Guests normally expertise the nation’s capital as a metropolis of marble and granite — all monuments, memorials, museums, and grand buildings. It’s simple to overlook that the District of Columbia was established as a waterfront metropolis, its location chosen partly for its beneficiant publicity to the Potomac River, offering an 18th-century gateway to the world. 

Now you’ll be able to join with in the present day’s capital waterfront once more, on the D.C. Wharf — a 5-year-old waterside neighborhood and leisure zone bursting with alternatives for vacationers. It’s an excellent place to spend half a day of your D.C. journey, or get well after an extended afternoon of all that marble and granite. You may keep in a single day in one in every of 4 lodges and spend a weekend water taxiing to and from D.C.’s monumental core and different neighborhoods. 

The Wharf options some actually nice eating places — it would quickly be residence to a Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen, solely his third within the U.S. It has a small handful of attention-grabbing one-off retailers, a few of the greatest rooftop views in — and of — town, alternatives to get out on the water, three music venues, and a strollable mile-long promenade. All this has been developed round an open-air fish market stated to be the oldest in steady operation within the U.S. 

My spouse and I’ve been to The Wharf many instances. In no specific order, listed below are my seven highlights:

1. Potomac Distilling Firm & Tiki TNT

You may’t miss Potomac Distilling Firm & Tiki TNT bar, and shouldn’t. Its brick smokestack anchors one finish of the dock. Todd Thrasher, one of many capital’s most awarded mixologists, makes his Thrasher’s Rum right here — and monetizes it at a rousing three-story tiki bar that’s a social middle of The Wharf. 

The tiki drinks are genuine, made out of historic recipes, befitting Thrasher’s cocktail-master background. If it’s close to the top of the day, attempt a Ache Killer, whose title suggests its powers. 

Professional Tip: You are able to do an $18 tour and tasting on the rum distillery each Tuesday by means of Saturday. Make reservations if you wish to go on the weekend. 

2. Stay Music

An enormous, retro-styled marquee for The Anthem, a venue for large nationwide acts, looms over one a part of the waterfront dock. However the smaller Union Stage options all kinds of artists with admission beginning at $20, with higher seats hovering round $100+. The much more intimate Pearl Road Warehouse showcases up-and-comers. Some exhibits are free; some are within the $15 to $30 vary. 

Professional Tip: You may usually simply stroll in, particularly at Pearl Road, however some exhibits promote out. Purchase early to make certain. 

3. Stroll Alongside The Potomac

Simply strolling the waterfront is a type of modest leisure. You’ll see extra boats than you’ll be able to depend, a couple of small environmental installations supporting the Potomac’s ecosystem, a pier with a sinuous sculptural hearth cone on the finish, and, generally, yachts of alarming dimensions. 

At Camp Wharf on the Firepit, a classic Airstream seasonally dispenses kits of graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate that you just convert into s’mores on the adjoining firepit. 

However my favourite sights, oddly, are the large swings, their bases as huge as park benches. Go forward and climb on, pump slowly, and glide. You’ll really feel downright childlike. In the very best sense of that phrase. 

Professional Tip: The floor of The Wharf’s promenade is a mixture of scalloped brickwork, cobblestone, and picket dock. Put on acceptable footwear. 

4. Kayak, Cruise, Or Tour On The Potomac

Relying in your preferences for bodily exercise, there are a handful of the way to benefit from the river itself. You may kayak, paddling so far as the monuments if you want. Or you’ll be able to organize a luxe riverboat dinner tour. 

However a low-key, low-cost ($15) possibility is to take a monuments tour by water taxi, the place you’ll see the most important highlights from afar and may hop on and off at Georgetown or Alexandria, Virginia, two close by riverfront neighborhoods value exploring. 

Professional Tip: Taking any of the cruises at sunset or nighttime amplifies the sweetness and affect of the D.C. skyline. 

5. D.C. Wharf Eating places

Meals is in all places at The Wharf. You’ll discover some worthy informal locations for oysters, burgers, tacos, and extra. However in case you’re feeling flush and on the lookout for a memorable eating expertise, goal one of many eating places that symbolize a few of the greatest you’ll discover within the D.C. space.

Professional Tip: Except you’ve made reservations months upfront, Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen gained’t be in your to-do record. However the British dangerous boy quickly brings a fish and chips restaurant to The Wharf. Each had been anticipated to open in late 2022, so test on-line as you propose your go to.

Within the meantime, my prime suggestions:

Mi Vida

The Mexican Mi Vida immediately gained a spot on the D.C. must-eat record when it opened at The Wharf. The dishes, created by Roberto Santibanez, proprietor of New York’s Fonda eating places and a worldwide Mexican meals ambassador, are “cheffy” in a method you don’t anticipate from Mexican home-style cooking and avenue meals. 

The Salmon con Calabacitas, baked in adobe, served in a pool of adobo and pepper sauce, and topped with a crown of sizzling pineapple pico, is spectacular — my high-foodie brother who eats at effective eating places internationally proclaimed it the very best salmon he’s ever had. The tuna ceviche was the very best I’d had. The tacos are artistic and popping with flavors. And the bar seems some cocktails to recollect: The Mez-Cranium mixes amongst different issues mezcal and Inexperienced Chartreuse, and is served in, sure, a glass cranium. 

Del Mar

The Michelin-starred native chef and restaurateur Fabio Trabocchi helms Del Mar, whose cooking pays tribute to the Spanish Mediterranean. Swing by for a tapas lunch, and also you’ll pattern scrumptious meals and escape with out a lot injury to your bank card. Or the three-course Chef’s Expertise prices underneath $30 per particular person. 

Night meals right here, which have obtained lavish evaluations, are an funding in eating recollections. As an illustration, in case you’re with a bunch, the menu lately included a shared 40 oz. (!) Canary Islands Branzino (upward of $200, serves six). A Bavette steak serves one for slightly below $60. 

Officina

Officina, headed by one other Michelin recipient, Nicholas Stefanelli, presents three tales of Italian experiences: A restaurant, a trattoria, and a terrazza — the final an open-air terrace that yields nice views of The Wharf and surrounding areas. It’s bought firepits and beautiful little semi-private settings. 

My spouse and I spent one late afternoon lounging on the couches with buddies, sampling obscure Italian wines and nibbling antipasti. The meals was wonderful, the costs average, the vibe casual. Word: Hours is usually a maddening problem, with the cafe, trattoria, and terrace opening at totally different instances. Test the web site for particulars. 

Professional Tip: The Wharf’s Section 2, as a result of open in late fall 2022, will drastically increase The Wharf. Along with Ramsay’s place, anticipate no less than yet another from a Michelin-starred chef. 

6. Cocktails With A View

I discussed the views at Officina’s third-story terrace. However you’ll be able to rating extra sweeping prospects of The Wharf and elements of the nation’s capital from no less than two greater perches — and this was earlier than Section 2 opened, the place extra promontories had been promised. I can’t suggest both for the meals, so simply go for a drink — of the drinks and the view. 

• Whiskey Charlie, on the tenth flooring of the Cover by Hilton lodge, presents 360-degree views, which means you’ll be able to see your entire D.C. skyline in panorama: the most important monuments, Arlington Cemetery, the Capitol, the White Home, the Library of Congress, Alexandria, Memorial Bridge. You may spin all night time and get a distinct view. 
• 12 Tales, on the Intercontinental Resort, is a clubby bar providing views from — look ahead to it — 12 tales up. The views face the water and sweep 180 levels, permitting views of the Nationwide Mall and a few monuments. It’s bought floor-to-ceiling home windows for intemperate climate.

Professional Tip: Most of The Wharf’s excessive locations tackle Instagram-beautiful-people vibes after 9 p.m. If that’s not for you, head to one of many many Wharf redoubts nearer to the bottom. 

7. The Municipal Fish Market

You’ll have skilled the Municipal Fish Market from the moment your footwear hit the cobblestone. The smells of a working dock, the place some seafood arrives on boats from the Chesapeake Bay, are immediately recognizable. This isn’t a nasty factor. The market provides some historic waterborne gravitas to a neighborhood nonetheless in its shiny youth. 

Recent fish, mussels, clams, and naturally reside Chesapeake Bay blue crabs, the important regional specialty, are unfold on thick beds of ice. It’s value simply shopping the stuff. Perhaps you’ll see small headless sharks. Or a rockfish so long as your arm. Or veteran fishmongers gutting, scaling, and fileting. 

Professional Tip: For a snack or inexpensive meal, choose your favourite and order it steamed or fried, served in a carry-away container with wedges of lemon and sauces. Go elsewhere for sides. Fortunately, a Shake Shack is a couple of steps away. And avenue tacos. Noodles. Pizza. Did I point out s’mores?

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