See D.C. Like a Local

Hey! I’m Zoe, a rising junior politics and pre-law major with minors in Hispanic studies and social work. I am from upstate New York, and as much as I miss home, Washington, D.C. offers me so much more than I ever could have imagined. Some people think Washington, D.C. is just a tourist destination. They spend a few days walking around the monuments in the muggy air and running into the Smithsonian museums (sometimes to learn and sometimes just to get into the air conditioning), but they don’t really take in how wonderful D.C. is. But, if you live here, you learn to really appreciate how unique the city is. Here’s the secret: Monumenting.

Autocorrect tells me it’s not a real word, but it is if you go to Catholic Univeristy! Monumenting is a general term that means to go visit one or more monument, which are all pretty centralized near the National Mall, just to enjoy the beautiful architecture and experience one of D.C.’s most unique features.

Even with the crowds, this place is not one to miss!

The best local trick is to go monumenting at night. Going monumenting at night avoids the muggy D.C. air while also steering clear of the big groups of tourists. If you are inclined to hop on a scooter, you don’t have to worry about knocking over a group of middle-schoolers here on their United States Capitol visit. Or, if you just want to walk around, it is a peaceful and quiet place to be at night.

Night monumenting at its best, right below the Washington Monument.

The vibes around the monuments at night are immaculate. Lights shine perfectly on every monument and during the summer, you can hear the cicadas chirping from the trees. Bring a speaker and play some of your favorite music while sitting on the grass near the Washington Monument. Or, grab some cards and play some games on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Pro-tip: pack a bag of snacks to share with friends and enjoy while you admire the lights shining up to the World War II Memorial.

Sunrise from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

If you’re an early bird, you can reverse the advice and hit the monuments during sunrise. It definitely is not an easy task to hear that 5 a.m. alarm, but it is one of the coolest experiences I have had at the National Mall. I highly recommend sitting on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to get the best view of the sun rising. Bring some blankets and coffee and that’s how you truly enjoy D.C. like a local.

–Zoe M.