When?

Most restaurants will have options other than pork, and of course, you don’t have to order wine, so another question might be: what kind of food are you interested in trying?

2 weeks?

Go check out Baltimore as well, and also spend a weekend in NYC (both are easy train rides)

Around mid October. I understand. As someone who grew up watching a lot of American TV, I would love to try the Cheesecake Factory, Taco Bell, The Olive Garden, Panera, Chipotle, Wendy’s, Popeyes. Stuff like that. But I want recommendations of what to try.

Yeah almost two weeks. Yeah we were planning on NYC for the weekend. What can we see in Baltimore? And what about NYC?

There is a ton of travel advice out there, simply search for it...

"<city> kids activities" will lead you to solid options to base a visit around. Applies to DC too

[deleted]

Definitely bring layers (sweater/light jacket). October can be chilly, particularly in the evenings.

You’ve mentioned a lot of chain restaurants. I don’t really go to them, but I get the appeal for someone who’s never had those.

DC has tons of good local restaurants. Definitely think about venturing out from the chains. Rather than listing random restaurants, I’d just suggest browsing the Michelin guide/Google maps/Washingtonian magazine top 100 for ideas. You’ll find plenty of non chain options.

Okay. That’s super helpful. What are some good food options? Pizza or pastas? Any suggestions

You can get all that garbage in Dubai. Please don’t come here to eat that junk.

Weather: it's going to be chilly most likely and rain is a possibility. Should be nice weather though. Mid October is when the leaves change color and are at their most spectacular, which is also a good activity. The National Arboretum is a good place to see fall colors or you can go farther afield and check out the countryside like Shenandoah NP (about two hours away)

There will be a lot of fall activities around the area, like pumpkin or apple picking, spooky Halloween things, festivals and markets, though they may be farther afield in VA or MD versus in the District.

for a 5 year old, the Smithsonian Zoo, the Museum of Natural History, and the Air and Space Museum are good for kids. You MAY need a timed ticket, check the Smithsonian website to see. It's a good idea to grab one in advance if you can. I'd start looking right now. Some other faves of mine: National Botanical Garden, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Library of Congress, National Portrait Gallery

Food: you will be able to find many things that fit the bill, if it needs to be halal I'd check something like Yelp or TripAdvisor first. My favorite local specialties include Korean (especially KBBQ and Korean fried chicken), Ethiopian food, Central/South American food like Pupusas and Peruvian chicken (really quite a lot of Peruvian around in general), and seafood. Maryland Blue Crab is the stereotypical thing to eat in this area.

Baltimore is like 1.5 hr away and driving to Baltimore is not an enjoyable experience imo. I feel like there is enough to do in DC as it is.

def go to the aquarium in Baltimore

That’s super helpful. Thank you!

Thank you for telling me! What are your suggestions?

Pi Pizzeria on F street is decent. Wise Guys and Pupatella are exemplary with various locations around the city.

Thank you so much! This is super helpful! I’ll definitely check the tickets. But I thought they were free? The museums, that is. But I’ll check the tickets in any case. The food recommendations are super helpful! Thanks!

Alright! Will definitely be adding it to the itinerary

Thank you!

[deleted]

Hahaha alright! Thanks!

If you’re interested in that type of food, you’d be better off visiting local family-owned sandwich/taco/Italian/pizza places. You can find them on Google or TripAdvisor.

Okay great! Thanks!

Museums by Smithsonian are free. Timed tickets for them are just to get your spot for entry. They limit how many people can enter. No fee to get them tho

Okayyyy! See I didn’t know that. Thank you so much.

As an outsider, even if those restaurants are not great options for local Americans, you would still have fun at these restaurants. Just don’t go to McDonalds.

Wiseguy’s is a good quick lunch option and the closest thing to NY pizza in DC

What they said! Not all the museums are requiring tickets either, and which are or aren't is kind of whimsical, which is why you should check ahead of time. The ones that don't you can just walk in.

Hahahah we have McDonald’s in Pakistan so I don’t think we’ll be going there.

Alright! Thanks!

If you want a real taste of American life, those chains are much more authentic than anything in the Bib Gourmand list. 🤷🏼‍♂️ Nothing wrong with getting some Popeyes or Olive Garden, though of course it’s great to venture outside of that too.

Some NYC Activities: Visit Central Park, the Museum of Natural History (great for kids) and the Metropolitan Museum of Art

When in DC, you gotta do Air and space museums. There are two of them one in DC and one about 40 min drive. Both are great. Always try to go when the Rangers are doing the free tours. You’d love how they describe the history

Pretty much all of the Smithsonians are free (not sure about the zoo), but a few require free timed tickets because they’re very busy and try to space out the crowds.

Yeah, the Zoo is free. They've just gone back and forth about timed tickets or tickets for certain parts (pandas). Parking there is not free.

Train to Baltimore is a great option though!

If you want to go to Air and Space in DC, which you absolutely should, get your tickets now. The museum has been closed since March, and reopens Oct. 14 with several brand new exhibitions. There are still tickets available, but I think they’ll go super fast once people realize it’s open again.

Tickets here: https://www.etix.com/ticket/e/1029945/timed-entry-washington-the-smithsonian-national-air-and-space-museum-general-public

Lived in/around dc for 20 years heres my take:

Good call on the museums. Best stuff we have. Dc has a strong black american culture which can be seen in the music, cuisine and every aspect of the living city. (I recommend going to church at an american episcopal service on sunday its jaw dropping energy and tbh no where on earth has a religious service experience like black america does with its christian services.) a lot of our famous musical artists grew up in these churches

The political vibe is very liberal, with a strong gay prescence and quite tolerant and welcoming to outsiders as yourselves. weather is notoriously unpredictable, check your apps couple days in advance. Dont do the aquariums theyre lower tier. The natural history museum will do well instead. China town sucks. Kennedy center is cool and breathtaking if you like music of any kind. National zoo is ok, but lots of walking. The city is very spread out, plan your routes carefully or be prepared to to pay out the ass for your ubers.

You dont need cash, and you cand find sim sellers on every corner.

Btw just be prepared to walk everywhere. Honestly go buy three folding razor scooters when you arrive and then donate them to a homeless person or charity when you leave. See a walmart or costco if you havent, theyre kind of the most american thing ever. Huge pakistani community in arlington/northern virginia u could high five someone you already know. Food: No one serves an exclusively wine/pork menu thats not a thing, and if youre nervous about the menu ask your server about it, theyre likely well educated and well travelled. We have a lot of ethiopians and cenral american imigrants these days and they brought their glorious food. Try it at least.

Good luck and believe me when i say this subreddit is not the place for you to try and understand what dcs really like lmao

Oh this comment makes me want to laugh and cry at the same time. While I totally get wanting to try those internationally famous restaurants to feel like you've had the American experience, you should be forewarned that the quality of the ingredients used at those types places (Chipotle excepted) is very low and they hide that fact behind loads of sugar and salt (and gigantic portions) that many non-Americans find unappealing. Be prepared for heartburn and feeling very tired if you eat the whole portion.

One of the coolest parts about DC's food scene is that you can eat relatively authentic food from most of the world's continents here. Our most famous immigrant ethnic group in DC is Ethiopian where we have the largest Ethiopian diaspora in the world. Their food is *amazing* and there are lots of options. We also have a ton of Central American restaurants, but you'll want to check about whether they use pork fat in their frying before ordering. My favorite Pakistani restaurants is Sakina Halal Grill. You should eat there and tell us your review!

One very urban American experience is to eat lunch on a weekday from a food truck. They cluster at various places in the city where office workers are. Make sure you are NOT eating from the ones near the museums (low quality, unhealthy food) but the ones farther north where all the office buildings are.

All of those places except for maybe theOlive Garden are not far from Metro stations in DC proper, I wouldn't say its worth (edit- it for a tourist) taking the Metro to go to them, but they are available.

Especially if you want REAL TACOS!

You can get good Ethiopian food in DC with lots of veggie options. The Basilica goes under the radar but is beautiful and worth visiting.

I can understand the interest as a tourist, so I would say go ahead and try some of them. There are Chipotles, Paneras, and Popeyes in a lot of places around DC, but also mix it up with good local places.

[deleted]

It would be cold for you. It is like living in 18c AC air to make it relevant for you. You would rather enjoy shopping at Walmart and Best Buy stores than actual shopping malls. I guarantee you would love it. Especially, when you have to bring gifts, chocolates, electronics back with you. Don’t look for Pakistani or Indian food right away. Try Sushi, Thai, Chinese, Mexican, Italian first. When trying new food, make sure you ask the restaurant about food restrictions like pork or halal. Even in vegetarian food some restaurants add pork sauce or sea food sauce.

You would probably need ESPN+ or Willow TV subscription to watch India vs Pakistan cricket game unless you guys have it already figured out.

Enjoy your stay!

I recently toured the Larz Anderson house with a friend and found it fascinating! It’s a Golden Age mansion in DUPONT circle right off the red line metro. Free tours every hour at the 15 minute mark. Enjoy your visit!

What time of year are you visiting? In summer it’s very hot and humid. In winter it’s cold enough you’ll need parkas and gloves and hats. Spring and fall are mild and pleasant usually.

Also if you’re willing to travel out of the area, look into visiting the Udvar Hazy air and space museum in Dulles if you have anyone in your traveling party interested in planes or space travel.

If you're flying in through Dulles, ALL of those restaurants are in Dulles/Sterling VA. Safe travels and have fun!

McDonalds outside US are way better. You can smell it if you pass by one 😂

Take a water taxi over to Mt. Vernon and see George Washington’s home.

I would do a weekday trip to Baltimore via an Amtrak train (the US national rail system). The aquarium is worth visiting and you can spend time walking around the Inner Harbor.

And every small to mid-sized city in the US has a tourism website that curates all the major attractions for you to help you build an itinerary. Here's Baltimore's: https://baltimore.org/

That's funny, because I always try to stop into McDonald's whenever I am in a foreign country because they have a lot of location-specific options that are fun to try.

Checkout eaterdc.com for some real food recommendations. I love the Baltimore Aquarium. Totally worth the visit, the Baltimore Inner Harbor & Fell’s Point are also great. Make sure to visit the FDR Memorial and as many Smithsonian museums as you can. There’s Georgetown and City Centre in DC but the shopping is better in the suburbs.

That is super helpful! Thanks!

Hahahahahha

Awwww thanks!

Here’s a tip for the zoo, especially if you have little ones who will get tired: start at the top near the pandas and work your way down. There’s a shuttle that will take you back up the hill at the end of the day, or you can take the metro from either entrance if you’re not driving. The zoo is a giant hill, and most people start at the bottom, so you’ll get a good spot to view the pandas if you start there early in the day.

Thanks! Will do!

Regarding SIM cards, if your device is eSIM-capable, use one of those from Airalo.com or similar. I have struggled in multiple countries with pocket wifi and/or extra SIM cards, and I just discovered eSIMs. I've got one for a trip to Italy next month and it is SO much easier. I wish I had heard of them before.

There's full high-speed coverage for all providers in this area though, so if you opt for a standard SIM card swap, it doesn't matter who you choose.

I’m seeing some not-so realistic advice from these comments. When traveling with a 5 year old, be prepared to experience jet lag for a day or two. Your son will definitely enjoy the Air and Space Museum, Natural History Museum, and being on the Mall…just be prepared for a lot of walking. DC isn’t like Islamabad.

Next, it’s considerably colder than what you’re used to in Pakistan right now. Imagine how Murree or areas north of there…that’s the kind of chilly weather you’re going to have to prepare for if you’re coming in October.

Get the cheapest prepaid plan phone from Best Buy, Target, or Walmart. You can easily get a cheap phone with a month-long plan for less than $50.

Do you plan on keeping halal while in America? Where do you draw the line? I’m not sure why people are recommending Pakistani restaurants to someone who’s coming from Pakistan, but the better options are in Northern Virginia.

You’re going to have an awesome time in the DMV area. Plenty of great mosques, including the Diyanet Center. Are you staying with family or are you guys staying at a hotel? If it’s the former, the family will offer sound Pakistani-tourist friendly advice that’s appropriate for your circumstances (e.g., traveling for the first time with a 5 year old).

Chipotle is the only one that lives up to the hype. I eat it religiously

Part of traveling overseas for many Asians, especially for the first time is sharing stories about the mainstream brands they’ve seen or heard about, but actually get to witness in person. I think OP should go to places she’s heard about on TV or in memes.

These are all fast food chain restaurants like how McDonald's or Hardee's are in Pakistan Also almost none of them have halal/vegetarian options besides taco bell and chipotle

You can have the same stuff at better quality in like Dubai

Im a Pakistani that lives in DC. The food scene here is kinda awful lol NY has much better food

as others have already said, this list is pretty funny. it's your trip so do what you want, but if you ask me visiting nearly any of these places will be a waste of your visit here (except Popeye's - Popeye's is truly the best). DC is a world-class city when it comes to food, we have some of the best Ethiopian, Thai, Indian, etc etc in the country. PM me if you want some recommendations or just Google your interests.

I'm not sure if I saw anyone reply to the aquarium part yet, but it used to be one of my favorite places to visit in Baltimore. There's also plenty to do around the Inner Harbor if you choose to take a day trip up that way.

Avoid all of those restaurants. Look at top 100 restaurants in Washingtonian restaurants, cheap eats too 100 if you want to save money.

Get the some spicy Popeyes chicken….just grab a few slices of cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory…everything else is just okay if you want to try…there’s better versions of chipotle and authentic Mexican food elsewhere…wouldn’t recommend Panera…

Weather could be in 50s, 60s, or 70s. Could be sunny, could be raining. Definitely bring layers and umbrellas/rain coats.

National Childrens Museum (not free but fun), Air and Space Museum, Natural History Museum, Library or Congress, US Capitol Tour (get free timed tickets online), National Cathedral, Kennedy Center has family concerts/events I would check out their calendar, Botanical Gardens, walk around the Arboretum.

Since you’ll be here in October it might be fun to go to a farm outside of the city and do some fall activities - hay ride, corn maze, pumpkin picking, apple picking. Washingtonian website has good recommendations.

For food I would use the yelp app to find recommendations close to where you will be staying/visiting during the day. I would recommend getting some seafood, southern food, tacos, sub sandwiches, bbq (although this can be pork heavy, places will have beef and chicken options), and pizza!

Have fun!

Thank you! That’s super helpful! Will definitely check it out!

Yaayyy that helps!

Alright!

Hahah I’ve heard a lot about popeye’s. Thank you so much! Will definitely plan a visit to the aquarium.

Hahahahaha alright. So you know what I’m looking for. But if I’m in NYC, I’ll definitely ask you for food recommendations

Hahahahha alright

October is definitely Sweater and jacket season around here.

I would recommend maybe looking into checking out a sporting event. Baseball season is pretty much over, but hockey season is starting up soon. The atmosphere at a Capitals game is the best sports options in DC, I think most people who live here would agree. They are very kid friendly as well, my parents took me to caps games when I was your sons age and I’m a fan for life because of it. I would highly suggest looking into one.

Football season is in full swing as well. I’m a bit biased towards the Ravens who are in Baltimore, maybe looking into one of their games. It may take a bit more planning since teams only play once a week; but watching an American football game is definitely one of the big traditions around here.

As far as food, the options you mentioned (Taco Bell, Wendy’s, Panera, etc.) those options are fine if you’re in a more rural or suburban area, but if you’re in DC and you’re going to be in New York, those are two of the richest food cities in the country. As far as kid friendly options, good stuff eatery maybe a good option if you want a burger and fries.

Also, As a native Marylander, trying crab is a must in my opinion. I’m not sure what the best DC option is, if you do make it to Baltimore though, look into Jimmys seafood or Koopers Tavern. Those are my favorite crab cakes in Baltimore.

Happy to help, DM me while you’re here if you can use real-time assistance.

Yelp.com, google things to do in DC

Lol no it doesn't.

Don’t listen to the people trying to talk you out of Taco Bell. You’re a tourist! Eat where you want to. If you’re here for two weeks you can eat at all of those places no problem.

This comment is literally so helpful. Thank you so much!! Sounds like you’ve been to Pakistan! Hope someone was as helpful to you as you are! I know I can’t always get halal,so we’ll see where that takes us but pork is definitely off limits. We’ll be staying at a hotel so maybe the hotel will recommend something too?

Thank you for all the information.

Alright! That helps me a lot. My phone has an e-sim option. But this helps tremendously! Thanks!

If you have access to a car the Maryland Renaissance Festival and apple picking in Northern Virginia are great activities for the family

GOSH that is soooo helpful. Thank you so much! Will definitely keep that in mind.

When I travel, I get on IG and start typing in the place Im going and then whatever category and follow accounts from there. Its been really helpful for me in finding good restaurants and stuff to do. DcCheapEats is a good one I follow.

Someone suggested buying the scooters, definitely get helmets and be extremely careful shen riding them and with your kiddo. Drivers in DC are maniacs.

The Mall is cool, seeing all of the monuments and the Smithsonian museums is neat. Lots of walking/scootering and would need to take a few days just for that.

Going to a baseball game at Natationals stadium would be super fun for a family and so American. Can get snacks and drinks but definitely they're more expensive. You could also go to a Washington Commanders American football game if you'd like. Tickets are usually more expensive though.

Within an hour to 2 hours away you can visit Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. Fall is in full swing so you may be able to do some mazes or Halloween haunted houses, stuff like that In the more rural areas which would be fun for you to experience as well.

Bring sweaters and jackets to layer. Warm days, cool evening weather.

You should walk the mall in the evening and see the monuments and their beautiful lights. It's so pretty and the weather is so nice during the fall. If your child is little and you have to bring a stroller you might want to bring a little blanket.

I would definitely take the kids to Baltimore Aquarium, that's a really great place. Also you should go to Annapolis and walk through the town they have all kinds of Little Stores and little restaurants.

BTW if something that you want to try has pork or bacon on it, just ask them to make it without bacon or pork. Americans love bacon, so you'll see it a lot. I think I'm the only American that does not like bacon and I regularly ask for no bacon 🤣.

Everyone will tell you something different as far as restaurants. Cheesecake factory has about everything you can imagine, including food for kids and so does Olive Garden. And both have really good food. I agree with others about going to Taco trucks for great Tacos. Ben's Chilli Bowl for chilli but my favorite is Bluestone Lane West End Cafe. I love their avocado toast.

https://g.page/bluestone-lane-dc-library?share

Welcome to DC! I would recommend using Google Maps to find places to eat that are near where you are when you get hungry. The reviews are pretty reliable, and most restaurants have a listing with their opening time, contact information, etc. Some fine dining will require a reservation, but you can eat quite well without spending a lot. However, I think that is a relative term—we are a big city and it is more expensive here as a general rule. Don’t bother eating at the museums, for instance. There are less expensive places just a five to ten minute walk away. Also, Americans are really nice! Feel free to ask anyone for their favorite restaurants nearby wherever you end up. If you don’t feel comfortable asking a stranger on the street, at whatever restaurant you end up, ask your server for other recommendations in the area. Servers also expect and often ask if you have dietary restrictions—at least at sit down restaurants. Plus most places have their menus online, too, so you can check before going. There are also plenty of restaurants from Muslim parts of the world that will not have pork—Lebanese, Turkish, Moroccan. I don’t think I have ever seen pork on an Ethiopian menu in DC, either.

Ultimately with restaurant recommendations, you can ask 10 different people and most likely get 10 different suggestions. We all have our favorites.

You have gotten a lot of absolutely fantastic recommendations so far. Another place that’s wonderful to visit and fun for kids just outside of dc - Mt. Vernon in Virginia. The home of George Washington. They do a ton of kid-friendly fall activities and festivals. They also have a boat tour of the river and you’ll be able to see the beautiful fall colors from the water.

For sims, try an e-sim if you phone supports it: https://www.tripzilla.com/esim-travel-united-states/135697.

Highly recommend the smithsonian museums, including natural history museum, native american, and Hirshorn modern art museum. All smithsonians are free.

Expect 70 degrees over 50 degrees, so chilly enough for a coat at night.

I wouldn't go so far as Baltimore for an aquarium. You could always go to the National Zoo!

Weather: you didn’t mention what part of Pakistan you are visiting from, but in general DC is likely to be colder (and New York definitely will be!). Probably around 8 degrees (Celsius) in the evening and around 10-12 during the day. But fall weather is unpredictable! Sometimes it is much warmer and other times colder. Definitely plan for some rain. And DC has a lot of walking so bring extra shoes and socks in case your feet get wet. And definitely make sure you have jackets! Layers are good since the weather can vary a lot!

SIM card: DC, Baltimore, and New York all have good network coverage so you won’t have an issue with picking a network. But most US residents are on monthly paid plans so it can be more difficult to buy a SIM card on site when you arrive (unlike other countries where it is easy to purchase one at the airport). I would suggest buying something online before you travel, then activating when you arrive. Generally I’ve heard good things about T-Mobile, Mint Mobile, Cricket, Tracphone, and Google FI. The best option will depend on how much data you think you will use - you might want to purchase a few gigs or spend more on an unlimited plan. I will say Wi-Fi is pretty widely available for free (even the Smithsonian has it!) and a lot of my friends who visit internationally don’t even bother with buying phone service because they can get by with wi-fi only. But I know it’s nice to have access to the internet, especially to look up addresses and directions!

Activities: Other posters have mentioned some great options for kids. You can also consider the Spy Museum (it has an admission fee but kids LOVE it), the Smithsonian American History Museum (free and they have great interactive kids activities), and the Smithsonian Natural History Museum (because…dinosaurs). Also check out the DC public library calendar - they do a lot of free events for kids and it is a good way to meet locals. Plus it’s something to do that doesn’t involve endless walking around the city.

If you have the opportunity to leave the city itself (are you renting a car?), consider Frying Pan Park in Fairfax - they have a farm there with lots of animals and it is a neat way to learn about some of the common farming practices on the US). It is about a 30-40 minute drive depending on where you are staying.

Some of my other personal favorite places as an adult are the Smithsonian Renwick Gallery (it focuses on crafting arts), the Smithsonian African American History Museum, and the Library of Congress (it’s a beautiful building!)

Food: You didn’t mention if you are seeking halal food, but assume you aren’t and just want to ensure you have lots of options that don’t involve alcohol or pork, there is lots to choose from. I know a lot of people have very strong opinions about food and are steering you away from chains, but there is nothing wrong with Cheesecake Factory! The decor is fun, it’s right by the White House, the food is generally pretty good, and the menu is huge. It is a very “American” experience for sure. You could also look at Founding Farmers, which has a similar menu to the restaurants you mentioned. People who are foodies will turn up their nose at this suggestions, but the food is pretty good and they have a big menu. For pizza I think the best restaurants are All-Purpose and Timber Pizza Company. For pasta, I would suggest Filomena in Georgetown (again, it is a really FUN restaurant that always has tons of decorations for the holidays - they will be decorated for Halloween in October). But there are also great restaurants that don’t focus on traditional “American” food. For example, as others mentioned, DC is well known for its Ethiopian population and has some really great Ethiopian restaurants!

Money: one more thing to mention is that the US heavily uses credit and debit cards. You can pay for almost anything using them, and very people buy things using cash. So you don’t need to worry about taking a ton of cash out of the bank unless you have a card that is going to charge you for international purchases (in which case you might want to even consider taking out cash from your bank before you leave and using it buying a prepaid US debit card to use when you arrive so you don’t have to carry around a bunch of paper money).

I could probably make about 500 other suggestions, feel free to message me if you have any more questions!

you absolutely must walk the high line in NYC, part of it ends at the hive which has become a famous landmark you may recognize.

There's a large and vibrant Pakistani American community in northern VA. Visit a mosque when you are here and you'll get a lot of recommendations :)

Shamshiry in Tysons Corner is a great Persian kabab place that is known throughout the area, but tons of +1 (360) 810-0725 all around have halal options - just look out or ask.

I thought of two more places you should go.

International Spy Museum-Very interactive for children https://www.spymuseum.org/exhibition-experiences/

National Children's Museum https://nationalchildrensmuseum.org/

Awww that’s super sweet and helpful of you to share. Will definitely look into it! Thank you so much!

Hahahahah but that’s the beauty of it !

Alrighty thanks!

Also the time to visit the zoo is first thing in the morning, or a few hours before closing. In the middle of the day, all the animals are being lazy. But in the morning/afternoon, they're active.

Hahahaha thanks!!!

I don’t think we’ll have a car. But if something works out that way I’ll definitely check these places out. Thanks!

I don’t think we’ll have a car. But if something works out that way I’ll definitely check these places out. Thanks!

I’m going to go against the crowd here and say there’s nothing wrong with trying those places - I’d do the same if I were visiting a place with chain restaurants I didn’t have at home. They’re popular for a reason. If you’re here for two weeks, you have plenty of time to try those AND some better local restaurants

Go to Lapis for a great meal

Popeye's biscuits are delicious but as dry as the Sahara. If you go for them--and you should--make sure you have a big drink on hand.

Edit: and the Baltimore aquarium is absolutely worth the trip.

Hahahahha thank you for telling me that! If I get the chance, I’ll make sure I have a drink on hand.

What is your food budget? DC and Maryland are big on seafood, and in particular, crabs. 2 places that I would recommend in particular are:

BlackSalt (202) 342-9101 https://maps.app.goo.gl/REHWNp1VSpKcQMsH8

Ivy City Smokehouse (202) 529-3300 https://maps.app.goo.gl/hwWtAbvLvcVH4i3E9

I understand your desire to try the stereotypical places that you mentioned, but for the same price, you can get some significantly better food.

If you would like some good cheap mexican food, try Bandit Taco (202) 609-8127 https://maps.app.goo.gl/QnHSKd485WZdZc5N7 (they also have a place off Wisconsin Ave in Tenleytown).

For Pizza, another good option is Pete's New Haven Style Pizza (202) 237-7383 https://maps.app.goo.gl/3sYATjtfP9JTH8JJA

Stay away from the Pentagon /s

If you want a more local food experience go maybe to union market, bunch of casual places. Or check out H st NE?

Also as a Muslim I can tell you, you basically never have to worry about places that have pork as their main staple. I'm sure they exist but it's nothing to worry about.

Though it's hard giving recommendations without knowing more of what you want.

Also because you'll be here in fall and have time maybe check out some more scenic places out of the city like Shenandoah national park or Harper's ferry WV.

Yelp and Google are good to use for DC when it comes to restaurants. TripAdvisor is good for the places to visit. Also you can Uber everywhere in DC if you’re not going to take the Metro.

Hello, I'm in Baltimore.

The aquarium is great.

Also, check out the Visionary Arts Museum.

Also, this guide

For food, you could try NuVegan Cafe. They serve vegan soul food and, since they are all-vegan, there is no concern about pork and everything should be halal. Plus, the food is delicious.

I don't know which museums you are planning to visit, but I highly recommend the Smithsonian American Art Museum. It is a few blocks away from the National Mall and the majority of the museums but it is a wonderful museum with many gorgeous and fascinating pieces.

If you are going to the Museum of the American Indian, they have a great cafe downstairs that serves Indigenous foods from all over the Americas.

Since I saw you mention in another comment that you will be visiting in mid-October, I do recommend bringing jackets and clothes for cooler weather, wind, and rain, as well as clothes you would be comfortable in if the weather is moderate (24 degrees C or a little warmer isn't unheard of at this time of year).

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

The one in DC reopens Oct 14.

I just wanted to make sure you know, since you said that you want to avoid pork and wine, that many of the restaurants you've mentioned are not necessarily going to serve halal meat, if that is a concern. Some desserts may be made with alcohol, as well. You may wish to call ahead and check if this is important to you.

Thank you so much for informing me of that. Yes I’m assuming that not every place will have halal meat. I’ll definitely keep that in mind.

Thank you so much. So sweet of you for the recommendations. I will definitely keep the weather in mind and will definitely keep some considerarte options. Thank you once again for the well wishes.

THANK YOU!!

That’s good to know thanks!

Thank you so much! Good to know about the scenic places and that I won’t have to worry about pork.

Will definitely keep your recommendations in mind!

Okay. May I ask why?

I don’t really have a budget as yet. Maybe I should make one? Thank you for the recommendations though! Will definitely try these out if I get the chance! And I would absolutely love to try crab!

Okay!!

Haha aww thanks!I’ll definitely be trying the local cuisine as well but I would love to try the things I’ve seen growing up too!!

Thank you! That’s really helpful!

Awww heyyy thanks!

Well that’s good to hear! Thank you so much! Will definitely be visiting Tyson’s Corner. I’ve heard so much about it!

Sounds awesome! If I visit, I’ll definitely try to do that!

> I would definitely take the kids to Baltimore Aquarium

And also right on the Inner Harbor, just a 10 minute walk away, is the Maryland Science Center, great for kids and which my then five-year old nephew absolutely loved.
https://www.mdsci.org/

YOU ARE AN ABSOLUTE GEM! THANK YOU SO MUCH! This is all wonderful advice and great recommendations. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for all these places. I’ll even try to get some early bookings. Thank you for the food recommendations! And the money advice is super helpful. That didn’t even cross my mind. I’ll definitely try the cards. Thank you so much.

Thank you!

This is very exciting and welcome! Would you consider posting updates about your trip when you get here? I would love to read them.

Re: food — of course try the “American” style restaurants, definitely worth doing once, but skip the Cheesecake Factory.

However, DC is known for amazing international food. This sub will have many good recommendations if you search.

One of my favorites is Little Serrow which serves northern style Thai food. Fixed menu. Spicy. Not sure about pork.

A second favorite is Maydan. Mediterranean-esque. Extremely good.

Yes I’ve been seeing that a lot on Google recommendations. I’ll definitely try to visit! Thank you so much!

Thank you! Your advice is very helpful. I’ll keep it in mind!

Thank you so much!

Thank you!

Here is a great list of ethnic restaurants: https://tylercowensethnicdiningguide.com/

That sounds like a really smart thing. I’ll get on that as well. Hahaha alright! I’ll look into the scooters. I’ll definitely try to catch a game in the stadium. Thank you so much.

Happy to help! I hope you have a great trip!

Hence why I never told OP not to go there, just to be aware of what the food will be like lest she think the food is going to be amazing or high quality because America = rich.

Security is strict there to everyone. The aquarium would be a more favorable place. lol

Thank you so much! Oh yes absolutely! I would love to share updates about my trip! Hahaha alright! Thank you for the food recommendations! Will definitely keep an eye out for these!

Thank you so much!

Visiting DC from Pakistan

I’ll be visiting DC from Pakistan, along with my husband and 5 year old son. I’ll be staying for about two weeks. I plan on visiting the museums, and definitely a few shopping favourites that I know I wanna check out. What else would you guys suggest I check out? And which network sim would be a good option so that I have data when going to all the different places? Any food suggestions, especially about places that don’t focus on wine and pork are welcome. What’s the weather like too? Jackets? Sweaters? Any and all suggestions are welcome. This will be my first time on an international trip. I would like to make the most of it. Also open for activities we can do as a family. Is the Maryland National Aquarium worth visiting?

Thank you so much!

Alright thanks!

Seconding the point about carriers. If you're staying in urban/suburban areas, go with the cheapest option that meets your needs, they will all work great, including in underground Metro stations. If you're heading out to explore rural or wilderness areas, probably go with Verizon if you need coverage.

Also, shoehorning this in here as a Baltimore resident, yes the National Aquarium is fantastic. Go during work/school hours to avoid crowding. You can take the MARC train from Washington Union station to Camden Yards for $9, and it's about a 15-minute walk from there. Just know that MARC is commuter-focused and doesn't run much in the middle of the day, so make sure to factor that limited schedule into your plans.

Thank you so very much! That’s very helpful! Will definitely keep that in mind!

[deleted]

Thank you so much! This is sooooo helpful! And this puts so much of my anxieties to rest! I’ll definitely see if that’s something I can do!

I hope you all enjoy your visit!

Thank you so much!