Around Washington, D.C

Hi everyone, my name is Ashley and I blog over at Ashley in DC. I am excited about being here and blogging about the town I live in, Washington, D.C.

I've been living in DC for just over a year.  I moved from the Northeastern PA area and work in the Internet marketing industry and blog in my spare time. I also do a bit of photography on the side. I live with my boyfriend, Trevor, and we have 2 cats, Lola and Owen.

What do you like to do for fun (hobbies)? I love taking photos, blogging, reading others' blogs, trying new restaurants, traveling, cooking, shopping.  I actually keep a 'DC Bucket List', where we keep a running tab of all the things we would like to do and mark them off as we do them... restaurants to try, museums and festivals to go to, shows to see, rooftop bars to have a drink at... that kind of thing.

Why did you move to D.C? I moved here after taking a new job in the Internet marketing industry... my boyfriend had been living in Annapolis for a year or so at the time, and when I took the job, we moved in together in DC.  I already knew I loved DC; since I have family in the area, I've been visiting for years.

What is one thing you love about D.C? The diversity! I love being able to walk out the door and have so much culture at my fingertips... from the food, to the museums, to the embassies, to the vast array of residents of different nationalities... it's nice to be able to experience so many different cultures and viewpoints.

Where is your go-to dinner spot in the city? I can't possibly choose just one! Some favorites include Il Canale in Georgetown, Graffiato and Zaytinya in Chinatown, Sette and Lauriol in Dupont Circle and 

Malaysia Kopitiam in Golden Triangle (a hole-in-the-wall type place with some of the best roti canai!).

What is a cheap date idea in DC? DC is a great city for cheap date ideas, mainly because there are so many free things to do.  Since we're in December, I'd recommend dinner and ice skating at the National Gallery of Art's sculpture garden. In the warmer months, try Jazz In the Garden or pack a picnic basket of snacks and hang out on the National Mall during one of the many free outdoor concerts held in that area.

Best Saturday activity? Waking up without an alarm clock, brunch at Ted's Bulletin and a walk
around Capitol Hill and/or Eastern Market.

What is something that people don't know about D.C?  I think people typically equate D.C. with the government and the Washington Monument, and that's it. There is so much more to the city! We have some of the best restaurants in the country, great shopping (not to mention a great network of fashion/style/beauty bloggers), beautiful Rock Creek Park, a slew of free museums and monuments, performance arts... the list goes on! Something very cool that goes on here is Passport DC, where the embassies open up to the public and host tours, open houses, festivals, etc.  It's a great way to experience other countries without ever leaving DC.

Where is your favorite place to take pictures? I'd have to say the tidal basin during cherry blossom season, the National Mall at night, P.O.V. at the W Hotel and Capitol Hill in the spring and fall.

D.C is one of my favorite cities. I was so excited to have Ashley guest post and share her insights and recommendations about what to do, see, and eat in D.C. Plus, Ashley does an amazing job at showing it off with her photographs. Her pictures seem to capture the city perfectly. Go check her blog out here. and her photography site here. 


'Around your town' is a feature that will be published once a week. If you would like to feature your town, please email me katrinanbrooks@hotmail.com