I’m Anna, Kogod’s Communications Manager, and I’ve spent the past 15 years living both on AU’s campus and in the surrounding neighborhoods. I’m a Double Eagle—I earned both my BA and MFA from American University—and have worked at Kogod for the past seven years. I recently moved back to New York, and before I left, I put together my perfect walkable weekend around campus, filled with the places I find myself returning to again and again.
When I get off the Amtrak from NYC at Union Station, I hop right on the Metro’s Red Line and ride straight to the Tenleytown-AU stop. No transfers—just sit back, listen to some music, and get ready for a fun night out in DC. (The Metro ride usually takes less than 20 minutes!)
Once in Tenleytown, you’re super close to campus. You can walk from the Metro to AU, passing several embassies along the way, or take the free AU shuttle which runs until 11:30 p.m. ET daily (I find this easiest if you're traveling with luggage).
After dropping my bags, it’s time to head down the street for dinner. My two go-to spots are 2Amy’s, a neighborhood staple known for its Neapolitan-style pizza, or Raku, a sushi restaurant just around the corner that's rumored to be an Obama family favorite.
After dinner, I'd take a leisurely stroll through the neighborhood before heading back to my hotel. The Cathedral Heights and Tenleytown areas are some of my favorite parts of DC—quiet, tree-lined, and full of beautiful homes that make you forget you're in a major city. It's the perfect way to ease into the weekend.
Once settled in where you’re staying, order some Captain Cookie & the Milk Man for delivery. Who doesn’t love a midnight snack? They have gluten free options, too!
My favorite way to start a weekend morning is to walk over to the Washington National Cathedral. On the property is a café called Open City; grab a coffee and enjoy the surrounding gardens before exploring the Cathedral grounds. If you go into the gift shop, they have a Lego rendition of the Cathedral and its grounds—super cool! Side quest: See if you can spot the famous Darth Vader gargoyle carved into the Cathedral’s northwest tower.
Continue down Wisconsin Avenue (or grab a scooter) to YELLOW in Georgetown. This café serves Middle Eastern-inspired coffee, wood-fired pitas, and soft serve in flavors like tahini oat and brown butter pistachio.
Take your soft serve for a walk down the street and stop into Shop Made in DC. This boutique features products from local artists and makers, and it's one of my favorite places to pick up unique gifts, stickers, or postcards that are easy to pack in your suitcase.
With your Shop Made in DC goodies in tow, wander through the neighborhood toward my favorite place in Washington: the Gardens at Dumbarton Oaks. Whether you spend 30 minutes or three hours here, it's one of the city's most peaceful hidden gems.
From there, continue through Georgetown to Morgan's Pharmacy. DC's second-oldest pharmacy feels more like a vintage general store than a drugstore. I'd grab a cold drink, browse the shelves, and see what unexpected treasures I could find. Fun fact #1: I once got my COVID and flu vaccines here, and it was by far the most charming pharmacy visit I've ever had.
Grab a scooter or bike and head back toward campus for a stop at Politics and Prose, my other favorite place in DC. It's an iconic shop that’s been open since 1984, but it’s so much more than a bookstore; I can lose hours wandering the shelves, browsing staff picks, and finding my next read. If you’re into poetry readings and author greetings, check their upcoming events to see what’s happening while you’re in town.
Just a few doors down from Politics and Prose is Buck's Fishing & Camping, one of my favorite dinner spots. Afterward, walk toward Comet Ping Pong. They serve great pizza, but you’ll be full from dinner, so head to the back to grab a drink and challenge your friends to a few rounds of ping pong. Their house-made tiramisu is also a local favorite.
Start your day at Call Your Mother, DC's beloved bagel shop. There are two locations near campus, making it an easy breakfast stop before heading to one of the city's biggest attractions: the Smithsonian National Zoo.
The zoo is free to visit (just remember to reserve timed-entry passes in advance), and with the return of the giant pandas, it's become an even bigger must-see. I could spend hours wandering the exhibits, but I'd definitely make seeing the pandas my first stop. Pass by the elephants on your way to the giant cats. Fun fact #2: You can hear them roar from the row homes in the area!
After the zoo, grab a scooter down to the Georgetown Waterfront and catch the 30-minute water taxi to the Wharf. Spend the afternoon walking along the waterfront, popping into local shops, and taking in the views of the Potomac. If you still haven't had your fill of local shopping, you'll find another Shop Made in DC and Politics and Prose here, along with plenty of places to relax by the water.
Grab dinner at Jessie Taylor Seafood for fresh, locally caught seafood, then wander along the waterfront. If the weather's nice, roast s'mores around one of the fire pits, or check who's playing at The Anthem. I've seen everyone from Billie Eilish and Lorde to up-and-coming artists there, and it's one the best concert venues in the city.
Before heading home, take one last adventure. Grab a scooter or bike from the Wharf and make your way toward the National Mall to see the monuments illuminated at night. It's one of those experiences that never gets old, no matter how long you've lived in DC. From there, hop on the Metro back toward Union Station or Tenleytown, depending on where your journey takes you next.
By the end of the weekend, you'll have wandered through historic neighborhoods, discovered hidden gardens, met the pandas, eaten some incredible food, and hopefully fallen in love with the corner of DC that I was lucky enough to call home for 15 years.