I lived in the DC area for a couple of years. Here are some tips.
1. The weather is never nice. If you go in the summer, get out early if you plan to be outside. As in leave your hotel at 8 am so you can go back in the early afternoon to escape the heat and humidity. Go back out after 7pm. The weather forecast can be deceiving. 30 Celsius there does not feel like 30 Celsius in Calgary.
2. The touristy stuff is actually great. Don't try to avoid it. The Air and Space museum in downtown is cool, but the one by Dulles airport will blow your mind. Since you're flying in and out of there, I highly recommend it.
3. Don't sleep on visiting Northern Virginia. Old Town Alexandria is literally identical to Georgetown in so many ways, but much more approachable with less crowds. Similarly, Clarendon in Arlington is a great area for a night out.
4. For cool neighbourhoods, what's been mentioned is great. I would also add, 14th street and the Navy Yards. Go watch a baseball or soccer game and just wander around the Neghbourhood.
5. Try to take the metro everywhere.
6. There are extremely sketchy areas in DC. If you end up somewhere that doesn't feel right, just turn around and get out.
7. The drivers all act like they're OK with dying. If you drive, be extremely careful.
8. Annapolis is incredibly cool and is worth the 45 minute drive. Baltimore, however, is not.
9. Go to Quarterdeck in Arlington and eat all the crabs. It's going to be extremely messy, but very worth it. With that said, the crab cakes in the area are all incredible if you don't want to Crack open crabs yourself.
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