I love the Capital Region of Washington, D.C.
I love the people, the entertainment, and the accessibility to public transportation. It all comes together as a cohesive, unforgettable experience to live and visit! The same city that I proclaim my love for also brings me pain, due to traffic, politics, and cost of living. We can say these same thorns are true for many major cities; so, it’s often a love and hate relationship. Nevertheless, whether you love or hate the District of Columbia (DC), apart from the aforementioned issues, you’ve got to agree- it’s an outstanding place to live and visit. DC, our nation’s capital, has rich, deep culture that makes it an infinity spot for things to do and places to visit.
For instance, there’s something for everyone:
Sports enthusiasts have the Washington Mystics, Washington Wizards, Washington Nationals-Baseball, and Washington Spirit-Soccer, and Washington Capitals-Ice Hockey, D.C. United Soccer, and the Washington football team formerly Washington, Redskins. When a new name for the football team is settled on, we'll all find out together.
Sip your way through some of DC’s popular breweries like 3 Stars Brewing Company and Hellbender Brewing Company.
Wine tours may not be available because of COVID-19 restrictions, but most times, wineries are open for a few visitors, so call before you arrive. The Washington region is close to at least six top wineries like Virginia Wine in My Pocket, VINO 301 Concierge, and Boxwood Estate Winery.
As if that wasn’t enough to love, I have to mention the plethora of free or almost free activities:
19 world-renowned museums, galleries, and a zoo referred to as the Smithsonian Museums: Smithsonian Castle, National Museum of Natural History, National Air & Space Museum, National Museum of American History, National Zoo, National Museum of African American History and Culture, American Art Museum, and Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Air & Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, National Museum of the American Indian, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Freer | Sackler Galleries, National Postal Museum, National Portrait Gallery, National Museum of African Art, Anacostia Community Museum, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, Archives of American Art Lawrence A. Fleishman Gallery.
I have visited all the Smithsonian buildings and in most cases several times because there’s always a new exhibit. It's like visiting the world and not leaving my city!
There are some incredible museums that are not under the Smithsonian. Sometimes there’s a cost anywhere from $2-$20 per person: National Museum of Women in the Arts, International Spy Museum, Sandy Spring Slave Museum & African Art Gallery, Inc. The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
The Washington, DC region has at least 14 gorgeous National Park to walk or bike, like the U.S. National Arboretum and Rock Creek Park, Anacostia Riverwalk Trailz, and arguably the best park in DC Rock Creek Park.
The most popular Love Day in the world, Valentines Day, is just around the corner and everyone needs a little extra love. I thought I’d share the love for my city; hoping you, too, will find the fondness in your backyard. Although the weather is still cold, it doesn’t stop the festivities. Annual events, although modified or scaled back, will still occur. For instance, don't miss:
Cupud’s Charity run; which is virtual this year.
Honor contributions of African Americans by visiting the African American Civil War Memorial and Museum. When you realize how many contributions there are, you realize there should be no reason to limit that knowledge and experience to just one month.
To thrill, your taste buds for Italian, definitely try a one-of-kind meal, at ALL-PURPOSE PIZZA, or for some of the freshest Ethiopian cuisine, try Beteseb in Silver Spring, Md.
