Moon Washington DC (Travel Guide)

History, politics, and the world's best free museums: DC is a bustling powerhouse of a city. From strolling the National Mall to hobnobbing at happy hour, get to know the capital with Moon Washington DC.

• Navigate the Neighborhoods: Follow one of our guided neighborhood walks through Penn Quarter, Dupont Circle, U Street, Adams Morgan, and more
• Explore the City: Snap the perfect photo of the Washington Monument, tour the U.S. Capitol, and explore the incredible Smithsonian museums like the African American History Museum or the Newseum. Catch a whiff of the fragrant cherry blossoms in the spring, rent a boat and paddle along the Potomac, or shop the boutiques in Georgetown
• Get a Taste of the City: Chow down on a late-night half-smoke at Ben's Chili Bowl or grab brunch and a new book from Busboys and Poets. Enjoy Michelin-starred seafood at a waterfront restaurant, order up a Chesapeake crab cake, and enjoy the city's diversity of authentic fare from Ethiopia, Afghanistan, the Philippines, and more
• Bars and Nightlife: Watch a groundbreaking performance at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, catch a live band at the 9:30 Club, or dance to a DJ set at the Black Cat. Sip scotch where former presidents once did, try a five-course cocktail tasting menu, or kick back with a beer and fries at a quintessential DC dive bar
• Local Advice: Local journalist Samantha Sault shares her love of the nation's capital
• Strategic, Flexible Itineraries including the three-day best of DC, a weekend with kids, and more, plus day trips to Old Town Alexandria, Annapolis, Easton, and Shenandoah National Park
• Tips for Travelers including where to stay and how to navigate the Metro, plus advice for international visitors, LGBTQ travelers, seniors, travelers with disabilities, and families with children
• Maps and Tools like background information on the history and culture of DC, full-color photos, color-coded neighborhood maps, and an easy-to-read foldout map to use on the go

With Moon Washington DC's practical tips and local insight, you can experience the city your way.

Expanding your trip? Check out Moon Maryland, Moon Virginia, or Moon Chesapeake Bay. Visiting more of America's best cities? Try Moon Boston or Moon Chicago.

Samantha Sault has covered the intersection of politics and culture for more than a decade. She began her career on the low rungs of the mastheads of policy journals, including The Weekly Standard, where she wrote about national politics as well as fashion and pop culture. For nearly three years, she wrote a weekly column for The Washington Times with her arts, culture, and nightlife picks for locals. She has covered international fashion weeks in New York, London, and Hong Kong and has also managed communications for the organization that lobbies on behalf of American fashion brands and retailers.

After growing up in the metropolitan DC area, Samantha has a deep understanding of both how Washington works and has evolved, and a genuine love for the swamp. She learned how to use the Metro from a young age, first to visit Smithsonian museums as a child, and later to attend concerts and break curfew as a teenager. After graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a BA in government and politics, she moved to Dupont Circle, where she has lived for more than 10 years.

In addition to The Weekly Standard and The Washington Times, Samantha's writing has appeared in Washington Life magazine and Independent Journal Review. Her work can also be found at www.samanthasault.com.