As much as you adore sitting in Lau for the fifth hour in a row, there are better things to do for your mental health and social life. So skip hour number 6, put on a cute crop top and some walking shoes, and take a break from life on the Hilltop to enjoy the Capitol. Make sure to bring that perfect shade of lipstick (because you will be taking the cutest candids) and a few bucks for coffee or snacks.
Here’s a list of 10 things to do in DC that are college student friendly and will make your Instagram pop with color.
1. Visit the Technicolor Church at the SW Waterfront This abandoned building was once a plain white church, but artist Alex Brewer was commissioned to beautify it with splashes of neon paint, psychedelic patterns, and modern twists. It’s the perfect place to go to if you’re looking for a nice photography spot or just want to be surrounded by an up-and-coming arts district. Although it’s in southwestern DC, the uber or long walk is worth it for the completely free attraction and one-of-a-kind pictures.
Source: https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/washington-dc/secrets-of-dc-13-t…
2. Eastern Market
Take a break on Saturday or Sunday morning and walk or metro over to the Eastern Market (it has its own Metro stop). While there, you’ll find food vendors, bakeries, coffee places galore, and art/clothing. Many vendors handmake jewelry and clothes in creative ways. You can find that perfect bracelet for your significant other, or a cute sweater to wear for that dinner with your parents. During the holidays, vendors sell wreaths and Christmas-themed merchandise. There are even some posters and wall decor for your dorm at discounted prices. Dig through bins of vintage postcards or buy some candles for your dorm (we won’t tell) because there’s something for everyone here. The outdoors market is a sure bet for the best date on a nice spring morning. Bring a friend and cash and you’ll be sure to make out with some killer steals.
Source: https://washington.org/DC-guide-to/eastern-market
3. Capitol Hill Books The perfect little shop for a little me-time. Located right next to the hustle and bustle of the Eastern Market, this book shop has all of the charm of your grandmother’s home with the classic smell of old book pages and fading ink. You’ll fall in love with the instagrammable front of the store and spend hours inside looking through piles of books of all kinds of genres. The best part is that the owner labels each section with his own snarky take on the genre, and sometimes even includes little notes at the beginning of the books for a good laugh. If you love supporting locally-owned stores, you’ll be able to support a great cause as well as find a great read for a nice spring day on the Leavey Esplanade. Grab a coffee at one of the many nearby cafes and delve deep into the world of your favorite book. Source: https://www.billyreid.com/journal/anna-gullicksons-dc
Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/11047961557611260/
4. Union Market
Here’s yet another market to go to for a nice weekend trip. This converted warehouse with outdoor seating available is every hipster foodie’s dream. With a very modernist layout and delicious food vendors, you’ll be sure to find food within your budget and taste. From empanadas to BBQ, there is room to experiment with new flavors and cultural dishes. Coffee and desserts run rampant throughout the aisles, making it the perfect stop before heading back to Lau to work on that 1,000,000 page research paper due at midnight. Your Instafeed will not only make people salivate, but with some cute murals outside, you’ll be able to look artsy while you chomp down on that bacon wrapped hot dog. Souce: http://spoonuniversity.com/place/5-food-vendors-need-try-union-market
5. United States Botanic Garden
Located right next to the Capitol building, this is the perfect place for a date or quiet time. Bring a Saxby’s coffee and come walk among flora from every imaginable place in the world. Take close ups of orchids in the orchid pavilion, replicas of national monuments surrounded by flowers and greenery, and the massive jungle conservatory. Spend a chilly spring afternoon in the warm desert flower exhibit or step into the rose garden when it’s sunny out. With FREE admission and beautiful water displays, this is the place to be when you want to step away from the expensive hustle and bustle of M Street. Bonus points for going to the garden during the holiday season when they have larger than life Christmas trees on display featuring model trains and a light show. Source: https://www.usbg.gov/national-garden
6. The Old Post Office Pavilion – Observation Deck
Located at the heart of the National Mall, this building is often forgotten among its larger than life monument counterparts. But, what few people know is that the no longer in use National Post Office has an observation deck where you and your closest friends can view DC monuments at the grandest of heights. The Deck’s view stretches the entire national mall and is said to be one of the best views of DC. The view is breathtaking, but inside of the building are many eateries and shops which make it even more worthwhile. The beautiful double staircase and vintage architecture make this building the perfect spot for a lowkey photo op that all of your followers will be begging to know the location of. Source: https://www.neh.gov/news/neh-rises-in-best-places-work-rankings
7. The Bishop’s Garden at The National Cathedral
The Bishop’s Garden, located near the entrance walk to the National Cathedral, is designated to be a space of peace and reflection. This makes it the perfect place to reflect on that B minus you managed to claw your way to in PHIL-120, or the serene escape you need after remembering events from Brown House. The nearly decadent smell of the foliage and roses will give you a new lease on life and probably a few decent pictures too. You can probably catch a few wedding pictures being taken here and cry as you realize that true love is real. But, for the most part, come here for a beautiful stroll with some iced tea and that book of poetry you’ve been meaning to read in the sun as you try and regain your tan.
Source: https://americanphotoblog.wordpress.com/2015/05/
8. National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum
The architecture, a mix of Renaissance luxury and minimalist glass modernity, will amaze you right off of the bat. But as you walk further into each gallery you will discover portraits that tell the stories of people that have shaped history of centuries long passed. If you’re a political science buff, there’s even a room dedicated to portraits of presidents and American historical figures on display at all times. Step into the courtyard for your Instagram opportunity and revel in the sunlight despite still being in doors (yes, the ceiling is made of curved glass). With free admission and lockers, this is the perfect place to go once you get tired of going to the Natural History Museum for the 20th time since the 4th grade.
Source: https://www.pinterest.com/jankozk/norman-foster/
9. The Folger Shakespeare Library With the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare’s works this is the place to be for literature/classics majors or just anyone who loves a good play. Here, the greco deco style library puts on Shakespearean plays, has a reading room for guests, and hosts tours of artifacts from Elizabethan times. From the First Folio to real live performances of classics like “As You Like It” and “Much Ado About Nothing” (my personal all-time favorite), you can bring a date and pretend that you understand what’s going on. Search their website for Box Office prices, showtimes, and visiting exhibits for that perfect night on the town with your favorite maiden or gentle sir. The library is also very close to the Capitol building and has some great eateries for a dessert well-earned. Source: http://www.folger.edu/buildings-grounds
10. Dumbarton Oaks Garden/Park A brisk walk away from campus, this hidden gem is chalk full of mysterious gardens and hideaways for the adventurous college student wanting to take a break from it all. With 53 acres of land to explore you can keep coming back and always discover something different. With a path named “Lover’s Lane,” a singing pond, a water wheel, and a graveyard for pets (how Stephen King of them!), this garden has something for everyone. During Cherry Blossom season, there’s Cherry Hill to picnic at, as well as a chance to snap a few good shots of blankets of pink covering the mossy floor. One side of the garden even features a year round orchard as well as some strategically placed pools and bridges. Bring that special someone or come here all by your lonesome to experience this very “Central Park”-like atmosphere in the middle of Georgetown. Source: https://georgetownmetropolitan.com/tag/dumbarton-oaks-park/page/3/ Source: http://www.gardenvisit.com/gardens/dumbarton_oaks