Bring your best buds to the nation’s capital.
Eat, play and party your way through the city, from the National Mall to popular neighborhood hangouts. Once your trip is through, you’re sure to realize that there’s Only One DC.
Check out more guides for everything from rooftops to speakeasies, cool food halls to award-winning dining.
Day 1
Morning
Start the day with breakfast at the Silver Diner in Navy Yard before you take a Big Bus tour of the National Mall. The company allows for a hop-on, hop-off experience, allowing you to explore a full range of monuments, memorials and museums. Afterward, stop at the International Spy Museum to embark on your own undercover mission and discover the incredible work of intelligence agents and experts.
Afternoon
Have lunch at The Bullpen, where you can chat with local sports fans and listen to great music. If you happen to be here in the spring, summer or fall, check the schedules for the Washington Nationals, the Washington Spirit and D.C. United – who play at nearby Nationals Park and Audi Field.
Evening
Stroll along The Wharf’s boardwalk and visit the Municipal Fish Market, the oldest continuously operating, open-air fish market in the U.S. For dinner, pick from a fabulous array of restaurants at The Wharf, many of which offer waterfront views. Cap off the night with a live show at The Anthem or a drink at 12 Stories.
Day 2
Morning
Start your exploration of DC’s NoMa neighborhood with a visit to Union Market, which offers dozens of vendors, including a litany of options for eating and shopping. Nearby, La Cosecha is a modern marketplace that celebrates Latin American heritage through retail and food hall-style dining. Right by the Metro is Red Bear, a queer-owned brewery and local hangout with picnic table seating and board games.
See more of the District's breweries.
Afternoon
Enjoy a bike ride or walk along the Metropolitan Branch Trail (which doubles as the Metropolitan Beer Trail). Stop at any of the 11 bars and pubs along the route or book yourself a guided tour of the murals and brews on the Trail. Then, it’s time to embrace nature at the U.S. National Arboretum, which features the historic former U.S. Capitol Columns, a bonsai garden and 446 acres, including plenty of picnic-perfect real estate.
Evening
Echostage by Jordan
Now, it’s time for some more serious bonding. Bring your pals to Throw Social or Beat the Bomb, two places perfectly suited to put your allegiances to the test.
Once a champion has been crowned, visit Atlas Brew Works for happy hour, then dig in for dinner at Ivy City Smokehouse, known for its DC-centric twist on seafood. If there’s still gas in the tank, get your groove on during an electronic/dance concert over at Echostage or one of DC's other unmissable concert venues.
Day 3
Morning
Cozy morning vibes and tasty goodies await at the Dupont Circle Farmers’ Market, one of the most popular in DC's locally grown lineup. After you fill up on coffee and eats, spend some time walking through Embassy Row, one of the city’s prettiest boulevards.
Afternoon
Have a quintessential American meal at City Tap House in Dupont Circle before spending the rest of the afternoon hopping around Georgetown, where you'll discover some of the city's most picturesque parks and gardens.
Evening
There are shopping options galore in DC’s most historic neighborhood, especially along M Street. Once you’ve had the Georgetown experience, round out your trip with a night at Pinstripes, where there’s bowling, bocce, beer and bites.