Washington, DC: 10 Shocks of Visiting DC

So many free and great things to see and do in Washington, DC! But oh my, if they are not free, they are really expensive! Here we go through tourist information on Washington, DC. Things that surprise and perplex tourists about their visit to DC. Whether it is the looks they get on the metro or how the city is constantly changing in regardes to museums and the restaurant scene. The culture shocks of visiting Washington, DC. and please check out part two with Rob from Trip Hacks DC.

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[MB-qxvn]

When I visited, I couldn’t believe how far apart everything was from each other. All the museum and most major landmarks are indeed on the main row, but it’s a MASSIVE area. Lots of walking! Definitely worth it, though.

[lakiiamccall]

As a native, born and raised Washingtonian thank you for pointing out the the Metro escalator etiquette.😂 Please stand to the right! I used to work two blocks from the White House and this was a pain during the morning rush-hour when you're trying to get to the office on time. Also, the National Museum of African-American History and Culture's (NMAAHC) Sweet Home Cafe has the best food out of all the museums. There's even a recipe book you can purchase. The museum has three stories underground. I strongly suggest you set aside a full day and start from the bottom and work your way up. Stop for lunch halfway through and then head upstairs. And DC weather is best in the spring during the Cherry Blossom Fest and "early" summer. Another cool place is driving up to the Baltimore Harbour. It's a straight shot and only about 40 minutes from D.C.

[johncochran]

I was raised in the Midwest (Kansas City) and have lived in DC now for 20 years (in the city itself, S.E. DC, close to the US Capitol, not the suburbs). First, thank you for suggesting that visitors explore beyond the National Mall and downtown when eating out, etc. As a local, I particularly appreciated your shout-out to Ivy City. That definitely showed you are current in your knowledge of the city. I do think, however, you are doing both your viewers and DC a real disservice in saying that DC is "not a friendly city" and that visitors will generally not find locals who are happy to give guidance and help. I just visited Kansas City, so I've been thinking a lot recently about the differences in culture between DC and the Midwest: In general, you might not get the immediate warmth and chattiness from people in DC that you will encounter in the Midwest or the South. That's particularly true in everyday business dealings, such as in restaurants, drug stores or car-rental counters, etc.: There's less "service with a smile" here. People can be more reserved. But I can guarantee your viewers that if they stop and ask for help, suggestions or guidance anywhere in DC, they will find friendly locals very happy to help. People in DC are extremely proud of their city, and particularly since DC gets a bad rap too often, people here love to show visitors what a wonderful, livable city it is.

[SensationallySilky]

Been here 23 years. And your #10 is why I moved here. Three hours in any direction opens you to a whole world of possibilities. I love it here.

[YankeeCountess]

I agree with you about the summer; first time I went to DC was in August of 2022, and it was 90+ degrees every day. But I was pleasantly surprised with how quickly I learned to navigate around the city via the Metro! One of the best public transport systems I've experienced!

[webbsinferno]

I live in the DC area. You know how people afford to live here? They don’t live within the district. The live in the surrounding counties in MD or VA

[TheSJCieply]

In DC, once you leave the touristy areas, things tend to cost a lot less for equivalent or better quality food, so it's not as bad as you might think pricewise. If you come, bring a bicycle (or take the bikeshare) and you'll be able to leave those parts.

[subparnaturedocumentary]

the cleanliness of the city was a shock as in how absolutely magnificent the tourist areas are kept, like honestly might be one of the cleanest major cities in the u.s. definitely on the east coast

[jvohanian]

Oof, you are not kidding about summertime in DC - it is brutal! But yes, it is a beautiful city and region with lots to see and do.

[jhansen]

Mark, as someone who lives in the NoVA and DC area, there is a warning about the National Mall I think you should add. Always be on the lookout when you are at the Smithsonian/ National Mall because there's people there who be finding ways to aggressively panhandle people. I've had a woman put a bracelet on me without my consent and she demanded a donation. I even remember some guy coming up to my dad years ago acting like he's a cop and giving us these smile stickers and also aggressively asking for a donation from him. So keep an eye out for anybody who's carrying anything because they'll give it to you whether you asked for it or not and demand a donation and even follow you around and harass you if you don't

[laurenragle]

To help with the long walks around the mall, check out the DC Circulator. You can use your metro card and it's $1/ride to get around to different parts of the national mall - and to some other areas via other Circulator lines. 😊

[russbear]

Another important tip for foreign tourists: It's almost impossible to tour the White House. (Tours have been put on hold anyway due to Covid.) If they ever resume White House tours only Americans can get a reservation for a tour. You must contact a congressmen for White House tickets weeks in advance. Due to the tight security, you must supply your Social Security number along with other forms of American ID to get a ticket. (The Secret Service does background checks to ensure you're harmless.) The whole process makes it nearly impossible for foreign tourists to enter the White House.

A lot of foreign tourists are disappointed because they can't do a White House tour. It's one of the most famous buildings in DC, known throughout the world.

[marynolan]

Fabulous city....my daughter lives there and there is so much to do. There is ALOT of walking involved though. Summer is super HOT! (I'm from a suburb of Chicago) Make sure you stay at least a week....so much to do!

[blahblah]

The city center is mostly for tourists and office workers, this is why locals are kind of more reserved and hurried there; and yes, service and attitudes to casual interaction in general are more 'direct and professional and straight to the point' than 'overly friendly upon first meeting you', I find it's definitely an uncomfortable shock sometimes as a DC native going elsewhere in the country and having to strain somewhat personal conversations with cashiers etc. and 'stand right walk left' applies to sidewalks too. It's an active walking city like New York, the sidewalks and trails are often used for commuting and commuters just wanna get to work as fast as they can like anywhere else.

As was alluded, the best areas to get a real local feel for the city are outside the immediate mall and downtown area- the swath from Georgetown over through Rock Creek Park to Dupont Circle, Logan Circle, Adams Morgan, Shaw, Columbia Heights.etc. and over to H St. and Capitol Hill are vibrant walkable urban rowhouse neighborhoods with a unique urban feel, tree-lined streets, sidewalk cafes, bookstores and corner groceries, and are the heart of the city's (surprisingly lively, at least pre-pandemic) nightlife.
The next ring out is where older rowhouses peter out to 'wardman rowhouses', bungalows, apartments and ranchers and cape cods, and neighborhoods like Friendship Heights, Takoma/(Park) (likes to think itself as crunchy but no), Cleveland Park, Chevy Chase, Sherman Circle/Brightwood. Brookland, as well as in suburbs like Arlington, Alexandria (which also has a really cool colonial-era (pre-DC) urban core of its own) Silver Spring, Bethesda, College Park/Hyattsvile, are loads of decidedly non-touristy but really cool enclaves of immigrant communities and well-kept urban/suburban neighborhoods with loads of hidden gems often found in nondescript retail strips and strip malls and the tourist attractions in these areas are typically much less 'packed' than downtown.

DC has become one of the nations best cities for food but it's all found outside the city center, and the scene is staggeringly multicultural: Annandale has an incredible concentration of excellent Korean food, great Ethiopian food is everywhere but especially in Silver Spring, Shaw and Alexandria, great Chinese food in Rockville, great Vietnamese food all throughout but especially Falls Church, Afghan food all throughout the northern Va suburbs, West African cuisines are scattered but concentrated in vaguely northeastern Md suburbs, and everyone has their particular allegiance for Peruvian Pollo a la Brasa and Salvadorian Pupusas. These immigrant cuisines are typically less watered down for the American palate than elsewhere in the country as they cater more directly to the diasporic population that settled in the capital, for example, DC has more ethiopians than any city outside ethiopia.

Eastern Market is the last remaining old-school city market, and Union Market is newer and more upscale. DC suburbs have loads of ethnic groceries where the bulk of suburbanites actually grocery shop to save money as an alternative to overpriced Safeway, and restaurant prices go down as you get farther from the tourist center.

Lastly, DC area parks are hidden gems, places like Great Falls, Huntley Meadows, Sligo Creek, Rock Creek, Scotts Run Falls, etc outside the tourist belt are great for taking a breather from the rat race

[randall]

Im from the midwest and have lived here in the DMV area for 3 years and you are spot on about it not being a friendly city. The locals here almost seem shocked if you are talking to them or being friendly. I drive for lyft on the side and have really noticed it there.

[Kevin_Finch]

There's a lot of strange stuff. Some enjoyable, some not so much. I lived in DC for about 12 years. Enjoyed figuring out all the tunnels below the Capitol. Also the Capitol subway that takes lawmakers from the office buildings and back. The Zoo is really wonderful. Driving is just insane, partly due to all the circles and squares. There is a lot of good food, you just have to know where to look. Many places in Adams Morgan have great food.

[victorzyang]

Thanks for sharing. Loved your tip #9 on how fast DC changes. I've only been here for 5 years and two ENTIRE neighborhoods were built in Navy Yard and Trinidad with brand new shopping and resturaunts!

[Sockcucker]

I visited this city quite a while ago, and loved it. The sights are really wonderful and the main thing, as Mark points out, is how spacious the city is.

[nastiasolntse]

Im so glad you mentioned the friendliness and lack thereof. I’ve lived in the area for the majority of my life and it’s definitely noticeable. I think it’s important to be on your guard but also remember to be helpful towards others! If anyone reads this and considers visiting DC I would definitely suggest getting a hotel outside of the city in maybe Rosslyn or Alexandria, the DMV is definitely an expensive area but you will get much better hotel rates and affordable dining right outside of city lines and the metro is accessible and usually runs well. Great video!!! You were spot on with everything

[salag]

I’ve been all over Europe, but my first solo trip was to DC 6 years ago. It’s the trip that really sticks out in my mind.