Helen Carefoot

The best restaurants in Washington, D.C. are a bunch that span the globe. Ask a dozen Washingtonians for their favorite restaurant recs, and you're bound to get 12 different answers. There's a good chance though that at least one person will name an Italian restaurant. The District has a slew of delicious Italian eateries that are worth your time. Whether your goal is to eat an authentic Sicilian pasta or an Italian American classic like chicken parm, we've got you covered. Read on for our favorite Italian restaurants in Washington, D.C. RECOMMENDED: The 18 best Chinese restaurants in Washington, D.C.

With the advent of November, we can officially look toward the holidays here in the District. Early sunsets may encourage hunkering down, but there's just too much to do. Getting out will surely help stave off the winter blues, so why not spend your weekend shopping at some of the first Christmas markets to open here in the city, or laugh at an improv show? Here is a roundup of some of the best things to do in Washington, D.C. this weekend. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Washington, D.C.

The country’s largest cities seem to get all the shine when it comes to their restaurant offerings—New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago—but those of us in Washington, D.C. know that while we may not have the size of these locales, we can certainly compete on the strength of our food. Our scene includes restaurants and eateries that serve cuisine that spans the globe (which sounds about right, as the 2021 census revealed that the District is now one of the most diverse cities in the country). This list will demonstrate that the cuisine matches the demographics—in fact, the best restaurants in D.C. are as globally inspired as the embassies surrounding them. We’ve got steaming piles of pasta, comforting curries and dumplings of all kinds, Ethiopian fare with pillowy injera, fresh sushi, and much more. The diversity of palates even extends to our own country; D.C. is home to seriously delicious Texas-style BBQ and inventive Mid-Atlantic cooking—now that's representation.Of course, coming up with a list of the very best restaurants in any city is a daunting task, much less a city with as diverse a scene as D.C.’s. Each restaurant on this list serves memorable and delicious food that lingered in our memories—and caused us to recommend it to friends, colleagues, family, or anyone else who’d listen. Ready to dive in? Read on for the 43 best restaurants in Washington, D.C., lovingly curated by TimeOut editors and contributors. This guide was updated by Virginia-based writer Alice Levitt

There's one thing nearly every visitor and resident of Washington, D.C. can agree on—we are a museum town. History buffs, art enthusiasts and people simply interested in America's past need to look no further than the nation's capital, which is chock-full of cultural institutions worth visiting whether you're here for a day or have been for years—many of which are free to enjoy, we might add.  The sheer number of worth-it museums in the District can feel overwhelming, but don't worry, because we're here to guide you through the spaces and galleries you simply can't miss. if you like learning—or at least looking at some seriously cool and beautiful objects—I promise there is a museum for you on this list, which encompasses art, history, interior design, pop culture, literature, and even old nuclear missiles. Read on for the 20 best museums in Washington, D.C. RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Washington, D.C.🏛️ The best Washington, D.C. attractions🍴 The best restaurants in D.C. right now🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Washington, D.C. This guide was written by Washington, D.C. locals. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

There’s a funny stereotype out there that Washingtonians are obsessed with steak. Read dispatches from yesteryear about our food scene and you’d think the only reason anyone dines out is to nosh on a massive tomahawk steak in a darkened booth. While this is probably based on the idea that everyone in D.C. is a stodgy Congressional staffer or member (although we’re sure they love their steak), this just isn’t the case—our the best restaurants in D.C., and the whole culinary scene, are so much more diverse than that. However, sometimes nothing hits like a succulent strip basted in butter and herbs. Carnivores will find plenty of satisfying options here. When putting together this list of the best places to eat steak in the District, we tried as much as possible to eschew chains for local spots; however, there are some excellent steakhouses that are part of chains that we’d be remiss not to mention. Read on for the 15 best places to eat steak in Washington, D.C. RECOMMENDED: The 15 best brunch spots in Washington, D.C.

If there's one thing people in D.C. know how to do, it's brunch. This city is famous for its brunch scene. Locals and tourists alike take part in the time honored tradition of rolling up to a favorite spot with friends to debrief the week and indulge in sweets and savories—all the better if the meal is washed down with mimosas. I've spent many a weekend morning (fine, late morning) debriefing night befores with my friends, and there's no better venue for it than brunch. Another reason to love D.C.'s brunch specifically? Just like our diverse restaurant scene, brunch restaurants in D.C. encompass a huge swath of the globe. Brunch in D.C. doesn't just mean the classic pancakes, mimosa and eggs—although our spots make tasty traditional and innovative versions of these, too (ever had a rosewater and cardamom pancake, or ube pancakes with rich coconut syrup?) Here, brunch includes pan-fried pork and kimchi dumplings, all you can eat Balkan dips, puffy Turkish breads, tacos with braised adobo mushrooms and black beans and richly spiced Galbi beef burgers and milk bread egg sandwiches. There's an embarassment of riches when it comes to brunch offerings, so to narrow this list we considered the following factors: quality of food, drink, and ambiance, plus whether the offerings are unique and cater to a variety of patrons. There are some known brunch places absent from this list that provide a bottomless experience that's a great value but serves food that's nothing special, or some t

There are few symbols more closely associated with a holiday than the pumpkin is with Halloween. Why not get into the spirit by picking your own pumpkins? A trip to the pumpkin patch is about much more than selecting the perfect vessel for carved designs—it's a chance to shirk stress and the city for an afternoon of nostalgia and fresh air.  Recommended: The 15 best places to go apple picking near Washington, D.C. You'll have to trek slightly outside the District proper into Maryland and Virginia to find the best pumpkin patches, but don't worry—you don't have to go too far to find plenty of fall fun.  All the pumpkin patches on this list have great gourds, of course, but most of them also offer activities perfect for the quintessential autumnal outing—think hayrides, corn mazes, farm animals and plenty of warm apple cider. Read on for the 15 best pumpkin patches near Washington, D.C.

One of the best ways to mark the shifting of the seasons is through cooking, baking and eating seasonal food—and fall means apple season. Nothing marks the start of fall like the smell of a freshly baked apple pie, a sip of hot apple cider, the crunch of a cinnamon-dusted apple cider donut...you get the point. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Washington, D.C Luckily for us, Washington, D.C. is perfectly positioned to take full advantage of the season's best fruit. Apple picking is a classic way to mark the fall season, and there are plenty of great options near the city (or within a reasonable drive). We've compiled a list of our 15 favorite farms and orchards to go apple picking near Washington, D.C. Beyond picking your own apples, many of these orchards and farms offer other fall fun, too; how about combining apple picking with drinking cider or wine, farmstand shopping, playing in a corn maze or a hayride? Make it a day out with friends, invite a date, or take your family for a classic day of fall fun. Grab your sunscreen and hat, queue up a fall playlist for the drive and start planning what you'll do with your harvest.

There are plenty of ways to get into the holiday spirit as a new season rolls around. As the calendar inches through, now celebrating fall can include hanging spooky decor and settling in for a Halloween movie. What's better than having a movie night in to watch Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman cast spells in Practical Magic, or hiding behind your pillow when Michael Myers notches a new kill? RECOMMENDED: The 15 best places to go apple picking near Washington, D.C. But sometimes watching from the comfort of your home isn't enough, and a night out at the movies is warranted—after all, what's better than impeccable sound and a massive screen? Whether your movie tastes run more silly and spooky than downright scary, here are nine places to watch Halloween movies in the District to get into the spirit.

In 2024, what exactly makes a neighbourhood cool? Craft breweries, natty wine bars and street art are well and good, but the world’s best, most exciting and downright fun neighbourhoods are much more than identikit ‘hipster hubs’. They’re places that reflect the very best of their cities – its culture, community spirit, nightlife, food and drink – all condensed in one vibey, walkable district. To create our annual ranking, we went straight to the experts – our global team of on-the-ground writers and editors – and asked them what the coolest neighbourhood in their city is right now, and why. Then we narrowed down the selection and ranked the list using the insight and expertise of Time Out’s global editors, who vetted each neighbourhood against criteria including food, drink, arts, culture, street life, community and one-of-a-kind local flavour. The result? A list that celebrates the most unique and exciting pockets of our cities – and all their quirks. Yes, you’ll find some of those international hallmarks of ‘cool’. But in every neighbourhood on this list there’s something you won’t find anywhere else. Ever been to a photography museum that moonlights as a jazz club? Or a brewery with a library of Russian literature? How about a festival dedicated to fluff? When communities fiercely support and rally around their local businesses, even the most eccentric ideas can become a reality. And that, in our eyes, is what makes a neighbourhood truly cool. From formerly overlooked sub

It’s no secret that the District is powered by coffee. Caffeine is what makes the many workers of this town run, but the appetite here isn’t just for any old cup of joe. Washington, D.C., is home to a varied, rich coffee and cafe scene that reflects its status as a multicultural foodie haven. Craving Cuban, Indonesian, Italian, Ethiopian, or Panamanian coffee? We have it all, and more. There are plenty of chains that carry serviceable coffee here, but Washingtonians tend to love their local coffee shops, and are intensely loyal to their neighborhood spots—even if they’re just rushing in on their morning commutes.  Despite its reputation as a hub of worker bees who can’t unplug, Washington, D.C., is also a town full of people who love nothing more than kicking back on a weekend morning. Pop into one of the many excellent coffee shops and cafes on this list on a Saturday morning and you’ll find cafe culture is alive and well in D.C.—people here chill as hard as they work, so you’ll likely have to compete for table space with that group of friends catching up or the solo sipper with a novel and croissant in hand. Want proof? Fuel up at the best coffee shops and cafes in Washington, D.C. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Washington, D.C.

There are certain moments in life where a plate of warm dumplings are the only way to soothe. Those who agree will be happy to learn that the DMV has some of the best Chinese restaurants around. There are options for soothing hotpot and spicy dan dan noodles aplenty, plus plenty of places to nosh on as much savory beef and pork as you’d like. While there are a handful of A+ Chinese restaurants in D.C. proper, some of the best lie just beyond the city borders in Maryland and Virginia and are absolutely worth the drive or Metro ride. We put together a list of the area’s best, in no particular order.  RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in D.C

Drop by the beautiful Embassy of the Czech Republic for its annual Chirstmas Market. Snack on Czech pastries and mulled wine as you wander the market, where vendors vendors will sell handcrafted wares like ornaments, candles, books, prints, jewelry and more. In terms of food, expect to find plenty of handmade chocolates for sale, plus liquors and Moravian wines. There will also be live music. Be sure to reserve a free ticket to guarantee entry—last year, the market reportedly had 4,000 visitors.

Calling all fans of regency romances: Your invitation to a fabulous ball awaits. Dumbarton House, the Federal style mansion that’s on the National Register of Historic Places, is hosting a ball much like the ones where Austen heroines Elizabeth Bennett and Emma Woodhouse would’ve danced and drank the night away. Admission includes access to the estate’s manicured gardens and the chance to dance to live classical music. Wine and desserts are available for purchase. Don’t worry if you’re flying solo or inexperienced at the waltz; no dates or dance experience are necessary, although wearing your best period or formal finery is encouraged.

The first special presentation to grace the galleries at the Folger Shakespeare Library after its major renovation, this exhibit is a look at the life and work of Esther Inglis, one of the most influential woman artists you may never have heard of. Inglish, who was alive from about 1570 to 1624, is best known for her detailed decorated mini books, some of which are only about the size of a deck of cards—and many of which are now on display at this new exhibition, which you can view for free. Take a look at Inglis' intricately detailed works and illustrations, and learn more about the social and political environment that drove her to create. 

Husband and wife team Henji Cheung (on food) and Sarah Thompson (on wines) serve some of the best Cantonese food around at their Columbia Heights restaurant, Queen's English. The intimate dining room, which only has a handful of tables and stool seating and is beautifully decorated with pink wallpaper, feels like a cozy hideaway. The dishes draw on Cheung's upbringing in Hong Kong and include a beautiful medley of textures and flavors, and Thompson's lovingly-curated natural wine list is filled with varietals that pair nicely with each offering. Don't miss the creative cocktails, either. When I go, I like to order a smattering of plates. While the menu does rotate, some dishes that I've savored include a tender cumin lamb belly appetizer and the Temple Street Octopus, served with peanut, olive, and ink aioli. For mains, try the Drunken Duck Noodle or Bobo Chicken, which comes slathered in ginger scallion, tamari brown butter, and sesame. Wrap up the meal with a rich finale in the form of chocolate Sichuan ice cream with elderflower whipped cream, a flavor bomb of spice and sweet.

There's perhaps no restaurant in D.C. that I love more than Lapis, the elegant and cozy Afghan eatery on the corner of Columbia Rd NW in Adams Morgan. Whenever I'm asked to recommend restaurants for visiting family or friends, I always send them here. Lapis has been the setting of many conversations, solo dinners, post breakup vents, and celebrations for the five years I've lived in the neighborhood. It's a resteraunt suited for every occasion and season; the big windows and airy interior (which is lit by candles and globelights in the evening) give the space a warm, homey vibe that makes it feel impossible to think about the worries you left at the door. This feeling is only heightened when you pick up the menu, which is chock-full of deeply flavorful Afghan dishes that are the culinary equivalent of a warm hug.  Run by the Popal family (the same group responsible hotspots like Pascual, Lutèce, and Lapop), Lapis serves generations-old family recipes, including bolani (Afghan flat bread) stuffed with fillings like pumpkin and beef and served with yogurt and chutney, and spiced rice studded with raisins and carrots. Be sure to explore the cocktail menu, which is full of surprises that pair well with all the meat, vegetables, and sweets on offer, and save room for plenty of plump Afghan dumplings. The vegetarians in your life will appreciate the deep vegetarian section on the menu—which also includes a few vegan options.

Patrice Cleary's Mount Pleasant restaurant is a neighborhood treasure that serves homestyle Filipino food. Whether for drinner, brunch, or a happy hour meetup, Purple Patch is a solid gathering spot with even better food. The menu includes traditional Filipino dishes, like lumpia, done extremely well. The meats are tender and flame-kissed, and vegetables are fresh and snappy (a personal favorite of mine is the sweet and tangy Atchara Papaya Salad with green papaya, carrots, bell pepper, ginger, and sweet viaigrette). Try the Coconut Curry Chicken, any of the sliders, and the Filipino Bistek, which is marinated in soy sauce and lime juice. Dessert includes lots of permutations of ube and coconut, but my favorite is the halo halo, a sweet wonder of shaved ice, coconut gel, mung beans, sweetened condensed milk, toasted coconut and ube ice cream.

A seat near the roaring copper-hooded hearth at Rose Previte's Mediterranean eatery has been a coveted res since Maydan opened in 2017. The Michelin-starred restaurant's dining room has the feel of the coziest taverna you can imagine—and rustic Mediterranean food, which earned it a Michelin star, is just as inviting. The menu standouts are the grilled meats and dishes that have been kissed by the oven's open flame, plus plenty of delicious dips and spreads. The physical space is gorgeous; the blue double entry doors and dining room's lofty ceilings have graced many an Instagram feed.

It’s always a treat when stars take the stage in D.C. Emmy and Tony Award-winner John Leguizamo stars in a play he penned himself about how a Colombian-Puerto Rican laundromat owner deals with his flagging business and family secrets that surface after his son returns home from a mental wellness facility.

Every Sunday, Shop Made in DC makes space for crafters of all kinds to set up shop at its two locations (Saturdays take place at Union Market, Sundays in Georgetown). Bring whatever project you’re working on, or sit at the community table stocked with art supplies and let your mind wander.

Now’s your chance to wander the zoo after hours. Celebrate spooky season at the National Zoo’s annual event for adults, which includes circus acts, an open bar, and a DJ spinning all night. Event proceeds support the zoo’s conservation work.

Start your Saturday mornings off right with a 6o minutes of guided yoga in a gallery adorned with stained glass windows designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany (yes, that one).

A joint collaboration between the National Portrait Gallery and the American Archives of Art, “Felix Gonzalez-Torres: Always to Return” is an extensive exploration of the trailblazing portraitist’s work. Gonzalez-Torres uses various objects and methods—in one case, piles of colorfully wrapped candies—to explore identity and place. The exhibition, which is free and doesn't require a reservation in advance, also includes installations in Downtown D.C. to emphasize the boundlessness of Gonzalez-Torres’ work.

Now that Halloween is officially behind us and we're in November (!!!), it's time to think ahead about how to celebrate the holidays. It's time to start planning a visit to a Christmas market, gearing up to look at holiday lights, and shopping for an advent calendar to count down the days until December 25. Luckily, beloved grocery chain Aldi is bringing back its coveted advent calendars—and customers can choose from more than 20 types, starting November 6. RECOMMENDED: These 9 U.S. grocery stores are attractions any tourist should add to their trip The calendars will be available in stores and online starting tomorrow; prices start at $7.99. Take a look below at some of the calendars for sale: Photograph: Courtesy AldiAldi's Moser Chocolate Village Advent Calendar. Photograph: Courtesy AldiAldi's Lego Disney advent calendar. Photograph: Courtesy AldiAldi's Moser Cheese Village Advent Calendar. Photograph: Courtesy AldiAldi's Make It Sparkle sparkling wine advent calendar. There are more than 20 different calendars, which include products like coffee, wine, hot sauce, cheese, and chocolate. The non-Bedible ones include toys and games like puzzles, Legos, Squishmallow stuffies, candles, and even slime.  If you want one, you'd better hurry, because the calendars won't be restocked and often sell out; not every store will carry each calendar, either. Stores also can't reserve or hold any calendars. More calendars will be available in November and early December. Head ov

Halloween is finally in the rear view, so it's time to turn our attention to the holiday season, which is just around the corner. One great way to get into the spirit is to stroll and shop a Christmas market. Luckily for us, some of the best Christmas markets—and three of the most searched ones—are right here in the U.S. RECOMMENDED: This NYC Christmas market was just named one of the best in the world A recent analysis from InsuranceandGo used Google search data to identify the top trending Christmas markets in the world. The most searched market is the Skansen Christmas Market in Stockholm (which the analysis showed had a 324% search increase from last year to this year), but the U.S. is well-represented on the list. The top 10 includes three U.S. Christmas markets, two in New York and one in Washington, D.C. New York's iconic Winter Village at Bryant Park is the second most searched Christmas market in the world; search interest jumped 311% compared to last year. The Downtown D.C. Holiday Market in Washington, D.C. ranked 9th with an 85% search increase, and Union Square Holiday Market, also in New York, was the 10th most searched market with an 84% search increase.  London's Covent Garden Christmas Market came in third. Other locales in the top 10 trending Christmas markets include the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Switzerland. Additionally, two markets in Switzerland and the U.K. tied for sixth place and each showed a 122% increase. To come up with the rankings, the fir

You may have just started to toss your Halloween pumpkins, but it's already time to look ahead to the holiday season. Indeed, we have plenty of time worn traditions to look forward to, like peeping at Christmas lights and shopping for fun gifts at a Christmas market. Luckily, a recent survey found that one of the top trending Christmas markets in the world is in Washington, D.C. RECOMMENDED: This NYC Christmas market was just named one of the best in the world A recent analysis by travel insurance company InsuranceandGo looked at the top trending Christmas markets in the world based on Google search data; the Downtown D.C. Holiday Market in Washington, D.C., located in Penn Quarter/Chinatown near the National Portrait Gallery, came in ninth place, with an 84% increase in search interest from 2023. The market will be open daily (except for Thanksgiving on November 28) from November 22-December 23 from noon-8pm. First on the list is the Skansen Christmas Market in Stockholm, which has operated since 1903; searches for this market increased 324% since last year. New York's famous Winter Village at Bryant Park took the second spot in the top 10, and boasted a 311% search increase. Two markets, the Blenheim Palace Christmas Market in the U.K. and Montreux Noël in Switzerland, tied for the sixth spot, Woodstock tied for the sixth spot with a search increase of 122%. To come up with these figures, InsuranceandGo used data from Google's Keyword Planner, then compared the percentage i

The shops on M St NW in Georgetown have shifted throughout the years as stores close and new ones move in. One major player coming to the District's busiest shopping street is Barnes & Noble, which will open its three-story Georgetown bookstore on November 6 at 10am. RECOMMENDED: Michelin-starred Osteria Mozza Italian restaurant and market coming to Georgetown this fall Opening day festivities, which begin at 10am, include a ribbon cutting and book signing with author Evan Friss, who wrote The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore. It seems the store is off to a fast start; its events calendar is already filled with author talks and events like an in-store holiday Lego build and face painting. The 30,000 square foot store is located in a big corner building at 3040 M St NW—interestingly enough, the bookstore is moving back into the same building it occupied from 1995-2011; until 2023, the building housed a Nike store. Including the Georgetown location, the bookseller is set to open 13 new stores this month in California, New York, New Hampshire, Kansas, New Jersey, Florida, Utah, Indiana, and Washington. The chain has found financial success in recent years through making its locations feel less like big box emporiums and more like neighborhood bookstores with amenities like community activities, cafes, and displays of tomes by local authors. 

Winter in Washington, D.C. sometimes gets a bad rap, but here's one reason to reconsider. Personal finance site WalletHub put out a report of the best winter vacation destinations in the U.S., sorted by the best cold and warm weather travel spots, and Washington, D.C. was named among the top three best places for a cold-weather vacation. RECOMMENDED: Condé Nast Traveler named five Washington, D.C. hotels among the top 50 in the world Atlanta was named the top cold weather winter vacation destination, followed by New York. Georgia's capital won the top spot for its relatively warm winter weather, safety, and number of restaurants, activities, and inexpensive flights with little travel hassle. The District was named the third best cold weather vacation destination, followed by Chicago and Cincinnati. The top five warm weather vacation spots are: Las Vegas, San Diego, Dallas, Austin, and Phoenix. Stretches of gray, cold days can make wintertime in D.C. feel particularly dour, but we here at Time Out truly believe winter is actually one of the best seasons in the District. The turning of the seasons signals a mood shift, and wintertime in D.C. means coziness; there are plenty of restaurants, plays, concerts, museums, movie theaters, and discussions/talks to draw you out of the house. In the coming weeks, ice rinks and holiday markets will open, and colder weather means the possibility of snow, which'll cover the row houses and monuments in no time. There's nothing like a wintry w

Most people know that Election Day is November 5, but the election has actually already started in Washington, D.C., because early voting opens today, and voters have already started returning absentee ballots. There are several ways you can make your voice heard this year, including casting an absentee ballot, voting early in person, or voting on Election Day. Read on to find out how and where to vote this year in Washington, D.C. How do I find my local polling place in Washington, D.C.? If you plan to vote in person, you'll want to find the nearest polling places. To figure out where to cast your vote, head to the D.C. Board of Elections (DCBOE) website, and enter the address where you're registered to vote in the Vote Center Locator Tool. Keep in mind that you are allowed to cast your ballot at any vote center, regardless of your home address.  The tool will pull up the nearest early vote centers, Election day vote centers, and ballot drop boxes, sorted by which is closest to the address you entered. If you're voting in person on Election Day, make a plan to get there between 7am and 8pm. As long as you're in line by 8pm, you'll be able to cast your vote. Where can I vote on Election Day in Washington, D.C.? Per the DCBOE, these are the vote center locations that will be open in Washington, D.C. on Election Day, November 5, from 7am-8pm (check the website for addresses and more specifics about where to go at each location, like a gymnasium or meeting room): Ward 1: Columbi

Your list of museums to check out in D.C. is already long, but you may have to make room for one more. The National Geographic Society announced that it'll open a massive museum in mid-2026 called the Museum of Exploration at its global headquarters, nicknamed "Base Camp," downtown on 17th St NW. RECOMMENDED: Visitors can see the National Zoo's giant pandas starting January 24 The new museum will include exhibits, an immersive experience, education center, a theater, and an eatery. Exhibits will cover global landscapes, communities, wildlife, and cultures; objects on display will include artifacts plus famous photography from the magazine. The museum will include virtual experiences and augmented reality features meant to bring National Geographic Explorer's expeditions to life for visitors. The scientific education non-profit has been headquartered in D.C. since its founding in 1888. This new expansion of the building itself is being constructed in a sustainable fashion, with features like solar panels, bird-safe glass, and a green wall to purify air. Take a look at some of the renderings below: Photograph: Visualizations by REDVERTEX, based on designs by Hickok Cole, Inc.A rendering of the courtyard of National Geographic's new museum. Photograph: Visualizations by REDVERTEX, based on designs by Hickok Cole, Inc.A rendering of the ocean show space at National Geographic's new museum. Visualizations by REDVERTEX, based on designs by Hickok Cole, Inc.A rendering of the n

Whenever, wherever Shakira performs, we'd love to follow—and luckily, the superstar is headed to D.C. in June to headline the welcome concert at the 2025 World Pride Music Festival, a massive celebration to mark 50 years of the Capital Pride celebration.  RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Washington, D.C. Shakira will headline the welcome concert at Nationals Park on May 31. The two-day music festival will take place the RFK Festival Grounds will include three stages that'll host more than 60 acts that span genres. There will be lots of food and cocktails to buy, plus brand activations and activities for ticket holders. The singer kicks off the North American leg of her world tour in May, and just announced new dates at stadium venues to accommodate massive fan demand. She cancelled two scheduled shows at Capital One Arena (which fits 20,000 people) set for November 24 and 25 and rebooked at Nats Park, which has a capacity of about 41,000. Her last world tour took place in 2018. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Official account for WorldPride Washington, DC 2025 (@worldpridedc) World Pride is a series of events meant to promote and celebrate LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance internationally. Held every two or three years, World Pride includes activities like music festivals, parades, marches, conferences and more. The first World Pride was held in 2000 in Rome, and will be hosted in D.C. for the first time this year (D.C. is home to the larg

Attention, festival fans! The Vans Warped Tour is rising from the dead in 2025 for its 30th anniversary and celebrating by reviving the festival—the first leg will be Washington, D.C. on June 14 and 15th.  RECOMMENDED: The best nightclubs in D.C. to let loose The touring alt/punk rock festival will consist of two-day swings in three cities: a stop in D.C. at the Festival Grounds at RFK Campus from June 14-15, then two days in Long Beach, Calif. at the waterfront in Shoreline Village from July 26-27, and the final stop in Orlando, Fla. at the Camping World Stadium Campus from November 15-16. The lineup hasn't been announced yet, but festival founder Kevin Lyman told Rolling Stone that the lineup will include 70-100 acts.  How to get tickets to the 2025 Vans Warped Tour in Washington, D.C. Tickets go on sale Thursday, October 24 at noon Eastern (there are two options for two-day passes, VIP and General Admission). Passes for the full weekend start at $149.98 (including fees). The last Warped Tour took place in 2019. The touring outdoor festival served as a platform for both established and emerging artists; acts that have graced the stage over the years include Weezer, Blink 182, Fall Out Boy, Sum 41, Paramore, My Chemical Romance, M.I.A., Yelawolf, and many more. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the tour. The very first Warped Tour in 1996 included a D.C. stop at The Capitol Ballroom club.

Many Beltway dwellers trying to get to the West Coast prefer flying out of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) because of its convenient location, but the smaller number of long-haul flights—and the cost of the existing ones—often necessitate flying out of Dulles, Va. or Baltimore. But that may change because the U.S. Department of Transportation just tentatively approved proposals from major airlines to operate five new, daily roundtrip flights to major West Coast cities out of DCA.  RECOMMENDED: This Washington, D.C. airport has a faster way to get Global Entry The approval was published Wednesday. Here are the routes and airlines that were approved: American Airlines—to/from San Antonio, Tex. via San Antonio International Airport Alaska Airlines—to/from San Diego via San Diego International Airport Delta Airlines—to/from Seattle via Seattle Tacoma International Airport Southwest Airlines—to/from Las Vegas via Harry Reid International Airport  United Airlines—to/from the San Francisco Bay Area via San Francisco International Airport  This is major news because DCA is subject to federal restrictions that strictly limit how many flights can operate. DCA is one of three airports—along with LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York—that are subject to federal regulation meant to manage congestion and prevent major delays. To do this, the DOT assigns slots, or permission to use a runway to take off and land, to airlines at these

There's no shortage of luxe Washington, D.C. hotels, so it's no surprise that one would make it onto a list of the most expensive offerings in the country. A recent survey by TravelMag looked at the priciest hotels in U.S. cities—and found that The Four Seasons Washington, DC was the second most expensive urban hotel in the country. RECOMMENDED: Condé Nast Traveler named five Washington, D.C. hotels among the top 50 in the world Thirteen of the 20 top hotels are located in New York, including the one that takes the crown for priciest. The Lowell Hotel, situated near Central Park on the Upper East Side in Manhattan, was named most expensive urban hotel for its price tag of $1,524 per night.  The second most expensive? The Four Seasons Washington, DC. The least expensive double room at this five star hotel, which is located in West End and convenient to the National Mall, Georgetown, and The White House, costs $1,519 per night. Another New York mainstay, The Peninsula, took the third spot and costs $1,500 per night.  To come up with the figures, TravelMag analyzed the October rates for the least expensive double rooms (including fees and taxes) in the last week of September, using prices available on leading hotel booking websites. Check out the full list below, and over at TravelMag. The 20 most expensive urban hotels in the U.S., according to TravelMag 1. Lowell Hotel (New York City)—$1,524 per night2. Four Seasons Washington DC (Washington, D.C.)—$1,5193. The Peninsula (New

Panda-mania has taken over D.C. After much fanfare, two Giant Pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, moved into their new home at Smithsonian's National Zoo yesterday. The pandas will make their public debut in January; zoo members can see them January 10-19, and the general public can get a look starting January 24. RECOMMENDED: Two Giant pandas just arrived at the National Zoo in D.C. after flight from China The zoo will remain open this winter, but the panda habitat, Bird House, and Animals of Asia trail will be closed until January 24. In the meantime, you can keep up with the bears through a new digital series that'll go behind the scenes of caring for the pandas, which launches tomorrow on the zoo's website.  After a long flight via Fedex's "Panda Express" from Chengdu, China to Dulles Airport, the pandas will quarantine for at least 30 days. Veterinarians, zoo keepers, and nutritionists will care for them during this time; they'll help the pandas get used to their new surroundings and will evaluate and monitor their health and wellbeing. The zoo shared a first look at the two pandas arriving at the zoo; skip to 5:31 to see the male panda, Bao Li, being unloaded and moved into his new habitat. Keep watching to see him munch some bamboo shoots and climb some structures. Fast forward to the 6:42 mark to see Qing Bao, the female panda, move in, test out her swimming pool, and of course, eat some bamboo. The Giant Panda Cam, which uses 40 cameras to create a live broadcast of the