ELLE Escapes: Washington, D.C.

True locals know Washington, D.C. isn’t only about politics. Go beyond the tourist stops at the National Mall, and you’ll discover a bustling metropolis with a formidable food scene, some of the country’s most stunning waterfront views, and unforgettable (and largely free) museums. D.C. has evolved immensely over the past decade alone, with emerging hotspot neighborhoods like 14th Street and The Wharf.

It is also one of the best places in the country to celebrate the U.S.’s 250th anniversary on July 4, with many of the museums having special exhibits dedicated to the nation’s history. While some have a very limited run (Smithsonian Castle’s “American Aspirations” has 30 of the institution’s most treasured items, including an original model of the Statue of Liberty, on display until July 26), others will remain open beyond the end of this year.

Here, get to know the capital’s real highlights, beyond what the news or Schoolhouse Rock told you.

This brand-new museum, which opened officially on June 26, spotlights the work and stories National Geographic’s storied explorers have captured. Boasting 650 explorer objects, the museum has everything from a gallery displaying a curated selection of the society’s best photos (two of Michael Nichols’s staggering, stitched California redwood photos and Steve McCurry’s iconic “Afghan Girl” portrait are among those on display) to an interactive magazine wall where you can look through every issue of National Geographic Magazine (yes, even its first issues in the 1880s). Along the way, you’ll be able to walk through a timeline of the society in its archive room, look through the historic maps they created, and even test your own photo editing and curation skills. The experience is guaranteed to leave you in awe of nature—and fuel your own spirit of adventure.

While admittedly a little out of the way, D.C.’s best shopping, hands down, can be found on Georgetown’s main streets (particularly M Street and Wisconsin Avenue, which have every luxury store imaginable for some true SoHo vibes). But head south toward the Potomac River, and you have a picturesque waterfront park to unwind after your designer shopping spree. Be sure to grab a cupcake from Baked and Wired (1052 Thomas Jefferson St. NW) on the way—it’s one of D.C.’s most impressive bakeries that has been serving up giant, daydream-worthy cupcakes for over 25 years.

The Smithsonian museums are all free, worth the visit, and primarily concentrated along the National Mall. Choosing one is near impossible, but a true standout is the renovated Air and Space Museum, which is opening five new galleries on July 1 in honor of its 50th anniversary. They include an interactive gallery on how things fly, a deep dive on how new tools have changed the way we understand the universe, and an arts center. Wander the halls, and you’ll see more than just past planes and spaceships; you’ll be immersed in the stories of the pioneers who created and used them (the Destination Moon exhibit is a can’t-miss). Be sure to reserve your pass in advance, as it gets busy. Other highlights on or near the Mall include the National Gallery of Art, National Museum of African American History and Culture (celebrating its 10th anniversary this year), the U.S. Botanical Gardens, the Tidal Basin, and the Library of Congress, which houses some of the most gorgeous interiors in D.C. For a change of pace, try checking out the monuments at night.

Chef Kevin Tien offers some of the most innovative Vietnamese-American cuisine in the country at this bright, charming Penn Quarter restaurant. Tien and his team put a twist on standard Vietnamese fare, reinventing staples like the summer roll (served here in daikon) and rice cake (which rotate seasonally; the summer’s version features fermented green tomato). Standout dishes include the mochi beignet with freshwater eel and ora king crudo with its distinct citrus salmon coupled with mint and berries. Be sure to save room for the dessert: Susan Bae, who just won the James Beard 2026 Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker, pays homage to Vietnam with four of the most creative—and unexpected—sweet plates you’ll ever have. Swifties will particularly delight in the Taylor Swift nods in the décor, along with their The Life of a Showgirl mocktail, featuring mandarin, verjus blanc, and jasmine-lemongrass soda.

If you’re looking for a culinary experience to change the way you think about Japanese food, Shōtō is well worth the price of its high-end cuisine served in a stunning, posh space. Featuring a decadent but modern take on izakaya-style dining, the restaurant boasts a robata grill and sushi island—and truly sumptuous dishes to come out of both. To best experience the restaurant’s highlights chosen by its executive chefs, opt for the omakase menu (starting at $115 per person). Going à la carte? The wagyu tacos, calamari, scallops, and sake are great additions to the table. Be sure to save room for dessert too: the restaurant’s yuzu cheesecake is worth splurging on.

L’Ardente bills itself as a “glam Italian” restaurant—and it lives up to the name. All the Italian staples are there—pizza, pasta, tiramisu—but the team adds ritz to each plate. Be sure to start with the Duck Hunt, featuring duck ravioli submerged in a creamy black truffle sauce and served in adorable duck feet plates. Whether you go for a pizza from its gold-plated pizza oven, the grilled artichoke, or its popular focaccia bread, there’s no wrong choice. But perhaps the restaurant’s most memorable dish—the kind you’ll dream about later—is its melt-in-your-mouth grilled Maine lobster, which features a generous 1.5 pounds of lobster with tomato, garlic, and enough linguine to fill a table. End the night with a bang with its tiramisu flambé, where they literally set a ball of the classic Italian dessert on fire as it arrives at your table. A touch of passion fruit adds brightness to the ladyfingers, espresso, and mascarpone dish.

Tucked in The Wharf, Fish Shop brings the buzzy waterfront neighborhood to life with its on-theme boat décor and seafood offerings. The restaurant and bar, which originated in Ballater, Scotland, has an extensive drink list, including a varied assortment of both alcoholic and nonalcoholic wines, beers, and signature cocktails. Start with a Captain Kidd’s Mai Tai, featuring Cotton & Reed Gold Rum, Scotch, oat-geat, lime, and nutmeg. For those looking for a good mocktail, The Blue Boat, with its homemade blueberry syrup, Seedlip, and lemon, is a refreshing, sweet sip. Visiting in the afternoon? Don’t miss out on Fish Shop’s happy hour menu, which runs from 3 to 6 P.M. on Tuesday to Friday. Drinks are always better with $2 local raw oysters.

Climb down into a music lover’s heaven in this Dupont Circle cocktail bar. With walls lined with records and local artwork honoring early 2000s album art, Press Club offers a tracklist-inspired menu with creative drink options like the Intro (gin, skinos, Sauvignon blanc, cucumber, mint, yogurt, and crémant) and Hot in Herre (vodka, strawberry, cognac, vermouth, aleppo pepper, and lemon). Those seeking a nonalcoholic drink will find inventive options in the Sexy Dancer (Lyre’s NA gin, blackberry, lime, and ginger beer) and Sweetest Taboo (Ritual NA rum, Pathfinder NA Amaro, pineapple, and soba cha). The bar offers some tasty snacks, including its crunchy, long yellowtail “roll” and chicken katsu, to keep the good times rolling.

Silver Lyan, nestled in the basement of the Riggs Hotel, is a speakeasy that feels straight out of a movie—and worth spending an evening in. The vibe is dark, sexy, chic, and classy all at once. Its cocktails literally tell stories, as each is based on an unconventional real-life tale. The Shaka Sour (Elyx vodka, passion fruit, sugarcane vermouth, cedar, Buddha’s hand bitters, available as a mocktail as well) is a tangy, passion fruit drink that pays tribute to the Hawaiian hand symbol’s surprising backstory with its blue glitter shaka sprinkled on top. There’s even a cocktail inspired by Chile’s Tía Pikachu, the Pikachu Pop. Other highlights include the fruity Wash Berry Cobbler (Bacardi Carta Blanca, fruit scrap garum, cherry blossom, hefeweizen vinegar, flowers) and Silver Lyan’s martini-for-two service, complete with sides that make the drink a true experience (think: oysters, lemon peels, pickled onions, and olives). Save room for snacks, too: the halloumi fries and wild berry popsicles are delightful complements to an after-dinner drink.

Situated in the center of NoMA among new high-rises and street murals, The Morrow is the place to go for a respite from city life. (There’s even a pillow menu to browse from room service, in addition to food.) Chef Marcus Samuelsson is behind the hotel’s culinary hotspots, including brasserie Marcus DC and the rooftop bar Sly. Little thoughtful touches are where The Morrow truly shines: a morning “jogging station” with fruit, water, and towels for guests in the lobby is just one of many examples.

Originally the Riggs National Bank built in 1891, this converted hotel features a mélange of traditional, colonial American style that’s been given a dose of modern flair. With a friendly staff whose kindness will remain with you long after you check out, this is luxury in the best sense of the word. Stay in one of the 181 jewel-box rooms with cozy beds and palatial bathrooms, and you’ll be as amazed by your temporary home as you are by the view outside its windows. Located in Penn Quarter, the Riggs will put you in the center of everything, so your exploration of D.C. is easy, with the Mall, Smithsonian Museums, and White House mere blocks away. Amenities include a gym, bar (Silver Lyan), and restaurant (Cafe Riggs) on the premises.

Located alongside embassies and just across the street from the National Geographic Explorer Museum, this gorgeous Beaux Arts hotel puts you in the heart of D.C. on 16th St.—and allows you to live in history itself, as the hotel was originally Jules Henri de Sibour’s Jefferson apartments built over 100 years ago in 1922. Luxury greets you as you walk through the doors that the friendly staff holds open for you. The team goes to great lengths to take care of you throughout your stay, be it with their thoughtful room service (pulling bedsheets down before you return for the evening) or indulgent room features (a bathtub with salt all ready for use; an Augustinus Bader hydration package you can even request to treat your skin post-travel). Hungry? The Greenhouse—a sunlit, cozy restaurant—serves up a fantastic avocado toast for breakfast, while Quill, the hotel’s lounge bar, offers drinks and the kind of food the DMV is known for: fantastic crab cakes, Old Bay fries, and more.

Whether you’re spending the day shopping, visiting museums, or munching, a high-quality SPF is always a must. This version is great for both the face and body, and never leaves a white cast behind.

The wind-down after a day of exploring starts with this creamy mask. Powered by Bader’s signature TFC8 complex, this formula works to revive and renew stressed, dehydrated skin.

Not quite a lip stain but not as stiff as a traditional matte lipstick, this mousse-y “whipped” lippie goes on featherlight with insane color payoff. Add a gloss for a shine boost or keep matte for even longer wear.