The Most Instagrammable Places in Washington DC

Washington DC is a district known for, OBVIOUSLY, American politics. It’s associated with the “swamp” that is our government, and before living there, I pictured it as all concrete: low concrete buildings with lots of concrete pillars, and a whole bunch of stiff politicians walking around in their stuffy suits, on their way to absolutely wreck the lives of the American people.

Is that what the city is today? Sure. Lots of concrete, lots of corrupt politicians. However, I lived in the district for a year and a half, and that gave me plenty of time to explore a little bit more, dig a little deeper, to figure out what else made this city tick besides congressional hearings. The city actually has a lot more character than I could have ever imagined. If you know where to look, it is colorful, it is tranquil, it is picturesque. It has an aesthetic outside the concrete, and if you look closely enough, you can find beauty even among the shades of grey.

Whether you’re a professional photographer, an Instagram enthusiast, or you just appreciate a nice view, here is my list of my favorite and most Instagrammable places in DC.

Blind Whino

I found the Blind Whino one Sunday afternoon when I forced my mother to accompany me to the southern part of DC to explore for the day, having grown overly accustomed to the northwestern area where I lived. It is less well-known and not generally considered a tourist attraction, but it is one of the prettiest places in the city that I have run across. The building itself was originally a neighborhood church built in the 1880s, but more recently has been reimagined as a creative space, an arts collective.

If you want to venture inside, there is a gallery with rotating art exhibits, as well as a music and performance venue. But the unique exterior is just as exciting: the colorful mural wrapped around the entire building on the outside makes for a perfect pop of color in your photo gallery.

Southeast Waterfront

I grew up near Baltimore City so I may be biased, but I am so in love with waterfronts. The Wharf in DC, while no Inner Harbor, is a recently completed project that extends along the waterfront of the Washington Channel, complete with plenty of high-end restaurants and amazing views out over the marina.

Tidal Basin at Peak Bloom

Maybe this is an obvious one. I never claimed to be groundbreaking. But it would be a travesty to write a post about DC’s most beautiful spots without mentioning one of DC’s most alluring attractions: THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS. As much as the crowds of tourists that flock to DC to see these gorgeous trees gifted to us by the Japanese make me want to throw myself headfirst into the Tidal Basin and die, I empathize with the curiosity. These flowers make springtime in the city magical, pardon my cliché.

The Tidal Basin, with its pink blossoms and the Jefferson Memorial in the background, is the most popular choice for camera-wielding visitors, but right off the edge of the basin is a perfect view of the Washington Monument, which is pretty good too. If you’re into that sort of thing.

CityCenter

If you’re into the bougey shopping scene, then CityCenterDC is the place for you. It has a bunch of high-end stores like Louis Vuitton and Gucci, as well as some really good bars and restaurants (but let’s be real, there are really good bars and restaurants in every corner of this city). CityCenter also is home to seasonally themed public art, including a life-sized igloo in the winter, hundreds of thousands of red and gold suspended leaves in the fall, and, as pictured above, bright pink lanterns to celebrate the cherry blossom festival every spring.

The Reflecting Pool

Again with the Washington Monument, with its overly simplistic design that has somehow made it one of the more recognizable landmarks in the world. Right outside the Lincoln Memorial, on the opposite end of the Mall from the Washington Monument, the Reflecting Pool extends outwards for what seems like miles. And it’s called the Reflecting Pool for a reason. That water is still as HECK, barely a ripple in sight, its tranquility offering the perfect opportunity for a reflection photograph. Many years after taking this one, it is still one of my favorites.

Union Market Heart Mural

Once again, WHO KNEW such bright, exciting colors existed in DC? This simple mural was created in 2015 for International Women’s Day by a graffiti artist from LA named Mr. Brainwash, and it is right outside Union Market. If there’s one thing DC is not lacking, it is a fantastic array of culinary goodness, so pick up a snack and get a shot against this jocular wall.

Adams Morgan

I think Adams Morgan is slightly less well-known among non-residents, but it is by far my favorite neighborhood. It is funky in a way I’d expect more from the hipster streets of Asheville, North Carolina. It is full of bars that stay open all night long, independently owned stores, and an eclectic and vibrant energy that is unparalleled anywhere else in the district.

Some of my favorite spots are the historic and colorful row houses scattered throughout the entire neighborhood, and the presidential mural painted on the wall of Mama Ayesha’s Restaurant, featuring all the US presidents from Dwight D. Eisenhower to Barack Obama, all surrounding Mama Ayesha herself, who is beaming happily in the middle.

Georgetown

Georgetown is another neighborhood that is worth exploring. To start, it is the oldest neighborhood in the city, but it is also home to the world’s best cupcakes (don’t argue with me on this one), is right along the C&O Canal, and takes you back in time with its colorful brick buildings and cobblestoned streets.

The Capitol

Yes, it is concrete, and yes, it has lots and lots of pillars. Don’t call me a hypocrite here. If you’re going to capture the essence of downtown DC, there is no better place than right outside the Capitol Building.

Here’s a fun fact: this building was built after Thomas Jefferson held a contest and received entries from some of the country’s most talented architects. The grand prize for the winner was $500, which is equivalent to about $12,000 today. So you know that the Capitol has to be impressive, if it was the winning design among many incredible artists.

Metro Station

Pick a metro station, any metro station. This was an interesting revelation, because after cursing the metro nonstop for years on my daily commute to work, I turned around one day and actually realized that these stations, despite being the bane of my existence and the ultimate source of stress and anxiety, are actually fascinating and aesthetically pleasing in their own right, as long as you aren’t there during peak commute times.

Chinatown

Chinatown has some of the best food in the city, but it is also home to the Friendship Archway, a traditional Chinese gate at the entrance to the neighborhood and a symbol of the Chinese identity. It was constructed in the 1980s, and at the time, it was said to be the largest in the world, standing at 48 feet high and 75 feet wide. It also makes for the perfect Instagram at any time of the day or night.

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What are you waiting for? Pick up your camera (or your camera phone) and get to Washington DC immediately. The entire city is a treasure trove, and there is beauty hiding in places where you least expect it, or where you most expect it, and that’s okay too.