If you’re here for a few extra days:
The National Zoo – (website) Jeff spent years volunteering here – check out the small mammal house. And say hi to Mike or Kenton if you see them.
Mount Vernon – (website) Enjoy a drive down the Potomac River and enjoy a little VA history.
Hiking in the Shenandoah – (website) More amazing hikes than we can list here. Old Rag is popular but a favorite. Casey and Jeff just hiked it for the first time together in April. It’s amazing. But it’s about 100 minutes outside DC.
Hiking on the Billy Goat Trail – (website) If you want a hike that is a little closer to town – try this one with great views along the Potomac River.
Great Falls Park – (website) Lots of easy walking and overlooks of the river and falls. You can usually see lots of river kayakers if the water is high enough!
Smithsonian Museums – (website) 
The list is long and the best thing is these museums are all FREE! Casey and Jeff’s first date was at the National Gallery so we recommend strolling through there. You can’t go wrong with stops at American History, Natural History, and Air & Space. The US Botanic Garden is another of our favorites and always a lot less crowded.
If you’re flying in Friday and leaving Sunday
(aka – what can you squeeze in between awesome wedding events)
Iwo Jima – (website) This memorial is on the VA side of the river. Great views of the city and Arlington National Cemetery.
Roosevelt Island – (website) If you want to get outside, this island is close and in the shade. Plenty of flat walking and a memorial to Teddy Roosevelt!
Politics – The Government teacher in Casey suggests you head to the other end of the Washington Mall and walk around the US Capitol and the Supreme Court. You can also pop in and see some famous old documents at the National Archives if you really want to nerd out.
Cleveland Park Bar and Grill – (website) Stop by for a drink and a game at Jeff’s home away from home. Their Pizza is some of the best in the city. (Jeff says: get the pizza claudia and add a fried egg)
The DC Memorials – (website) Whether you’re driving or metro-ing head downtown and check out the monuments that make the DC skyline. The Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Vietnam Memorial, and Korean Memorial are all relatively close to one another. Jefferson Memorial, MLK Monument, and the FDR Memorial are all walkable as well. As you can see at the link above, there are a lot of them!
Have breakfast, brunch, or lunch at one of the many great restaurants in Courthouse, Clarendon, or Ballston. We’ll give you specific recommendations when you check in to your hotel so you know what is close to you, or see below.
Some Places to Eat, Drink and be Merry:
Virginia:
Near Ballston:
Rustico – (website) This restaurant/bar has a great beer selection and excellent pizza! Casey likes their brunch too!
Kapnos – (website) This new Mike Isabella restaurant is an upscale option for dinner. We recommend the swordfish skewers and the brussels sprout.
Carpool – (website) Good local sports bar – Casey’s watched many Michigan games there!
Near Clarendon:
Screwtop – (website) Jeff’s favorite restaurant in Arlington. And where we ate the night they got engaged.
Fuego – (website) Feeling like a margarita and some tacos? The best margaritas in Arlington can be found here. Oh, and the food is pretty darn good too. Try the habanero tequila if you’re feeling adventurous.
Whitlows – (website) Classic Arlington establishment for cheap beer and good bar food.
Cava – (website) Upscale small plates that are pricey but delicious.
El Charrito – (website) The best burritos in the universe. And they’re only 5 dollars.
Near Courthouse:
Arlington Rooftop Bar and Grill – (website) The roof deck is one of the best in Arlington. Perfect for a late night drink after a wedding reception. If you meet one of the owners tell them Jeff & Casey sent you.
Rays the steaks – (website) Classic DC steakhouse.
Pho 75 – (website) Jeff’s favorite food in the entire universe. Vietnamese noodles. Cheap, filling and delicious. You can not go wrong here.
Fireworks Pizza – (website)
DC:
Cleveland Park Bar and Grill – (see above)
Rasika – (website) One of the highest rated restaurants in the DC area. Far and away the best Indian restaurant. Eat here and you will leave full and happy.
2Amys – (website) DC’s highest rated pizza place. The waits can be long for dinner, so we suggest you stop by for lunch! It’s also only 2 blocks from Jeff’s old condo.
Spices – (website) Our favorite sushi place in the DC area. But you may be sushi’d out after the wedding reception.