Helen Carefoot

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.

The District has been particularly wet and gray this week, but that doesn't mean it's time to retreat under the covers when the weekend arrives. Read on for the best things to do in Washington, D.C., this weekend. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Washington, D.C. Top Washington, D.C. events this weekend, October 4-6 Happy Birthday, Hirshorn Open Studio Hirshorn Museum and Sculpture GardenFri,Sat 10am-3pm Drop by for a celebration of modern art in the form of an interactive birthday party to celebrate 50 years of the Hirshorn Museum. The work being celebrated is Mark Bradford's massive Pickett's Charge installation, and all the activities revolve around learning more about his process and medium; help create a communal homage to Pickett's Charge, and make your own mini paper paintings. While this party won't have cake, four local bakeries will distribute donuts—a nod to the building's iconic shape. Free. Theatre Week Various locationsFri, Sat, Sun at various times Local theaters are kicking off their seasons and offering discounted tickets during Theatre Week, an annual celebration of the local scene. Dozens of local productions are offering $20, $40 and $60 tickets. Get the lowdown on what to know about Theater Week, and head to the website to pick shows and buy tickets. Through October 13. Tickets from $20. State Fair of Virginia 13191 Doswell Blvd., Doswell, Va.Fri, Sat, Sun 10am-9pmCatch the last weekend of Virginia's annual state fair, which promises plenty of live

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 entirely 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. 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). RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Washington, D.C 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.

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

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

A picture is worth a thousand words—but an even better picture is worth a thousand Instagram followers. Don’t let grumbling on the internet or shit posting about the Brutalist architecture (which is beautiful in its own way!) fool you into thinking Washington, D.C. isn’t one of prettiest cities in the country. The various sights and attractions in Washington DC are endlessly snappable, and many of them happen to national treasures and landmarks that are well worth visiting even without a phone in hand.  Take advantage of D.C.’s walkability by embarking on a photo tour, which is also a great way to become acquainted with the city. Where to go? Here are the 25 most Instagrammable places in D.C., which include some of the capital's most popular monuments, beloved restaurants, and beautiful neighborhoods.  RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in DC  

Good news, local soccer fans: Audi Field, home of D.C. United and the Washington Spirit, was just picked to host matches for the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025. It's one of 12 U.S. stadiums selected by the international soccer federation to host the men's tournament, which'll run June 15-July 13. RECOMMENDED: The best bars in D.C. for all types of drinkers FIFA President Gianni Infantino made the announcement this past weekend at the Global Citizen Festival in New York.  “Football is the most popular sport on the planet, and in 2025 a new era for club football will kick off when FIFA stages the greatest, most inclusive and merit-based global club competition right here in the United States,” he said. The federation also announced the development in an X post.  Coming to the USA in 2025 🇺🇸#TakeItToTheWorld | #FIFACWC pic.twitter.com/ocAOgy87Fl — FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) September 28, 2024 This tournament is a bit different from the FIFA World Cup, which will see national teams (whose players are members of different clubs) vie for the global championship across the United States, Mexico and Canada in 2026. This tournament will feature the top 32 soccer clubs, or teams from professional leagues around the world, from six different governing bodies. The tournament will consist of 63 games across all host stadiums.  The stadium, which opened in 2018 in Southwest, can hold 20,000. The championship match will be played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which will also be th

Are you ready to return to the pods? "Love is Blind," Netflix's hit dating show where couples bond in isolated pods and get engaged before meeting in person, premieres its new season tonight—and this time, 30 singles from D.C. (and oddly enough, a bunch of whom actually live in Baltimore) are in the spotlight.  RECOMMENDED: The best bars in D.C. for all types of drinkers The first six episodes dropped on Netflix today, and new episodes drop weekly on Wednesday. You could hole up on your couch to binge—but why not head out to one of these local watch parties to watch with some drinks and maybe new friends? Check out six Washington, D.C. bars hosting "Love is Blind" watch parties. 6 "Love is Blind" Watch Parties to check out in Washington, D.C.  1. Lulu's Wine Garden View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lulu's Winegarden (@luluswinedc) Head to this Shaw wine garden for your weekly watch at 8pm. Settle in for "Love is Blind" trivia, games, themed cocktails, blind tasting pours and a screening of the first two episodes. Drinks will be served in the show's signature gold goblets, which revelers can purchase for $9. RSVP weekly to guarantee a table, but walk-ins are welcome.  2. Buddy's View this post on Instagram A post shared by BUDDY’S DC (@buddysdc) This Columbia Heights sports bar will play the premiere on six TVs inside and outside from 7-9:30pm. Take advantage of food and wine specials as the drama unfolds onscreen.  3. Whitlow's

Tapping in to ride Metro may get even easier next year. Metro may roll out the option to tap digital credit cards to pay fare, rather than tapping a SmarTrip card. RECOMMENDED: These are the best places in D.C. to have a good cry During a meeting of the Metro Board of Directors last week, Randy Clarke, general manager and CEO of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), said he hopes to have an "open payment" fare system in place in time for World Pride in D.C., which takes place May 23-June 8.  The move comes in anticipation of big crowds in the city for World Pride, which will commemorate 50 years of pride celebrations in D.C. “We’re going to have hundreds of thousands, and ultimately a couple million people, for this event, and we want to make it as seamless as possible for people to tap and go into the system,” he told the board. Currently, Metro riders can pay fare by tapping a physical or digital fare card. Open payment systems mean riders can pay Metro fare with credit cards saved on their smartphones, instead of tapping a physical or digital SmarTrip card. In 2020, Metro started allowing riders to use a digital wallet version of the SmarTrip cards. A number of other transit systems in big cities already allow riders to pay directly via cards saved on smartphones. New York allows transit riders to tap their credit cards to pay for subways and buses. 

Singer Chappell Roan announced today that she's canceling her performances at All Things Go this weekend. The singer was set to perform at the sold out festival in New York and D.C. this weekend. The "Hot To Go" singer would've been part of the Sunday lineup in D.C., which includes Hozier, Reneé Rapp, Conan Gray and Maren Morris. In an Instagram story posted today, Roan announced she's canceling her performances because of her health. "I apologize to people who have been waiting to see me in NYC & DC this weekend at All Things Go, but I am unable to perform. Things have gotten overwhelming over the past few weeks and I am really feeling it," she wrote. "I feel pressures to prioritize a lot of things right now and I need a few days to prioritize my health. I want to be present when I perform and give the best shows possible. Thank you for understanding." RECOMMENDED: How to spend 48 hours in Washington, D.C. Festival organizers released a statement on X expressing support for Roan's decision to prioritize her well-being. "While we know how much you were looking forward to the performances, it's important to remember that health and well-being always comes first," the statement reads. "All Things Go strongly supports supports artists prioritizing their well-being and we ask our community to rally around Chappell Roan with love and understanding. Roan's star has risen startlingly fast this year since the release of her chart-topping 2023 album, "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Pr

A night (or afternoon) at the theatre is always a good idea, but especially so now: Washington, D.C. Theatre Week kicks off today and runs until October 13. During this annual celebration, theatergoers can score discounted tickets to more than 30 productions from $20, $40 and $60.  The annual celebration marks the launch of the the season at dozens of theaters in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. According to Amy Austin, CEO and president of Theatre Washington, Theatre Week serves as a great opportunity to make the region's productions more accessible through discounted tickets, and also to drum up excitement about the the upcoming season. Now in its seventh year, the occasion is also a chance for "real celebration within the community," she adds.  RECOMMENDED: How to spend 48 hours in Washington, D.C. Some of the productions participating include: the D.C. premiere of "Primary Trust," which won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama; "The Comeuppance" at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, written by recent Tony Award winner (and D.C. native) Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins and set in Prince Georges County; a powerful depiction of the Nigerian-American experience in "Sojourners" at The Round House Theatre; Matthew Broderick in Sinclair Lewis' "Babbit" at Shakespeare Theatre Company; star-crossed lovers "Romeo and Juliet" at the Folger Theatre; "Mister Lincoln," a one-man show about Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre; a Tony-winning production of "Jaja's African Hair Braiding" at Arena Stage; "Clue"

Bad news for scooter riders: starting October 1, Lyft is pulling its dockless electric scooters out of Washington, D.C. RECOMMENDED: How to spend 48 hours in Washington, D.C. An in-app message pops up for the app's D.C. users alerting them to the change. The rideshare company announced the move earlier in September as part of a narrowing of its product offerings and a refocus of its strategy. "We are narrowing our product portfolio to focus on our best-in-class bikes and ebikes, scooters, electrified docking stations, and software, to better sell to, serve, and electrify cities," the release reads. "This means we will no longer operate standalone dockless bikes and scooters. We are discontinuing our dockless scooters in Washington, D.C." Lyft launched its dockless scooters in Washington, D.C. back in 2018. Car rides and Capital Bikeshare bikes can still be reserved through the company's app (Lyft acquired Capital Bikeshare's parent company, Motivate, in 2018), and D.C. residents can still use the app to reserve car rides. And don't despair if an electric scooter is your transit of choice; scooters from Lime, Veo and Spin are still available to District riders.   Electric scooters have long been part of the fabric of local transit in the city. They're capped at a speed of 10 miles per hour, and cost about $1 to unlock and at least $0.29 per minute to ride. By law, scooters can't be ridden on sidewalks and have to be locked to signposts, bike racks, or another structure (they

There are so many neighborhoods to love in Washington, D.C., but there's one District locale that caught Time Out's attention this year. This year, Mount Pleasant cracked our list of the coolest neighborhoods in the world.  RECOMMENDED: The coolest neighborhoods in the world To come up with the list, our global network of local editors and writers considered community, local flavor, culture, street life, arts, drink, food, and green spaces. According to Grace Beard, Time Out's Travel Editor based in London, cool neighborhoods in 2024 are "places that reflect the very best of their cities – its culture, community spirit, nightlife, food and drink – all condensed in one vibey, walkable district." Mount Pleasant landed at number 29 on the list of 38 neighborhoods.  How did Mount Pleasant make the list? Situated north of Adams Morgan and next to Columbia Heights, the neighborhood became a multicultural melting pot from the ’60s onward thanks to many Central American, African and Vietnamese immigrants putting down roots. This influence is reflected in the fantastic cuisine and many cultural happenings in Mount Pleasant. Mount Pleasant Street is a foodie paradise packed with locally-owned restaurants that celebrate the neighborhood’s immigrant heritage; these include beloved family-run gems and Michelin Guide picks. Wander through its streets and you're bound to happen upon a popup art exhibit, live music, or a demonstration of some kind.  Though it’s starting to see heavy develop

José Andrés already wears many professional hats—humanitarian, restaurateur, chef, author—and now he's adding hotelier to his resume. The decorated chef's hospitality group is expanding into the hotel business and opening its first hotel, The Bazaar House by José Andrés, in Georgetown in 2027. The 67-room hotel will open at 3000 M. Street, NW, a large lot at the foot of Georgetown's main shopping thoroughfare. Some of the amenities will include a private membership club, events space, high-end stores and a wellness center. There will also be several places to eat and drink onsite. It'll also have a members-only penthouse club and restaurant, The Bazaar Club.  RECOMMENDED: Discover the best Washington, D.C. hotels The chef's restaurant group includes 31 restaurants in the U.S. and internationally, but he has a long history in the District; he operates restaurants here and nearby that include: Jaleo, Oyamel, Zaytinya, The Bazaar, Minibar, Barmini, China Chilcano, Spanish Diner and Beefsteak. "Thirty years ago when I came to Washington, D.C. as a young chef, I knew that this city was a perfect place to bring people together over food. It’s one of the beating hearts of our country, a place where I knew I could meet anyone and do anything, starting with a great meal," Andrés said in a news release. "Today I’m so happy to start a new chapter with The Bazaar House in Georgetown, an amazing opportunity to welcome people to my city in an entirely new way.”  José Andrés Group is partn

The accolades just keep piling up for the D.C. restaurant scene. The Michelin Guide recently added three Washington, D.C. eateries to its guide, and Bon Appetit named Mount Pleasant Italian eatery Bar Del Monte among the country's best new restaurants. Now The New York Times is chiming in: the paper included two Washington, D.C. restaurants on its annual list of the 50 best restaurants in America.  RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Washington, D.C. Two major culinary hotspots, Moon Rabbit and Pascual, made the list. Here are the Washington, D.C. restaurants named to the paper's 2024 list of America's Best Restaurants:  Moon Rabbit This modern Vietnamese eatery opened in January 2024 in Penn Quarter, just blocks from the White House. Chefs Kevin Tien and Judy Beltrano co-own the spot, and Susan Bae is on pastry. In his writeup, Times contributor Brett Anderson calls Tien and Baltrano's food "playfully creative, but their cooking chops are serious, as evidenced by dishes as varied as boudin-stuffed quail, luscious green curry sponge cake and pâté chaud worthy of Antonin Carême. That this collective is showcasing such excellence so close to the Capitol somehow makes everything all the more delicious." Pascual This collaboration between chefs and (partners) Isabel Coss and Matt Conroy also made it onto the Michelin Guide this year. Since opening in February 2024, this cozy Capitol Hill eatery has served in-demand and inventive takes on Mexican cuisine. In her dispatch, Times r

It's not particularly easy to tour the White House. To schedule a White House tour typically requires requesting to do so through your Congressional representative (meaning, your senator or representative in the House of Representatives). It's even more difficult to get inside the West Wing and Oval Office, because they're not on the public tour routes—your only way in is by invitation, or through a private tour via a staffer or official.  RECOMMENDED: The best Washington, D.C. attractions Now visitors can get a taste of what happens in the people's house, and in the president's formal working space, with no delay through a new interactive visitor center, The People's House: A White House Experience, which opens today. A partnership between the White House Historical Association (a nonpartisan, nonprofit body that was founded in 1961 by First Lady Jaqueline Kennedy to restore and preserve the White House) and Panasonic Corporation, the interactive experience takes visitors inside iconic parts of the People’s House. Located across the street from The White House, the three-story space has galleries and exhibits that let visitors walk in the footsteps of the people who work in the West Wing, and a 1:5-scale replica of the south facade of the White House. Here’s what to expect: Inside a full-scale replica of the Oval Office, visitors can sit behind the Resolute Desk as if they’re signing bills into law, or taking an important call with world leaders. Visitors can walk through a

It's no secret to those in the know that Washington, D.C. has an amazing food scene, but this praise typically hasn't extended to its pizzerias (that's more New York and Philly's thing). Now there's reason for pizza enthusiasts who crave something that's not a jumbo slice to rejoice: one Washington, D.C. pizzeria was named to a list of the 100 best pizzas in the world. Of the 100, 10 U.S. pizzerias made the list, including Slice & Pie in Washington, D.C. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Washington, D.C. right now 50 Top Pizza, an independent online guide that's uses an anonymous group of Italian food and drink journalists to evaluate pizza around the world, put together the list. Slice & Pie was 98th on the list, and was named second best pizza slice in the U.S. The experts praised Slice & Pie's combination of "strong American character," which shines through in the ingredients used in the pizzas, combined with "as much Italian identity as possible." Pies that got a shoutout include: the Truffle Pie with mushrooms, truffles, and parmesan cream; the square, Detroit-style pizza topped with honey, pepperoni, and provolone cheese; and the Burrata Pie made with fresh burrata and tomatoes. Located at the intersection of 14th and Florida Ave. NW, Slice & Pie has become a reliable mainstay for those looking for seriously yummy slices and whole pies. Giulo Adriani, an Italian-born pizza maker with three decades of experience, is in charge of all the pizzas. The spot also sells ga

As if you didn’t need another reason to run to the National Portrait Gallery: a major new exhibition is coming to town next year. The museum will host a major exhibition of works by Amy Sherald, the American portrait painter who painted Michelle Obama’s official first lady portrait, next September.  RECOMMENDED: How to spend 48 hours in Washington, D.C. “Amy Sherald: American Sublime,” which debuted at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in April, will feature many new and old works in what the museum says is the “largest, most comprehensive exhibition of the artist’s work to date.” The commission makes Sherald the first contemporary Black artist to have a solo exhibition at the Portrait Gallery. Sherald’s works focus on Black Americans in everyday settings, and she’s known for painting her subjects’ skin and faces in shades of gray. According to a news release, Sherald uses this technique, called grisaille, to “highlight race as a construct.” The exhibit will also delve into Sherald's process, which includes inviting people she sees or meets on the street to be photographed before she paints them. Sherald is from Georgia, but she has major ties to the DMV. She received an MFA in painting from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) and works from her studio in Baltimore. The Portrait Gallery also played a key role in her rise in the art world: in 2016, Sherald won first place in the museum's prestigious Outwin Boocheever Portrait Competition for her 2014 work "Miss E