MAP IT
Pick up the lingo, discover activities locals love and do DC like a true Washingtonian.
Yes, DC’s underground train system is technically a subway, but locals call it by its given name, the Metro. Created in 1967, Metro carries millions of people each year on its six color-coded lines. Dozens of stops service hotels, National Mall attractions and suburban sites like Arlington National Cemetery.
Bonus: Throw around the term "DMV" (to describe the DC, Md. and Va. area) to graduate your DC-ology course with honors.
On escalators, particularly on the Metro or at shopping malls, you’ll notice that Washingtonians usually stand to the right to make way for people walking (or more likely, speed-walking) on the left. It’s a longtime DC tradition, and one locals get a little riled up about. There’s even an unofficial term for the offenders: “escalefters.”
Operating on U Street since 1956, Ben's Chili Bowl serves up half-smokes, DC's signature take on a hot dog, named for being half pork and half beef. After ordering your very own (with chili on top for good measure), you'll quickly feel like you've earned your stripes as a local – and you'll follow in the footsteps of past patrons, including U.S. presidents and cultural icons. Don't miss the mural outside in the alley.
Other signatures include mumbo sauce, the gin rickey and more beloved dishes from local restaurants.
DC's fanbases are fiercely loyal, making for a fantastic spectator experience. Take a seat among generations of fans and find out why DC is the sports capital of the U.S.
You can start with another half-smoke at Nationals Park, where MLB's Washington Nationals play ball. Or, you can catch a Wizards or Capitals game to see NBA or NHL action at Capital One Arena. Audi Field hosts DC United (MLS), Washington Spirit (NWSL), DC Defenders (XFL/UFL) and DC Power (USLS). And there are even more pro and college sports to check out.
On Sunday afternoons, hang with the picnickers, yogis and musicians from the long-running African drum circle in Meridian Hill Park, a formal, fountain-filled green space in DC’s Columbia Heights neighborhood. The 12-acre, early 20th-century park is home to towering trees, dramatic concrete obelisks and a quirky range of statues, including a dramatic image of Joan of Arc on horseback and a memorial to James Buchanan.
DC Design Tours
Though DC's stately embassies may seem off-limits, locals know that diplomatic missions enrich the city’s cultural life as much as they do its political scene – and they know tips and tricks on how to access them. Explore our guide to discover how these international outposts provide ways to experience DC’s unique, global character, during Passport DC and all year long.
Philly has its cheesesteaks, New York has its hot dogs, but when Washingtonians stay out late, they chow down on a jumbo slice, a cheesy, often-greasy slice of pizza that’s nearly as big as a normal large pie. They’re most common in Adams Morgan, a nightlife-centric, funky neighborhood where you’ll see signs (and lines) along bar-filled 18th Street NW late on Friday and Saturday nights.
Washington, DC's dining scene is booming, and no one is happier than DC residents. Check out some neighborhood dining guides for inspiration on where to find everything from award-winning talent to beloved dive bars.
A craft beer and distillery revolution has also rocked DC, with breweries, rum production facilities and whisky makers honing their craft locally. Many bars pour made-here stuff: DC Brau, Red Bear and Atlas Brew Works are a start, and local cocktails often showcase distilled spirits from DC's Ivy City neighborhood. Most facilities are open for tours and tastings, too.
Politics & Prose © Jason Dixon Photography
Big-name authors - some of them local - chat about and read from their new works at several local bookstores. Politics & Prose hosts readings most nights of the week (and also holds a cozy basement coffee shop); the Busboys and Poets, which has outlets around town, also features author talks many nights of the week.
Locals know that Pride in Washington, DC doesn't stop when June ends. Home to one of the largest LGBTQ+ communities in the nation – 14 percent of all Washingtonians – the city embraces Pride as a vital part of its culture and identity. Between nightlife, history tours, art galleries and even more things to do, there are ways to celebrate any time of year.
Often called the heartbeat of Washington, DC, go-go music has energized audiences since the 1970s. Though it is now nationally acclaimed, its roots remain deepest in its hometown, where backyards, block parties, clubs and the city's biggest stages come alive with rhythms beloved by generations of Washingtonians.
Dive into the genre's percussion-forward style and history of resilience at the dedicated museum in Anacostia.
Washingtonians take great pride in not only their hometown but also their home neighborhoods. You'll often hear locals say, "Oh, I haven't been to the Mall in forever!" So, while it's easy to stick to the most popular monuments and memorials on your trip to DC, add in some other stops across the city's dozens of neighborhoods to get the full experience and find local favorites.
Did you know that Washington, DC consistently ranks as having one of the best urban park systems in the U.S.? Washingtonians love to spend time enjoying DC's ample lineup of parks, gardens and green spaces. Meridian Hill Park, Roosevelt Island and of course Rock Creek Park are all beloved for everything from weekday runs to weekend picnics.
With so many public parks, pedestrian-friendly routes and neighborhoods nestled closely together, DC is a walker's paradise. Washingtonians love to stroll from place to place, and visitors will, too.
The city has loads of local character and only-in-DC experiences. Check out other ways to dine, shop and play like a Washingtonian.
