Like a Local

If you want to "go native" and get a sense for Washington as the locals know it, try these experiences.

Happy Hour on the Hill

At 6 PM on a weekday evening, bars in D.C. are hopping like it's Saturday night. The happy hour culture here is strong, as government employees, lawyers, and other city workers unwind or network over half-price beers, rail drinks, and pub grub. For the quintessential D.C. happy hour experience, throw on something business casual and head to the Hill -- no one will know you're not a Congressional staffer.

Shop at an Outdoor Market

Instead of sleeping in on a Saturday morning, grab your trusty mesh bag and a wad of cash and head to one of D.C.'s outdoor markets. Although the most well-known venue, Eastern Market on Capitol Hill, lost its main building in a 2007 fire, residents still come here to buy fresh produce, flowers, and handmade crafts at the open-air section of the market. The Dupont Circle farmers' market and Georgetown flea market are also popular with residents.

Dine on Ethiopian Food

The District's many Ethiopian expats have introduced the community to their unique African cooking. The best restaurants, such as Dukem and Meskerem, are in the U Street and Adams-Morgan neighborhoods. Meat and vegetarian dishes are ladled onto a large round of spongy injera bread, and diners eat with their hands, ripping off pieces of bread to scoop up the delectable stews. Where else can you play with your food in public?

Go for a Bike Ride

Your typical Mall-and-monuments tourist may not know that D.C. is home to several great bike trails. The Capitol Crescent Trail and Rock Creek Trail are popular routes between D.C. and Maryland. For hard-core bikers, the Custis Trail in Arlington links D.C. to the 45-mi W&OD trail in Virginia. On a warm, sunny day, expect to find the paths bustling with cyclists, rollerbladers, and strollers.

Hang Out on U Street

You won't find many tourists in the U Street neighborhood, and many locals have only recently discovered the area. During the day, browse through the unique boutiques that line 14th and U Streets NW, or read the Washington CityPaper at one of the many cafés. In the evening, select from trendy or ethnic restaurants, hang out at a local bar like the Chi Cha Lounge, or catch live music at the 930 Club or Bohemian Caverns.

Catch a Flick

A typical Saturday night's dinner and a movie gets a little more exciting in D.C. The art deco Uptown Theater in Cleveland Park is an old-school movie house with the largest screen in town. The American City Diner farther up Connecticut Avenue shows movie classics from the '40s through '60s while customers chow down on diner fare. If you'd prefer beer and pizza, you can order both while watching second-run movies at the Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse in Virginia. For classics and art films, head to the American Film Institute Silver Theatre in Silver Spring, Maryland.