A Politico’s Guide to Washington, DC
People move to cities for all sorts of reasons—but in Washington, people move here to make a difference.
The dynamics of the city change with the political winds as idealistic newcomers arrive on the high-tides of electoral victory, and can often leave deflated when their candidate gets sent home packing. However, the driving force behind our nation’s capital is that everything we do is underpinned by purpose. When you come to visit, the sites and spaces are all designed to be enjoyed by the American people:
The National Mall has been called, “America’s Front Yard,” and the monuments, museums, and sites that line it tell the story of the people and events that have defined our nation. This area is the central hub for visiting Washington, DC. At one end sits the U.S. Capitol Building, where tours can be arranged by calling your member of Congress. Pro tip: if you ask politely, the office can arrange a special guided tour, take you out on the floor of the House Chamber, and perhaps even onto the Speaker of the House’s balcony where you can take-in the view shared by Presidents as they are sworn in to office
As you walk from the U.S. Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial you’ll pass the Smithsonian Museums, the World War II Memorial, the Washington Monument, and even the White House.
Washington, DC has no shortage of museums to choose from, but there are certain things that every visitor absolutely must see.
When you enter the National Museum of American History you can stand before the 200-year-old, 30-by-34 foot star spangled banner that inspired our national anthem. A few floors above is an exhibit on the American Presidency and our nation’s first ladies that features presidential memorabilia ranging from President Lincon’s top hat to the inaugural gowns worn by first ladies. Additionally, the museum houses iconic American memorabilia from Kermit the Frog to Dorothy’s ruby slippers.
For art lovers, the National Gallery of Art houses “Ginevra de’ Benci,” the only painting by Leonardo De Vinci in the Americas, and one of only three surviving pieces of his work depicting a woman. You could spend hours in the museum, which houses pieces ranging from Jackson Pollock to Picasso.
Shortly across town, a uniquely Washingtonian stop is the National Portrait Gallery, which literally shows visitors the faces of the American story. A constantly growing collection, it also features the portrait of every U.S. president, including Gilbert Stuart’s famous “Lansdowne” portrait of our first President, and our city’s namesake.
There is no greater tradition in DC than fighting it out with your political opponents, whether inside the Beltway or on the airwaves–and then putting all that aside to come together to eat and drink. Thankfully, there's no shortage of venues to bridge the political divide!
Georgetown’s Cafe Milano has reigned for 30 years as the ultimate spot for insiders.On any given night you could run into a celebrity in town advocating for an issue they care about, a cabinet secretary, and plenty of members of the national press corps.
The Occidental, a Washington classic recently reimagined by Stephen Starr, is an old-school and glamorous backdrop for Martinis, raw bar snacks, and late-night conversation.
If you can convince a friend to get you in, The Ned, a new, private, members-only club has breathed new life into the DC social scene and become the new place where both sides can come together—with absolutely no photos.
Perhaps no one embodies the spirit of Washington, quite like chef and humanitarian José Andrés. His numerous restaurants, including Jaleo and The Bazaar are not to be missed–and you know that as you eat, you are helping support the work of a visionary.
When you’re out for your morning walk, make sure to stop at Georgetown’s Dog Tag Bakery. Not only does it serve great coffee and pastries, but the bakery is also a training center for veterans, military spouses, and caregivers to learn the skills necessary for business.
To end the day, it might sound unappealingly bureaucratic to suggest to anyone that they go to the National Archives, but that’s where you’ll find in the rotunda, on permanent display, what are known collectively as the charters of Freedom: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Whether you live here or are visiting, these documents remind us of the very reason that this city exists–doing the business of: “We the people.” Nothing could be more quintessentially DC than that.
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