One of my favorite things about living on the East Coast is that I can hop on a train to just about anywhere I want. One of my favorite places to visit along the coast is Washington DC. It sounds cliché, but every time I visit DC I find something new to do. Since I see a lot of tourists in NYC, I try and avoid the super touristy spots in DC in favor of finding new, somewhat off the beaten path places to explore. One of my best friends, Grace, lives in DC as well, and she always has great recs on new things to see and do.
Last weekend, I visited DC during peak cherry blossom season, and oh my word did the city smell good! On Saturday, it got up to 80 degrees and the sun shone all day. In a nutshell, it was picture perfect weather (literally!). After going through the hundreds of photos I took over the weekend (excessive, I know), I thought it’d be a shame not to share some of my favorite photo spots in Washington DC. Some of these spots are more well-known, but there are a few on this list I’m hoping are new to you. Whether you’re a fan of being in front of the camera or are just looking to snap some pretty landscape pics, DC has your perfect photo op.
Tidal Basin
Last weekend was the first time I walked around the Tidal Basin, which is crazy since I’ve been to Washington DC at least five times before. The Tidal Basin is hands down one of the prettiest spots in the city. It’s surrounded by cherry blossom trees, which are exceptionally beautiful when in bloom, but the Tidal Basin is an oasis year-round. My favorite spots around the Tidal Basin loop are FDR’s memorial and Thomas Jefferson’s memorial. I’d suggest waking up early and getting to the Tidal Basin before it gets too clogged with visitors or too hot.
Alexandria
Alexandria reminds me a little bit of Charleston. It’s filled with old homes painted every color of the rainbow, and is the perfect place for an impromptu photo shoot. The Old Town area is where most visitors quarantine themselves, but you should walk down Queen Street as well. Queen Street is mostly residential, but the houses have so much character. The garden behind Carlyle House is also lovely in the warmer months! Make sure your camera battery is fully charged before you visit Alexandria, because you’ll be taking lots of photos during your stay.
Georgetown
Georgetown has lots of great stores along M Street and Wisconsin Ave, but the really pretty parts of Georgetown are tucked away in the residential areas. Last weekend my friend and I started at Georgetown University and wandered down P Street, but I’ve yet to explore a part of the Georgetown neighborhood that isn’t storybook-level cute. If you love more outdoorsy photos, head to the waterfront for some great photos along the Potomac.
Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial is one of the most popular sites along the National Mall for a reason. From the top of the memorial, you have an unobstructed view of the entire Mall. I love visiting this memorial in the early morning or close to sunset, as the reflection of the Washington Monument catches the light best in the reflecting pool during these times. You’ll also have a better chance of escaping the worst of the crowds during these times.
Mount Vernon
You’ll have to travel a little further from the city center for the scenic views at Mount Vernon, but it’s 110% worth it. The entire Mount Vernon estate is beautiful—it’s basically its own little village with a main house, walled gardens, a Pioneer farm, and a gristmill. But while the whole estate makes for great photos, the best view is from the back of the main house. It’s obvious why George Washington chose to live at Mount Vernon once you see the Potomac River from his backyard. The view is unreal; I highly suggest packing some snacks and relaxing on the lawn after you’ve explored the rest of the estate.
National Cathedral
Again, I’m not sure how I just now got around to visiting the National Cathedral, but I guarantee it won’t be my last visit. The Pilgrim Observation Gallery of the National Cathedral is the highest point in Washington DC and has a great view of the city. During the week, you’ll have to pay a small admission fee to enter, but on Sundays admission is free.
Hillwood Estate
If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know that I love poking around old houses. So it’s no surprise that I dragged my friend to Hillwood Estate, a 1920s mansion that was renovated by General Foods owner Marjorie Post in the ‘50s. The mansion itself is stunning (perfect for any French or Russian art lovers), but the gardens are best for photo ops. The Japanese garden in the back looks like it came straight from Tokyo, and the rose garden is picture-perfect when it’s in bloom.
Meridian Hill Park
Last summer, I watched the 4th of July fireworks from the top of Meridian Hill Park. It reminds me a lot of the parks I saw in Italy, and it’s crazy that this beautiful green space is randomly in the middle of Columbia Heights. On one end of the park is a 13-basin cascading fountain, which is great for photos. The view of the city from the top of the park isn’t too shabby either!
There are so many more amazing photo spots in Washington DC, but I thought saying just the entire city is gorgeous would be a tad excessive—even though it’s true! If you’re planning on taking a lot of photos while in DC (even if you’re not a “photo person” you will be taking tons of great pics), make sure to charge your camera battery the night before and ALWAYS bring a spare battery along in your bag. You’ll want to remember every minute of your trip to the nation’s capital!
Tell me: Do you like being in photos or do you prefer staying behind the camera?
Signing off,
Claire
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- 10 Things You Have to Do Your First Time in DC
- How to Have an Active Vacation in Washington DC
- How to Take Insta-Worthy Photos With Your Phone
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