Stephanie Early Green

Spring is exciting anywhere, but it’s possibly the most exciting in D.C. The city is finally waking up after a particularly brutal, gray winter with prolonged stretches of sub 20 degree weather; for the first time in months, the skies are consistently blue and the sun is bright. Rather than masses huddled inside, I’m seeing people strolling, having picnics, and lazing away weekend mornings on the city’s many patios. It’s the season of renewal, so that means it’s time to make plans for how to start these sunny days on the right foot. Get our steps? Check. Check out all the new museum exhibits, plays, and dance parties happening in March? Figuring out which of the restaurants in our top-tier culinary scene to patronize is part of this, too. To curate the list of the best restaurants in D.C. right now, I considered which places are a.) innovating and, b.) places I’d most like to be as the seasons shift from winter to spring. The answer? Tucking into a slab of pizza and a Hugo Spritz while my friends squeeze onto a picnic table’s long bench. Diving into a pile of injera and scrambled eggs while I gossip about the night before. In a dining room that consistently surprises with ingenious riffs on familiar dishes. Every restaurant on this list evokes the feelings of comfort, excitement, and renewal that the season calls for. Read on for the 19 best restaurants in Washington, D.C. this month. March 2025: In this most recent update that reflects which D.C. restaurants are the best in

Washington, D.C. gets a bad rep for being a stuffy town of workaholics who spend all day pencil pushing or hunched in front of a computer. While people here certainly know how to put their noses to the grindstone, the idea that we hate fun couldn’t be further from the truth—rest assured, we in the District live for a good day (or night) out.  Luckily D.C. provides plenty of opportunities to have some. Whether you’re hoping to thaw the chill of this unusually cold winter or are just visiting the District for the first time, rest assured you’ve timed your trip perfectly. Spring is the best season to be in D.C. because the weather is generally mild and the natural world starts humming to life. D.C.'s massive number of parks make it one of the greenest cities in the country, and March means the city is festooned with tulips, daffodils, irises, and flowering trees. Of course, no flowering tree is more beloved and exalted than the cherry blossoms, which bloom with clouds of pink and white flowers every year late in March. All of this renewed beauty coincides with local museums, performing arts venues, and other attractions debuting new programs that make leaving your house worth it. So what are you waiting for? Read on for the best things to do in Washington, D.C. right now. D.C.-based writer Helen Carefoot updated this guide to reflect the best things to do in March and to refresh the listings with new tips and recommendations for spring. At Time Out, all of our travel guides ar

Living in D.C. is pretty amazing because there's always something happening, and our list of free things to do in D.C. is pretty long. Whether you're exploring the iconic Smithsonian museums, catching a glimpse of Abraham Lincoln's marble statue, or joining the festivities at Mardi Gras at The Wharf, D.C. is packed with endless opportunities to do, see, and enjoy. So, why spend your weekend dwelling on the state of the Union? Get out there and explore some sights. These are the best attractions in Washington, D.C. to kick things off. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Washington, D.C.

A tour of DC’s art museums may have you wondering whether the capital has more paintings or politicians. Heavyweights such as the National Gallery of Art, which houses masterpieces from Monet, Cezanne and Renoir, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum with its impressive collection of large-scale contemporary works, are among the best museums in DC, but they’re just the tip of the iceberg. Even better for culture lovers, most of the city’s major museums don’t charge admission, making an afternoon of art appreciation one of the most gratifying free things to do in DC.

Washingtonians aren’t exactly known for flamboyant style—something you realize after moving to DC—but that doesn’t mean we lack fashion sense. Vintage aficionados unearth unique finds in 14th St NW emporiums, including Dr. K Vintage for menswear, Junction for funky clothing and accessories, and Blues Hard Goods for retro denim. If you're looking to revitalize your wardrobe, Ginger Root Design's tailoring service is renowned across town and the store also carries locally designed jewelry and accessories for men and women. Redeem is the place to go for edgy international designers. But there’s much more to prime shopping in DC than clothing. The city is strong on bookstores that offer more than the latest bestsellers—Kramerbooks also contains one of the city’s best coffee shops. If you’re looking to round out your vinyl collection, head to Adams Morgan for Crooked Beat Records and Smash Records.