This is my best advice for making the most out of your time in Washington D.C., outside of work. Before coming, I was worried about making time for the things I enjoy and seeing new things on top of working full-time. I found out quickly after moving to D.C. that I was going to need to find activities during the week to break up the workdays. Here are my recommendations!
Be Active
There are many ways to stay active in the evenings after work or mornings before work. The apartment has a gym and yoga studio, which aren’t the fanciest in the world, but they get the job done. Personally, I signed up to run a half-marathon a week from today. This has forced me to get out in the evenings after work to take a jog, find new trails, and even run to the monuments. I’m not saying you have to do something as extreme as running a half-marathon may seem but do something! Mount Vernon trail has been a staple in doing this. I recommend Gravely Point. You can run, walk, or bike. it has a great view of the planes taking off over you!
Museums and Monuments
You’ll want to plan your museum trips as best as possible! Some close early, some close later, so I recommend deciding how to best fit the ones you’d like to see. Definitely make time for the National Zoo, it is free, and they have pandas! You may get off work early some days, or not have work, I recommend using that time to adventure museums instead of going home! Lastly, go see the monuments at night!
Dinner and TV
Our apartment has really enjoyed cooking and eating meals together. Some of us have also started TV show series. This has given us time together to do something relaxing & more restful than going out to do something. We also have an obsession with getting a sweet treat in the evenings. Whether it is Ice cream from Cold Stone and Chick-Fil-A or an apple pie from McDonalds, those trips hold some of my favorite memories. Whatever makes every day a little different, do it!
Emalee Burt
Office of Congressman Tony Gonzales
Washington, D.C. | summer 2023