Fall in DC
Rock Creek turns gold, the monuments quiet down, and the restaurant scene wakes up.
Seasonal picks
$
u street4.5
Ben's Chili Bowl
The DC half-smoke since 1958. Go for the history, stay for the chili.
$$$$u street4.8
Columbia Room
James Beard Award-winning cocktails in a tiny back room. Reservations essential.
$$dupont circle4.4
Founding Farmers DC
Farm-to-table that built a brunch reservation cult. Book ahead.
Freegeorgetown4.8
Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
Free, world-class performances every day at 6 p.m.
$$$u street4.7
Le Diplomate
The Parisian bistro that made 14th Street a destination. Steak frites, no notes.
Free
dupont circle4.9
Lincoln Memorial
The most consequential set of steps in American history. Go at night.
Freecapitol hill4.8
National Air and Space Museum
Humanity's greatest hits in flight, under one Smithsonian roof — and it is free.
Freecapitol hill4.8
National Gallery of Art
The only Leonardo da Vinci in the Americas, and it's free.
$$u street4.8
The 9:30 Club
Rolling Stone called it the #1 big club in America. They were right.