gabrielM Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Hey everyone, I'm spending the 6-9th in DC and one of those days I'll also be checking out Baltimore. I had a few questions that maybe the locals could help me with. I'm on a tight budget so any help is appreciated. I'll also have a rental car. What is the independent community for both? Something like Little Five Points in Atlanta or Wicker Park in Chicago where there's a bunch of independently owned shops. Coffee, record stores, used book stores, etc. Best free attractions in both? I know DC offers a lot of free things to do and I'll be taking advantage of those like the zoo, the art museums, the monuments, and even passing by the white house. Also know of an Einstein monument that I want to check out. Best Museums for both, free or not. Best art galleries. Best murals to see and enjoy. If I remember correctly, the very great Steven Powers did some mural work along the front of a very long line of abandoned houses somewhere in Baltimore. I have the link saved somewhere. What are some of the out of the ordinary things to see/do/experience in either city? Things that google wouldn't show up on a list of the usual tourist attractions? Best record stores for music of the absolutepunk scene/style, having cassettes would be cool, too. Best comic book stores for both? Best donut shops for both? From my research it seems like there isn't much in terms of donuts in Baltimore so I think I'll be checking out Fracture Prune on my way into the city from DC. Best general cheap eats for both. Something that isn't fancy or overly expensive but still specific to the location like Hot Doug's was in Chicago. Anything from best mexican food to specific brunches or diners. Best recommendations. Lastly, any heads up tips, can't miss things to see/do? Thanks so much. I really appreciate any help I can get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirrichardrichard Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 I'd appreciate info as well. I'm heading to both in the Spring! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronniegwilliams Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 I've lived here for two months, so I don't have a lot of info on the area. Regarding independent community, I've yet to find one. There aren't a lot of local band spots to play, which is kind of a bummer. District Donut is the jam. Rocket Bar in China Town and Big Hunt in Dupont Circle are both awesome bars, if you're into that sorta thing. If you go to Silver Spring; Quarry House has legit wings and a stellar whiskey selection and a couple of decent record stores a block away. Last note, if you're looking to be thrifty then good luck, this place is killing my bank account. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirrichardrichard Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Yeah, hotels in DC are pricey...luckily I'm not staying a Friday or Saturday... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gabrielM Posted March 1, 2015 Author Share Posted March 1, 2015 Yea I've heard it's expensive and I'm a little worried about that but I kinda have no choice right now. thanks for the suggestions so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurtz Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 Celebrated Summer is a really good record store in Baltimore. It caters more toward actual punk music rather than absolutepunk music though. lonesomexloveus 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronniegwilliams Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 Celebrated Summer is a really good record store in Baltimore. It caters more toward actual punk music rather than absolutepunk music though. I've been wanting to check that place out, but Baltimore is a little too far away to tread in the cold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Team Avatar Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 you can go out into virginia on the orange or blue line and get much cheaper hotels. lots of good vegan food - checkout sticky fingers and woodlands vegan bistro if you're into that kind of thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gabrielM Posted March 1, 2015 Author Share Posted March 1, 2015 I'm not worried about hotels because I got where I'm staying already. Using airbnb. I'm not vegan but I'll check those places out on yelp to see what they're like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadreckoning Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 In DC all the Smithsonian Museums are free. I am not sure what you're into, but i recommend the Natural History Museum, Hirshorn and Freer-Sackler. The Hirshorn is modern art and they usually have interesting temporary exhibits. The Freer has a mix of "classical art" with a large collection of Asian art. The Air and Space Museum is cool if you like airplanes and space stuff. Most of the major monuments are on the Mall and within walking distance of the museums. I like the Roosevelt memorial - it's past the Lincoln, but worth the hike. I would also recommend Ford's Theatre and the adjacent Petersen House (where Lincoln died) - they're near Chinatown. If you can get into the Capitol for a tour it's worth it and so is a walk around the library of Congress. There are some pay museum as well, ranging from art to things like the Spy Museum. There are some decent records stores around U-Street and Adams Morgan - Joint Custody, Crooked Beat, Smash, Red Onion, Som. etc. It can get pricey to eat, but there is a big variety. Probably more Ethiopian places than any city in the country. You asked about Mexican, you're more likely to find Salvadoran masquerading as Mexican, but it's still good. In Baltimore, i would recommend the Visionary Art Museum, which is near the inner harbor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Team Avatar Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 good mexican places - lauriol plaza, el centro, alero. I like all three - el centro and lauriol have the best margaritas, from what my friends say. Lauriol plaza has the best chips, but the place is packed, doesn't take reservations, and has a 2 hr wait on friday and saturday evenings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonesomexloveus Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 In DC all the Smithsonian Museums are free. I am not sure what you're into, but i recommend the Natural History Museum, Hirshorn and Freer-Sackler. The Hirshorn is modern art and they usually have interesting temporary exhibits. The Freer has a mix of "classical art" with a large collection of Asian art. The Air and Space Museum is cool if you like airplanes and space stuff. Most of the major monuments are on the Mall and within walking distance of the museums. I like the Roosevelt memorial - it's past the Lincoln, but worth the hike. I would also recommend Ford's Theatre and the adjacent Petersen House (where Lincoln died) - they're near Chinatown. If you can get into the Capitol for a tour it's worth it and so is a walk around the library of Congress. There are some pay museum as well, ranging from art to things like the Spy Museum. There are some decent records stores around U-Street and Adams Morgan - Joint Custody, Crooked Beat, Smash, Red Onion, Som. etc. It can get pricey to eat, but there is a big variety. Probably more Ethiopian places than any city in the country. You asked about Mexican, you're more likely to find Salvadoran masquerading as Mexican, but it's still good. In Baltimore, i would recommend the Visionary Art Museum, which is near the inner harbor. Adams Morgan is my favorite section of DC. Also, there's a Mellow Mushroom there and that place rules. If you dig pizza, definitely hit them up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronniegwilliams Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 Agreed, Adams Morgan is the jam. Smoke and Barrel is a legit BBQ restaurant with a rad downstairs bar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
llamaface Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 I really liked the Newseum and I second the Natural History Museum and Ford's Theatre recommendations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futures Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 Smoke and Barrel is a legit BBQ restaurant with a rad downstairs bar. this sounds amazing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dynamitekid Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 I live off H Street NE and theres a bunch of cool bars and restaurants down near the end of it. Adams Morgan is cool but the bars definitely get that "college douchebag" vibe. Definitely check out the Smithsonian. If you're looking for venues, Gypsy Sally's, Rock & Roll Hotel, Black Cat, Comet Ping Pong are all cool. If you happen to be in Baltimore on Friday, the Pietasters are playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronniegwilliams Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 agreed on Black Cat, i've also heard Rock and Roll Hotel is pretty rad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BennyWatts Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Rock and Roll hotel is great, best chicken and waffle sandwich in town. It's a smaller venue though, so it gets packed pretty quick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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