Call Me Ajala

Hello everyone!

Happy February! I hope January treated you well and set a solid pace for the rest of the year. Recently, I spent a weekend in Washington, D.C. exploring for a bit. I thought to share a quick travel guide for anyone planning a short trip to the U.S. capital, especially if you’re on a budget.

Getting to D.C.

There are a few airports you can fly into to get to D.C.:

• BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport (Baltimore, MD)
  There’s a free Amtrak shuttle from the airport to the BWI Amtrak train station. From there, you can catch the train to Washington Union Station. Ticket prices start from $5, depending on when you book and your travel time. A heads-up: of the three train trips I took, two were delayed by at least an hour. It’ll do you good to plan for the wait.

• Washington Dulles International Airport (Dulles, VA): This is located  in Dulles, Virginia. To get into Washington, you can just take the metro into town.
  

Moving Around D.C.

The metro is your go-to for getting around D.C.—it’s affordable, efficient, and covers most of the major tourist spots.  Plus, it’s compatible with smartphones.

• How to Use the Metro: On an iPhone, open your Wallet app, tap the + symbol in the top right corner, select Transit Card, and type in Washington. Select the SmarTrip card that comes up and add it (there is a small purchase charge for the virtual card). You can load it using Apple Pay or any other payment method, but I found Apple Pay to be the easiest.
  For Android users, you’ll find SmarTrip in the equivalent of the Apple Wallet.
  The minimum load is $3, and all you have to do is tap in when you enter the station and tap out at your destination. I used this to get from my starting point to the Smithsonian, and it was smooth sailing.
• Prepare for Some Serious Walking: While the metro gets you close to most places, D.C. is a city best experienced on foot. Between sightseeing and museum hopping, you’ll easily rack up the steps. I managed to clock over 16,000 steps between 1 PM and 5 PM—and trust me, my legs felt every single one of them. So, make sure to wear comfy walking shoes and dress for the weather. These boots were really made for walking!

What to Do in D.C.

Washington, D.C. is a city steeped in history, and since that is something I enjoy, I focused on soaking in as much of it as I could. If you’re a history lover or just curious about the city’s rich culture, here are some things to check out:

• Visit Howard University’s Campus: I have this little tradition of visiting university campuses when given the opportunity. They offer such a unique vibe and often showcase beautiful, historic architecture. Howard University didn’t disappoint. The campus is home to older buildings that have been meticulously maintained and restored, giving you a glimpse of classical architecture, among others.

• Explore the Smithsonian Museums: This could easily take up multiple days—trust me. The Smithsonian is a massive educational complex with about 17 museums in the D.C. area, and the best part? They are FREE to access! Most (around 11) are clustered in the same vicinity, making it easy to move from one to another. Some museums, like the National Museum of African American History and Culture, require a free pass or ticket, so plan ahead. I managed to visit the African American History Museum, the Hirshhorn Museum of Art, and the Museum of Natural History. The Smithsonian was a must for me because it was the setting for a beloved movie- Night at the Museum– where the exhibits came alive at night, so I had to see it for myself. I also had my sights set on the National Portrait Gallery specifically to see Michelle Obama’s portrait, but it was on tour. I have put it on my list for next time.

• See the Washington Monument: Honestly, for this one I was already tired from walking, so I admired it from afar. I really wanted to get closer to the water and the monument itself, but my legs had other plans. Still, it is a must-see, and if you like the tv show Scandal, you’ll recognize these spots from the show.

• Grab a Bite to Eat: After all that walking, food was non-negotiable. I walked about 15 minutes into downtown and found a Nando’s. After that, I swung by a nearby mall for some ice cream to “step down” the meal. At that point, I was too exhausted to continue exploring, but thankfully, D.C.’s metro system has entrances all over, so I hopped on and headed back.

D.C. may be historic but it does not have to be expensive to explore. I hope this guide helps if you’re planning a trip! Have you been to D.C.? What’s your favourite thing to do there? And if you’re visiting soon, what’s on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments!

I hope this guide gives you some inspiration for your trip!