Regardless of where you live, it’s sometimes difficult to think of great places to take someone when they visit from out of town. Sometimes it's just hard as a visitor to choose one site to see from the plethora of places you can choose from a book. Here are a few must-see stops. Whether you are visitor looking for an out-of-the-ordinary itinerary or a local looking for the best places to take your guests, this list is a great place to start!


Capital Crescent Trail

Beauty, convenience, ambiance: the Capital Crescent Trail has it all. Start in Bethesda, Maryland and rent a bike from Big Wheel Bikes, just a few minutes walk from the Metro. From there, you can begin the Capital Crescent and take the trail all the way to DC. This trail is also excellent for joggers, walkers, and rollerbladers. It’s also a good time to see the trail now as lawmakers decide whether to cut through part of the trail to make room for the much awaited Purple Line on the Washington, DC metro.

The Islamic Center

Learn about Islam, its people, and its culture. Take a tour with a knowledgeable guide and you can also learn about the building’s architecture. The center is open to all faiths and allows Sunni, Shiite, and all members of other Islamic traditions to pray together as one.

16th Street (theaters, shopping in the U Street area)

Venture through the U Street area to 16th street to find one DC’s up and coming areas for boutique shopping and entertainment. Several theaters, shops, and restaurants are located all along this street. It’s a novel place outside of Georgetown to just stroll and shop. It’s also more convenient and easily accessible by Metro.

Eastern Market

Weekend guests should take the opportunity to peruse Eastern Market, where they will find live, outdoor music and fresh, local foods. Local craftspersons and artisans also showcase and sell their wares alongside antique dealers and sellers of collectible items.

Metro Stage Theater

While this one isn’t exactly in DC proper, it’s well worth the Metro ride or short drive to Virginia. Carolyn Griffin is the woman who oversees the operations at Metro Stage, and she’s developed a coveted reputation for finding new, local talent and hosting innovative productions. Many of the plays you can’t find anywhere else get their start right here.

Capitol Tour

A tour of the nation’s capitol gives you a sense of American history. It’s a stately building and also highly functional. You can take a tour with a staff member from the office of your congressional representative or take one with a guide hired by the capitol itself. Both forms of tours have their advantages: one more personalized, the other steeped in history.

Ben’s Chili Bowl

This restaurant has been in DC since 1958 and is a must-dine excursion for any local or tourist. Their fare is simple: chili. Try it on hot dogs, fries, or plain or try one of their vegetarian or non-chili dishes. Ben’s Chili Bowl is conveniently located on U Street and near the Lincoln Theater, making it an appropriate choice for dining whether before the theater or as you eat your way around town.

CakeLove

You may have seen Warren Brown on the Food Network as the host of Sugar Rush, an insiders cooking show where bakers from around the world divulge some of their best baking secrets. However, Warren Brown is also the owner of CakeLove. A former lawyer, Brown retired his law career in exchange for baking delicious, decadent cakes. CakeLove has several locations around DC and one in Baltimore.

National Botanical Garden

The National Botanical Garden is breathtaking. Novice enthusiasts and experts alike will enjoy both the variety of plant life it features and its exhibits. Also of particular interest are the butterfly and rose gardens.