25 Washington, DC Travel Tips to Avoid Missing Out

Washington, DC has a wealth to offer visitors beyond the world’s largest collection of free museums, The Smithsonian. We lived in Washington, DC for 4 years and got to know the city well. Here are 25 Washington, DC tips covering free Smithsonian museums and much more!

Jefferson Memorial during Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC

Richmond, Virginia: Weekend Itinerary for a Luxury Stay

Richmond, Virginia is earning acclaim for its innovative culinary scene, which pairs well with unique American history and architecture dating to the 1700’s. The state capital of Virginia was also the capital of the Confederacy during the US Civil War. From the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to the Virginia State Capitol Building and beyond, there is a lot to experience. Here are some recommendations for planning a special occasion in Richmond!

Statue of Jefferson in the hotel lobby

Tempe: A Great Base to Explore Arizona

Tempe, Arizona enjoys around 330 days of sunshine a year, more than anywhere else in the country. Its picturesque landscape in the Sonoran Desert is also highlighted by a fantastic southwestern culinary scene. Hayden Butte and Tempe Town Lake offer outdoor activities right in downtown Tempe. You can also take fantastic day trips to Sedona, the Apache Trail, or even closer, to nearby Papago Park and South Mountain Park.

Just 4 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Tempe is easily accessible. A light rail system connects Tempe with the airport and Phoenix, so you don’t even have to rent a car if you don’t want to drive. A winter visit to Arizona makes for an excellent reprieve from cold weather climates.

A colorful sculpture and large cowboy boots outside the Arizona State University Art Gallery in Tempe, Arizona.

Florida to Washington, DC: Great Road Trip Stops

Orlando to Washington, DC spans 850 miles. When we relocated, we decided to turn the lengthy drive into a week’s vacation. Rather than banging it out in a day or two along I-95, we took state and county roads to enjoy the scenery. Getting off the beaten path offers travelers some unique and fun experiences.

Savannah and Charleston are two of the most popular destinations along the route. So we certainly recommend stopping in both southern gems. But the east coast is packed with wonderful historic destinations and seaside vacation spots. Great road trip stops from Florida to Washington, DC are in abundance.

If you are short on time, focus on the best stops along I-95. But if you have more time, consider venturing off the bustling interstate. This article covers both popular and lesser known highlights along multiple routes!

Fun Things to Do in New York City

New York City is one of the world’s most exciting cities, but it can also be extreme when it comes to food quality and general experiences. We previously lived in Boston, and currently reside in Washington, DC, so we’ve made many trips to New York City the past several years. New York is around four hours from Boston and Washington, DC by car, train or bus (though we never drive to NYC).

These are some of our favorite things we’ve done in NYC that we recommend for visitors. I’ve excluded discussing the most famous options, like bike ride or picnic in Central Park.

Alex and Bellinda Kallimanis standing on the Brooklyn Bridge on an overcast day in New York City.