Yellow and Red. To
identify a line you will see the train’s name and the matching color strip on
the train’s top, front cart. There are Metro maps located throughout each cart.
How can you get lost in an organized system like the Metrorail?
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| Metro Map |
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| My first night in Washington D.C. on the Metro |
4. Smithsonian Museums
It is very hard to visit
museums that offer high amounts of information at an inexpensive price, let
alone, free! However, the Smithsonian museums in Washington D.C. offer a great
selections of history at a free price. There is so much to see and learn that
you can spend numerous hours within the museums’ halls not knowing the day has
passed you by. Most exhibits offer interactive activities to transform you into
the past and engage you even more. The museums are superb for people of all ages
from the smallest to the oldest!
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| Michelle Obama's inauguration grown from 2009 |
5. Ted’s Bulletin
Breakfast is now served!
There is no way you can go wrong ordering breakfast at this 1930’s set
restaurant. Travel back into your childhood memories and order the homemade
pop-tarts to join your breakfast meal. If you want to remain in your adulthood
state than order the “adult” milkshakes. The décor
of restaurant is suited for
its 1930’s theme. There is a black and white movie projected on the wall,
dinning room area and bar. The best part of coming to Ted’s Bulletin is being
able to indulge in breakfast at any time of the day because...breakfast is
served ALL DAY LONG!
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| Ted's Homemade Pop Tarts |
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| Ted's The Big Mark Breakfast with a Cinnamon Brown Sugar Pop Tart |
6. Georgetown for shopping
Ladies hold onto your
heels and gentlemen let go of your wallets! Georgetown has much to offer for
shopaholics and those who want a souvenir to give to their love ones.
Georgetown is a popular area for shopping, dining and nightlife. There are many
boutiques and antique stores for the trendy spenders. After you are done
shopping and feel that sharp pain in your stomach announcing that you are
hungry, have a meal at The Diner. You couldn't ask for a greater way to conclude your day of shopping!
7. Arlington Cemetery
Soldiers have fought long
and strong for our country throughout many wars and battles. Sometimes we
forget just how much these men and women have put on the line for our freedom.
At the Arlington Cemetery you will witness the 14,000 plus graves of the men
and women that gave up their lives in order for us to be the proud American
citizens we are today. Walking through the cemetery gave me chills because you never realize in your day-to-day life that there is someone fighting for you to
continue going about your life. I was truly proud to be an American once I
dismissed the cemetery. The cemetery also holds the resting place of President
John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jacqueline. I urge you to splurge on $8.75 tour
bus ticket! Walking uphill can be deadly on the hottest of days. I left the cemetery looking like I just completed two hours of Zumba and I paid for the ticket...think about it!
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| The only national cemetery to hold servicemen from all American wars |
8. We, the Pizza
New York is known for its
amazing pizzas so I already had my guards up arriving at We, the Pizza. There are
a variety of choices to choose from which makes one's decision making very
difficult. After much debate within my head I decided upon the buffalo chicken
pizza with an extra topping of ranch sauce. The dough was soft but strong
enough to hold my toppings as I bit into it. To assist with the digestion of
my pizza I ordered the Dreams are made of Strawberry Lemonade, Italian Soda . This was equally amazing. The drink
was not too sweet, too sour or too watery. In fact it was just right! Of course
it had to be just right because We, the Pizza is joint owned by former “Top Chef”
contestant Spike Mendelsohn. I wish he would create one in New York City too.
Can’t blame a girl for dreaming!
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We, the Pizza's Italian Soda:
Dreams are made of Strawberry Lemonade |
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| Buffalo Chicken Pizza with Ranch Sauce |
9. Martin Luther King Memorial
Martin Luther King
Memorial is the newest addition to the National Mall. Although, it is quite
hard to find within the National Mall I accidentally found the memorial after getting lost! However, once locating the memorial I was glad to have gotten lost. The peaceful environment will surely take your breath away. The
memorial is located near a waterfront and contains some of Dr. King most famous
quotes throughout his life. Sometimes one forgets how articulate Dr. King was with
his words, his memorial will definitely remind you.
10. The White House
The
huge white house located on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is the house almost every person wished
they lived in once in their life...or is that just me?!? You have to be very
and I mean VERY special to enter into the White House but that shouldn’t stop
you from taking pictures standing outside the White House's gates imagining yourself living in this
huge mansion.
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You have to take a picture of yourself!
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