Teresa’s Guidebook!!
Sightseeing
For those with energy, this is the mini three day tour of Washington, DC. Usually, people take 5-7 days, but if you hustle are in great physical shape, and taxi / uber, it can be done!
1 Day - Smithsonian + Washington Monument
1 Day - National Zoo + National Cemetery
1 Day - US Capital + National Archives + White House
1 Evening - lit monuments are spectacular! Plus it’s cooler, fewer tourists, and more relaxing. Drive or take a tour. Don't miss Iwo Jima, then Washington, WWII, Lincoln, Vietnam & Jefferson Monuments. Buy tour tickets far in advance. Walk safely if in a large group if not with a tour.
(4.5 miles) The rarest ticket is the WH Garden tour open only two weekends ~April and October. For children, the best time to go with children is the Monday after Easter for the Easter Egg Roll which is a blast. Christmas is also a great time to visit and have hot chocolate and gingerbread.
If you want a private tour, any White House staffer or Secret Service agent can lead a tour. If you don’t know one, call your US Rep or Senator and ask their WH liaison to give your family a private tour. Be persistent. Make sure you see the West Wing and the Gardens. Be advised that camouflaged military with rifles are underground and disguised as bushes so keep your children under tight control. Do not let them wander. Be prepared to have social security, passports, government ID, and birth certificates ready to undergo a background check a several weeks before your private tour.
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The White House South Lawn
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW(4.5 miles) The rarest ticket is the WH Garden tour open only two weekends ~April and October. For children, the best time to go with children is the Monday after Easter for the Easter Egg Roll which is a blast. Christmas is also a great time to visit and have hot chocolate and gingerbread.
If you want a private tour, any White House staffer or Secret Service agent can lead a tour. If you don’t know one, call your US Rep or Senator and ask their WH liaison to give your family a private tour. Be persistent. Make sure you see the West Wing and the Gardens. Be advised that camouflaged military with rifles are underground and disguised as bushes so keep your children under tight control. Do not let them wander. Be prepared to have social security, passports, government ID, and birth certificates ready to undergo a background check a several weeks before your private tour.
(5 mile) For a private tour, contact your US Senator and Congressperson. Their staff give tours if planned in advance. Previously only for VIPs, private tours now are. offered to voting constituents. Your member of Congress usually have plenty of freebies from your state. Ask for a goodie bag. Depending on seniority, they may have free tickets to events including the Kennedy Center when you are there. Free tickets circulate frequently. Staffers can trade among themselves to get tickets you want for sold-out events.
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美国国会大厦
First Street Southeast(5 mile) For a private tour, contact your US Senator and Congressperson. Their staff give tours if planned in advance. Previously only for VIPs, private tours now are. offered to voting constituents. Your member of Congress usually have plenty of freebies from your state. Ask for a goodie bag. Depending on seniority, they may have free tickets to events including the Kennedy Center when you are there. Free tickets circulate frequently. Staffers can trade among themselves to get tickets you want for sold-out events.
Iwo Jima Memorial is our name for it. You can bike there, take a long walk, or drive. It’s a good place to have a picnic.
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海军陆战队纪念碑
Iwo Jima Memorial is our name for it. You can bike there, take a long walk, or drive. It’s a good place to have a picnic.
Request a tour on Thursday at least one month in advance. No more than 5 per group. US citizens must pass DOD clearance.
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五角大楼
Request a tour on Thursday at least one month in advance. No more than 5 per group. US citizens must pass DOD clearance.
(3 miles) Contemplate the many lives lost on 9-11. The 20 year anniversary passed. The priest who baptized my Goddaughter is never on time because he is always lost, even at funerals. Instead of driving to a Virginia cemetery, he got lost and drove to DC. The plane crashed when he passed the Pentagon. Our house shook. He is the priest who jumped out of his car and immediately provided comfort and last rites to the dying.
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National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial
1 N Rotary Rd(3 miles) Contemplate the many lives lost on 9-11. The 20 year anniversary passed. The priest who baptized my Goddaughter is never on time because he is always lost, even at funerals. Instead of driving to a Virginia cemetery, he got lost and drove to DC. The plane crashed when he passed the Pentagon. Our house shook. He is the priest who jumped out of his car and immediately provided comfort and last rites to the dying.
空军纪念馆
1 Air Force Memorial DrDrop by between Pentagon and DEA tours. Also neat at night all lit up.
(3.5 miles) The best time to visit is Martin Luther King Day when many children read aloud his most famous speeches. It combines the best of Lincoln’s Presidency and the modern world’s continuation of his struggles.
The stalagmite and stalactite underground tour is memorable and cold during the hot summers. This is a little known tour by the US Parks Service.
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反思池
2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW(3.5 miles) The best time to visit is Martin Luther King Day when many children read aloud his most famous speeches. It combines the best of Lincoln’s Presidency and the modern world’s continuation of his struggles.
The stalagmite and stalactite underground tour is memorable and cold during the hot summers. This is a little known tour by the US Parks Service.
You can’t miss it. At one point you could jog up and down the stairs. Most people use the elevator.
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华盛顿纪念碑
2 15th St NWYou can’t miss it. At one point you could jog up and down the stairs. Most people use the elevator.
Start at top near Ct Avenue and wind your way down the hills. Then take a free shuttle back to the entrance. Sometimes the sell popcorn or sodas in commemorative cups. The popcorn buckets entitled you to free refills.
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美国国家动物园
3001 Connecticut Ave NWStart at top near Ct Avenue and wind your way down the hills. Then take a free shuttle back to the entrance. Sometimes the sell popcorn or sodas in commemorative cups. The popcorn buckets entitled you to free refills.
(4.5 miles) Check if it is still under renovation. We have probably spent more hours here than any other place in DC. There is something for everyone including hands-on demonstrations, 3-D IMAX movies ( these cost), but May be closed for renovations.
The high priced McDonalds sometimes has aircraft from the museum in their Happy Meals. Even if you’re an adult, it may be worth it to order a couple of Happy Meals. Otherwise, don’t eat here. Walk to the American Indian Museum and chow down on gourmet food at reasonable prices.
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美国国家航空航天博物馆
600 Independence Ave SW(4.5 miles) Check if it is still under renovation. We have probably spent more hours here than any other place in DC. There is something for everyone including hands-on demonstrations, 3-D IMAX movies ( these cost), but May be closed for renovations.
The high priced McDonalds sometimes has aircraft from the museum in their Happy Meals. Even if you’re an adult, it may be worth it to order a couple of Happy Meals. Otherwise, don’t eat here. Walk to the American Indian Museum and chow down on gourmet food at reasonable prices.
This is what most people envision of the Smithsonians. Order tickets if visiting the Butterfly Pavilion. Check for special after hour events when everyone else is chased out.
The food is not good and expensive. Go to the American Indian Museum for great gourmet food reasonably priced. (Aka much better value than expensive heart-clogging dried burgers, greasy fries & liquid candy soda.) You need energy, not indigestion, to see more great sites.
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国家自然历史博物馆
10th St. & Constitution Ave. NWThis is what most people envision of the Smithsonians. Order tickets if visiting the Butterfly Pavilion. Check for special after hour events when everyone else is chased out.
The food is not good and expensive. Go to the American Indian Museum for great gourmet food reasonably priced. (Aka much better value than expensive heart-clogging dried burgers, greasy fries & liquid candy soda.) You need energy, not indigestion, to see more great sites.
(5 miles) This least visited museum has the best Smithsonian restaurant at remarkable prices for bison, salmon, turkey, and excellent chef-prepared meals. this is the one place in DC that I recommend you eat. See Guidebook under restaurants.
Oh yes, the museum is great and often has performances or rather tribal gatherings that you are allowed to view.
The gift shop is the only museum that sells true collectibles that might increase in value.
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美国印第安人国家博物馆
4th Street Southwest(5 miles) This least visited museum has the best Smithsonian restaurant at remarkable prices for bison, salmon, turkey, and excellent chef-prepared meals. this is the one place in DC that I recommend you eat. See Guidebook under restaurants.
Oh yes, the museum is great and often has performances or rather tribal gatherings that you are allowed to view.
The gift shop is the only museum that sells true collectibles that might increase in value.
The newest and most popular museum. Please order free tickets to get in. Maybe take some Kleenex.
Avoid eating at the Sweet Home Cafe unless you feel lucky and can spend $100 on two fried chicken meals (and people complain it’s not cooked). Much better to walk to the Native American Museum where the food is gourmet and very reasonable.
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非裔美国人历史和文化国家博物馆
1400 Constitution Ave. NWThe newest and most popular museum. Please order free tickets to get in. Maybe take some Kleenex.
Avoid eating at the Sweet Home Cafe unless you feel lucky and can spend $100 on two fried chicken meals (and people complain it’s not cooked). Much better to walk to the Native American Museum where the food is gourmet and very reasonable.
The second most visited Smithsonian. See if your family, town, or state are accurately represented!
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美国国家历史博物馆
1300 Constitution Ave. NWThe second most visited Smithsonian. See if your family, town, or state are accurately represented!
Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Nicolas Cage made it famous again. Go ahead and buy a duplicate at the gift store. Hang it up in your house. We dare you to understand this document written by wealthy white men who owned land and saw better commerce opportunities as a separate country. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the Spanish had already established states, government, and cities throughout the West, Southwest & even Florida. The first European settlement in Virginia was not Jamestown, but Quantico by the Spanish. Hmmm, how come that’s not in the history books? Oh yes, much of Spanish land deeds were declared illegal or ignored. Property switched hands in an underhanded manner. I feel a John Cougar song, “Ain’t that America.”
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The National Archives Museum
701 Constitution Ave. NWDeclaration of Independence, Constitution, and Nicolas Cage made it famous again. Go ahead and buy a duplicate at the gift store. Hang it up in your house. We dare you to understand this document written by wealthy white men who owned land and saw better commerce opportunities as a separate country. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the Spanish had already established states, government, and cities throughout the West, Southwest & even Florida. The first European settlement in Virginia was not Jamestown, but Quantico by the Spanish. Hmmm, how come that’s not in the history books? Oh yes, much of Spanish land deeds were declared illegal or ignored. Property switched hands in an underhanded manner. I feel a John Cougar song, “Ain’t that America.”
This is fantastic art and a good place to eat and rest.
It’s also the only place I have been asked to leave. My 2 year-old child snuck into a purse and decided to take a crayon to add color to an impressionist painting. Before I knew it, two guards were chasing him, and I was chasing them with a stroller. The toddler could run and they never caught him as he ran between tourists and many rooms of the exhibit. The guards diplomatically suggested the Smithsonian would be better suited for us to visit instead of the Art Gallery.
Look on the bathroom wall for a copy of the art he tried to color on.
It’s still one of my favorite places. In summers, I took him to kiddie art classes when he was older. It’s worth it for the kids so sign up.
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美国国家艺术馆
Constitution Avenue NorthwestThis is fantastic art and a good place to eat and rest.
It’s also the only place I have been asked to leave. My 2 year-old child snuck into a purse and decided to take a crayon to add color to an impressionist painting. Before I knew it, two guards were chasing him, and I was chasing them with a stroller. The toddler could run and they never caught him as he ran between tourists and many rooms of the exhibit. The guards diplomatically suggested the Smithsonian would be better suited for us to visit instead of the Art Gallery.
Look on the bathroom wall for a copy of the art he tried to color on.
It’s still one of my favorite places. In summers, I took him to kiddie art classes when he was older. It’s worth it for the kids so sign up.
The world's largest library has Gutenberg Bible and the first map to name America. The 6th-floor cafeteria, trimmed with floor-to-ceiling windows, gives you unbelievable views of DC. I don't remember the food, besides you go for the ambiance. neutral. (Remember to try the American Indian Museum for a fantastic gourmet meal at very reasonable DC prices.)
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Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave SEThe world's largest library has Gutenberg Bible and the first map to name America. The 6th-floor cafeteria, trimmed with floor-to-ceiling windows, gives you unbelievable views of DC. I don't remember the food, besides you go for the ambiance. neutral. (Remember to try the American Indian Museum for a fantastic gourmet meal at very reasonable DC prices.)
This is an awesome place to visit at night with a group. DC at night is very pretty. Just don’t look down into cars parked by the Mall. People may be working.
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Thomas Jefferson Memorial Bookstore
16 E Basin Dr SWThis is an awesome place to visit at night with a group. DC at night is very pretty. Just don’t look down into cars parked by the Mall. People may be working.
This is a new museum about words and literature that one of our guests came to DC to visit!
We never knew it existed, but it looks cool.
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Planet Word
925 13th Street NorthwestThis is a new museum about words and literature that one of our guests came to DC to visit!
We never knew it existed, but it looks cool.
Be Jane Bond, 99, Maxwell Smart, or Jason Bourne. Or my CIA cousin who wrote the books Gate Keeper & Spies and Lies. (John signed a book that is in the apartment.). He ran the lie detector program. Lots of people are fascinated by spies. But the best spies are your neighbors who no one would ever suspect and the world never knows.
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国际间谍博物馆
700 L'Enfant Plaza SWBe Jane Bond, 99, Maxwell Smart, or Jason Bourne. Or my CIA cousin who wrote the books Gate Keeper & Spies and Lies. (John signed a book that is in the apartment.). He ran the lie detector program. Lots of people are fascinated by spies. But the best spies are your neighbors who no one would ever suspect and the world never knows.
If you like the Spy museum or have limited time or money, just go by Costco to this little known free museum. Park at Costco for two free hours.
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DEA Museum & Visitors Center
700 Army Navy DrIf you like the Spy museum or have limited time or money, just go by Costco to this little known free museum. Park at Costco for two free hours.
You can actually tour the FBI headquarters. US citizens must get tickets a month in advance from their congresswoman or Senator. Don’t take anything with you. The displays of famous cases are cool. Very few people know about this tour.
Federal Bureau of Investigation Headquarters
935 Pennsylvania Avenue NWYou can actually tour the FBI headquarters. US citizens must get tickets a month in advance from their congresswoman or Senator. Don’t take anything with you. The displays of famous cases are cool. Very few people know about this tour.
A boat cruise is nice to just take a walking break and sit while the sites roll by you. There are a few. Some have nice or formal lunches, dinners, and even dancing. Check for online coupons.
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Odyssey Washington
580 Water St SWA boat cruise is nice to just take a walking break and sit while the sites roll by you. There are a few. Some have nice or formal lunches, dinners, and even dancing. Check for online coupons.
If you’ve done the Air and Space Museum at the National Mall, this is the next place to go for flight enthusiasts! It’s by the Dulles Airport. Well worth the time!
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史蒂文·乌德沃尔哈齐中心
14390 Air and Space Museum PkwyIf you’ve done the Air and Space Museum at the National Mall, this is the next place to go for flight enthusiasts! It’s by the Dulles Airport. Well worth the time!
1.5 hours away in the Shenandoah. Physically show a Giant grocery card at the entrance for a 50% discount on 50% of the guests. Take a Giant card from the glass cube on the book trough.
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Luray Caverns
101 Cave Hill Rd1.5 hours away in the Shenandoah. Physically show a Giant grocery card at the entrance for a 50% discount on 50% of the guests. Take a Giant card from the glass cube on the book trough.
22.4 miles. Take one car since they charge for parking. The place to go for aviation lovers. Lots of the bigger planes, space shuttle, spy planes, and simulation games. Go to the top and watch planes land at Dulles Airport. They have IMAX shows also. Plan this on a day you can drive out there. You will go against traffic if you leave in the morning. Take the free airport road, then once at the air port, navigate to the museum.
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史蒂文·乌德沃尔哈齐中心
14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy22.4 miles. Take one car since they charge for parking. The place to go for aviation lovers. Lots of the bigger planes, space shuttle, spy planes, and simulation games. Go to the top and watch planes land at Dulles Airport. They have IMAX shows also. Plan this on a day you can drive out there. You will go against traffic if you leave in the morning. Take the free airport road, then once at the air port, navigate to the museum.
There seems to be a growing Abraham Lincoln interest. This is his summer cottage where he wrote the Emancipation Proclamation and spent his free time getting out of the White House. Pair this with the Lincoln Memorial, a trip to Ford's Theater to see where he was assassinated, and the National Museum of Health and Medicine that displays the bullet that killed Abraham Lincoln, encased alongside bits of his skull. This will take a full day.
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President Lincoln's Cottage
140 Rock Creek Church Rd NWThere seems to be a growing Abraham Lincoln interest. This is his summer cottage where he wrote the Emancipation Proclamation and spent his free time getting out of the White House. Pair this with the Lincoln Memorial, a trip to Ford's Theater to see where he was assassinated, and the National Museum of Health and Medicine that displays the bullet that killed Abraham Lincoln, encased alongside bits of his skull. This will take a full day.
Metro Stops
Three Metro Stops are very close by.
3 blocks away. Pick up a drink at Star Bucks or 7-11 for your walk home. Fast cute eateries also.
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Virginia Square-GMU Station
3 blocks away. Pick up a drink at Star Bucks or 7-11 for your walk home. Fast cute eateries also.
10 blocks away. Also a major bus hub. The mall + fine or fast restaurants abound.
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Ballston-MU Station
4230 Fairfax Dr10 blocks away. Also a major bus hub. The mall + fine or fast restaurants abound.
.8 mile away. Stop here after a long day for restaurant row and the bar scene.
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Clarendon Station
3100 Wilson Blvd.8 mile away. Stop here after a long day for restaurant row and the bar scene.
Neighborhoods
Ashton Heights is on the National Register of Historic Places and there are over 20 historic places and markers you can visit. It has more historic sites than many cities! In the center are 4 corner houses that kept "the most beautiful yards" and they competed against each other, taking pride that they did not hire gardeners but did it themselves! A spinoff is a strong master gardener community to this day.
Over 50 years ago, Ashton Heights was targeted to be surrounded with "subway" stops without intruding upon its quiet character. (Georgetown, DC chose to avoid all subways.) Thus, Ashton Heights has an unheard of three metros within 1.7 miles that makes public transportation a short walk in any direction. The result is that today Ashton Heights remains a beautiful neighborhood from where getting into downtown DC is faster than from most DC residences. Ashton Heights is the old part of DC that was ceded to Virginia. If you look at a DC map, Ashton Heights is in the center of the left corner of the diamond.
Our architecture is colonial, and features every type, including the rare Martha Custis homes (the rich woman George Washington married to launch his career). Three generations later, Robert E Lee married into the female line of wealth and owned the land now known as Arlington National Cemetary. The Union took the property from the family after the Civil War and buried their dead there so that they could look over DC for eternity.
This is a video of the neighborhood, and the predictions came true. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P27KlW6LJG4
The neighborhood hosts the famous Jackson Street Halloween, the huge park bonfire, donuts and cider. People truck their kids in from DC and suburban Virginia and awe at our hospitality. We also host several events throughout the year. For the 4th of July the most beautiful corner of Arlington is the neighborhood fireworks and ice cream hub. Individual streets close down and host a summer party including opera groups and folk singers. (Post) Christmas is the regifting party and ugly winter sweater competition.
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Ashton Heights
Ashton Heights is on the National Register of Historic Places and there are over 20 historic places and markers you can visit. It has more historic sites than many cities! In the center are 4 corner houses that kept "the most beautiful yards" and they competed against each other, taking pride that they did not hire gardeners but did it themselves! A spinoff is a strong master gardener community to this day.
Over 50 years ago, Ashton Heights was targeted to be surrounded with "subway" stops without intruding upon its quiet character. (Georgetown, DC chose to avoid all subways.) Thus, Ashton Heights has an unheard of three metros within 1.7 miles that makes public transportation a short walk in any direction. The result is that today Ashton Heights remains a beautiful neighborhood from where getting into downtown DC is faster than from most DC residences. Ashton Heights is the old part of DC that was ceded to Virginia. If you look at a DC map, Ashton Heights is in the center of the left corner of the diamond.
Our architecture is colonial, and features every type, including the rare Martha Custis homes (the rich woman George Washington married to launch his career). Three generations later, Robert E Lee married into the female line of wealth and owned the land now known as Arlington National Cemetary. The Union took the property from the family after the Civil War and buried their dead there so that they could look over DC for eternity.
This is a video of the neighborhood, and the predictions came true. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P27KlW6LJG4
The neighborhood hosts the famous Jackson Street Halloween, the huge park bonfire, donuts and cider. People truck their kids in from DC and suburban Virginia and awe at our hospitality. We also host several events throughout the year. For the 4th of July the most beautiful corner of Arlington is the neighborhood fireworks and ice cream hub. Individual streets close down and host a summer party including opera groups and folk singers. (Post) Christmas is the regifting party and ugly winter sweater competition.
Walk to Our Parks
Take your children and family out for active fun.
$6 million of our taxes remodeled our neighborhood park. Help get my moneys worth of fun. It includes a water park.
Mosaic Park
538 N Pollard St$6 million of our taxes remodeled our neighborhood park. Help get my moneys worth of fun. It includes a water park.
This quieter park is run by our community. Best place for Halloween with a big bon fire, apple cider, and donuts. Then check out Jackson Street.
Lyon Park Community Center
414 N Fillmore StThis quieter park is run by our community. Best place for Halloween with a big bon fire, apple cider, and donuts. Then check out Jackson Street.
This playground is behind the library which also has a fabulous children’s collection. Batting cages, baseball diamond, soccer field, basketball courts, and volleyball are for the big kids/adults.
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昆西公园
1021 N Quincy StThis playground is behind the library which also has a fabulous children’s collection. Batting cages, baseball diamond, soccer field, basketball courts, and volleyball are for the big kids/adults.
Henry Clay Park
3011 7th St NWe are almost finished renovating this park too. It is usually quieter.
Neighborhood Food scene
There are 20 restaurants within 1/2 mile. About 75 walkable from Ballston to Clarendon. Vegan, gluten-free, heart friendly is no problem at many restaurants. Over 90% of Washingtonian Magazine’s great places to eat in Arlington are within walking distance. washingtonian.com/2016/05/11/great-places-to-eat-in-arlington/
(.7 mile) Peruvian Food is rivaled by French food and many say it is better. Try traditional Peruvian chicken, marinated for two days then roasted on a spit and you’ll know why. Or go vegan with Yucca fries, fried plátanos, Pakistani garbanzos and spinach with potatoes. (A Peruvian Chef married a Pakistani.) If you only have time to go to one restaurant, this is one of my top three choices. On the weekends, they have the best authentic ceviche which is seafood marinated in a special lime milk sauce - to die for if you eat seafood. It’s served with choclo, special Andes Mountain corn and sweet potato. Peruvian yellow dipping sauce has aji amarillo paste from a hot yellow Peruvian pepper, but is mild & tasty. The green dipping sauce also has aji amarillo, but lots of kick. Oooheee, wake you up. We mix the two together and dip chicken & yucca fries in it. Those dipping sauces are addictive.
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Super Pollo
550 N Quincy St(.7 mile) Peruvian Food is rivaled by French food and many say it is better. Try traditional Peruvian chicken, marinated for two days then roasted on a spit and you’ll know why. Or go vegan with Yucca fries, fried plátanos, Pakistani garbanzos and spinach with potatoes. (A Peruvian Chef married a Pakistani.) If you only have time to go to one restaurant, this is one of my top three choices. On the weekends, they have the best authentic ceviche which is seafood marinated in a special lime milk sauce - to die for if you eat seafood. It’s served with choclo, special Andes Mountain corn and sweet potato. Peruvian yellow dipping sauce has aji amarillo paste from a hot yellow Peruvian pepper, but is mild & tasty. The green dipping sauce also has aji amarillo, but lots of kick. Oooheee, wake you up. We mix the two together and dip chicken & yucca fries in it. Those dipping sauces are addictive.
.4 mile Ravi Kabob House is famous for authentic Pakistani food made in tandoori ovens. Their garbanzos are known to be the best & it’s a long process to make properly. Their special vegetable samosa cracked open and topped with garbanzos is a light meal and vegan if you hold the yogurt. Otherwise it’s meat kabobs with fresh naan or daily changing authentic Paki food.
If you only have time to go to one restaurant, this is one of my top three choices. Pakistani families drive from Philly to eat here. It’s that good. Open very late. They now take credit cards.
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Ravi Kabob House
305 N Glebe Rd.4 mile Ravi Kabob House is famous for authentic Pakistani food made in tandoori ovens. Their garbanzos are known to be the best & it’s a long process to make properly. Their special vegetable samosa cracked open and topped with garbanzos is a light meal and vegan if you hold the yogurt. Otherwise it’s meat kabobs with fresh naan or daily changing authentic Paki food.
If you only have time to go to one restaurant, this is one of my top three choices. Pakistani families drive from Philly to eat here. It’s that good. Open very late. They now take credit cards.
.8 mile. This is true Chinese fun food. On holidays we have Hua Guo which is a communal soup pot. You cook your food which you order individually. Meat is so thinly sliced it cooks instantly. I go vegan with lots of mushrooms, lotus roots and anything I can’t pronounce! Go spicy broth, mild broth or both in one divided pot. Our favorite DIY dipping sauce is smoked sesame oil, oyster sauce, garlic, and peanuts for meats (liquid); soy sauce, garlic, scallion, and peanuts for vegetables (chunky); but really any combination at the sauce bar that you like will work. This is where we take our friends from Beijing and they love it. Most of the other Chinese places around here aren’t really Chinese, but more American version of what they think Chinese takeout food should be. Walk past the metro & take a right at Giant. If you only have time to go to one restaurant, this is one of my top three choices.
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Mala Tang
3434 Washington Blvd.8 mile. This is true Chinese fun food. On holidays we have Hua Guo which is a communal soup pot. You cook your food which you order individually. Meat is so thinly sliced it cooks instantly. I go vegan with lots of mushrooms, lotus roots and anything I can’t pronounce! Go spicy broth, mild broth or both in one divided pot. Our favorite DIY dipping sauce is smoked sesame oil, oyster sauce, garlic, and peanuts for meats (liquid); soy sauce, garlic, scallion, and peanuts for vegetables (chunky); but really any combination at the sauce bar that you like will work. This is where we take our friends from Beijing and they love it. Most of the other Chinese places around here aren’t really Chinese, but more American version of what they think Chinese takeout food should be. Walk past the metro & take a right at Giant. If you only have time to go to one restaurant, this is one of my top three choices.
Much better than Shake Shake with over 80 hand crafted milk shakes. We asked them to make us something, they studied us & created a Chocolate cherry with Oreo shake. That’s our go to now. Their patties are freshly hand crafted, they cut fries in front of you, and their large thick onion rings are to die for. They have an endless special dipping sauce that makes the onion rings that much greater. We get the half fries & half onion rings.
However, vegan devotees go for their black bean burger, beyond burger, and coocoo burger that are plant based. They have tons of free add-ons for burgers, so you can eat all your vegetable quota in one burger if you plan it right! Sometimes there are so many mushrooms, grilled onions & peppers, and veggies that you have to eat it like an open faced sandwich with a fork & knife.
There are two in the neighborhood. The headquarters is on Wilson and has parking. If you have one burger on vacation, this is the place.
The second one is in Ballston Quarter Mall.
They now serve breakfast from 7-11am, which I’ve never had. If you wake up when everyone else is asleep, walk on over & check it out.
Boy Scouts have tours for their health & food safety merit badge requirements here. They are a very kind neighbor who supports our schools and those in need.
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All About Burger
3325 Wilson BlvdMuch better than Shake Shake with over 80 hand crafted milk shakes. We asked them to make us something, they studied us & created a Chocolate cherry with Oreo shake. That’s our go to now. Their patties are freshly hand crafted, they cut fries in front of you, and their large thick onion rings are to die for. They have an endless special dipping sauce that makes the onion rings that much greater. We get the half fries & half onion rings.
However, vegan devotees go for their black bean burger, beyond burger, and coocoo burger that are plant based. They have tons of free add-ons for burgers, so you can eat all your vegetable quota in one burger if you plan it right! Sometimes there are so many mushrooms, grilled onions & peppers, and veggies that you have to eat it like an open faced sandwich with a fork & knife.
There are two in the neighborhood. The headquarters is on Wilson and has parking. If you have one burger on vacation, this is the place.
The second one is in Ballston Quarter Mall.
They now serve breakfast from 7-11am, which I’ve never had. If you wake up when everyone else is asleep, walk on over & check it out.
Boy Scouts have tours for their health & food safety merit badge requirements here. They are a very kind neighbor who supports our schools and those in need.
& Pizzas. (800 feet away) Line up. Select your dough, sauce and unlimited toppings. Watch the long oblong gourmet pizza bake and finish with greens and spices. Yum.
For special occasions we get dessert pizza with raspberries, sweet ricotta, chocolate sauce and bling a sophisticated adult half by ADDING fig balsamic oil, pineapple, and wait for it … a light spritz of red pepper chili oil, tomatoes, and a very small amount of blue cheese. Ask for a slice of lemon on the side and squeeze to try. Hey, you only live once and you can live longer & vegan by taking out the cheese and increasing the fruits. And tomato is a fruit around here, but go easy for dessert. Make sure the tomato has more fig balsamic oil than chocolate sauce. I don’t know why, but it tastes better. But hey you can experiment. We ate chili, lime & salt on sweet fruit growing up as dessert, so you do you… or try something different.
&pizza - Ballston
3924 Wilson Boulevard& Pizzas. (800 feet away) Line up. Select your dough, sauce and unlimited toppings. Watch the long oblong gourmet pizza bake and finish with greens and spices. Yum.
For special occasions we get dessert pizza with raspberries, sweet ricotta, chocolate sauce and bling a sophisticated adult half by ADDING fig balsamic oil, pineapple, and wait for it … a light spritz of red pepper chili oil, tomatoes, and a very small amount of blue cheese. Ask for a slice of lemon on the side and squeeze to try. Hey, you only live once and you can live longer & vegan by taking out the cheese and increasing the fruits. And tomato is a fruit around here, but go easy for dessert. Make sure the tomato has more fig balsamic oil than chocolate sauce. I don’t know why, but it tastes better. But hey you can experiment. We ate chili, lime & salt on sweet fruit growing up as dessert, so you do you… or try something different.
1.1 miles. Best Phở in Northern Virginia. Little Saigon moved out of Clarendon, they stayed. A lot of Vietnam vets go there still and get sentimental. The owner may have been an American soldier guide and has been so honored. Definitely try Saigon soft shell crab they fry so it looks like it’s still on its tippytoes if you eat shellfish & it’s in season. Green papaya salad with tofu and yellow coconut curry with steamed tofu if you are being good. Hot Phở soup is really good on a hot day- I don’t know why. (Phở is pronounced fa like in the Do-re-me song by people who seem to be in the know. Everyone else says it like street vernacular “fo’ da’ money.”) See how high you can top it with basil & bean sprouts.
Nam-Viet Restaurant
1127 N Hudson St1.1 miles. Best Phở in Northern Virginia. Little Saigon moved out of Clarendon, they stayed. A lot of Vietnam vets go there still and get sentimental. The owner may have been an American soldier guide and has been so honored. Definitely try Saigon soft shell crab they fry so it looks like it’s still on its tippytoes if you eat shellfish & it’s in season. Green papaya salad with tofu and yellow coconut curry with steamed tofu if you are being good. Hot Phở soup is really good on a hot day- I don’t know why. (Phở is pronounced fa like in the Do-re-me song by people who seem to be in the know. Everyone else says it like street vernacular “fo’ da’ money.”) See how high you can top it with basil & bean sprouts.
.4 mile. Super crowded after Mass at the Cathedral. If you’ve never eaten Salvadoran food, definitely have their Pupusas with Loroco, a rare flower, and a glass of horchata or tamarindo. Very inexpensive by Arlington standards. Salvadorans are the 3rd largest Latino group in the US & will probably be a future food trendy trendy when avocado toast is passé.
9 当地人推荐
Pupuseria Dona Azucena
71 N Glebe Rd.4 mile. Super crowded after Mass at the Cathedral. If you’ve never eaten Salvadoran food, definitely have their Pupusas with Loroco, a rare flower, and a glass of horchata or tamarindo. Very inexpensive by Arlington standards. Salvadorans are the 3rd largest Latino group in the US & will probably be a future food trendy trendy when avocado toast is passé.
.5 mile True Food Kitchen at Ballston Quarter is the place to go if you only go out one upscale place. My gastronomique friend’s eyes widened upon learning they had just opened nearby and happened to know the manager. They adorn some plates with dried Austin corn that is airy, light and crunchy. Their vegan key lime pie has microplaned zest that looks like tangled green threads off a spool. Yes to their vegan Teriyaki (to which you can add meat.) Good food done right with a flair. You can also get a simple tasty vegan BLT with tempeh if you want to go lite.
27 当地人推荐
True Food Kitchen
2910 District Ave.5 mile True Food Kitchen at Ballston Quarter is the place to go if you only go out one upscale place. My gastronomique friend’s eyes widened upon learning they had just opened nearby and happened to know the manager. They adorn some plates with dried Austin corn that is airy, light and crunchy. Their vegan key lime pie has microplaned zest that looks like tangled green threads off a spool. Yes to their vegan Teriyaki (to which you can add meat.) Good food done right with a flair. You can also get a simple tasty vegan BLT with tempeh if you want to go lite.
.7 mile. For years I thought it was a dive by Ballston Mall that delivers. But, a visiting Chinese friend said they had some of the best Northern Chinese cooking, which I ate and they do. Note, if you go there, they will give you a fork if they think you are not authentic! Everyone gets chopsticks. 好吃. Try the Hand Scratch Pancake (1) 手抓饼 . It’s a Chinese leek empanada. Ask for the Authentic Chinese Menu or you will get the generic American bad food menu. Good wok hei that Uncle Roger would like.
Hunan Gate
4233 Fairfax Dr.7 mile. For years I thought it was a dive by Ballston Mall that delivers. But, a visiting Chinese friend said they had some of the best Northern Chinese cooking, which I ate and they do. Note, if you go there, they will give you a fork if they think you are not authentic! Everyone gets chopsticks. 好吃. Try the Hand Scratch Pancake (1) 手抓饼 . It’s a Chinese leek empanada. Ask for the Authentic Chinese Menu or you will get the generic American bad food menu. Good wok hei that Uncle Roger would like.
Northside Social Coffee and Wine (.7 miles) is the local hangout where St Charles Mass attendees rollout and techies cut their business deals. Outdoor seating is to see and be seen. Sister Liberty Tavern is nearby. Mark runs both and is really diligent. His mother taught him to cook at an early age, and he credits her for his business success. Oh, and Father Planty doesn’t like when you park at St. Charles and walk across the street. I think he wants to turn it into paid parking?
94 当地人推荐
Northside Social Coffee & Wine
3211 Wilson BlvdNorthside Social Coffee and Wine (.7 miles) is the local hangout where St Charles Mass attendees rollout and techies cut their business deals. Outdoor seating is to see and be seen. Sister Liberty Tavern is nearby. Mark runs both and is really diligent. His mother taught him to cook at an early age, and he credits her for his business success. Oh, and Father Planty doesn’t like when you park at St. Charles and walk across the street. I think he wants to turn it into paid parking?
Silver Diner (.7 mile) Check in the glass cube for a discount card. Ask the hostess to make sure your server is NOT Christian, he’s infamous. It’s an upscale fresh food, chef-led diner, but still with a jukebox at every table. Faster at the counter & across the street from Northside Social. When I did eat meat, I would order their Bison Huevos Rancheros with a bottomless cup of hot tea. Now they have several upscale vegan plates to add the good old vegan chili standby. Pre-covid they had clowns, balloons, face painting & games for kids on Tuesday night.
24 当地人推荐
Silver Diner
4400 Wilson BlvdSilver Diner (.7 mile) Check in the glass cube for a discount card. Ask the hostess to make sure your server is NOT Christian, he’s infamous. It’s an upscale fresh food, chef-led diner, but still with a jukebox at every table. Faster at the counter & across the street from Northside Social. When I did eat meat, I would order their Bison Huevos Rancheros with a bottomless cup of hot tea. Now they have several upscale vegan plates to add the good old vegan chili standby. Pre-covid they had clowns, balloons, face painting & games for kids on Tuesday night.
1 mile. This Tex-Mex place is very popular, especially for birthdays with their chocolate piñata you break at the table and chocolates and desserts fly out. They used to have Cabrito, but now it’s mostly American version of what Tex-Mex food should be. They do have swirls though which is a margarita with a swirl of sangria - an adult slurpee.
18 当地人推荐
Uncle Julio's Arlington/Ballston
4301 Fairfax Drive1 mile. This Tex-Mex place is very popular, especially for birthdays with their chocolate piñata you break at the table and chocolates and desserts fly out. They used to have Cabrito, but now it’s mostly American version of what Tex-Mex food should be. They do have swirls though which is a margarita with a swirl of sangria - an adult slurpee.
Troy's Italian Kitchen (.8 mile) Meat & vegan pizza and subs. Our favorite is their 20 piece vegan wings - come on, you can eat them all in one sitting because - it’s healthy, right? Add a salad. If you ask, they make family trays you can order ahead of time. There is not really a place to sit and eat.
Troy's Italian Kitchen
2710-B Washington BoulevardTroy's Italian Kitchen (.8 mile) Meat & vegan pizza and subs. Our favorite is their 20 piece vegan wings - come on, you can eat them all in one sitting because - it’s healthy, right? Add a salad. If you ask, they make family trays you can order ahead of time. There is not really a place to sit and eat.
El Charrito Caminante (.8 mile) This Salvadoran family makes some of the best Mexican tacos around of beef, chicken, tongue & sometimes goat. I crave the plátanos y frijoles appetizer. Their vegan burritos are filling. Very cheap for Arlington prices. There is not really a place to sit and eat.
8 当地人推荐
El Charrito Caminante
2710 Washington BlvdEl Charrito Caminante (.8 mile) This Salvadoran family makes some of the best Mexican tacos around of beef, chicken, tongue & sometimes goat. I crave the plátanos y frijoles appetizer. Their vegan burritos are filling. Very cheap for Arlington prices. There is not really a place to sit and eat.
El Fuego (.9 miles) Authentic Peruvian food. Their delicious vegetable or tofu lomo saltado plates are vegan. This is where Peruvians take their guests.
El Fuego Peruvian Kitchen
2300 N Pershing DrEl Fuego (.9 miles) Authentic Peruvian food. Their delicious vegetable or tofu lomo saltado plates are vegan. This is where Peruvians take their guests.
BonChon (1 mile) Korean fast food & fried chicken. Please go here before even thinking about Buffalo Wild Wings. It’s the new trendy trendy. I don’t see Koreans eating there though.
23 当地人推荐
Bonchon Arlington
2201 N Pershing DrBonChon (1 mile) Korean fast food & fried chicken. Please go here before even thinking about Buffalo Wild Wings. It’s the new trendy trendy. I don’t see Koreans eating there though.
Another filling salad restaurant. It is a local chain and there are two in the neighborhood.
14 当地人推荐
Sweet Leaf Cafe
2200 Wilson BlvdAnother filling salad restaurant. It is a local chain and there are two in the neighborhood.
sweetgreen
1461 P St NWAnother filling salad restaurant.
.8 mile. Russia & Uzbekistan food. I have never been, but I hear it’s very authentic.
If you really want to load up on Russian groceries, we go to the place in McLean that is behind a strip mall. Haven’t been there since COVID and don’t recall the name, so check first.
10 当地人推荐
Rus Uz - Arlington
1000 North Randolph Street.8 mile. Russia & Uzbekistan food. I have never been, but I hear it’s very authentic.
If you really want to load up on Russian groceries, we go to the place in McLean that is behind a strip mall. Haven’t been there since COVID and don’t recall the name, so check first.
2.8 miles. Ethiopian restaurant not in the neighborhood, but close & near the Air Force Memorial and Pentagon. They have buffets and because they consider themselves to be the true Christians, they fast more than half the year and have many vegan dishes. Ask for the better 100% gluten-free Teff injera bread that they serve the Ethiopians. In Ethiopia a family sits around a huge round basket with injera dotted with lots of scoops of different dishes and use the bread to pick up food and eat with their fingers. Here you can sit at a table and eat with a fork. Try putting the bread on the plate first & sample very, very small isolated food scoops the first time. Leave the bread at the bottom & put very, very small scoops of the rest of untried food on the “clean”bread. Once you speed sample and know what you like, go for it the third time at the buffet and try using another injera to eat with your fingers. Pace yourself & stop way ahead so you can eat the injera at the bottom of the plate. By then it will have absorbed so many flavors it’s fantastic. Please don’t waste food. Most of their countrymen are starving. It’s a privilege to eat.
They have a bakery next door with vegan cakes. (Sorry to go Debbie downer above.)
11 当地人推荐
Dama Restaurant and Pastry
1505 Columbia Pike2.8 miles. Ethiopian restaurant not in the neighborhood, but close & near the Air Force Memorial and Pentagon. They have buffets and because they consider themselves to be the true Christians, they fast more than half the year and have many vegan dishes. Ask for the better 100% gluten-free Teff injera bread that they serve the Ethiopians. In Ethiopia a family sits around a huge round basket with injera dotted with lots of scoops of different dishes and use the bread to pick up food and eat with their fingers. Here you can sit at a table and eat with a fork. Try putting the bread on the plate first & sample very, very small isolated food scoops the first time. Leave the bread at the bottom & put very, very small scoops of the rest of untried food on the “clean”bread. Once you speed sample and know what you like, go for it the third time at the buffet and try using another injera to eat with your fingers. Pace yourself & stop way ahead so you can eat the injera at the bottom of the plate. By then it will have absorbed so many flavors it’s fantastic. Please don’t waste food. Most of their countrymen are starving. It’s a privilege to eat.
They have a bakery next door with vegan cakes. (Sorry to go Debbie downer above.)
4.1 miles. Not in the neighborhood, but in Eden Center (Little Saigon) where we also buy our Chinese food. For a snack, I get their large grab & go fried tofu. Ask for their brown sauce from the kitchen & top with both their hot sauces. Huge protein load for $3. This is a humble place for Buddhists to eat where they harm no animals. If you see Buddhist monks there on a rare occasion, for good luck tell the owner you want to pay for their meal. (It is said to work with rare sightings of Catholic nuns in full habit.) Pay for them and walk out quietly, quickly and anonymously.
If you want trendy Vietnamese, there are a ton of restaurants there. Little Saigon was Clarendon, but they were forced out when Clarendon went upscale. So they all moved outside Arlington to a shopping complex & renamed it Eden Center. It often has Asian celebrations in the parking lot like Chinese New Year or Kung Fu demonstrations. Vietnamese drive for many hours to shop here. We buy our Chinese food here at Good Fortune Supermarket. There is also a small cafeteria in the back left of the supermarket near the hanging chunks of cooked pork, chicken, and ducks on hooks. It’s also cheap by Arlington standards and authentic including a water soup. Drink the soup Asian style after you eat to help with digestion. Take any leftovers with you including the soup. It is very very bad form to waste food in Asian culture & you might get the stinky eye look if you do.
Thai Spoon Restaurant
6795 Wilson Blvd4.1 miles. Not in the neighborhood, but in Eden Center (Little Saigon) where we also buy our Chinese food. For a snack, I get their large grab & go fried tofu. Ask for their brown sauce from the kitchen & top with both their hot sauces. Huge protein load for $3. This is a humble place for Buddhists to eat where they harm no animals. If you see Buddhist monks there on a rare occasion, for good luck tell the owner you want to pay for their meal. (It is said to work with rare sightings of Catholic nuns in full habit.) Pay for them and walk out quietly, quickly and anonymously.
If you want trendy Vietnamese, there are a ton of restaurants there. Little Saigon was Clarendon, but they were forced out when Clarendon went upscale. So they all moved outside Arlington to a shopping complex & renamed it Eden Center. It often has Asian celebrations in the parking lot like Chinese New Year or Kung Fu demonstrations. Vietnamese drive for many hours to shop here. We buy our Chinese food here at Good Fortune Supermarket. There is also a small cafeteria in the back left of the supermarket near the hanging chunks of cooked pork, chicken, and ducks on hooks. It’s also cheap by Arlington standards and authentic including a water soup. Drink the soup Asian style after you eat to help with digestion. Take any leftovers with you including the soup. It is very very bad form to waste food in Asian culture & you might get the stinky eye look if you do.
3.4 miles. This is not in the neighborhood, but if you want authentic Beijing/Peking duck and true dim sum, this is your place. It is much cheaper and cleaner than Peking Gourmet Inn where the Presidents go. We would go after Chinese school & the waiters would practice speaking with us. Not pretentious at all. Great Peking duck like the ones we ate in Beijing which takes a few days to make. Fish and seafood are swimming in tanks in back & you pick your food. There is often dim sum served where they have small plates on carts & circulate. You point to a small plate. Always ask if a sauce is usually eaten with it and they might bring some to your table from the kitchen. You can also always order off the menu. We always order Szechuan green beans. It goes well with anything. You can ask for no ground pork to go vegan or make it mild with no hot spice. But go for the spice and cool it with rice. You can even make a meal for one with just their Szechuan green beans and rice. Left overs? - Dao bao it and take it with you. It is expected you should not waste food.
Marks Duck House
6184-a Arlington Blvd3.4 miles. This is not in the neighborhood, but if you want authentic Beijing/Peking duck and true dim sum, this is your place. It is much cheaper and cleaner than Peking Gourmet Inn where the Presidents go. We would go after Chinese school & the waiters would practice speaking with us. Not pretentious at all. Great Peking duck like the ones we ate in Beijing which takes a few days to make. Fish and seafood are swimming in tanks in back & you pick your food. There is often dim sum served where they have small plates on carts & circulate. You point to a small plate. Always ask if a sauce is usually eaten with it and they might bring some to your table from the kitchen. You can also always order off the menu. We always order Szechuan green beans. It goes well with anything. You can ask for no ground pork to go vegan or make it mild with no hot spice. But go for the spice and cool it with rice. You can even make a meal for one with just their Szechuan green beans and rice. Left overs? - Dao bao it and take it with you. It is expected you should not waste food.
8.6 miles. Open 24 hours. Definitely not in the neighborhood, but if you know Korean food or have the munchies in the wee hours, this is the place to go. There is a grill in the middle of the table and they bring you a ton of pickled foods and appetizers as you wait for your meal. It’s packed with Koreans so it must be authentic. Bulgogi is popular. Parking is tight & weird. Walk to the Breeze pastry shop nearby for very precise and utterly cute pastries. Gelato is good too.
16 当地人推荐
Yechon Korean Restaurant
4121 Hummer Rd8.6 miles. Open 24 hours. Definitely not in the neighborhood, but if you know Korean food or have the munchies in the wee hours, this is the place to go. There is a grill in the middle of the table and they bring you a ton of pickled foods and appetizers as you wait for your meal. It’s packed with Koreans so it must be authentic. Bulgogi is popular. Parking is tight & weird. Walk to the Breeze pastry shop nearby for very precise and utterly cute pastries. Gelato is good too.
6.5 miles. This is the one of two places in DC I recommend you eat at.
Plan your Smithsonian Day so you eat at the gourmet Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe in the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian, between the Air and Space Museum and the US Capitol. It is very, very good healthy authentic pre-US food. All the other Smithsonian cafes sell junk food that slow you down. You do need to buy something at the Smithsonian to help keep it free. In other cities, you would be paying $20-55 per museum just to enter, so you do the math of what you should spend. Eat here even if you don’t want to see the Indian Museum. It’s that good.
Locals spend Thanksgiving here for at least one authentic turkey and native meal. (Yes the Smithsonian is open on Thanksgiving and is empty. You can see everything quickly with no crowds!) It is cheap for the fresh, very high quality and amount. It is split into parts representing the US. I gravitate to the Pacific Northwest and the South. The dishes can change daily. Go for the tamales and mole if offered. Go for the caramelized salmon if offered. This is your chance to try the best native vegetables prepared wonderfully, especially if you are a self-proclaimed vegetable hater. This experience might change you.
My advice is to immediately send someone ahead to get a table right in front of the pond. There is something about the ducks, the water, the earth bricks and the space that transport you to another time.
7 当地人推荐
Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe
6.5 miles. This is the one of two places in DC I recommend you eat at.
Plan your Smithsonian Day so you eat at the gourmet Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe in the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian, between the Air and Space Museum and the US Capitol. It is very, very good healthy authentic pre-US food. All the other Smithsonian cafes sell junk food that slow you down. You do need to buy something at the Smithsonian to help keep it free. In other cities, you would be paying $20-55 per museum just to enter, so you do the math of what you should spend. Eat here even if you don’t want to see the Indian Museum. It’s that good.
Locals spend Thanksgiving here for at least one authentic turkey and native meal. (Yes the Smithsonian is open on Thanksgiving and is empty. You can see everything quickly with no crowds!) It is cheap for the fresh, very high quality and amount. It is split into parts representing the US. I gravitate to the Pacific Northwest and the South. The dishes can change daily. Go for the tamales and mole if offered. Go for the caramelized salmon if offered. This is your chance to try the best native vegetables prepared wonderfully, especially if you are a self-proclaimed vegetable hater. This experience might change you.
My advice is to immediately send someone ahead to get a table right in front of the pond. There is something about the ducks, the water, the earth bricks and the space that transport you to another time.
4 miles away. This is the one of two places in DC I recommend you eat. (The other is the cafe at the Smithsonian Native American Museum.) It’s in Georgetown across the Arlington Key Bridge. It’s a very, very long walk, but some really enjoy the scenery.
(1) It is one of the healthiest food places to eat in the greater DC area. The taste is almost 100% authentic and kids go crazy for Zatar fries.
(2) The prices are extremely reasonable. You can get 4 falafel pita pockets for the price of one at Shouks. And the taste is fresher.
(3) A portion of profits go to refugee organizations. You will be eating food that refugees eat at campsites across war-ravaged countries. To them one falafel is a luxury. It reminds us to give thanks for whatever we might have.
Falafel Inc
1210 Potomac St NW4 miles away. This is the one of two places in DC I recommend you eat. (The other is the cafe at the Smithsonian Native American Museum.) It’s in Georgetown across the Arlington Key Bridge. It’s a very, very long walk, but some really enjoy the scenery.
(1) It is one of the healthiest food places to eat in the greater DC area. The taste is almost 100% authentic and kids go crazy for Zatar fries.
(2) The prices are extremely reasonable. You can get 4 falafel pita pockets for the price of one at Shouks. And the taste is fresher.
(3) A portion of profits go to refugee organizations. You will be eating food that refugees eat at campsites across war-ravaged countries. To them one falafel is a luxury. It reminds us to give thanks for whatever we might have.
4.1 miles in Little Saigon "Eden Center." This vegan Buddist restaurant is filling, inexpensive, and many items looks like meat. They have great tofu and spring roll take-and-go packages. Ask for their special sauce they make and keep in a pot in the back and add some garlic chile or siracha sauce and you are in protein heaven! They also have tables where you can sit and have family or solo meals.
Dieu Huong Vegetarian Restaurant
4.1 miles in Little Saigon "Eden Center." This vegan Buddist restaurant is filling, inexpensive, and many items looks like meat. They have great tofu and spring roll take-and-go packages. Ask for their special sauce they make and keep in a pot in the back and add some garlic chile or siracha sauce and you are in protein heaven! They also have tables where you can sit and have family or solo meals.
Neighborhood Coffee and Breakfast
Somewhat arranged by walking distance. OMG there are so many coffee shops. Seriously, even Dunkin’ has three within .8 miles and is opening up a fourth. Please bear with my avocado toast comments.
Oh no, the owner got sick and it is closed now. Technically right outside our hood at 1.3 miles with parking. But if you love love coffee …“Roastery … healthier coffee …naturally fermented coffee beans.” “Sense of Place Cafe was awarded a Bronze Medal in the Golden Bean North America Coffee Roasters Competition, the largest global roasters competition and conference.”
The last time I drank coffee was many years ago in the mountains of El Sol Salvador to be polite when building emergency homes after a hurricane and earthquake. A poor family had picked beans and made coffee over a campfire. It smelled and tasted good —nothing at all like US coffee.
If I were to drink coffee again though, I might try this roastery. It’s intriguing.
Sense of Place Café
4807 1st Street NorthOh no, the owner got sick and it is closed now. Technically right outside our hood at 1.3 miles with parking. But if you love love coffee …“Roastery … healthier coffee …naturally fermented coffee beans.” “Sense of Place Cafe was awarded a Bronze Medal in the Golden Bean North America Coffee Roasters Competition, the largest global roasters competition and conference.”
The last time I drank coffee was many years ago in the mountains of El Sol Salvador to be polite when building emergency homes after a hurricane and earthquake. A poor family had picked beans and made coffee over a campfire. It smelled and tasted good —nothing at all like US coffee.
If I were to drink coffee again though, I might try this roastery. It’s intriguing.
.4 mile NW, just up the street. A bachelor USAF officer uses this for all his meals. I don’t know if that’s a good thing.
Le Café Market
901 N Nelson St.4 mile NW, just up the street. A bachelor USAF officer uses this for all his meals. I don’t know if that’s a good thing.
.5 mile NW, just up the street. Please don’t eat their pressurized avocado spread in a small plastic cup. Please don’t, and please just don’t tell me if you did.
223 当地人推荐
Starbucks
1101 S Joyce St.5 mile NW, just up the street. Please don’t eat their pressurized avocado spread in a small plastic cup. Please don’t, and please just don’t tell me if you did.
Coffee Beanery
3444 Fairfax Dr.5 mile NW
.7 mile NW. Organic gourmet and catering. Bagel with avocado is $1.50 which is dirt cheap for Arlington. I’ve never been there.
Natural Cafe
850 N Randolph St.7 mile NW. Organic gourmet and catering. Bagel with avocado is $1.50 which is dirt cheap for Arlington. I’ve never been there.
Uptown Cafe
131 M St NE.4 mile West
.6 mile West.
Don’t even Think about ordering their “Skinny Bacon Avocado Tomato on skinny everything bagel.”
Putting avocado on bacon and eggs doesn’t make you skinny and doesn’t prevent artery clogs. Plus they put radiator antifreeze (propylene glycol) in their bacon for that yummy hidden cancer bacon taste.
Please don’t do it.
Bruegger's Bagels
818 N Quincy St.6 mile West.
Don’t even Think about ordering their “Skinny Bacon Avocado Tomato on skinny everything bagel.”
Putting avocado on bacon and eggs doesn’t make you skinny and doesn’t prevent artery clogs. Plus they put radiator antifreeze (propylene glycol) in their bacon for that yummy hidden cancer bacon taste.
Please don’t do it.
.7 mile and DRIVE THROUGH next to the Cathedral.
They replaced their vegan beyond sausage sandwich with (drumroll please) AVOCADO TOAST! Please don’t eat that pressurized green spread either. See suggestion under South Block.
There are three Dunkins within a mile. This one is on Glebe Road.
68 当地人推荐
Dunkin'
1739 New Jersey Ave NW.7 mile and DRIVE THROUGH next to the Cathedral.
They replaced their vegan beyond sausage sandwich with (drumroll please) AVOCADO TOAST! Please don’t eat that pressurized green spread either. See suggestion under South Block.
There are three Dunkins within a mile. This one is on Glebe Road.
.8 mile at Ballston Mall. Açaí bowls, green juices, and smoothies. But before dropping $$ on avocado toast, make authentic ones. Squeeze 1/2 an aguacate onto a corn (or flour) tortilla, add salsa or Tabasco, and eat. If you want it toasty, put in microwave for 30 seconds. Come on, a million Aztecs can’t be wrong. For the price of one “new” “trendy” avocado toast, you can make 4-8 yourself. Tabasco is next to microwave. If you want high energy, put black beans which are in the bottom cabinet. Want to snazzy it? Then add lime or vinegar (balsamic makes it sweet though) onions, hot pepper, and shredded lettuce. Vinegar is with the Tabasco. Hot peppers, onions and lettuce/kale are in the garden. Enjoy.
22 当地人推荐
South Block
3011 11th St N.8 mile at Ballston Mall. Açaí bowls, green juices, and smoothies. But before dropping $$ on avocado toast, make authentic ones. Squeeze 1/2 an aguacate onto a corn (or flour) tortilla, add salsa or Tabasco, and eat. If you want it toasty, put in microwave for 30 seconds. Come on, a million Aztecs can’t be wrong. For the price of one “new” “trendy” avocado toast, you can make 4-8 yourself. Tabasco is next to microwave. If you want high energy, put black beans which are in the bottom cabinet. Want to snazzy it? Then add lime or vinegar (balsamic makes it sweet though) onions, hot pepper, and shredded lettuce. Vinegar is with the Tabasco. Hot peppers, onions and lettuce/kale are in the garden. Enjoy.
Detour Coffee
946 N Jackson St.8 mile
.8 mile and parking.
IHOP is adding AVOCADO TOAST. It hasn’t reached Arlington, but when it does … just say “no.”
84 当地人推荐
IHOP
935 N Stafford St.8 mile and parking.
IHOP is adding AVOCADO TOAST. It hasn’t reached Arlington, but when it does … just say “no.”
Philz Coffee
1827 Adams Mill Rd NW.7 mile
Compass Coffee
1535 7th St NW.7 mile
Tivoli Gourmet Deli-Ballston
901 N Stuart St.8 mile
.7 mile
They have avocado toast. I’m not saying anything since I know the owner.
94 当地人推荐
Northside Social Coffee & Wine
3211 Wilson Blvd.7 mile
They have avocado toast. I’m not saying anything since I know the owner.
Peet's Coffee
4115 Campbell Ave1.1 miles
Kaldis Social House Arlington
3100 10th St N.8 mile
Good Company Doughnuts & Cafe
672 North Glebe Road.8 mile.
Mike's Cafe
900 N Stuart St.8 mile.
1 mile. Please see my notes above about making authentic avocado toast.
Waterhouse Coffee & Juice Bar
3033 Wilson Boulevard1 mile. Please see my notes above about making authentic avocado toast.
Republik Coffee Bar
4401 Wilson Blvd.8 mile
East West Coffee Wine
1901 N Moore St.9 mile. Turkish coffee house and plates.
1 mile.
$12 for avocado toast and they don’t even add salsa, hot peppers, onions or lettuce. Please see my notes for authentic avocado toast under South Block.
86 当地人推荐
Le Pain Quotidien
660 Pennsylvania Ave. SE1 mile.
$12 for avocado toast and they don’t even add salsa, hot peppers, onions or lettuce. Please see my notes for authentic avocado toast under South Block.
1 mile, but I think everything might be vegan so you can eat as much as you want and be healthy… Right? Sugar and more sugar is vegan, right? Diabetes whaaaa?
13 当地人推荐
Bakeshop
1025 N Fillmore St1 mile, but I think everything might be vegan so you can eat as much as you want and be healthy… Right? Sugar and more sugar is vegan, right? Diabetes whaaaa?
Buzz Bakeshop
901 Slaters Ln.6 mile. Post COVID: Check to make sure it re-opened
Nightlife Nearby
This was compiled with the help of others. I have no first-hand knowledge that I remember. Actually, the scene changes so much, so do your recon first.
Beer Garden Dive I’ve never been to, really loud & a place parents go for a fast date. Food trucks pull up. It was literally an old parking lot that converted to a Biergarten. You can play volleyball or horseshoes in the sand.
The Lot
3217 10th Street NorthBeer Garden Dive I’ve never been to, really loud & a place parents go for a fast date. Food trucks pull up. It was literally an old parking lot that converted to a Biergarten. You can play volleyball or horseshoes in the sand.
Don Tito
3165 Wilson BlvdAn OG bar where mistakes begin, often with tequila.
Whoa! This place actually looks nice and not a dive bar. When did this gentrification happen?
22 当地人推荐
Spider Kelly's
3181 Wilson BlvdWhoa! This place actually looks nice and not a dive bar. When did this gentrification happen?
The Washingtonian names this Balkan restaurant as a must place to have Eastern European rakia brandy.
23 当地人推荐
Ambar Clarendon
2901 Wilson BlvdThe Washingtonian names this Balkan restaurant as a must place to have Eastern European rakia brandy.
Galaxy Hut
2711 Wilson BlvdStill a dive, but a hipster dive with 28 on-tap beers, says the Washingtonian.
Darna
946 N Jackson StHooka bar & dancing. Next to the Emergency Clinic! Lol
Ahh. “What do you do with a drunken sailor early in the morning?” Father Creedon taught me sea shanties here, bless his departed soul. They have a fireplace & brunch too.
18 当地人推荐
Ireland's Four Courts
2051 Wilson BlvdAhh. “What do you do with a drunken sailor early in the morning?” Father Creedon taught me sea shanties here, bless his departed soul. They have a fireplace & brunch too.
Oby Lee Winery
3000 Washington BlvdSelf serve winery. Trippy.
So this Great Gatsby-vibe place said to be romantic or when you want to be in more sophisticated environs - like being able to hear a conversation.
Oysters are $1 on Fridays till 8pm? Really? What’s the catch?
Ms. Peacock's Champagne Lounge
929 North Garfield StreetSo this Great Gatsby-vibe place said to be romantic or when you want to be in more sophisticated environs - like being able to hear a conversation.
Oysters are $1 on Fridays till 8pm? Really? What’s the catch?
They have always had outdoor seating where casual & shorts are okay. Not pretentious. Their beet Tatar is really good.
19 当地人推荐
Grand Cru Wine Bar and Bistro
4301 Wilson BlvdThey have always had outdoor seating where casual & shorts are okay. Not pretentious. Their beet Tatar is really good.
Punch Bowl Social Arlington
4238 Wilson BlvdIt’s a bowling alley too? Seriously?
First Down Sports Bar & Grill
4213 Fairfax DrNever been. It looks like a dive to just get stupid drunk.