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Things to Do in the National Capital Region (DC/MD/VA)
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items I've lived in the NCR (or DMV, as others may refer to it) for the last 20 years. I work in DC, live in Maryland, and have attended many functions in VA. The NCR has a lot to offer between festivals, restaurants, theaters, etc. You can always find something to do if you're willing to travel among the three states.
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Sections
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Foodie Heaven
Creative Fun
Foodie Heaven
These are my all-time favorite places to eat in the NCR.
This is one of my favorite restaurants! It's on the water next to the Sagamore Distillery at the Baltimore Peninsula. I have several favorite dishes and the servers are outstanding.
MD: Rye Street Tavern | New American Restaurant
If you are a sushi connoisseur like me (ha) this is where you need to be. I kid you not, this is the best sushi in town. Give it a try and let me know what you think.
MD: SUSHIBRUCE YA | Fells Point, Baltimore
Unconventional is the perfect name for this restaurant. The food is unconventional AND delicious! Try it and I'm sure you will agree.
DC: Unconventional Diner - Modern Comfort Food
This one will cost you a pretty penny, but trust me, it's WORTH IT! The food is divine. You can choose the number of courses you wish to be served. We save this for special occasions, but have been several times.
MD: Charleston Restaurant - Fine Dining in Baltimore
CeeCees is swanky! It gives me mafioso vibes (I don't know why) and I love it! The food is delicious, the servers are attentive, and everybody who comes to eat is like a little family. I can't explain it, you'll have to see for yourself!
MD: Cece's Roland Park - Continental European Cuisine
OMG, this place is such a vibe! It's small so make sure to make reservations. It's the neighborhood spot for a reason! The food is delicious and you can bring your pet if you sit outside.
VA: Home | Matt & Tony's All Day Kitchen- Scratch Made American Fare
Great drinks, delicious food!! This is one to add to the list! Think crispy pork belly, steak, oysters… you get the idea.
VA: Two Nineteen Restaurant
Eating at Dukem in DC was the very first time I tried Ethiopian food. My friend (an Ethiopian) ordered for me and the rest is history. I love Ethiopian food and now Dukem also has a restaurant in Maryland.
DC/MD: Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant
OMG, the stone crab at Joe's is so good! If you're a meat eater, the steaks are to die for as well. It might cost you a pretty penny, but it is WORTH IT!
DC: Joes Seafood, Stone Crab & Steaks
This is two restaurants in one, but I've only been to 18th & 21st, which is a lounge type atmosphere. They serve speakeasy inspired craft cocktails, often have live entertainment, and the food is divine! It's a take on a prohibition era supper c...
MD: cured | 18th & 21st
The urban oyster started at the Baltimore Farmers market and I would get their oysters there. So when I found out they were opening a restaurant in Hampden I definitely had to go check them out. The food is still good!
MD: The Urban Oyster
When in VA with friends and in the area, I like to make a trip to Mikes. They have so much delicious food, yet I always order the same dish! I know, I hate it, but keep doing it.
VA: Mike's American
This is some down-home good food! I love their food AND drinks. They often have live entertainment. Their peach cobbler is delicious!
VA/MD: The Farmhouse Tuscan
When in Baltimore, you MUST dine at Blue Moon! It's a Baltimore staple! Their breakfast is top notch. I'm talking fluffy pancakes, french toast, delicious eggs, and any breakfast item you could think of.
MD: Blue Moon Cafe
Creative Fun
There are time when I'd like to do something different. Something besides going out to eat or drinking with friends. These are a few of those ideas and things my partner & I or friends have done.
This is a fun date-night spot where you can create your own candles. You can also bring your own bottle of wine to drink while making candles. I enjoyed it. You'll be grouped with about 10 other people and can take your time.
MD: Lumiere Candle Studio
This spot is a gallery & studio. You can take pottery making classes here. Mud & Merlot was the course we took. You can also take longer, six-week courses (intermediate & advanced courses) to learn the intricacies of pottery.
MD: The ClayGround Studio & Gallery | Pottery Studio| Classes & Workshops
You can race the indoor speedway in both MD & VA. Formerly known as the AutoBahn, this place is fun. Who doesn't like driving around in go karts? It's even better that this is an indoor space so you don't have to worry about the weather.
VA/MD: Indoor Kart Racing | K1 Speed
This one's for the families with kids. Even adults could have fun at a trampoline park!
VA: Sky Zone Trampoline Park
This place is great! My partner made a charcuterie board, but you have several projects to choose from. You can make an event out of it and bring your friends or take one of their workshops.
MD: Board & Brush: DIY Projects & Wood Sign Workshops
This place is pretty cool! It's basically a digital art installation that you can walk through. The theme changes often (especially for holidays) and sometimes comes with themed cocktails. The Cherry Blossom installation was amazing!
DC: ARTECHOUSE |Immersive Art + Tech Experiences
Did you know that there's a Bonsai museum within the National Arboretum? There are so many other beautiful things to see within the Arboretum grounds. I like to run and cycle there among the blooming flowers in Spring. It's free.
DC: U.S. National Arboretum
I love creative outlets like this. You can come to purchase items from the gallery or take a glass blowing class. You can choose from several items to make during your class. The instructors are very helpful and hands on.
MD: McFadden Art Glass
To see this place from the outside, you'd never know the vastness inside! It's an awesome indoor climbing facility. They also have yoga and fitness classes. It's fun. I did some team building exercises there.
VA: Movement Indoor Rock Climbing
This place has a lot to offer somebody who is looking for something different to do! You can take a flying trapeze class, juggling class, trampoline class, silks class and more! You can surely find something to do here!
DC: Capitol City Circus School
This place is so chill! They actually have two locations now in Maryland. You can rent paddle boards, kayaks, and just chill amongst the yachts that are parked in the little cove there. They also have yoga on the paddle boards and night kayaking.
MD: Capital SUP
Yes, there are still drive-in movie theaters! Bengie's is one of the oldest drive-in movie theaters in the country. It's something different to do and it brings back memories for me.
MD: Bengies Drive-In Theatre
If you're up for a day hike, check out the Billy Goat trail! I love it because it can be a bit challenging (Section A is anyway), but there's nice scenery and restaurants close by the decompress after.
VA: Billy Goat Trail - Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical ...
This is a cool spot where you can park and watch the planes take off. It has a small little playground for kids. On the weekends they have people selling snow cones out there. You can also access the trail from here and do a loop around the airport w...
MD: Thomas A. Dixon, Jr. Aircraft Observation Area