My small hometown in Georgia made it so that anytime I went out in the world, I was at risk of running into someone I knew. The thought of going anywhere alone brought the fear that I would look like a “loser” with no one to hang out with if I was ever seen by myself.
When I moved to Washington, DC for college, I realized that I wouldn’t have the same schedule as my peers. This left me with a lot of time by myself. Instead of locking myself inside with Netflix, I turned to the countless activities at my disposal in the city. From museum visits to reservations-for-one, I fell in love with the city alone and learned not to let opportunities pass me by just for fear of being alone. I learned that being alone does not mean I am lonely.
Here is a list of my favorite things to do alone in DC.
Museums
DC is home to the Smithsonian institution’s numerous free-entry museums; my favorite is the National Gallery of Art. For an immersive museum, check out the Renwick Gallery, which is right across from the White House and about a ten-minute walk from GW’s campus and offers free admission. DC is also home to numerous private museums, like the Hillwood Museum in Forest Hills, the Phillips Collection in Dupont Circle, and the Textile Museum right on GW’s campus.
restaurants
DC is known for some of the best food in the country and houses some of the most diverse restaurants. Getting out of the “Foggy Bottom bubble” is hard, but trying different restaurants across the city is a good way to explore DC. Some restaurants to explore are Zaytinya, Agora, and Doi Moi.
We are also one metro stop from Arlington, VA, home to many other comfort cuisines. My favorite restaurant is Pho75 in Arlington. It’s cash only, and I swear it cures whatever ailment I have before walking in.
Embassy Events
One of the best parts of living in DC is the embassies we have mere blocks away from our dorms. Many of the embassies regularly host free events or open houses to help celebrate their culture. Oftentimes published on Eventbrite, events at the embassies can be a cool way to learn more about the home countries while having a fun experience.
Embassy row in Dupont hosts trick or treating on Halloween, featuring treats from each nation!
Movies
A personal favorite activity to do by myself is to watch a new movie. Many independent movie theaters around DC provide unique experiences. My favorite is the Landmark E Street Cinema. On Tuesdays, they show movies for just seven dollars and will show older films such as “Grease” and “Mamma Mia.”
Monument Walks
This is probably the most common activity you can do yourself. One of my favorite things to do, especially when stressed out, is going on a “monument walk” as students on campus like to call walking around the National Mall. Putting in my headphones and forgetting about whatever it is I am stressed about with a view of the Lincoln Memorial is unrivaled. You forget the world and every problem just seems a bit smaller on some of the most epic steps in the world.
book store visits
As a big reader, one of my favorite escapes from the city is visiting a bookshop. DC has a variety of bookstores that make it easy to find one catered to your preferences. From Kramers to Politics and Prose, many bookstores will get you out of Foggy Bottom and show you a different area while immersing you in a different world through the books.
Concerts
In my opinion, DC has one of the best concert cultures. Every major artist seems to make a stop in DC, and while it’s good for my soul, it’s not so good for my wallet. At the beginning of every school year, I make a calendar jotting down which of my favorite artists are coming and ensure I keep an eye on the tickets.
The Anthem is the most popular venue located in the Wharf district. Even big artists like Demi Lovato and 5 Seconds of Summer have played there, making the experience much more intimate. Don’t discount smaller venues around the city, like 9:30 Club, Black Cat, or DC9 which host many local and small indie artists.