You can get a downloadable map of this itinerary here.

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL: I think April – June is the best time of year in D.C. because the summers get really hot and humid. Plus, the cherry blossoms will be in full bloom this time of year, so the city is even more picturesque than normal.

WHERE TO STAY: Try to stay near Capitol Hill if you want to be able to walk to a majority of the sights. Otherwise, Dupont Circle is a popular area for night life and has a more unique vibe.

BEFORE YOUR STAY: Reach out to a Congressman from your state. As far as I know, every office offers Capitol tours for constituents, so make sure you plan your visit with the office in advance.

friday.

Start your morning off at a D.C. staple, Ted’s Bulletin. There is no way to make a reservation, so the earlier you can get there, the better. They are known for their homemade pop-tarts, but you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Next, head to the Capitol for your tour. Plan for just under 2 hours to get through security and do the tour.

Next, head from the Capitol toward the Lincoln Memorial along the National Mall. It is about a 2-mile walk from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, so make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes. Along the way, you will see the national monument as well as many memorials. You have the option to go all the way to the Lincoln Memorial or do this afterwards, but then I would visit the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. The Air & Space museum has always been my personal favorite, but all of the Smithsonian museums are free, so pack some more in if you have time. The National Portrait Gallery is also PHENOMENAL, so I would recommend stopping by if you have time. It also has fewer crowds than many of the other Smithsonians.

By now, it should be early evening, so head towards the White House. Nearby, I recommend going up to the rooftop of the W Hotel (now Hotel Washington). The drinks are really expensive, but it has a nice view overlooking the White House and the national mall.

To finish, grab dinner nearby at the Penn Quarter Rasika. It has both incredible Indian food and service, so I come here every time I visit the city. If you want more affordable Indian food, Indigo is great as well and has a nice outdoor patio.

saturday.

Start your morning at Eastern Market. The expansive market has both local food vendors and quirky pop up shops. My favorite is the stand selling old postcards from around the country. Feel free to sample the fruit from the vendors, but make sure you save some room for an early lunch.

Next, take a Lyft over to Georgetown. I recommend having them drop you off at Georgetown Cupcakes. The line can be long, but moves quickly. Baked & Wired nearby may rival Georgetown’s, so feel free to pick up both and be the judge. From there, walk around Georgetown and pop into some of the cute shops. To pass the afternoon, you have a couple of options. If you like architecture and gardens, check out Dumbarton Oaks. If you like to be active, go to Key Bridge Boathouse and paddleboard. If neither of those sound appealing, Georgetown University is nearby to tour as well.

Head back into the city and get ready for dinner. My favorite spot to get pre-dinner drinks and maybe spot a politician is Old Ebbitt Grille. If you happen to find yourself here late at night, they have $1 oysters starting at 11 p.m. Then I recommend going to one of Jose Andres’ restaurants for dinner – Jaleo, Oyamel, Zaytinya are my personal favorites.  Le Diplomate is another local favorite and is in located near Dupont Circle and U Street if you are trying to go out after dinner.

sunday.

My favorite part of DC is the bottomless brunch. While there are so many places to go depending on what type of food you are in the mood for, Ambar is my favorite.

Finally, if you are still in town for dinner, I have two recommendations. For a more affordable option, Union Market has every type of food you could want. It is really casual and a fun place to walk around in. If you choose this option, Wunder Garten pop-up is nearby for a fun place to drink and play lawn games. Alternatively, if you want a nicer meal, Tail Up Goat is probably one of the best meals I have ever had.