Your DC Weekend: New Exhibits, Great Bar Scene in This Walkable City

By Bill Malcolm*

Logan Circle mansion

There is always something new to discover in Washington D.C. This trip I found the Eastern Market neighborhood in Southeast DC (8th Avenue SE) filled with local independent shops and restaurants including the fabulous Come as You Are gay bar and restaurant which features a tuna melt sandwich better than the one in Heated Rivalry. I also enjoyed the new Grandma Moses exhibit and Presidential portraits in the Portrait Gallery Art Museum. And I had a delicious southern meal at Yardbirds.

Getting There

I took American nonstop into Reagan National Airport (operated by Republic). I have moved on from Southwest. The American flight was on time in both directions and you can hop on Metro and be at your hotel in no time.

Where to Stay

I like the Washington Plaza Hotel in Thomas Circle, D.C.'s only hotel with an outdoor pool. You can walk to all the bars and restaurants on 14th Street in this cute, walkable area close to the Metro. The rooms are spacious and quiet. They clean the room everyday without asking (rare these days). Even rarer, you get a 4-cup coffee maker. And the service is top notch. A complainer, I was miserable as everything was perfect. And the $98 special winter rate on a cold Friday night was a deal.

Other lodging options I visited: Westin Downtown, Conrad, Comfort Inn, and Tabard Street Inn.

What to Do

DC History Museum

Visit the National Portrait Gallery and Center for American Art and the great atrium between the two. These free Smithsonian Museums are at 8th and G street NW (npg.si.edu). Great Presidential Portraits and a Stonewall Equality exhibit. The 250th Festival: Celebrating Our Story is open. You will find them in Penn Quarter near the Capitol One Arena.

U.S. Botanical Garden

Enjoy the indoor garden and the U.S. Botanical Garden. Learn about plants from around the world and enjoy the orchids. You will find them near the U.S. Capitol at 100 Maryland Avenue SW.

See the orchids on display and the African American Museum.

All the Smithsonian museums are free, and they are all having special exhibits for the nation's 250 birthday.

Run or walk with the Frontrunners up Rock Creek Park to the Zoo. I went to their happy hour on Friday night.

Shop til you drop at the high-end City Center DC just off 9th Street. Several good coffee bars as well as fancy clothiers.

The Cherry Blossom Festival is held annually in late March and April. This year's parade is on April 11, 2026.

The Apple Store and DC History Museum (Mass Avenue and 9th Street) are worth a visit. They are in a Beaux Arts building, an old Carnegie Library.

Where to Eat

Bindas at 415 7th Street NW has a great salmon bowl with saffron rice and other Indian delicacies. It is a fast casual restaurant.

Yardbirds has great Southern food and tender steak. Try the beef tenderloin. You will find them in 9th Street near Mass Avenue.

Yard House has over one hundred beers.

You will feel like you are in Havana at Cuba Libre. Try the salmon.

Sweetgreen (various locations) was founded here and has great salads.

Streets Market (1221 Mass Avenue near Thomas Circle) has great premade meals and snacks.

The Wawa on Thomas Circle has premade and made on the spot sandwiches and salads. They are open 24 hours.

Nightlife

With twenty-seven bars, there is something for everyone. I like Number 9 (across from Whole Foods) off 14th Street. A great two for one happy hour. Trade on 14th Street also has a great happy hour, expanded outdoor patio, and downstairs bar. There is something going on every night.

As You Are in the Eastern Market area has a great tuna fish sandwich (better than Heated Rivalry) served with spicy fries.

Green Lantern has free popcorn, a lengthy happy hour, and free popcorn and lots of special events.

Getting Around

You can walk everywhere or take Metro. Uber not needed much less rental car.

Other Tips

The Washington Blade (online and in print) is available in the bars and has local events including those of Go Gay DC. Metro Weekly is only online and another great source of local events.

*Bill Malcolm is based in Indianapolis. Over one hundred travel columns have appeared in publications and online including GRAB Chicago Magazine and the IGLTA travel blog. He focuses on value and is self-funded so freely expresses his opinions including his detest of hotel resort fees and other made-up junk charges courtesy of the hotel and rental car industry.

About the Author

Bill Malcolm Bill Malcolm is North America's only syndicated travel columnist. He focuses on value and pays his own way. He takes local transit and seeks to go where the locals go. He has appeared 100 times in LGBTQ publications and on websites including the IGLTA travel blog. You can find his work in GRAB Chicago, Erie Gay News, Seattle Gay News, and other places. He does this as a volunteer and does not charge for his work. He boycotts hotels and hotel chains with resort fees, amenity fees, destination fees, and other made up junk charges. He resides in Indianapolis. Follow him on Facebook.