Washington DC [March 2026]

Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. is full of commanding voices, but if you stop and listen, you can hear the real stories of this city. The “We the People” video series showcases the lives of various locals who come from different backgrounds and interests, each inviting people to enjoy a slice of their perfect day in the city. While the touristy side of D.C.—with its monuments and museums—is enriching, an insider’s look at how these creative residents make the nation’s capital a world-class city is enthralling. Get to know the real D.C. with these videos, which focus on different aspects like food, arts and culture, family and nature. Watch the short trailers of each film here, or click on a person's name for their full video and itinerary.

A local's guide to the perfect day

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Loyalty Bookstore

Honeymoon Chicken

Muralist Trap Bob

Anacostia River Trail

Diverse flavors

In the 1960s, Mount Pleasant became a melting pot of Central American, African and Asian immigrants, turning this neighborhood into a foodie paradise. This setting, where streets are lined with colorful row houses and Rock Creek Park is just steps away, became the landing spot for Albert Ting after two decades in the city. Here, this photographer not only details his own culinary adventures on Instagram, but also helps Michelin-starred restaurants do the same. On Saturday mornings, check out the Mount Pleasant Farmers Market, which features bold Sichuan flavors at the Chinese Street Market tent. For more Asian flavors, visit Hana Market in Adams Morgan for Japanese pantry staples or dine on Pacific Island specialties like buko shrimp at Tiki on 18th. Feast on Filipino dishes like ginataang (coconut milk broth stewed with ginger and onion) or chicken adobo at Purple Patch.

From learning skills in her grandmother’s kitchen in the Dominican Republic and attending the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in New York City to creating her own hospitality empire in D.C., Daniella Senior has put in the work—and in return has found a following in her adopted city. Her all-day cafés inspired by Cuban coffee shops can be found at the Wharf, DuPont Circle and 14th Street, all perfect neighborhoods for people-watching. Enjoy the extra espresso shot in the café con leche (hot or iced) at one of her Colada Shop locations, then head to Union Market Food Hall, which is crammed with dozens of local offerings. Around the corner, La Cosecha recreates a Latin American market full of performances, community events and, of course, lots of culinary goodies. Raise a toast to the patron saint of cooks and kitchens by visiting Pascual, a modern Mexican restaurant on Capitol Hill.

Culinary melting pot

Cultural curiosity

Austin Graff is not your typical D.C. transplant. With a worldly education that spans Russia, Germany and China, this travel writer was drawn to the global nature of Washington, D.C. as a place to raise his daughter. Though he settled his family in Anacostia, his feet kept moving. He visited 136 D.C. neighborhoods, literally walking down every street and alley talking to people and learning more about the history in order to write a digital guide called “Curiosity and Connection.” With many entry points, the 12-mile Riverwalk Trail in Anacostia offers a peaceful meander through forest, fields, marsh, car-free bridges and rivers. Little ones might enjoy an afternoon at Anacostia Skate Park. Keep the family-friendly vibe going with a stop at Sapodillas, a family-owned restaurant serving Caribbean fare like jerk chicken and oxtail.

As a kid, cultural commentator and writer Panama Jackson lived all over the world thanks to his military parents. As an adult, the world comes to him and his family, by virtue of D.C. being such a global city. There’s no shortage of free, family-friendly things to do as well. For example, a family day out often includes a visit to Planet Word, the world’s first voice-activated museum and a language immersion experience unlike any other (as you’ll notice right away from the murmuring willow tree out front). Once the weather warms up, the Navy Yard (formerly known as Capitol Riverfront) neighborhood on the Anacostia River is a great place for a picnic or just a literal walk in the park. You’ll no doubt bump into some sports fans as this area is home to Nationals Park for baseball and Audi Field for soccer and football.

Family fun with a global flair

Active exploration

The best way to get to know a place is on foot, and Matthew Green is a huge proponent of that. As the founder and captain of the District Running Collective, he runs around the city (literally) every day. Three times a week, he leads hundreds of runners under the motto, “We. Run. The. District” and has supervised the annual District 19 race series since its 2020 launch. Whether you choose to jog or stroll, a visit to Rock Creek Park is a must. Encompassing 1,754 acres (including the National Zoo), the park has more than 32 miles of hiking trails and paths as well as opportunities to go horseback riding, golfing or boating. After fueling back up with some Latin food at places like La Casita Pupuseria or Peruvian Brothers, wile away the afternoon at Bryant Street Market, which offers a number of entertainment options. Finish your evening in Adams Morgan, a bustling neighborhood full of brick row houses, nightlife and international cuisine.

Outdoor art for all

Tourists can easily spend their entire vacations inside D.C.’s free museums, but locals know that the city itself is a street gallery. One D.C. native in particular, Trap Bob, has colored that landscape with murals from Dupont Circle to NoMa. With events like the annual D.C. Walls Festival, artists are welcome to showcase their creative talents here. Bike or stroll down the Metropolitan Branch Trail near Union Station to see a large collection of diverse murals before heading to Bryant Street Market for a coffee or a cocktail; there are also grab-and-go food stalls like Bold Dumpling and Blowfish Poké. Don’t miss out on a drink at Metrobar, where you can imbibe from inside a refurbished Metro car. Round out the evening with some live music at Songbyrd, which just so happens to have a Trap Bob mural inside as well.

Adrian Ferguson, the owner of Art of Noize Gallery, offers viewers a tour of Petworth. This largely residential neighborhood in Northwest D.C. has long played host to families and historic homes (most notably President Lincoln’s summer cottage), but it is very much contemporary in terms of its pop-up restaurants, independent shops and community-oriented events. Travel along Upshur Street, one of D.C.'s most unique blocks, not only to find Ferguson’s gallery, but also places like Loyalty Bookstore and Honeymoon Chicken, where the crunch of the fried chicken is as satisfying as the taste. (Your mouth will water just hearing it in the full video.)

Hidden gem

See Matthew's perfect day

See Panama's perfect day

See Adrian's perfect day

See Austin's perfect day

See Daniella's perfect day

See Trap's perfect day

See Albert's perfect day

FAMILY

GLOBAL INFLUENCE

LOCAL CULTURE

OUTDOOR ART

CULINARY

DIVERSITY