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 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rock Creek Park
3545 Williamsburg Ln NW
584 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
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 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
United States National Arboretum
3501 New York Ave NE
350 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
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 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Coupe
3415 11th St NW
299 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
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 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Le Caprice DC Café Bakery
3456 14th St NW
61 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
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 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Highlands
4706 14th Street Northwest
61 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
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 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Little Coco's
3907 14th St NW
57 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
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 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Moreland's Tavern
5501 14th St NW
39 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
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 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cinder BBQ
800 Upshur St NW
25 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
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 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Call Your Mother
3301 Georgia Ave NW
91 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
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 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Timber Pizza Company
809 Upshur St NW
175 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
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 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Walmart Supercenter
5929 Georgia Ave NW
200 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
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 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museo de Arte Americano Smithsonian
8th Street Northwest
179 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
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 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museo Hirshhorn
7th Street Southwest
230 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
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 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Galería Nacional de Arte
Constitution Avenue Northwest
385 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
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 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Georgetown
664 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
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 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
9:30
815 V St NW
455 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
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 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Columbia Heights Station
3030 14th St NW
259 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
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 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Georgia Ave-Petworth Station
3700 Georgia Ave NW
148 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
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 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Safeway
3830 Georgia Ave NW
855 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
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 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Yes! Organic Market Petworth
4100 Georgia Ave NW
161 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
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.