Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
🌟 Explore DC & Beyond: Your Capital Adventure Guide
27
items From iconic monuments to hidden local gems, this curated list showcases the best places to visit in and around Washington, DC. Whether you’re strolling down the National Mall, discovering history in Georgetown, or chasing waterfalls in nearby parks, ...
Map
Sections
3
Â
Outdoor Activities
Â
Arts & Entertainment
Â
Local Favorites
Outdoor Activities
Â
Tucked away in DC, the U.S. National Arboretum is one of the city’s most underrated gems. It’s the perfect escape from the hustle—whether you’re strolling through the bonsai collection, picnicking under towering trees, or marveling at the iconic Capi...
United States National Arboretum
Â
Eastern Market Farmers Market in Capitol Hill is a must-visit for anyone looking to soak up local DC flavor. On weekends, the outdoor farmers’ line overflows with fresh produce, flowers, and baked goods, while the historic South Hall offers meats, ch...
Eastern Market
Â
The Metropolitan Branch Trail is an 8-mile urban gem stretching from Union Station to Silver Spring, ideal for walking, running, or biking. With murals, greenery, and city views along the way, it offers a perfect blend of nature and culture. The trai...
Metropolitan Branch Trail | District of Columbia Trails
Â
The Wizard of Oz playground at Watkins Regional Park in Kettering (Upper Marlboro), MD, is a vibrant, storybook-themed adventure that brings Oz to life. Kids follow the iconic yellow brick road through whimsical zones—from Aunt Em’s farm and Munchkin...
Watkins Regional Park | Wizard of Oz Themed Playground
Â
Sandy Point State Park in Maryland is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking along the Chesapeake Bay. With a sandy beach, stunning views of the Bay Bridge, lifeguards in summer, and convenient amenities like restrooms and showers, i...
Sandy Point State Park
Â
The U.S. Botanic Garden is a peaceful oasis in the heart of DC, offering vibrant blooms, tropical conservatories, and serene outdoor gardens, all free to explore. It’s perfect for plant lovers, curious kids, or anyone needing a nature break. From rar...
United States Botanic Garden
Â
Gravelly Point is one of the most unique spots in the DC area, offering front-row views of planes soaring just overhead as they land at Reagan National Airport. Set along the Potomac River, it’s a favorite for picnics, biking, and plane watching. The...
Gravelly Point Park | Arlington Convention & Visitors Service
Arts & Entertainment
From thought-provoking museum exhibits and live theater to indie film spots, street art, and outdoor concerts, DC’s arts scene is so much more than monuments. This list highlights some of my favorite ways to tap into the creative pulse of the city—wh...
Â
If you haven’t been to Arena Stage yet, you’re missing out on one of DC’s most powerful arts experiences. It’s one of my favorite places to see live theater—intimate, thought-provoking, and always beautifully done. They showcase bold, diverse stories...
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater
Â
Woolly Mammoth is one of those places that makes you feel something every time you go. The shows are bold, edgy, and often hilariously weird—in the best way. If you’re into thought-provoking theater that pushes boundaries and makes you think (or laug...
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Â
There’s something magical about seeing a play at the Folger Shakespeare Theatre. It’s intimate, beautifully historic, and brings classic works—especially Shakespeare—to life in a way that feels fresh and deeply human. Even if you’re not a Shakespeare...
Folger Theatre
Â
The Warner Theatre is one of those places that instantly feels special the moment you step inside. With its stunning, old-school glamor and grand architecture, it’s the kind of venue that makes any show feel like an event. I’ve seen everything from c...
Warner Theatre
Â
Hillwood is one of my favorite hidden gems in DC. Tucked away in Northwest, it feels like you’ve stepped into a fairytale—lush gardens, a beautifully preserved mansion, and the most peaceful atmosphere. Whether you’re into art, history, or just want ...
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens
Â
The Air and Space Museum is one of those places that never gets old—whether it’s your first visit or your tenth. It’s fun, awe-inspiring, and somehow manages to make science and history feel like an adventure. My kids love seeing the rockets and airp...
Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum
Â
The American History Museum is such a cool mix of the iconic and the unexpected. You can see everything from the Star-Spangled Banner to Michelle Obama’s inauguration gown all in one visit. It’s the kind of place where history feels alive—whether you...
Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Â
The Natural History Museum is one of those magical places that truly has something for everyone. From towering dinosaur skeletons to sparkling gems and the always-popular Hall of Mammals, it’s like stepping into a world of wonder. My kids are obsesse...
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Â
This museum is powerful, moving, and something everyone should experience at least once. From the lower levels that walk you through centuries of struggle and resilience, to the upper floors that celebrate Black excellence in music, sports, culture, ...
Plan Your Visit | National Museum of African American History and Culture
Â
The Museum of the American Indian is one of the most peaceful and beautifully designed spaces in DC. It honors Indigenous cultures with so much care—through storytelling, art, history, and living traditions. The exhibits are powerful and eye-opening,...
National Museum of the American Indian
Â
The National Portrait Gallery is one of my favorite places to slow down and really take things in. It’s where history meets art in the most personal way—through the faces and stories of the people who’ve shaped this country. From presidents to poets ...
National Portrait Gallery
Â
The Phillips Collection feels like stepping into someone’s beautifully curated home—intimate, warm, and full of surprises. It’s not overwhelming like some bigger museums, but every room is packed with incredible art, from Renoir to Rothko. It’s one o...
The Phillips Collection
Â
Stepping into The Mansion on O Street feels like entering the most curious, quirky friend’s home—like every room has a story to tell. With hidden doors, walls lined with vintage treasures, and themed suites that transport you into different worlds, i...
The Mansion on O Street - Home
Local Favorites
These are the spots that locals actually go to—think cozy cafés, hole-in-the-wall gems, beloved boutiques, and neighborhood go-tos that fly under the radar. Whether you’re new to the city or just want to explore DC beyond the tourist trail, this list...
Â
Mr. Henry’s is one of those classic DC spots that just oozes character. It’s got that cozy, lived-in vibe, amazing comfort food, and some of the best live jazz in the city. There’s something special about hearing music in a space with so much history...
Mr. Henry's Restaurant
Â
The Tune Inn is one of those no-frills, all-heart kind of places that you just keep coming back to. It’s got dive bar charm, greasy (in the best way) comfort food, and a vibe that feels like old-school DC in all the right ways. Whether you’re grabbin...
Tune Inn Restaurant & Bar
Â
Service Bar is one of my go-to spots when I want great drinks without the fuss. It’s unpretentious but still super creative—like, the cocktails are seriously good, but the vibe is totally relaxed. Think elevated drinks in a laid-back setting with goo...
Service Bar DC
Â
Walking into Death & Co feels like stepping into a secret—dark, elegant, and effortlessly cool. It’s one of those spots where every cocktail feels like a little work of art, and the vibe is perfect for a date night or a quiet catch-up with someon...
Death & Co. D.C.
Â
The Green Zone is such a fun, unexpected gem in the city. It’s got this energetic, welcoming vibe with incredible Middle Eastern-inspired cocktails you won’t find anywhere else. The flavors are bold, the décor is cool without trying too hard, and the...
The Green Zone
Â
Thomas Sweet is one of our favorite ice cream spots in DC—hands down. It’s got that old-school charm, tons of flavor options, and the kind of homemade scoops that just hit different. My kids love the custom blends, and I love that it’s been a Georget...
Thomas Sweet
Â
The Old Stone House is one of my absolute favorite stops in Georgetown—not just for its deep historical roots, but because it’s undeniably one of the most haunted places in DC. Built in 1765, it’s the oldest standing structure in the neighborhood, an...
Old Stone House - Washington, DC