The National Capital Region, an expansive area comprising D.C., Maryland, and much of Northern Virginia, is a special region of reverence. 

Marked by numerous victories and ongoing battles that have shaped our brief yet turbulent history, the National Capital Region, quite possibly, reflects our country’s perseverance, passion, and pride more than any other U.S. city. From immersive historical walkthroughs of landmarks honoring military accomplishments and political icons, to centuries-old traditions of Atlantic seafaring cuisine and 18th-century architecture, the National Capital Region keeps the American spirit alive with a bounty of year-round activities, historic sites, and food. 

InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf

One step into the InterContinental Washington D.C., located right off The Wharf, D.C.’s premier waterfront destination on the Potomac River,  and you’ll see how this hotel perfectly reflects the National Capital Region. On the surface, it’s sophisticated, bright, with nods to old-fashioned luxury. There’s also a touch of history here, as its aged red brick exterior is an ode to the Wharf’s past. All of which is tied together by a generous helping of southern hospitality and unmatched, stylish comfort. Just strolling through the lobby and you’ll see that nearly every corner offers a place to rest your feet, which, after a long day at the airport or touring the monuments, is a welcome relief.

The lobby is especially welcoming with its enchanting glow of warm lighting beaming off the elegant, brushed-gold fixtures and clean, white marble floors. This space is truly inviting, guiding you to either head straight to the golden glow of the elevators, up the awe-inspiring staircase leading to the conference rooms, or in for a lovely dinner or breakfast at Willowsong, the hotel’s flagship restaurant. There are many reasons to walk into the InterContinental D.C., and the expertly designed lobby ensures it starts with a step in the right direction.

In your room, warm, cocoa-colored wood-grained shelving and pink marble countertops capture the classic elegance of the National Capital Region. An additional mirror and desk vanity in the bathroom combines functionality and beauty, perfect for starting or ending your day. And waterfront views of the Potomac, with its rich sustaining history, await you each morning through floor-to-ceiling windows, creating an ambiance of pure Americana culture. Find more room options to stay here.

A Celebration of American Culture and Cuisine

Once you step out of the comfort of your room, the InterContinental D.C. offers an exceptionally unique immersion into the historic Wharf area, featuring the WAVES Rooftop Deck, a top-level pool and bar with surrounding panoramic views of the Potomac.

Here, as soaring temperatures and muggy humidity rise throughout the summer, you can easily find relief with a plunge in the infinity pool or by relaxing at the bar cooled by a gentle breeze. A menu of refreshing drinks, expertly crafted by bartenders like Preston, includes options such as a Muddled Margarita, a delightful cocktail made with freshly muddled fruit. With its signature beach on the rooftop vibe, you can enjoy any of these libations while soaking in the views of our nation’s capital, including the Jefferson Memorial, the Pentagon, and the lush green canopy of Hains Point.

Back on the ground level, Willowsong celebrates the best of American cuisine with hyper-local provisions sourced from farms such as Bell & Evans, Family Cow Farms, and Ovoka Farms. Executive Chef Jeffrey Williams, who starred on “Beat Bobby Flay” and won the 2022 “It’s CompliPlated,” has created a bounty of menu items that are hearty, robust, and memorable. Breakfast is an elegant experience and a must, either while staying at the InterContinental or visiting the National Capital Region. As tall Wharf-side windows offer glimpses into the thriving neighborhood, enjoy a mimosa as runners and walkers alike enjoy with you the early morning calm of the smooth-flowing waters.

Plan out your day, deciding which monument to see first, as you indulge in a Smoked Salmon Hash Brown, complete with crème fraiche, salmon roe, and chives. This crispy and soft delight of textures is light and satisfying. Then, indulge in a decadent Breakfast Sandwich on an English Muffin, featuring Virginia ham, fried egg, aged cheddar sauce, and savory breakfast potatoes. Located just minutes away from either the airport or the National Mall, this heavy hitter of flavor is the morning companion you need for a day of travel, sightseeing, or after a long night of cocktails.

Walk The Wharf

The InterContinental D.C.’s convenient location on The Wharf, the oldest open-air fish market in the U.S., inspires leisure movement any time of the day. A stroll along The Wharf will introduce you to an abundance of activities along the boardwalk, from cultural theatre immersion to thriving restaurants bustling with energy and an apparent boat-life culture. While there’s much to experience, the newly opened Fish Shop encapsulates much of this culture.

Opened in April 2025 by the international hospitality group Artfarm, Fish Shop serves up fresh local seafood at the intersection of fishing heritage and art. Originally a concept from Ballater, Scotland, the menu has been carefully curated to reflect the region’s authentic American-Chesapeake Bay cuisine. This means that all catch comes from a collective of day and short-trip boats using considered methods of take, such as rod and line and bow and arrow, while all meat and vegetables are sourced from local farmers and purveyors. A perfect example of this is the Grilled New Jersey Squid in Escabeche, a savory starter dish that serves as a testament to Fish Shop’s tradition and as an introduction to the fare at hand.

Fish Shop offers an experience that is both modern and refined, yet informal and welcoming. The cocktails and ales are seasonal and always celebrate the local region. Drop by for a cool drink when it gets too hot to walk the Wharf or plan a dinner with friends. Feel reassured knowing that many of the ethical practices behind Fish Shop are on display. From low-waste sourcing tactics involving local artists like Washington D.C. eco artist Erwin Timmers and Emily Wicks, a ceramicist from Richmond, Virginia, everything here is thoughtfully curated and craftsmanship-focused.

National Mall

Known as “America’s Front Yard,” the National Mall encompasses all the D.C. must-sees, including Lincoln’s Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the World War II Memorial.

With over 1,000 acres of memorials spanning from green fields and 19th-century architecture to classical-Greek inspired halls and temples, you can get lost in time, rediscovering America. It’s highly encouraged not only to read the placards but also to take a moment to study every detail. Observe everything from the life-like contours of the marbled faces and clothing of the Korean War Veterans Memorial to the names etched into the onyx reflections of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Every detail builds upon a greater story to tell, weaving the threads of America’s troubled history into each display.

One of the more recent completions, “A Soldier’s Journey,” is a 58-foot-long sculpture that masterfully depicts the journey of a civilian to soldier and return from war, all of which carefully pays tribute to the heroes of a bygone era while echoing a grim reminder of the cost of war. The grounds here and all around are weighed down not just with massive monuments, but also with the heaviness of our nation’s history.

Old Ebbitt Grill

A day of walking through history will make you a bit peckish. And as the distance between each monument is filled with street vendors and fine dining establishments, the Old Ebbitt Grill should be a stop sometime while you’re here. Founded in 1856, Old Ebbitt Grill is widely known as the oldest saloon in Washington. Although the restaurant has changed locations a few times since its original concept, it was finally relocated to its current spot at 675 15th Street in 1983.

Inside, a Victorian-style interior with aged wood and a classic collection of oil paintings adorns the walls, as the restaurant is alive with chatter from travelers, locals, and perhaps a political strategy session or two. And as a certain buzz fills the air, tables all around are graced with a menu of old-fashioned American fare and oysters. The renowned oyster menu features a collection of expertly shucked oysters presented traditionally on an iced platter and served within five minutes of opening to offer an unmatched freshness. The menu also features a carefully curated selection of oyster-friendly wines and ales to complement your experience.

Other noteworthy entrées include the Chesapeake Eggs Benedict, a wonderful display of crispy crab cakes with Old Bay and a rich hollandaise sauce. Pair this indulgent course with a side of succulent corned beef hash.

Drinks, of course, are a delight at Old Ebbitt and quite possibly how any work is done on Capitol Hill. Among these libations is The Breakfast of Champions, a complex yet simply delicious refreshment featuring Sagamore Small Batch Rye Whiskey, Maggie’s Farm Coffee Rum, house-made horchata, Giffard Coco de Noix, and Dashfire Ancho Cacao, finished with a Laphroaig 16 Scotch rinse. With its local focus and craftiness, each cocktail made at Old Ebbitt Grill is a social lubricant capable of quelling even the most heated political discourse.

Hotel Heron

If the busyness of D.C. is a bit much, take refuge in the calmer and quieter streets of historic Alexandria just minutes away. And here, among the brick buildings of this famed old town neighborhood, is Hotel Heron.

With 134 rooms, this small yet mighty boutique hotel is character-driven and tradition-backed. Initially opened in 1926 as the George Mason Hotel, this iconic inn was revamped and reopened in the past year to offer locals and travelers a charming place to stay, enjoy drinks, and dine fashionably in a modern take on Alexandria’s antiqued setting. Good Fortune, the hotel’s open-air rooftop bar—and the only rooftop in Alexandria—is a testament to this feat. Here, surrounded by unparalleled views of the town’s aged brick buildings and poshly designed spaces, contemporary vibes and historic charm blend to create a warm sense of community. Take part in any of the hotel’s rooftop events and make new friends while indulging in the soft, upbeat tunes of live DJs and award-winning cocktails like The Longing, a beautiful combination of Maker’s Mark, Allspice Dram, miso, pear, and lemon. This mood-setting drink offers a refreshing and liberating feel, perfect for unwinding and relaxing before enjoying the lounge’s bites, dips, or “sheet tray sandos.”

Of the bar’s food and snacks, the Pimento Cheese, served with pickled vegetables and crostini, is an epic start. The “sandos” offer a more satiating feel that can be enjoyed solely or shared, such as the Sailor, a six-piece combination of pastrami, kielbasa, and Swiss cheese sandwiched between sweet Hawaiian rolls, or the Cuban, featuring pulled pork, ham, mustard, and cheese. If you’re able to pull yourself from the fun and cozy vibes of Good Fortune’s rooftop experience, make your way to the intimately designed Francis Hall, a cozy craft cocktail bar “hidden” within the halls of the hotel. Here, dark, moody vibes and a menu of elevated cocktails await. Book your weekend experience here.

National Museum of the Marine Corps

Despite its landmarks, bustling with visitors, fine dining restaurants that host congressional VIPs, and crowded museums with lines stretching from one door to the next, you’ll find that much of D.C. is the epicenter for many top issues and politically-charged topics, drawing everyone from history enthusiasts and casual explorers to protesting activists and cultural rallyists. Once away from D.C.’s congestion, you’ll see that American history isn’t just limited to the marble slabs of the Capitol but is woven throughout much of Northern Virginia. From Alexandria to Fredericksburg to Quantico, numerous sites, monuments, and museums tell the story of our struggle to become and stay a nation.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t recommend a personal favorite of mine, the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Although my bias stems from having stood on the yellow footprints myself, this museum offers a different perspective on history, as seen from the eyes of Marines throughout our nation’s battles.

At the National Museum of the Marine Corps, you are fully immersed in realistic combat environments. From the chilled rooms depicting the Frozen Chosin during the Korean War and disembarking from a Chinook into the mortar pits of Vietnam to the recent urban combat scenes on the streets of Iraq and Afghanistan, experience a fully immersive journey and learn how Marines fought, endured, and achieved glory in every battle from 1775. 

Whether staying at the InterContinental D.C. – The Wharf or Hotel Heron, make this museum a must-see during your visit.

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Cover photo Martin Ramirez

Martin Ramirez is a brisket-eating, Shiner-loving, road-tripping enthusiast of all things Texas. This Dallas-born writer / adventurer is ready to take his ‘78 El Camino to find the best in food, fun, and fitness throughout the Lone Star State.