by Wendy
Follow me on twitter @wendylooksleaps

After visiting a cool city, I realized I have a post-trip habit of telling Jack that we must find a way to move to New York/ Madrid/ London/ Paris/ Copenhagen/ San Sebastian etc. This goes on for a week or so and I’m sure it’s annoying. As much as Jack agrees that those places are amazing – and while he’s not opposed to visiting them often or even relocating for a period of time – Jack patiently reminds me that we already live in a great city.

When I moved to Washington, DC over 15 years ago, I honestly thought it was temporary. I had previously lived in Chicago for a year and figured I would spend 2-3 years in DC before settling someplace new. Funny how life works out. And while the choice to stay was originally due to Jack stealing my heart – not the city – I have grown very fond of DC and am happy to call it home. Below are a few things I love about Washington, DC.

The Smithsonian and National Mall. If I moved from DC, this would be one of the things I missed the most. Visitors should plan at least a day to stroll the grounds of the National Mall and admire the iconic buildings, monuments, memorials. Spend time visiting the free – yes, free – Smithsonian museums, most within easy walking distance from each other. The Air and Space, National Gallery, American History and Natural History Museums are very popular, but also check out the Freer (temporarily closed for renovation) and Sackler Galleries, the Hirshhorn and Sculpture Garden, and the Museum of the American Indian – the latter has a lot of kid-friendly activities. This is tourist-DC at its best, and Jack and I love it. When we lived in an apartment on Capitol Hill, we would walk the National Mall as part of our exercise routine. We still visit the museums on a regular basis, either to see favorite exhibits or check out a new one. We’re looking forward to touring the the new National Museum of African American History and Culture scheduled to open later this year.

We used to live just a few blocks from the majestic U.S. Capitol building

The Metro. Yes, the Metro has problems. But I still love living in a city with extensive and convenient public transportation. We can walk to a Metro stop from our house in about 10 minutes. You can catch Amtrak at Union Station, or Virginia and Maryland rail lines. You can get by without owning a car, but the logistics of keeping a personal vehicle seem more reasonable here than somewhere like NYC, where it’s very expensive to rent space in a garage. That said, we do run into a lot of traffic and parking can be limited downtown. Lots of people utilize the extensive DC bike paths for their commute and recreation. There’s also a new streetcar that whisks customers up and down the commercial H street corridor…well, it was finally working last I heard, anyway.

Location, location, location. Since I love to travel, I love that DC is close to three airports – giving us a lot of booking options. We can hop on a 90 minute flight to visit my hometown or drive to Jack’s in a little over 3 hours. We’re pretty close to NYC, Boston and Philadelphia. The gorgeous beaches of Outer Banks are a 6 hour car trip away. We can take weekend drives to the beautiful states of Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.

Got to wear your game face on the Metro

DC can feel like a big global city, but it can also feel like a small town. There is a lack of skyscrapers, but plenty of sleek new condo buildings. It’s pretty walkable, fairly clean, and you shouldn’t have to wait too long for a table at a trendy restaurant. There are lots of dog parks, volunteer opportunities, state societies, and other communities depending on your interests. And on that note…

It’s not all about politics. Obviously DC is THE spot for political and government news junkies. Yes, we probably see more motorcades than the average person, but not everyone is obsessed, even during the campaign season. You might see power-suited residents on downtown sidewalks barking into one cell phone while texting on another, but you’ll also see neighbors gathering on a porch to chat about gardening over a beer and sharing backyard produce. Just like anywhere else, people are preoccupied with their hobbies and families.

With all of the embassies and international organizations, you’ll meet lots of folks from other countries. There are transplants from every state who move to work and intern in DC. The third month I was here, I was introduced to a gal who went to a rival high school in my hometown – we knew some of the same people though we had never met previously. That kind of thing happens more than I expected. And if you’re lucky, you’ll meet those born and raised in DC who will tell you interesting stories of life in the city through the decades. The District is a diverse community of people representing many political, religious, and philosophical ideologies, as well cheering for many different sports teams. Do not assume that everyone is a Nationals fan, though I think we all agree their park is a beautiful place to watch a baseball game.

A busy street downtown

It is cool to live in the nation’s Capital! As many times as we drive past the White House or walk by the Library of Congress, or see the World War Two Memorial lit up at night, or visit Ford’s Theatre with guests, we’re always reminded that we live in a special place. DC also knows how to celebrate holidays – whether it’s the patriotic Memorial Day parade and Fourth of July fireworks or the National Zoo Holiday Lights and seasonal ice skating rink on the National Mall. Not to mention the Spring Cherry Blossom Festival (I admit the crowds are really too much for me when those trees are in bloom).

People from all over the world travel here to visit historical sites and landmarks and appreciate their significance. And that is really cool.

Yet, I’ve seen that glazed look that kids, teens, or even adults get when they have been touring national treasures since dawn. Once I was that teen. After hours of walking and staring at marble and granite, your feet may be sore and your enthusiasm fading. Jack’s joke is they need a National Parkbench of Sullen Disinterest. Even for those who never tire of seeing the famous sites will be interested in the other attractions DC has to offer, or spending time as a local might on a average day.

Memorial Day parade float

The next layer of city sites and activities is also cool! Jack and I always say that we can tailor a tour of DC to suit any preference. We like exploring the city and try to keep a list of fresh ideas for friends and family who visit often. Here are just a few:

• For those who love nature, consider a hike in Theodore Roosevelt Island or Rock Creek Park.
• The stunning Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is the largest Catholic Church in North America. This peaceful spot off-the-beaten-path has beautiful artwork and international shines dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
• Fashionistas will enjoy browsing the stores lining Georgetown’s cobblestone streets. For really high-end glitzy shopping, go to the new CityCenter or Friendship Heights on the border of Maryland. For the budget-minded (like me), Metro Center has a huge Forever 21, H&M, Zara, and a Lou Lou Boutique that I can’t seem to walk past without buying about $25 of costume jewelry. Or check out the eclectic merchandise on sale at the weekend flea market at Eastern Market.
• Spring for opera or symphony tickets at the Kennedy Center or check out one of their free concerts. We’ve attended some fun shows at the 9:30 Club, including Henry Rollins, X and Happy Mondays. As strange as it may sound, the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall hosts a variety of artists. We’ve seen Neil Young, Steely Dan, and Chris Cornell at this venue.
• I love DC’s dining scene. You’ll find many different types of cuisines, from the mix of food trucks near my office building and the gourmet stalls of popular Union Market, to the blocks of trendy U street options or the reliable Cafe Deluxe (awesome for breakfast, lunch or dinner). For a fancy night out, count on an incredible dinner at one of Jose Andres’ restaurants in Penn Quarter. The craft beer movement is in full-swing in DC, and there are also lots of specialty cocktails, wine bars, and watering holes with lots of character. My favorite bookstore, Kramerbooks in Dupont Circle, has a restaurant and a bar. Let me repeat that for any fellow boozy bibliophiles: you can buy a book and then head straight to the bar to read with a drink. For a low-key meal, we might go for sweet potato pancakes at charming hole-in-the-wall diner Pete’s or grab Pakistani takeout from longtime favorite Aatish, both on Capitol Hill. And we’re always up for walking down to one of our beloved neighborhood spots – sorry, not giving all my secrets away!

There’s a lot more I could share, but I think this long post gives you a sense of some of the things I love about Washington, DC. For more DC tips, check out my sister April’s post: DC is FUN

What about you? Every city and town is special – tell me about your homebase and why you love it!