A Quick Summer Guide to Washington D.C.
Summer is a wonderful time to visit D.C. The museums are free, the crowds are gone, and the hotel rates are more reasonable. The nightlife is incredible with 8 new bars including one that is alcohol free. Yes it can be hot and humid so plan accordingly.
Things To See and Do
Check out the WorldPride LGBTQ outdoor exhibit across from the J.W. Marriott on Pennsylvania Avenue between 13th and 14th. Dubbed the Rainbow History Project: Pickets, Protests, and Parades, it chronicles the history of gay pride in Washington through the decades.
The U.S. Botanical Garden is just west of the Capitol and features an indoor plant garden including lots of orchids and plants from around the world. Like all Smithsonian museums, it is free. The 28,944 foot Conservancy has 10 glassed in garden rooms and hundreds of orchid specimens.
The National Museum of the American Indian is a must. Their café features trout and other delicacies.
The Whittemore House Museum at 1526 New Hampshire features displays of former Democratic First Ladies and other leaders. It is located in Dupon Circle and was constructed in 1894.
Walk or run with the DC Frontrunners. They meet at 20th at P Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. to walk and at 10 a.m. to run and go up Rock Creek Park to the Zoo. Optional branch follows.
GoGayDC has fun Friday night meet ups at various locations. They meet at 7 p.m. at a different bar each week. It’s a great way to meet the locals.
Nightlife
Eight new bars have opened in the last 2 years. Who says bars are dead?
You can dance the night away at Bunker. The District Eagle at 1357 U is new and is for the leather crowd. The Green Lantern is a fun dive bar. Take off your shirt Thursday night and drink for free. They also have a great happy hour.
The Little Gay Pub at 1100 P is very popular new and also serves food. Sit outside on the patio.
The Number 9 is a lot of fun and has 2 for 1 before 8 p.m. The Trade Bar on 1410 14th has drink specials until 9pm and a fun outdoor patio.
JRs on 17th Street is still going strong and have special events too. It’s a D.C. staple.
The list goes on….See the May 21, 2025, Washington Post article for a complete listing of the bars in D.C.
Where To Eat
The Pembroke inside the Hotel Dupont Circle is excellent (1500 New Hampshire Avenue NW). Try the branzino (fish) served with escarole with a side of kale Caesar salad.
Also in Dupont Circle is Le Pain Quotidien which is great for coffee and a croissant or a complete brunch.
Grab a breakfast burrito at the Wawa at One Thomas Circle.
Rasika Flavors of India is arguably one of the best Indian restaurants in America. Located at 633 D Street NW in the Penn Quarter neighborhood, you can sit outside if you want. The crispy baby spinach appetizer is to die for. The black cod was excellent as was the lamb biryani.
Dirty Habit, the bar in the Hotel Monaco (a Kimpton) has a fun happy hour and an excellent restaurant. It’s very LGBTQ friendly. However, beware of the surprise 20% service charge fee. 18 percent goes to the employees while 2% “contributes to our team’s fair compensation and benefits” (whatever that means). The building is a former post office. You will find them at 700 F Street NW.
Carmines on 7th Street NW has Italian food served family style. You will find them in Pann Quarter.
The Dupont Italian Kitchen is at 1637 17th Street NW is a LGBTQ staple on the 17th Avenue NW gayborhood and also has a fun bar upstairs. A fun gay clientele.
The Mitsitam Café inside the Native American Museum has great trout as well as an Indoanm style taco bowl.
Always check the drink prices before ordering. DC has taken overpriced glasses of wine to new heights!
Getting There and Getting Around
I took American non stop into close in Reagan Airport. It’s just a 15 minute or so Metro subway ride on the Yellow Line to the Comfort Inn or take the Red Line to Dupont Circle to get to the Dupont Circle Hotel.
Where To Stay
I spent two nights at the Dupont Circle Hotel. The mattress was amazingly comfortable. I got a quiet room facing the interior. It’s an Irish chain with lots of amenities including a heated bathroom floor and super comfortable bathrobes. You will find them at 1500 New Hampshire.
Bargain hunters will love the Comfort Inn Downtown DC/Convention Center on 13th Street NW at M just off Mass Avenue. Just steps to the bars and restaurants on the very trendy 14th Street NW. If you get hungry, the 24 hour Wawa is a few blocks away as is Streets Market, which also has prepared food. You are also just steps to the bars on 14th Street NW. And no annoying amenity or resort fees. Tell the friendly staff, including manager Raji, that Bill sent you.
The new Eaton Hotel is a boutique hotel at 1201 K is another option. It’s very LGBTQ+ friendly and even has a LGBTQ suite! You will find them at 1201 K Street NW.
I also like the Washington Plaza, the only DC hotel with a large outdoor pool. It’s on Thomas Circle and is a bargain.
DC hotels are expensive so shop around and be aware of annoying resort or amenity fees which are often not disclosed or transparent. I avoid hotels that charge them on unless they are disclosed up front.
The Washington Blade is in print and on line. Metro Weekly is the other gay paper and is on line only. Both have local current activities.
I never tire of visiting the DC, arguably one of the gayest cities in America. And you cannot beat the free museums, great transit, and excellent nightlife scene.
