JAD867

My daughter and I prefer living like locals and doing OBP stuff rather than museums. We will be in DC for the 8th and 9th of July (Friday and Saturday) and would love some ideas for quite shopping districts that are less touristy, cute cafes, good food that is in a cool environment, etc. Live music venues would be great to know about as well.

Thanks!

sf7307

Hang out in Dupont Circle or Adams Morgan and on 14th Street between, say, P and V Streets.

gardendiva

Old Town Alexandria may be an option. It may be a bit touristy during the day but quieter at night.

NewbE

Both excellent pieces of advice, I second them. Try to visit the huge farmer's market on Saturdays in Dupont Circle, and Eastern Market on Capitol Hill (open every day), especially for breakfast.

sf7307

I also second NewbE's suggestions. The Dupont Circle farmers market is fabulous.

obxgirl

Concur that Dupont Circle market is lovely, but it's Sunday, not Saturday.

I don't think of DC as a city with shopping districts but you've been given great suggestions for neighborhoods to explore. Saturday is an excellent day for Eastern Market on Capitol Hill with the food market, farmers market and either (can't recall) arts & crafts or vintage & antiques. Lots of good bistro's and restaurants.

Union Market and the NE H Street corridor of shops but mostly restaurants are definitely OBP for tourists.

Look at the Washington Post's Going Out Guide (in the Friday edition) for not touristy things to do that will be locally attended. Including Arlington and the the previously mentioned Alexandria. Old Town is a good collection of one off shops and restaurants in a pretty & historic setting. There are some of the usual upscale chains but also a lot of unique bits to see beyond that. Same with Georgetown.

NewbE

Thanks for the correction!

Georgetown has lovely streets to stroll (weather permitting) beyond the shopping streets. Dumbarton Oaks is pretty OBP for most tourists, Tudor House even more so, both well worth visiting.

Landseaair

The Kennedy Center puts on a free concert every night of the year at 6 pm.
All types of music are represented, just check the schedule to see who will be there during your visit.
We were in DC two weeks ago. We had arranged a few tours through our Senators' office. They were the ones who suggested going on a tour of the Kennedy Center at 4:30, then staying for the 6 pm free concert.
You wouldn't have to do the tour, (we enjoyed it, though) but you could just show up for the concert.
I had also researched the Friday night concerts performed by the U.S. Air Force Band at the Air Force Memorial.
You can see their schedule here:
http://dc.about.com/od/concerts/a/militarybandcon.htm
Ultimately we didn't have time for that concert but it's on the list for next time!

JAD867

Thank you all so much! Can't wait!