{"id":274484,"date":"2026-10-16T21:07:22","date_gmt":"2026-10-17T04:07:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/?p=274484"},"modified":"2026-10-16T21:08:55","modified_gmt":"2026-10-17T04:08:55","slug":"off-mall-experience-different-washington-dc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/off-mall-experience-different-washington-dc\/","title":{"rendered":"Wanderlust: A Different Side of Washington, D.C. \u2013 The Off-the-Mall Experience"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Above):<\/strong> Space shuttle Discovery at the Udvar-Hazy center. (All photos: Janam Gupta\/Siliconeer)
\n<\/em>
\nWhat comes to mind when you hear Washington, D.C.? I think of government officials running around in suits and some big ol\u2019 monuments named after the most influential figures in this nation\u2019s history. In that image, another side of D.C. is masked: the part off the National Mall, writes<\/span>\u00a0Janam Gupta.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\n
\"Capitol
Capitol Hill. (Janam Gupta\/SIliconeer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
Washington, D.C., can make you feel like you are walking through three different places within the same afternoon. One minute, you are surrounded by monuments, museums and the polished seriousness of the nation\u2019s capital. The next, you are eating lobster rolls by the water or wandering through a neighborhood that feels more like Europe.<\/div>\n
\n

I got to experience a few different sides of D.C., from Georgetown and Alexandria to the Smithsonian museums outside of the Mall. The city\u2019s history is impossible to escape, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. D.C. also knows how to balance all that history with good food, lively waterfronts and some spectacular views.<\/p>\n

\"Georgetown
Georgetown waterfront looking out to Arlington, VA. (Janam Gupta\/Siliconeer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Georgetown: Lobster Rolls & Fireworks<\/strong><\/p>\n

Brands that are too fancy for me to know about? Check. A plethora of food choices that made my head spin? Check. A grand university within walking distance? Check. An Apple Store? Also, check. Being from the Bay Area, Georgetown\u2019s resemblance to downtown Palo Alto made it feel like home.<\/p>\n

Georgetown was probably the easiest place to fall in love with immediately. Its waterfront is beautiful, especially when the sun starts to go down and the reflections begin to stretch across the Potomac. The whole area has a relaxed, almost vacation-like atmosphere.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t let the calm waterfront fool you. As you head up toward all the shops, you will see a sea of cars alongside an even bigger sea of people. On the Fourth of July, hundreds, if not thousands, of people gathered to watch the spectacular fireworks show over the Potomac. Since it was the 250th anniversary, patriotism was rushing through our veins, which may or may not have led to some \u201cUSA, USA\u201d chants.<\/p>\n

\"Lobster
Lobster Roll. (Janam Gupta\/Siliconeer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The food scene in Georgetown was on another level. I had a really tough time choosing where to eat, so I didn\u2019t. First, I indulged in one of the best lobster rolls I have ever had. I then dashed to YELLOW to enjoy a wood-fired chicken pita. As any rational person would do, I decided that dessert wasn\u2019t my next move, a whole pizza was. Yeah, I went a little crazy that day, and my stomach protested to no end. I did end up getting that dessert anyway.<\/p>\n

Off the Mall: Pandas, Space Exploration & Contemporary Craft<\/strong><\/p>\n

The National Mall gets most of the attention, understandably, but some of my favorite Smithsonian experiences were off the Mall.<\/p>\n

\"A
A Lion at Smithsonian\u2019s National Zoo. (Janam Gupta\/SIliconeer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The National Zoo was a great change of pace. There is just way too much to see there. My personal favorites were the lion and panda exhibits. I don\u2019t know what it is about pandas, but their happiness is infectious. All of a sudden, the traffic, buildings, and monuments disappear, and the focus is entirely on an orangutan itching its armpits.<\/p>\n

\"Giant
Giant Panda at Smithsonian\u2019s National Zoo. (Janam Gupta\/SIliconeer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Then came the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, which is home to an incredible collection of aircraft and spacecraft, but seeing the Concorde and the Space Shuttle Discovery in person is something else. You really cannot understand how massive these spacecrafts are until you are standing next to them. The Hazy Center is unbelievable, and you don\u2019t have to be an aerophile to be in awe.<\/p>\n

One of the Smithsonian\u2019s best-kept secrets is the Renwick Gallery. The exhibits featured highly creative installations that felt more \u201cimmersive art experience\u201d than \u201cmuseum.\u201d And, naturally, there was a cow made entirely out of butter. Not something you see on your average Tuesday.<\/p>\n

\"Installation
Installation at Renwick Gallery. (Janam Gupta\/Siliconeer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Cow
Cow made of butter, Renwick Gallery. (Janam Gupta\/Siliconeer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Alexandria: Old Town & More Airplanes<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alexandria offered a completely different atmosphere. Old Town the historic buildings, brick sidewalks and charming streets. You could spend an afternoon walking around without any plan. Hell, I entered a kitchenware store and spent nearly an hour there. Free coffee, though, and a damn good one too.<\/p>\n

As I strolled around, I found a field near the river where I could watch airplanes take off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The planes flew so closely that every takeoff was an event, something that was strangely thrilling each and every time one went by.<\/p>\n

Navy Yard & The Wharf: The Modern D.C.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Instead of old brick buildings and government landmarks, Navy Yard had a newer, more urban atmosphere\u2013which, oddly enough, was a refreshing sight.<\/p>\n

The real highlight, though, was Albi.<\/p>\n

\"Mushrooms
Mushrooms on Hummus at Albi. (Janam Gupta\/Siliconeer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The meal was exceptional. Every course felt carefully considered, and the food was full of flavor without becoming overwhelming. It was easily one of the best meals of the trip, if not the best. Yes, it was a very memorable meal. Yes, it was also a very memorable bill. But sometimes you have to accept that an excellent meal is going to leave a lasting impression in more ways than one.<\/p>\n

Still, Albi delivered. It was the kind of restaurant that makes an evening feel like an occasion, even if the original plan was simply to get dinner.<\/p>\n

Not far away, the Wharf offered a similarly modern, waterfront-focused atmosphere. I mostly walked through to burn off that Albi, but the area was picturesque, lively and especially pleasant at night, when the lights reflected off the water and restaurants began to fill up.<\/p>\n

\"Fireworks
Fireworks over the Potomac river. (Janam Gupta\/Siliconeer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

More Than Just Monuments<\/strong><\/p>\n

Washington, D.C., is more than monuments and museums. It is lobster rolls, fireworks, space shuttles, and waterfront walks. There is always more to explore, and, most importantly, another meal to squeeze in.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(Above): Space shuttle Discovery at the Udvar-Hazy center. (All photos: Janam Gupta\/Siliconeer) What comes to mind when you hear Washington, D.C.? I think of government officials running around in suits and some big ol\u2019 monuments named after the most influential figures in this nation\u2019s history. In that image, another side of D.C. is masked: the…<\/p>\n

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