Touring DC’s Original Neighborhoods

Washington DC is known worldwide as the capital of America.  It has everything from beautiful parks and rivers to fantastic landmarks that are instantly recognizable. Still, many don’t realize that this town has been through numerous changes.  

Whether it’s your first stay in the city, or you’ve been here plenty of times and want something new: these are the top neighborhoods and areas people love to tour in DC.

What Should I Bring?

First, here’s a general rundown to help you plan for your visit.  It’s important to wear sunscreen on your tour because even overcast days can leave you with a sunburn.  From here, ensure that you have a water bottle and an extra external battery in case your phone dies from taking a lot of pictures.  It’s easier to get around if you live in one of the many Georgetown apartments for rent, but if you’re from out of town, you may want to consider going with a travel guide.  

Arlington Cemetery

The Arlington Cemetery is a national burial ground for any soldiers who passed away in wartime, as well as multiple presidents and other decorated heroes.  Although this is a cemetery, it’s also a hot tourist spot because of the long history and the number of graves that are here.  Burials still happen here, so most tours try to avoid it during those hours, but it’s a fantastic place to get to know the country’s history by the sheer amount of loss that’s in it.

You can have multiple types of tours through this cemetery, including respectfully themed ones, so consider how you would like the information related to you before you sign up for one.

Georgetown

This tiny town has a lot of history and personality in it.  From the gorgeous open water views to the sheer amount of greenery and parks, Georgetown feels like a step out of the city and towards the country’s history.  There are multiple museums, a cupcake tour, and art built into the city walks and walls, and on top of everything, this is a college town, so the bars and restaurants are always a little more exciting in the evening.  You can walk a lot of this town, so if you’re planning on this tour, make sure to wear some good shoes and come prepared!

National Mall

The National Mall is a five-mile-long loop that takes you from beautiful sight to beautiful sight.  You can take your time to look at each building or exhibit, or you could also use it as a jogging trail, which it’s very popular for.  Every inch of this area is manicured and well maintained, so you can enjoy your walk for however long you want without having to worry about puddles or litter.  Although your phone will become full of photos by the time you leave, this is a must-stop place.

DC has more to offer than any other city, so don’t be afraid to visit, explore, and fall in love with the area like so many others have!