Washington, D.C., is an extraordinary city with a multitude of personalities. It is home to the US government and numerous international organizations, a picturesque tourist town, and a fantastic place to call home. It is known for many events, including the Marine Corps Marathon and the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. Visitors and residents will also find unique ethnic foods, diverse nightlife, and off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods. Here are a few fun things to see and do in the nation’s capital that are not as well known to new residents and tourists alike.
President Lincoln’s Cottage. Located in the Petworth neighborhood of D.C., this is where President Lincoln made some of his most nation-changing decisions and developed the Emancipation Proclamation. See the significance of what happened here more than 150 years ago to ignite courageous new ideas, encourage respectful dialogue, and promote thoughtful compromise. President Lincoln’s Cottage, its galleries, and its landscape feature experiences for all ages.
The Spanish Steps. Modeled on those in Rome’s Piazza di Spagna, this set of Spanish Steps offers an incredible view of the Kalorama neighborhood. Kalorama, a Greek neologism signifying "beautiful view," is filled with beautiful, stately residences and is home to 28 Embassies as well as ambassador’s residences.
National Grove of State Trees. Located in the National Arboretum in Northeast, DC, the Grove is a display of trees representing the 50 states and the District of Columbia. There are oaks, magnolias, and spruces; dogwoods, redbuds, and pines; buckeyes, maples, and pecans—just to name a few. Need help finding your state tree? Pick up a map at the Arboretum’s Visitor Center.
Gravelly Point Park. Located along the Mount Vernon Trail, this grassy patch of ground shakes as jets zoom (alarmingly close) overhead as they navigate their way in and out of Reagan National Airport.
The Scandal Room. Book your stay in Room 214 at the Watergate Hotel in Foggy Bottom—the very room used in the 1972 Watergate break-in. This room contains items from the Watergate Scandal period, including binoculars, a manual typewriter, a reel-to-reel tape recorder, and a curated book collection.
The Other Washington Monument. Built in the 1920s, this magnificent nine-story neoclassical structure located in Alexandria, Virginia is dedicated to the memory of George Washington. In 2015, the National Park Service named the memorial a National Historic Landmark in recognition that it is the “only major unified, fully national initiative of the Freemasons and among the boldest attempts by a private organization to memorialize” the first president of the United States.
Cherry Blossoms in Kenwood. Skip the crowded tidal basin and head to the Bethesda neighborhood of Kenwood this spring! In the early 1930s and 1940s, a local developer planted cherry trees as a way to promote the neighborhood to potential home buyers. Now, over 1,200 trees grace the neighborhood bearing hundreds of thousands of beautiful tiny white flowers that bloom during the spring season.
The Stinky Plant. Roam past beautiful roses, orchids, and ferns at the United States Botanic Gardens to seek out the Amorphophallus titanum, a flower whose erratic blooms smell like rotting flesh. Once fully open, the huge bloom may remain standing for 24 to 48 hours and then will collapse quickly.
These are just a few of the many activities to enjoy in the DC metro region. Please follow us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on local events and real estate news.
President Lincoln’s Cottage. Located in the Petworth neighborhood of D.C., this is where President Lincoln made some of his most nation-changing decisions and developed the Emancipation Proclamation. See the significance of what happened here more than 150 years ago to ignite courageous new ideas, encourage respectful dialogue, and promote thoughtful compromise. President Lincoln’s Cottage, its galleries, and its landscape feature experiences for all ages.
The Spanish Steps. Modeled on those in Rome’s Piazza di Spagna, this set of Spanish Steps offers an incredible view of the Kalorama neighborhood. Kalorama, a Greek neologism signifying "beautiful view," is filled with beautiful, stately residences and is home to 28 Embassies as well as ambassador’s residences.
National Grove of State Trees. Located in the National Arboretum in Northeast, DC, the Grove is a display of trees representing the 50 states and the District of Columbia. There are oaks, magnolias, and spruces; dogwoods, redbuds, and pines; buckeyes, maples, and pecans—just to name a few. Need help finding your state tree? Pick up a map at the Arboretum’s Visitor Center.
Gravelly Point Park. Located along the Mount Vernon Trail, this grassy patch of ground shakes as jets zoom (alarmingly close) overhead as they navigate their way in and out of Reagan National Airport.
The Scandal Room. Book your stay in Room 214 at the Watergate Hotel in Foggy Bottom—the very room used in the 1972 Watergate break-in. This room contains items from the Watergate Scandal period, including binoculars, a manual typewriter, a reel-to-reel tape recorder, and a curated book collection.
The Other Washington Monument. Built in the 1920s, this magnificent nine-story neoclassical structure located in Alexandria, Virginia is dedicated to the memory of George Washington. In 2015, the National Park Service named the memorial a National Historic Landmark in recognition that it is the “only major unified, fully national initiative of the Freemasons and among the boldest attempts by a private organization to memorialize” the first president of the United States.
Cherry Blossoms in Kenwood. Skip the crowded tidal basin and head to the Bethesda neighborhood of Kenwood this spring! In the early 1930s and 1940s, a local developer planted cherry trees as a way to promote the neighborhood to potential home buyers. Now, over 1,200 trees grace the neighborhood bearing hundreds of thousands of beautiful tiny white flowers that bloom during the spring season.
The Stinky Plant. Roam past beautiful roses, orchids, and ferns at the United States Botanic Gardens to seek out the Amorphophallus titanum, a flower whose erratic blooms smell like rotting flesh. Once fully open, the huge bloom may remain standing for 24 to 48 hours and then will collapse quickly.
These are just a few of the many activities to enjoy in the DC metro region. Please follow us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on local events and real estate news.
