author: Lisa Caputo (45 years old) 6/28/26
3 days: Capital Hill, Washington D.C. (6/25/26 through 6/28/26)
🏡 Staying on Capitol Hill
For our long weekend in Washington, D.C., we stayed in a charming three-story Airbnb townhouse on Capitol Hill. It had so much character and really captured the historic charm of the neighborhood. The location couldn’t have been better—it was a great home base for exploring the city while giving us a taste of what it’s feels like to live in one of D.C.’s iconic row homes.
🌆 Our First Evening in the Nation’s Capital
After getting settled on Thursday, we headed out to start exploring.
Our first stop was Ford’s Theatre, where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. Although we only viewed the theater from the outside, standing there was incredibly moving. Across the street is the Peterson House, where Lincoln was taken after being shot. Doctors quickly realized his injuries were fatal, so they moved him there rather than trying to treat him inside the theater. Standing in front of the house where he spent his final hours was one of the most sobering moments of the trip.
From there, we walked to the historic Willard Hotel. Beautifully decorated and full of history, it reminded us a bit of New York City’s Plaza Hotel. Over the years, countless presidents, dignitaries, and world leaders have stayed there, making it one of Washington’s most iconic hotels.
Next, we made our way to the rooftop at Hotel Washington for a drink while taking in spectacular views overlooking the White House and downtown D.C. It was a perfect place to relax as the sun began to set.
Dinner was at Old Ebbitt Grill, Washington’s oldest saloon and another landmark steeped in presidential history. Presidents, politicians, and famous figures—including Ulysses S. Grant—have dined there for generations, and the classic atmosphere made it one of our favorite meals of the trip.
As darkness fell, we continued walking through the National Mall to see several of D.C.’s most famous monuments illuminated at night. We visited the Washington Monument, the World War II Memorial, and ended at the Lincoln Memorial. Seeing these landmarks lit up after sunset was absolutely beautiful and one of the highlights of our visit.
Looking back, one thing we’d do differently is book one of the evening golf cart monument tours. We walked quite a bit, and while it was enjoyable, the guided tours looked like a fun and efficient way to learn even more about the city’s history. Maybe next time!
🏛️ A Behind-the-Scenes Capitol Experience
Friday turned out to be the highlight of our trip.
We were incredibly fortunate to receive a private tour of the U.S. Capitol from our Congressman and his staff. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Capitol was even more impressive than we expected, both architecturally and historically. One of the most memorable moments was walking down the same aisle the President uses during the State of the Union Address. Standing in that space really made the significance of our country’s history and government come alive.
It was an experience our whole family will remember for years.
🍽️ An Evening in Georgetown
That evening we headed to historic Georgetown for dinner at Martin’s Tavern, a Washington institution that has welcomed presidents, members of Congress, and celebrities for decades.
One of the restaurant’s most famous stories is that John F. Kennedy proposed to Jacqueline Bouvier in one of the booths before they were married. Knowing that bit of history made dinner feel even more special.
Of course, we couldn’t leave Georgetown without dessert, so we stopped at Insomnia Cookies before strolling through the neighborhood and heading back to Capitol Hill.
🌳 Visiting George Washington’s Mount Vernon
The estate is beautifully preserved and sits high above the Potomac River with breathtaking views. We took the Mansion Tour, which allowed us to see many of the rooms where George Washington lived, including his bedroom, dining room, and formal living spaces.
Walking through the home offered an incredible glimpse into the life of America’s first president. We also visited Washington’s tomb, where both George and Martha Washington are buried, making for a quiet and reflective experience.
One of the most fascinating artifacts on display was the Key to the Bastille, presented to George Washington by his close friend, the Marquis de Lafayette, following the French Revolution. Lafayette gifted Washington one of the prison’s original keys as a symbol of liberty and the shared ideals of freedom between France and the United States. Seeing such an iconic piece of history up close was an unexpected highlight of our visit.
After leaving Mount Vernon, we drove through nearby Old Town Alexandria and hopped aboard the free King Street Trolley for a relaxing ride through the heart of the historic district. It was a great way to take in the charming streets lined with boutiques, local shops, restaurants, and beautifully preserved 18th- and 19th-century buildings before continuing our exploration on foot.
While in Alexandria, we also stopped to see one of the narrowest homes in the United States—the famous Spite House. According to local legend, the tiny home was built by its owner out of frustration with the constant horse-drawn carriages and heavy foot traffic squeezing through the alley beside his property. By constructing the incredibly narrow house, he eliminated the shortcut entirely—a creative act of “spite” that has become one of Alexandria’s most unique landmarks.
To end the day, we enjoyed a late dinner at the historic Gadsby’s Tavern, one of the oldest restaurants in America. George Washington was a frequent guest there, and other notable visitors included Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison, James Monroe, and the Marquis de Lafayette. Dining in the same rooms where so many of America’s Founding Fathers once gathered was the perfect way to conclude a weekend immersed in our nation’s history.
After such a full day of exploring, we returned to our cozy Capitol Hill townhouse to relax and enjoy a quiet evening before heading home the next morning.
đź’ Final Thoughts
Washington, D.C. exceeded our expectations. It was the perfect combination of history, beautiful architecture, excellent restaurants, and memorable family experiences.
Our favorite moments included:
- Touring the U.S. Capitol with our Congressman
- Seeing the monuments beautifully illuminated at night
- Visiting Ford’s Theatre and the Peterson House
- Dinner at historic restaurants like Old Ebbitt Grill and Martin’s Tavern
- Exploring George Washington’s Mount Vernon & Old town Alexandria
If you’re planning a family trip, D.C. offers so much more than museums—it truly brings American history to life. We left with a much deeper appreciation for the people, places, and events that shaped our country, and we’re already talking about what we’ll explore on our next visit.
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