I love DC. I lived here as a kid, visited the area at least once a year for over twenty years, and now have lived here as an adult for the last two years. I have done the main sights – many many times. And while I never get tired of walking the mall, seeing the Capitol and love to visit a favorite museum when they have a new exhibit, I have begun to explore some of the lesser known attractions. Here is a list of some of my current favorites:
- National Museum of Women in the Arts. I love this museum and have been three times in the last two years. It is in a beautiful building (and has a fun gift shop). They have amazing special exhibits. The most recent “She Who Tells a Story” Women Photographers from Iran and the Arab World was fantastic. The next exhibit opens 30 Sept and admission is free the first Sunday of the month! http://www.nmwa.org/
- United States National Arboretum. A car is needed to get here and get around once there but for those with a vehicle this is a wonderful place to spend a few hours away from the concrete and crowds of the city. This is also a great option to see the cherry blossoms in the spring.
- Anacostia Community Museum and Frederick Douglass Museum. These two museums are a wonderful look at the past (and current) inequalities in America. http://anacostia.si.edu/ and https://www.nps.gov/frdo/index.htm
- Del Ray is a fun, colorful and vibrant neighborhood to walk around, eat out doors and grab some ice cream. While now part of Alexandria, Del Ray was one of the first area suburbs and was recently added to the Historic Register. You can get to Delray by car, bus or metro (Braddock Road stop). https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/getting-to-know-alexandrias-del-ray-neighborhood/2014/09/25/91e8dbc2-4016-11e4-9587-5dafd96295f0_story.html
- Arena Stage. I love the Kennedy Center and Wolf Trap but Arena Stage at the Waterfront has some wonderful performances in a smaller venue with a 360 stage. http://www.arenastage.org/
Life Kinetic Travel Research 