golfkat Travel Blog

Fun Things to Do in Washington, D.C. in April

• Enjoy the Cherry Blossom Festival
• Go to the U.S. Capitol & Capitol Visitor Center
• Visit the wonderful museums of the Smithsonian – they are free!
• Stroll through the United States Botanic Garden – also free!
• Pay your respects at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial
• Climb the steps of the Lincoln Memorial
• Take a picture in front of the White House
• Sip wine at one of the wineries near Washington D.C.
• Eat some greasy fries and a hot dog at Ben’s Chili Bowl, President Obama’s favorite place.
• Eat some oysters, drink some champagne at one of DC’s well known seafood joints
• Rent a bike and ride around the Capitol Mall
• Shop in Georgetown before having a burger at Clyde’s

I may have mentioned that I have known Ken since the 80s.  He just does not look that old!!!  He and his wife Nelly live in Atlanta, where I have visited numerous times.  The first time he met me at the airport, he had a cooler of cold beer in the car!

We drank so much beer that night, we ended up at Wendy’s with the munchies around midnight.

Maybe he will have a cold beer or champagne waiting for me??

Here is the last day of the Cherry Blossom Fest:

4/2/2023
12:00PM-12:30PM: Pitches Be Trippin’ (https://pitchesbetrippin.com/)
12:45PM-1:30PM: East of the River Boys & Girls Steelband (https://www.eotrsteelband.org/)
1:45PM-2:15PM: Sachiyo Ito and Company (https://dancejapan.com/)
2:35PM-3:35PM: Motherland House Concert (www.motherlandculturalconnections.com)
3:55PM-4:40PM: Calista Garcia (www.calistagarcia.com)
5:00PM-6:00PM: The Midnight Anthem (https://www.themidnightanthem.com/epk.html)
I arrive at 6pm, so, I guess we can try You Tube or ??

Some other ideas:

The District’s U Street Corridor, once known as Black Broadway, was one of the most established and exciting areas in the country to celebrate Black culture in the first half of the 1900s. U Street was influential in the music and performing arts scene as theaters like Lincoln and Howard opened–they hosted the likes of iconic artists such as musician Duke Ellington, R&B legend Marvin Gaye, singer Ella Fitzgerald, and poet Langston Hughes. Over the past two decades, U Street has become a vibrant center for art, culture, and African American heritage. A new generation of artists has revitalized the area, making it the favored neighborhood for art and music, especially jazz. You’ll also want to follow Cultural Tourism DC’s African American Heritage Trail to see more than 200 significant sites rich in local Black history, from churches and schools to famous residences and businesses.  And Ben’s Chili Bowl is also on U Street, one of President Obama’s favorite places.

The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, with over 171 million books, recordings, photographs, newspapers, maps, and manuscripts. Each day they receive around 15,000 items and add more than 10,000 items to their collections! The Library even houses materials in approximately 470 languages. The catch? All books can only be used on the premises and cannot be checked out. But don’t let that deter you from a visit; the impressive architecture of the building and the expansive collection of artwork is enough to make it worth a visit.  Try to focus your visit on a subject that is near and dear to you, otherwise, it is overwhelming.

District Wharf is your all-in-one entertainment stop. Along the marina’s edge lie exquisite restaurants, vibrant bars, shops, and entertainment venues. We suggest enjoying live free concerts that are typically held during warmer months, renting a kayak or paddleboard from The Wharf Boathouse, taking a free jitney ride to East Potomac Park (a man-made island), and visiting The Municipal Fish Market–having opened in 1805, it is the oldest continuously operating open-air fish market in the United States. The Wharf is also eco-friendly and includes the installation of numerous green roofs, 300 new trees, preservation of mature oaks, and 340 square feet of floating wetland systems.

On April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was shot while attending a show at Ford’s Theater. Today, the theater still performs live shows, although the Presidential box where Lincoln sat always remains empty. Visitors can tour the balcony where Lincoln sat, visit the Petersen House across the street where Lincoln inevitably died, and peruse the theater’s excellent basement museum. The tour ends at the Center for Education and Leadership where history buffs can wander through several floors of exhibits that examine the aftermath of Lincoln’s death, his legacy, the Civil War, and the conspiracy that led to his death.  We have attended theater here, but I really enjoy the Lincoln Waffle Shop across the street, now owned by a nice Hmong family.

Georgetown’s cobblestone streets are recognized as one of the best shopping areas in the country. M Street is a good starting point for shoppers with the intersection of M and Wisconsin Avenue being the heart of Georgetown, with mainstream stores and boutique-lined streets extending in all four directions. Exhausted from shopping? Meander through Georgetown Waterfront Park and stroll along the Potamic River for beautiful and relaxing views. If you are feeling energized, visit Thompson Boat Center where you can rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard and explore the Potomac or take a unique walking excursion such as a food or ghost tour. Want to get your groove on? Check out Blues Alley, the nation’s oldest continuing jazz supper club.  I do my shopping here, and also stop at Clyde’s for a burger.

Dating back to 1871, Union Market, once the largest market in Washington, D.C., has been transformed into an urban village that proves to be a gathering place by way of restaurants, shops, workspace, and artwork. One noteworthy boutique is Jungle & Loom, a woman-owned business that sells houseplants, plant accessories, macrame, dried florals, and vintage glassware. They also offer fun plant workshops. Our second recommendation is Salt & Sundry, a home and lifestyle boutique featuring an eclectic mix of goods from independent makers and designers, both locally and from across the globe.  Always an interesting visit and foodie destination!

There are just too many things to do in a week.  Most visitors, particularly with school age children, should add the White House, Congress, the Arboretum, Kennedy Center, and Union Station to this list.