Washington DC

You must see the African-American History museum. It is epic. I know that word is thrown around a lot but it truly is. You won’t even be able to soak it all in a day. Also hit up Ben’s Chilli Bowl on U street. It’s not too far from Howard University. In general I would take the metro to Chinatown and just walk, you’ll run into DuPont/Capitol Hill. Also any restaurant in Chinatown is going to be good. It’s not like New York’s Chinatown which is so massive and has a lot of meh, quick Buck type of establishments. All the Chinese restaurants in DC’s Chinatown are good.

The peacock room at the Smithsonian

You may find this thread of interest.

Ben's Chili Bowl is a tourist trap---Oohs and Aah's down the street, a soul food takeout, is much better. Chinatown has mostly mediocre restaurants, Chinese and otherwise. You can get very good Chinese food at hole in the wall places in the suburbs, but you likely won't have the time.

The National Gallery is pretty overrated as art museums go, but you should see the exhibit on the Impressionists. DC has a surprising amount of theater ranging from the conventional (Kennedy Center, Arena to the more experimental like the Source and the Wooly Mammoth--check out the theater listings in the Post or the City Paper. The National Portrait Gallery is worth a look--an interesting mix of history, pop culture and art. They usually have good photography exhibits. The Phillips Collection is a "sleeper" among museums, the only museum of US modern art in the US.

The African-American Museum is worth a look as is the Holocaust Museum. The Museum of Natural History tends to be filled with children on weekends and best viewed on a weekday. The American History Smithsonian can be exhausting because the exhibits are so detailed, but you can see Julia Child's kitchen and other pop history. The Air & Space is probably the most popular and interesting for seeing the Apollo capsule---there's also branch on the grounds of Dulles Airport.

The weather’s nice, so a stroll around the national monuments is pleasant. Also, everyone needs a cheesy photo in front of the White House.

[quote]I’m in DC this week to do the museums.

People do that?

R4 I’ve never been to Ooohs and Ahhs but Ben’s Chilli Bowl half smokes are definitely worth it. Plus since the op is a tourist I’m sure he’ll want to check out all the cool photos and montages of the celebs and politicians who have come thru over the years. Another good soul food spot is Horace’s on H street. Its speciality is fried fish. Don’t go to the one in Takoma, go to the original on H street.

Going to see the photos? Not a good reason to go to U Street, which itself is pretty much a disappointment.

Another vote for the African American History Museum - epic is a good word for it. It’s a stark reminder of what African Americans have been through in our country and also what they’ve achieved. I didn’t enter the Emmitt Till memorial - I didn’t think my heart and soul could take it. (There are warnings so you don’t just stumble upon it.) The National Portrait Gallery is wonderful, too, and I love the American History Museum. All right on the Mall.

I’m planning on seeing the Banksy/Basquiat exhibit at the Hershhorn and the National Portrait Gallery is on the list. I want to see the Hope Diamond, just because I’ve never seen it and might check out the Spy Museum Bond exhibit. The only dinner I have planned is trying St. Anselm for a big steak with a friend. I’m staying at the Hilton near the Mall so I’ll be close to all the Smithsonian museums.

Forget the Hope Diamond. This is the prettiest rock in the Smithsonian Natural History Museum.

I love the East Wing of the National Gallery. Numerous paintings by Rothko, Pollock, Mitchell. and other abstract expressionists.

The Holocaust Museum is incredible. I’m glad I went, but I was DONE for the rest of the day. It’s very emotionally draining.

The Spy Museum is just ok.

The National Zoo is quite awesome.

There are better zoos and if OP's main focus is the museums, the zoo would be a big diversion.

Op make sure you score some hot dick too. Be a whore.

I'm going to DC tomorrow, OP, to see the Impressionist show mentioned by another poster.

Go to the National Arboretum if the weather's nice. It is off the beaten path and not easy to find. Hidden gem.

OP, I'm going through the National Gallery website. They have an interactive floor plan that shows you what is in each gallery. I had no clue their collection was so rich and extensive, especially of Impressionists (West Building, Main Floor, Galleries 70s, 80s, and 90s). Even if you don't go to the special Impressionism exhibit, you'll see many incredible works in these galleries.

Their collection of Dutch and Flemish works isn't something to sneeze at either, several Rembrandts.

The US Botanic Garden is located on mall and was a lovely escape from the cold when I visited DC in January 2020. You could duck in for a 30 minute break between museums.