The Essentials and My Favorites in DC

Mingo
The Essentials and My Favorites in DC

Parks & Nature

Any of the trails in this park are great for walking and hiking. On the weekends (Saturday and Sunday) Beach Drive is closed to traffic. Bikers, hikers, and walkers have free reign.
584 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Rock Creek Park
3545 Williamsburg Ln NW
584 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Any of the trails in this park are great for walking and hiking. On the weekends (Saturday and Sunday) Beach Drive is closed to traffic. Bikers, hikers, and walkers have free reign.
It's a trek to get to from our micro, or for that matter any part of the city, but once you get there, it is worth the experience. Outdoor lovers will especially appreciate this treasure, as it houses several walking trails and all types of plants with informative descriptions. If you go, there are two things you can't miss, the old U.S. Capitol columns and the Japanese bonzai garden. TIP: Be sure to drive. This place is a well-kept secret in DC partly because it isn't particularly convenient to public transportation.
350 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Национальный арборетум Соединенных Штатов
3501 New York Ave NE
350 (рекомендации местных жителей)
It's a trek to get to from our micro, or for that matter any part of the city, but once you get there, it is worth the experience. Outdoor lovers will especially appreciate this treasure, as it houses several walking trails and all types of plants with informative descriptions. If you go, there are two things you can't miss, the old U.S. Capitol columns and the Japanese bonzai garden. TIP: Be sure to drive. This place is a well-kept secret in DC partly because it isn't particularly convenient to public transportation.

Food Scene

It's open late on the weekends and they also have a great brunch!
299 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Coupe
3415 11th St NW
299 (рекомендации местных жителей)
It's open late on the weekends and they also have a great brunch!
The crossiants, specifically the chocolate ones. The coffee ain't too bad either.
61 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Le Caprice DC Café Bakery
3456 14th St NW
61 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The crossiants, specifically the chocolate ones. The coffee ain't too bad either.
Our family loves heading to Highlands early on Saturday morning for breakfast. Their chicken and waffels are killer and the coffee is good too.
61 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Highlands
4706 14th Street Northwest
61 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Our family loves heading to Highlands early on Saturday morning for breakfast. Their chicken and waffels are killer and the coffee is good too.
A stylish and laid-back space, good cocktails, and most importantly delicious pizza, I recommend this place for dining in when the urge for Neapolitan, wood-fired pizza hits you. The pastas and Italian bites are good too and eating on the rooftop garden can add to your dining experience.
57 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Little Coco's
3907 14th St NW
57 (рекомендации местных жителей)
A stylish and laid-back space, good cocktails, and most importantly delicious pizza, I recommend this place for dining in when the urge for Neapolitan, wood-fired pizza hits you. The pastas and Italian bites are good too and eating on the rooftop garden can add to your dining experience.
This is our go-to restaurant because the food is good and it's only steps away from the house. If you are into ciders, they have a great local draft on the menu. Ask for Matt or Tony when you go and tell them Mingo sent you.
39 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Moreland's Tavern
5501 14th St NW
39 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This is our go-to restaurant because the food is good and it's only steps away from the house. If you are into ciders, they have a great local draft on the menu. Ask for Matt or Tony when you go and tell them Mingo sent you.
Not far from the micro in the adjacent neighborhood of Petworth, this is one of our go to spots for BBQ. The owner is very cool and maintains a quality list of whiskeys & bourbons.
25 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Cinder BBQ
800 Upshur St NW
25 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Not far from the micro in the adjacent neighborhood of Petworth, this is one of our go to spots for BBQ. The owner is very cool and maintains a quality list of whiskeys & bourbons.
The bagels are expensive, but worth every dollar.
91 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Call Your Mother
3301 Georgia Ave NW
91 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The bagels are expensive, but worth every dollar.
Small pizza joint pumping out the best pizzas in the city. Order in advance and bring it home to enjoy, there aren't many seats in this joint.
175 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Timber Pizza Company
809 Upshur St NW
175 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Small pizza joint pumping out the best pizzas in the city. Order in advance and bring it home to enjoy, there aren't many seats in this joint.
Not our favorite place to shop for groceries, but it's good in a pinch and has a solid produce section. Plus you can shop for other essentials that you may need aside from food.
200 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Walmart Supercenter
5929 Georgia Ave NW
200 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Not our favorite place to shop for groceries, but it's good in a pinch and has a solid produce section. Plus you can shop for other essentials that you may need aside from food.

Arts & Culture

Great collection of art, conveniently located downtown by plenty of restaurants and bars, and the indoor courtyard is absolutely amazing. If you go, see if you can find the art piece featured in the micro.
179 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Смитсоновский музей американского искусства
8th Street Northwest
179 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Great collection of art, conveniently located downtown by plenty of restaurants and bars, and the indoor courtyard is absolutely amazing. If you go, see if you can find the art piece featured in the micro.
Adding thoughts to the "Sightseeing" section is a challenge. There is so much to see in this city...I'll just list my favorites, starting with the Hirshhorn Museum of Modern Art. Without fail, there is always an interesting exhibit featured along with monthly lectures from the artists themselves. The building itself is also stunning with an inner courtyard great for taking a moment to just sit and take it all in. And don't miss the sculpture garden just to the north side of the main building. If you are spending a few days on the mall visiting the Smithsonian museums, make sure this is on your list.
230 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Музей Хиршхорна
7th Street Southwest
230 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Adding thoughts to the "Sightseeing" section is a challenge. There is so much to see in this city...I'll just list my favorites, starting with the Hirshhorn Museum of Modern Art. Without fail, there is always an interesting exhibit featured along with monthly lectures from the artists themselves. The building itself is also stunning with an inner courtyard great for taking a moment to just sit and take it all in. And don't miss the sculpture garden just to the north side of the main building. If you are spending a few days on the mall visiting the Smithsonian museums, make sure this is on your list.
As an art lover, I had to add this to the list. If you can make time for two art museums, visit the Hirshhorn and then here. Visit the website in advance of your visit to see what exhibit is being featured in the modern wing. That may be something you can skip if you aren't interested.
385 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Национальная галерея искусства
Constitution Avenue Northwest
385 (рекомендации местных жителей)
As an art lover, I had to add this to the list. If you can make time for two art museums, visit the Hirshhorn and then here. Visit the website in advance of your visit to see what exhibit is being featured in the modern wing. That may be something you can skip if you aren't interested.

Shopping

I have been heading to Georgetown since I was in high school to go shopping and it still remains one of my favorite places to shop, eat, and chill. It has just about everything you need for R&R -- drinks, movies, coffee, access to a biking and hiking trail (the C&O Canal trail), and a nice view of the Potomac River from the Washington Harbor.
664 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Georgetown
664 (рекомендации местных жителей)
I have been heading to Georgetown since I was in high school to go shopping and it still remains one of my favorite places to shop, eat, and chill. It has just about everything you need for R&R -- drinks, movies, coffee, access to a biking and hiking trail (the C&O Canal trail), and a nice view of the Potomac River from the Washington Harbor.

Drinks & Nightlife

My wife and I met attending a show at the 9:30 Club and I can easily call it my favorite music venue in DC. We make a point to see a show there at least once a year. It's not a huge venue, so if you can catch your favorite act, it's guaranteed to be an up close and personal experience even if you are on the upper level. If your favorite act isn't in town, it's still worth the experience to check out a show. The surrounding area has developed quite nicely too. I suggest pre-show drinks at the Brixton or for a more divey experience, the Velvet Lounge.
455 (рекомендации местных жителей)
9:30
815 V St NW
455 (рекомендации местных жителей)
My wife and I met attending a show at the 9:30 Club and I can easily call it my favorite music venue in DC. We make a point to see a show there at least once a year. It's not a huge venue, so if you can catch your favorite act, it's guaranteed to be an up close and personal experience even if you are on the upper level. If your favorite act isn't in town, it's still worth the experience to check out a show. The surrounding area has developed quite nicely too. I suggest pre-show drinks at the Brixton or for a more divey experience, the Velvet Lounge.

Getting Around

Columbia Heights Metro station is about a 30m walk, 15m bus ride, or 10m bike ride south of our micro. Both the yellow and green lines run through the station and it is easy to travel from this line to the red, blue, orange, and silver lines that can get you to other central parts of the city. The Yellow line also travels directly to Washington National Airport.
259 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Columbia Heights Station
3030 14th St NW
259 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Columbia Heights Metro station is about a 30m walk, 15m bus ride, or 10m bike ride south of our micro. Both the yellow and green lines run through the station and it is easy to travel from this line to the red, blue, orange, and silver lines that can get you to other central parts of the city. The Yellow line also travels directly to Washington National Airport.
This Metro station is actually closer than the Columbia Heights Metro stop, but the advantage of going to the CoHi metro is the 52/54 bus line that you can catch up 14th to get there that is less than a block from the house.
148 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Georgia Ave-Petworth Station
3700 Georgia Ave NW
148 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This Metro station is actually closer than the Columbia Heights Metro stop, but the advantage of going to the CoHi metro is the 52/54 bus line that you can catch up 14th to get there that is less than a block from the house.

Essentials

Safeway is the closest grocery store near the micro. It is just a few years old, has good produce, and the prepared foods section offers solid options. It's on the affordable side and you can usually catch good sales on everyday items too. If you are seeking healthier items, find your way to the Yes Organic. It is actually a little bit closer to the house in the same Petworth area and though more expensive, it's a quality organic grocery store.
855 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Safeway
3830 Georgia Ave NW
855 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Safeway is the closest grocery store near the micro. It is just a few years old, has good produce, and the prepared foods section offers solid options. It's on the affordable side and you can usually catch good sales on everyday items too. If you are seeking healthier items, find your way to the Yes Organic. It is actually a little bit closer to the house in the same Petworth area and though more expensive, it's a quality organic grocery store.
Get you organics from this clean, well stocked grocery that features a solid wine list. It's about a 10 minute drive from the micro.
161 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Yes! Organic Market Petworth
4100 Georgia Ave NW
161 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Get you organics from this clean, well stocked grocery that features a solid wine list. It's about a 10 minute drive from the micro.