Wanderlusting In Washington DC: Weekend Travel Guide

In true tourist culture, I want to move everywhere I visit, but truth be told, I'd move to DC in a heartbeat. Two summers ago, I decided I wanted to hop on the solo travel train and figured DC would be most ideal for me to go explore on my own. If I knew I'd end up loving it as much as I did, I would've booked apartment tours in between museum stops. In my opinion, DC is a great weekend trip with it only being an hour and 45-minute flight away from Atlanta.

Flying info: I've found that flying into BWI is often much cheaper than flying into IAD or Dulles, which are the primary airports in DC. Once you arrive at BWI, you can conveniently take trains to DC's Union Station via Amtrak. BWI also offers free shuttle services to the Amtrak station, where roundtrip tickets can cost as little as $10.

Getting Around: DC has great public transportation, and the city is extremely walkable! Uber and Lyft are also widely available throughout the city. Pricing usually depends on where and how far you're going.

Where to stay: For those seeking a cozy, intimate, high-tech, and trendy hotel, I suggest the citizenM Washington DC Noma hotel located in the Noma area. This contemporary neighborhood offers easy access to delightful restaurants, cafes, shops, and a deli. The highlight is that Union Station is just a short walk away, providing convenient access to the hotel upon arrival. The National Mall, Capitol, and other iconic museums are approximately an 8-minute drive, or a 25 to 30-minute walk.

Must Do Activities:

Tour the National Mall (Free)

Tour the Capitol (Free)

Tour the Library of Congress (Free)

Tour the White House (Free, but must sign up 7 to 30 days in advance)

National Museum of African American and Culture (Free)

Natural History Musuem (Free)

United States Botanic Garden (Free)

Union Market (Free to enter)

Day One: Sightseeing <3

Morning: Breakfast at Uptown Cafe Noma

Afternoon: Make your way through the National Mall and swing by the Capitol for a free tour. Afterwards, check out the Smithsonian museums all within walking distance of each other. Lastly, end your afternoon taking in natural beauty at the US botanic gardens.