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Capital of Surprises: 6 Things to Enjoy in Washington, DC
Written by Luxury Escapes
There may be #Only1DC, but as Rebecca Gibney and Cameron Daddo discover, there are a million different ways to experience the American capital.
Actress and TV host Rebecca Gibney thought she knew what to expect in Washington, DC, a town made famous by its political history. But what she found instead was a town bursting with opportunities. “The diversity in Washington, DC is incredible and there is so much to see and do,” she says.
“I think people think that it is all about politics but it is nothing like that.” Rebecca and Cameron Daddo spent a week filming in and around the capital and were both taken by how different it is from other American cities.
“I was surprised by how calm it is,” says Cameron. “Because no buildings can be taller than the Washington Monument there is a lot of sky and a lot of light and that feels different than the hustle and bustle that I was expecting; it’s like one big neighbourhood.”
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Discover Washington, DC
1. See the monuments, differently
Rebecca Gibney was excited to see the famous monuments in Washington, DC but she was unprepared for her reaction. “Walking up the steps to see Abraham Lincoln, I felt a rush of incredible emotion,” she says. “Seeing the monuments at night was one of my favourite things to do. While they’re incredible during the day, seeing them lit up at night – like the Washington Monument disappearing into the night sky – takes it to the next level of magnificence.” You can also visit these landmarks by bike, trolley or Segway.
2. Soak in the history of the National Mall
Cameron Daddo imagined a busy capital full of news vans and rushing people but instead he says it’s the opposite – there is so much culture and diversity here. “The way that the Mall was designed in George Washington’s time by Pierre Charles L’Enfant, he had the vision for this open space that is free to travel down – that is the motto of America: freedom for all, and that is encapsulated in Washington, DC.”
3. Family-friendly, and just plain friendly
Cameron Daddo also found the people of Washington, DC to be genuinely welcoming. “I went for a run at six o’clock in the morning down the National Mall and everyone I passed said ‘Good Morning, everyone.’ It felt so friendly.”
4. Sample the high-end dining…
Filming at Jônt Restaurant, Cameron and Rebecca had one of the most memorable meals of their trip to Washington, DC. Jônt is an ambitious, 17-seat tasting counter with two Michelin stars. The menu takes its inspiration from Japanese cuisine and uses the freshest meat and seafood with luxurious sauces; dishes like king crab with truffle and lamb with seaweed butter. “You expect fine dining to be amazing and a little bit stuffy but it wasn’t that at all, it was funky and cool, nothing like The Bear,” Rebecca jokes. “They give the patrons an incredible experience and you almost don’t want to eat the dishes because they look so nice.”
5. … or enjoy a guilty culinary pleasure
Cameron Daddo had another food highlight – one that has taken him over two decades to try. “I lived in American for 25 years and I never had a chilli dog… and I am so glad that my first chilli dog was at Ben’s Chilli Bowl,” he says. Ben’s has been slinging chilli since 1958 and the chilli dog is one of the must-have menu items in Washington, DC.
6. Take in the local neighbourhoods
Walking tours are a great way to be immersed in the various neighbourhoods, each with their own style and flare. “The mixture of cultures here is one of the biggest highlights and surprises,” says Cameron Daddo. “Because you have 100-plus embassies you have so many people infusing this city with culture.” “I expected to see the places I had seen in all the movies: Capitol Building, Abe Lincoln, the White House, the Supreme Court and the monuments,” says Rebecca Gibney. “But I was not expecting to be as pleasantly overwhelmed as I was by Washington, DC. I am coming back; I haven’t seen it all.”
This article was produced in partnership with Visit Washington DC.
This article was originally featured in the sixth issue of Dream by Luxury Escapes magazine. Get your copy here.
