Soul of the City: A Cultural Crawl Through DC

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Step into the rhythm of DC with a full-day journey through Black history, iconic eats, and vibrant neighborhoods. From powerful museums to legendary chili dogs and jazz-filled nights, this itinerary is all heart, all flavor, all soul.

 

Starting Point: Capital Hilton | 1001 16th St NW

  • Breakfast: City Place Cafe | 1101 17th St NW
  • Walking distance from hotel: 0.2 miles (~5 mins)

Activity 1: Visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture | 1400 Constitution Ave NW (Must reserve your FREE tickets prior to attending)

  • From City Place Cafe
  • Walking: 1.0 mile (~20 mins)
  • Uber/Lyft: ~$9 (1.2 miles)
  • Metro: Walk 5 mins to Farragut West then take Orange/Blue/Silver Line to Smithsonian (~8 mins ride + 5 mins walk)
  • Total Metro time: ~15 mins

Activity 2: Visit the Old Post Office Tower (FREE) | 1100 Pennsylvania Ave NW

  • From the museum
  • Walking: 0.5 miles (~10 mins)
  • Uber/Lyft: ~$7 (0.6 miles)
  • Metro: Walk 6 mins to Smithsonian → take Orange/Blue Line one stop to Federal Triangle (~2 mins ride + 2 min walk)
  • Total Metro time: ~10 mins

Lunch: Ben’s Chili Bowl | 1213 U St NW

  • From Old Post Office Tower
  • Uber/Lyft: ~$10 (2 miles)
  • Metro: Walk 3 mins to Federal Triangle → take Orange/Blue Line to Metro Center → transfer to Red Line → go to U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial (~16 mins ride + 4 min walk to Ben’s)
  • Total Metro time: ~20 mins

Activity 3: Shop at GoodWood, walk around U Street | 1428 U St NW

  • From Ben’s Chili Bowl
  • Walking: 0.3 miles (~6 mins)
  • No Uber/Metro needed — enjoy the stroll along U Street!

Dinner: The Continent DC | 1110 Vermont Ave NW

  • From GoodWood
  • Walking: 1.1 miles (~22 mins)
  • Uber/Lyft: ~$9 (1.2 miles)
  • Metro: Walk 6 mins to U Street Metro → take Green Line to McPherson Square → walk 5 mins
  • Total Metro time: ~15–18 mins

Bar Suggestion: Blue Alley Jazz | 1073 Wisconsin Ave NW (Georgetown)

  • From The Continent DC
  • Uber/Lyft: ~$13 (2.5 miles)
  • Metro + Bus: Walk 7 mins to McPherson Square → take Orange/Blue Line to Foggy Bottom → transfer to DC Circulator Bus: Georgetown–Union Station Line → get off at Wisconsin Ave NW & M St NW (~30–35 mins total)
  • Walking from Foggy Bottom if no bus: 0.9 miles (~18 mins)