If the problem is “the Metro is so packed with tourists” who have come to town, bringing tourism $ with them (on Metro, nonetheless!)… wow, what a great problem to have! Edit: TBC, I know you didn’t say this is a problem as such, OP.

Duke Ellington. Without question the most influential musician/composer this city has ever produced. The only reason he would not be in this list is that he moved to New York to pursue his music career very, very early (before he was known outside of DC).

Liberty and Whitetail are the two closest by far. It would be somewhat pricey to Uber/Lyft to Liberty, the closer of the two. I just checked prices from Shady Grove (end of the Red Line) and Frederick (an end of the MARC Brunswick Line) and the prices were about $50-60 one way.

It’s valid. You know because of the expiration date (/s)

Ok-Egg is talking about Larry Craig.

There’s a Reddit group called r/dmvbikepackers that plans weekend bikepacking/bike touring outings on the C&O canal. The canal connects to the Great Allegheny Passage, which goes all the way to Pittsburgh. You do need the right equipment for this, however. (Bikepacking bags or racks and panniers, ultralighting equipment instead of car camping equipment, etc.). The C&O and connecting Great Allegheny Passage are nationally famous for bikepacking. Other than that, Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah National Park, and Assateague Island are all also famous, local camping/outdoors destinations.

Several friends and colleagues at white collar professional services firms or government contacting have sleeves or many visible tattoos. They don’t hide them in summer and no one cares (including clients). It’s 2022 on the east coast too :)