America’s capital has a ‘perception problem’, but it’s not all politics and MAGA hats

Across the US, the ‘Trump Slump’ has hit tourism hard (Picture: Kristina Beanland) I’ve only been in Washington DC for a few hours, and the welcome isn’t warm, it’s positively toasty. The solo diner to my left has given me her number (‘If you need any recommendations, just ask’), and the barman is sharing stories of his time in the UK (‘I love how gay Bristol is’). And no, there aren’t two DCs. This is the American capital, epicentre of US politics and home to Donald Trump. The US has had a big month: the World Cup and a 250th birthday. But still, the rest of the world isn’t joining in a chorus of the Star Spangled Banner. While there was a global rise in international tourism last year, the US saw a 6% dip. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Dubbed the ‘Trump Slump’, some say they are staying away as an act of political defiance, while others are scared to visit, citing concerns over strict border security, ICE, and the National Guard on the streets. I can understand why. The first time I saw soldiers strutting along a residential street, I wasn’t sure what to do with myself. Keep walking? Show them my passport? ‘ICE out’ signs are everywhere on DC streets (Picture: Kristina Beanland) Every local I met was quick to share their political leanings. You get the sense that this is a city trying to prove to outsiders that, while they might have a bombastic President at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, this is not a city where people walk around wearing MAGA hats (I only saw one, on a child at the Lincoln Memorial), and there are signs declaring ‘ICE Out’ in many front yards. Trump’s presence is certainly felt, in the billowing posters of his face on government buildings, the construction work outside the White House, and yes, the military green patrolling the pavements. It makes the situation even more difficult for DC, a city that already has, as the tourism board calls it, a ‘perception problem.’ But from the moment I arrived in the US capital, it surprised me. Win a luxurious stay for two at London hotel The Gore Stay in an opulent hotel room in London's most cultural neighbourhood (Picture: Jack Hardy) Four-poster beds, gilded mirrors and chandeliers everywhere you look... Metro has teamed up with Starhotels Collezione to give one lucky reader (and a companion) a chance to win a luxurious two-night stay worth £900 at The Gore London, a historic boutique hotel in the cultural heart of the UK capital. For your chance to win this incredible London getaway, enter your details before midnight on Sunday, 9 August 2026. Enter now Open to UK (excluding Northern Ireland) residents aged 18 or over. Promotion opens at 00:01 BST on 20/07/2026 and closes at 23:59 BST on 09/08/2026. Entrant must complete the entry form hosted on Metro. 1 prize of a two-night bed and breakfast stay in a Deluxe Room at The Gore Hotel in South Kensington, London for two (2) adults including dinner at the restaurant 190 Queen’s Gate on one night only consisting of a three course meal from the A La Carte menu with one (1) complimentary glass of wine included per person. Only one (1) entry will be accepted per person or per email address. Full T&Cs here. Locals make their political leanings known (Picture: Kristina Beanland) It’s not all politics, nor is it a hub of alt-righters. I found myself in thrall of its art splashed streets, where rainbow flags fly and Black Lives Matter slogans are stamped on pavements. And, from a tourism perspective, I’ve never come across a place so well designed for those who want to holiday alone. It comes with caveats, but Washington DC has so much more to offer than I expected. Here’s my three-day itinerary for a solo break. My top tip for a solo city break in Washington DC The subreddit r/DCBitches was invaluable during my trip to DC. The forum is described as: ‘A community for women, girls, and cis and trans women to vent and post your questions, concerns, issues and all things DC!’ Pretty much any question I had about the city could be answered here. There was art and murals around every corner (Picture: Kristina Beanland) Day 1 For breakfast, head to Pearl’s Bagels, where you’ll get the best bagels in DC (according to the Washington Post). I went for the Bees Knees for $12. The shop is adorable and the roadside tables are a sun trap. DC’s best bagels? (Picture: Kristina Beanland) Now, it’s time to get moving. DC is walkable with the main tourist sites all centrally located, so solo travellers can go at their own pace. The subway is straight forward too and, while I stuck to taxis at night, I always felt safe using it. Seeing the monuments in real life is pretty surreal (Picture: Kristina Beanland) Start at the Capitol Building, and walk down the National Mall, taking in the the Washington Monument, the Reflecting Pond and the Lincoln Memorial. You’ll recognise all the above from TV or textbooks, but seeing them in real life is pretty surreal. Don’t skip on lunch at dLeña (Picture: Kristina Beanland) For lunch, try dLeña, an award-winning restaurant serving up modern Mexican cuisine. It’s a little more upmarket but given you’re been soaking up the free sites of DC, you can afford to splurge. I’m still thinking about the tuna guacamole ($21) and be sure to order a spicy marg ($15). After lunch, head to the Tidal Basin, where you’ll find the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial and Jefferson Memorial. The Tidal Basin, a manmade reservoir, is particularly popular in spring, as it’s surrounded by a staggering 3,700 cherry blossom trees, gifted to DC by Japan in 1912. Cherry blossoms are a big deal in DC (Picture: Kristina Beanland) In March and April, when the trees bloom, DC turns pink with a four-week long cherry blossom festival. There’s a parade, a kite festival, art installations and themed menus at restaurants and cafes. For dinner, I ate at Bantam King, a low-key ramen joint in Chinatown, where I didn’t feel out of place tucking into my flavourful meal alone (bowls start from $17). The Tidal Basin is a beautiful spot (Picture: Kristina Beanland) If you’re after something a little fancier, almost every person I met in DC told me to eat at Le Diplomate — a French bistro, affectionately known as Le Dip. I soon learnt that Le Dip was either much-loved, or slated as overhyped. I’m sorry to say I didn’t manage to eat here (I arrived too late for lunch, which finishes at 3pm) but I’m told sitting at the bar — or on the outdoor terrace — is popular among solo diners. Day 2 Another day, another breakfast, so walk over to Kramer’s Books in Dupont Circle, a neighbourhood famed for its LGBTQ-owned businesses. Kramer’s, a bookshop and cafe, has been serving customers since 1976, including the likes of Barack Obama and Andy Warhol. “/> This bookshop is an institution (Picture: Kristina Beanland) The bookstore also found itself in the spotlight during the 90s, when Kramer’s fought a subpoena, refusing to share details with President Clinton’s lawyers regarding which books Monica Lewinsky had purchased during their affair. As is the American way, the breakfasts here are huge — my $18 Papas Bravas hit the spot, but don’t bother ordering a cup of English breakfast. You will be disappointed. Now that you’re satiated, start you walk to Georgetown. You could get an Uber, but it’s only a 30 minute stroll. Beautiful Georgetown (Picture: Kristina Beanland) Georgetown is a charming neighbourhood, predating the rest of DC. Today, it’s loved for its cobbled streets, federalist architecture and bougie stores. It’s beautiful, but try and get there early to avoid the crowds. Pop into some of the shops on M Street, and see the diner where JFK proposed to Jackie O. Pick up a cupcake from Georgetown Cupcakes, star of TLC reality show, DC Cupcakes, or Yala Greek Ice Cream serves quirky gelato flavours such as burnt caramel or strawberries with lemon. Next, head up to the stunning Georgetown University, admiring the townhouses along the way. Wander around the leafy campus, and marvel at Healy Hall. Stroll around Georgetown’s streets (Picture: Kristina Beanland) On your walk back into town, pop by Daily Provisions for lunch, again in Dupont Circle, a New York sandwich shop that’s recently opened in DC. The $13.50 Tuna Melt is a classic for a reason. If you’ve got time in the afternoon, it’s worth a visit to one of DC’s many museums, such as the Air and Space Museum and National Portrait Gallery. Admission is free, which means you can wander around at your own pace. There’s also the National Archives, where you can see the actual Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights and The US Constitution. For dinner, get a table at the bar at All Purpose Pizza. Bar culture is alive and well in DC, and people are eager to talk — in fact, if you want to enjoy some peace and quiet, you might want to get room service. Daily Provisions make a mean sandwich (Picture: Kristina Beanland) Now, it’s visitors choice: head back to bed, or attempt a solo night out. Ladies, make sure you’re pinging your location to someone, and keep your wits about you, but I had a great night out in DC, all by myself. Jane Jane is a fun cocktail bar, with an LGBTQ+ crowd, but Barcelona was my favourite, a wine bar that was packed even on a Tuesday night. Day 3 Hangover dependent, try and get yourself up early, and go for a run. DC is an active city, and its run clubs welcome one-off runners, so solo travellers can tag along. Head out early for the best views (Picture: Kristina Beanland) Next, guided tours are great when travelling alone, so go over to U Street for a walking tour with historian, Briana Thomas. The U Street Corridor, once known as ‘Black Broadway’, is a hub of African American heritage in DC. Streets are painted with murals dedicated to the likes of Marvin Gaye and Duke Ellington, and you’ll learn about the civil unrest that took place here following the death of MLK. You’ll end the tour right outside Ben’s Chili Bowl, which has been serving customers since 1958. A DC institution, if you eat anywhere in the city, it has to be here. You can’t not order the half-smoke — it’s been on the menu for nearly 70 years. U-Street has a rich history (Picture: Kristina Beanland) Alternatively, hop on a 20 minute Metro ride over to Union Market. This bustling food hall is a super-cool industrial space with more than 40 food vendors. Open every day, you could have desert here (I got mine from Handcraft Doughnuts), or have lunch instead. I didn’t get a chance to eat at Immigrant Food, but I wish I had. The small chain (there are two other locations in DC) aims to showcase the food of America’s largest immigrant communities. Think Cuban sandwiches, West African gumbo and Indian samosas. There’s so much food to try at Union Market (Picture: Kristina Beanland) Back in the centre, head to the 100-year-old The Mayflower, now an elegant Marriott Bonvoy hotel. Known as ‘The Hotel of Presidents’, grab yourself a drink at the Edgar Bar & Kitchen (named after J Edgar Hoover, who ate the same lunch here, in the same booth, for 20 years) and know that you’re sipping a cocktail in the same hotel where Amelia Earhart has slept, and where FDR wrote the famous line: ‘The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.’ The 100-year-old hotel (Picture: Marriott Bonvoy) There’s a rumour of a tunnel from the hotel to The White House — handy for smuggling your mistress in and out — and the famous picture of Bill Clinton kissing Monica Lewinsky on the cheek, was snapped right outside. Then, finish of your trip to Washington DC with some sport. If you hate the idea of sitting in the stands in the UK, they do things very differently in the US. Cheerleaders, music, mascots — and lots of food. Forget everything you know about UK sports (Picture: Kristina Beanland) Plus, there’s nothing like being part of a group of fans that can make you feel like you belong, if you’re feeling a little out of sorts on your own. Our Top Shopping Picks Wuka launches the UK’s first period-proof swimwear for heavy flows Bridgerton fans are rushing to buy these new Netflix-inspired perfumes now £12 off The affordable summer wardrobe update you'll wear from rooftop drinks to beach holidays The £7.99 lip balm beauty fans love for glossy, hydrated lips just dropped four new shades This Keskine hydrogel mask could fix your summer skin I cheered on the ice hockey team, the Washington Capitals, but there’s lots of teams here to get behind, including the Commanders (NFL), Wizards (NBA) and Nationals (NBL). Where to stay in Washington DC The Marriott Bonvoy Westin Downtown is an ideal base for a DC city break. On the edges of the major tourist attractions, you can get some peace and quiet, and still be just a 20 minute walk from the National Mall. You’re also just a five minute walk from the nearest subway station (Gallery Pl-Chinatown). The hotel was full of visitors in the capital on business (it’s across the street from two major convention centres), but it didn’t feel clinical. The main foyer was a hive of activity day-or-night, with people enjoying drinks, or having meetings. There’s a small shop serving hot drinks and snacks, which seemed to be open at all hours, and there’s an adjoining Starbucks too (although the be warned, the wait times were long). And, you can grab breakfast at the hotel restaurant, Root and Vine. A great base for your time in DC (Picture: Marriott Bonvoy) Rooms are massive, with beds featuring mattresses that are apparently award-winning (I can vouch for the fact that I slept soundly), and delicious smelling toiletries in the bathroom. There’s also a fully equipped gym. Room rates start at $179 per night. For more information, visit the website. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk Arrow MORE: Forget Nice – there’s an underrated French seaside town Brits haven’t found yet Arrow MORE: Trump says the US is going to ‘beat the f***ing s***’ out of Iran Arrow MORE: Lip reader reveals what Zelensky told Netenyahu in tense ‘disagreement’ The Getaway Expert Your exclusive seven-day guide to travelling with confidence from Metro's resident travel expert, Alice Murphy.