Nicolas's Guidebook
Food scene
Old town is about 10 minutes from the house, and a great place to stop for dinner or lunch. My favorites:
Italian: Mia’s Italian Restaurant
Sandwiches: Lucky Dog Cafe
Pub: Union Pubhouse
Seafood: The union fish market
Mexican: cafe Urbano
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Old Town
Old town is about 10 minutes from the house, and a great place to stop for dinner or lunch. My favorites:
Italian: Mia’s Italian Restaurant
Sandwiches: Lucky Dog Cafe
Pub: Union Pubhouse
Seafood: The union fish market
Mexican: cafe Urbano
Sightseeing
Obviously DC is the biggest attraction around, but these are a few hidden gems outside of the most famous attractions:
(1) the FDR Memorial - great park, dogs allowed (he was famous for his love of dogs), and great views of the other monuments;
(2) teddy roosevelt island - great golf course near here, can also play foot golf;
(3) the Wharf - great fish market that makes an appearance in several films and tv shows, awesome river views.
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Washington
Obviously DC is the biggest attraction around, but these are a few hidden gems outside of the most famous attractions:
(1) the FDR Memorial - great park, dogs allowed (he was famous for his love of dogs), and great views of the other monuments;
(2) teddy roosevelt island - great golf course near here, can also play foot golf;
(3) the Wharf - great fish market that makes an appearance in several films and tv shows, awesome river views.
Mount Vernon
Nightlife
Bars and Clubs for those looking to see DC at night
DCs nightlife is vibrant and fun, some of my favorite spots:
(1) The Kennedy Center or National Theater - great spot to catch a show, and DC has some great ones coming up (Wicked, Les Mis, guys and dolls). If you like comedy, I suggest Shear Madness - it’s improve and no show is the same, lots of audience participation.
(2) The Summit at the Conrad - great cocktails and awesome views of DC. Also across the street is a ritzy shopping avenue with a couple Michelin star restaurants.
(3) Cuba Libre - making its second appearance, on fridays and Saturday’s after 10:30, the place becomes a Cuban dancing club that is an awesome scene.
(4) Strathmore - technically in Bethesda, but an awesome spot for concerts and the opera. Strathmore’a architecture alone makes it worth a trip.
(5) the Boardroom - a fun stop where you can drink and play vintage board games. Always worth a visit.
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Washington
DCs nightlife is vibrant and fun, some of my favorite spots:
(1) The Kennedy Center or National Theater - great spot to catch a show, and DC has some great ones coming up (Wicked, Les Mis, guys and dolls). If you like comedy, I suggest Shear Madness - it’s improve and no show is the same, lots of audience participation.
(2) The Summit at the Conrad - great cocktails and awesome views of DC. Also across the street is a ritzy shopping avenue with a couple Michelin star restaurants.
(3) Cuba Libre - making its second appearance, on fridays and Saturday’s after 10:30, the place becomes a Cuban dancing club that is an awesome scene.
(4) Strathmore - technically in Bethesda, but an awesome spot for concerts and the opera. Strathmore’a architecture alone makes it worth a trip.
(5) the Boardroom - a fun stop where you can drink and play vintage board games. Always worth a visit.
Kids
Kid Friendly spots around town
I have two young boys, and these are a few of our favorite spots for them to play and interact:
(1) Windmill Hill Park - in old town, has a nice area for running, a big play space, and across the street is the Potomac and a relaxing walk to old town center.
(2) Chessie’s Big Backyard - a splash pad/adventure play structure/nature park, Chessie’s has it all for the kids and you can easily spend a few hours of fun here.
(3) Great Waves Waterpark - a free waterpark, which is all I need to hear. Has slides and a wave pool, great spot for kids.
(4) National Children’s Museum - located in the Reagan building in DC, but an awesome interactive museum with tons of hands on exhibits. Highly recommend.
(5) Huntley Meadows Park - a giant nature preserve with a boardwalk through the woods and marsh. Great place to learn about tadpoles, turtles, and birds.
(6) the International Spy Museum (the only not-free thing I recommend) - the kids get a special ID and mission and spend the rest of the time learning about espionage and trying to complete their mission.
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Alexandria
I have two young boys, and these are a few of our favorite spots for them to play and interact:
(1) Windmill Hill Park - in old town, has a nice area for running, a big play space, and across the street is the Potomac and a relaxing walk to old town center.
(2) Chessie’s Big Backyard - a splash pad/adventure play structure/nature park, Chessie’s has it all for the kids and you can easily spend a few hours of fun here.
(3) Great Waves Waterpark - a free waterpark, which is all I need to hear. Has slides and a wave pool, great spot for kids.
(4) National Children’s Museum - located in the Reagan building in DC, but an awesome interactive museum with tons of hands on exhibits. Highly recommend.
(5) Huntley Meadows Park - a giant nature preserve with a boardwalk through the woods and marsh. Great place to learn about tadpoles, turtles, and birds.
(6) the International Spy Museum (the only not-free thing I recommend) - the kids get a special ID and mission and spend the rest of the time learning about espionage and trying to complete their mission.
Dogs
As we allow pets, a few of my favorite dog spots
These are my favorite pup spots:
(1) Shirlington Dog Park (my favorite) - about 20 minutes from the house, but well worth it. Fully fenced, very very large, and you can leave the fenced area and climb down to the river (note this area is not fenced in).
(2) Westgrove Dog Park - very large, not super exciting but very close and useful.
(3) Barkhaus - a dog park bar, which is both as cool and chaotic as it sounds. Must have proof of all vaccinations for this spot, and have to upload in advance.
(4) S Street Dog Park - downtown dc and very small, but this is the dog park that people aspire to. It’s fun to go see dogs add chaos to the lives of the well dressed DC socialites.
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Alexandria
These are my favorite pup spots:
(1) Shirlington Dog Park (my favorite) - about 20 minutes from the house, but well worth it. Fully fenced, very very large, and you can leave the fenced area and climb down to the river (note this area is not fenced in).
(2) Westgrove Dog Park - very large, not super exciting but very close and useful.
(3) Barkhaus - a dog park bar, which is both as cool and chaotic as it sounds. Must have proof of all vaccinations for this spot, and have to upload in advance.
(4) S Street Dog Park - downtown dc and very small, but this is the dog park that people aspire to. It’s fun to go see dogs add chaos to the lives of the well dressed DC socialites.
Neighborhoods
This is my neighborhood, and a great spot. It’s quiet and you won’t be bothered while here, except by the occasional squirrel. Within the neighborhood (4 minute walk) is Groveton Heights Park, which has a playset, nature walk through the woods, basketball court, and a softball field.
Groveton
This is my neighborhood, and a great spot. It’s quiet and you won’t be bothered while here, except by the occasional squirrel. Within the neighborhood (4 minute walk) is Groveton Heights Park, which has a playset, nature walk through the woods, basketball court, and a softball field.
Borgartillaga
Samgöngur
Metro
The nearest metro stop is Huntington Metro station which has a convenient parking lot. This will take you to Arlington Cemetery, the Pentagon, and into DC.
Ekki missa af
Museums and the Zoo
The Smithsonians are all free, and all a great time. Don’t forget about the national zoo (also free) or the airplane museum near Dulles airport.