My adventure in Washington, D.C. was full of amazing sights, history, and fun experiences! From seeing The White House to exploring the Smithsonian Zoo, walking past famous landmarks, and eating delicious food, I had a great time discovering the nation’s capital.

Staying at the JW Marriott – The Perfect Location

During our trip, we stayed at the JW Marriott, which was right next to The White House—a perfect spot for walking everywhere!

🏨 Easy access to everything – We were able to walk to The White House, National Mall, Georgetown, and more! It was so nice being able to explore without needing a car since we had been on a long road trip.
🍽️ Great food options – The hotel had an amazing market with fresh food and snacks, plus restaurants on-site that were super convenient.
⬆️ Super cool elevators! – The elevators at the JW Marriott were high-tech and futuristic, and I loved them! I’ve always been fascinated by elevators, and these were some of the fastest ones I’ve ever seen.

∞ Autism-Friendly Tip: If you like to walk and explore, staying at a centrally located hotel like the JW Marriott makes everything easier, so you don’t have to worry about taxis or public transportation.

Seeing The White House

One of the most exciting parts of my trip was seeing The White House, where the President of the United States lives!

🏛️ A historic landmark – The White House has been home to every U.S. president since John Adams in 1800!
📸 Great photo spot – It was so cool to stand outside and see this famous building in real life.
🍦 Surprisingly great ice cream! – We got ice cream from one of the food trucks near The White House, and it was delicious!

∞ Autism-Friendly Tip: The area around The White House can be crowded, so visiting early in the morning or on a weekday is a great way to avoid big crowds.

Exploring the National Mall & the Washington Monument

While in D.C., we walked around the National Mall, which has so many incredible landmarks and monuments to explore.

🗽 The Washington Monument – This monument is SO tall and cool! It honors George Washington, the first U.S. president, and is 555 feet high!
🏛️ Historical landmarks everywhere – The National Mall is full of places to visit, and I wish we had more time to see all the museums and monuments!
🚔 Lots of security – Since it’s such an important area, there were security officers and police everywhere, making sure everything was safe.

∞ Autism-Friendly Tip: The National Mall is huge, so wearing comfortable shoes and taking breaks can make exploring more enjoyable.

Visiting the Smithsonian National Zoo

The Smithsonian National Zoo was a highlight of the trip!

🦁 Lions and more! – I got to see lions, tigers, and other big cats up close.
🦓 Lots of animals – There were elephants, zebras, monkeys, and so much more to explore.
🎠 A super cool carousel – The zoo even had a carousel with animal-themed rides, which made it extra fun!

🎟️ Free but requires entry passes – The zoo is completely free, but you need to reserve passes ahead of time to enter.

∞ Autism-Friendly Tip: The zoo is big and can be loud, so wearing noise-canceling headphones or bringing a weighted lap pad can make the visit more enjoyable.

Eating Delicious Food in D.C.

D.C. had so many great places to eat!

🍕 Pizza at Il Canale in Georgetown – This was one of the best meals of the trip! Il Canale serves amazing pizza and has lots of great menu items.
🥬 Musssels & Spinach? – We love spinach and we love mussels! We found both at The Oceanaire Seafood Room that was right behind our hotel, within a short walk! The staff was SO friendly and accomodating after walking around all day.

∞ Autism-Friendly Tip: If restaurants are too crowded or noisy, getting takeout and eating in a quiet park is a great alternative!

Walking Through Historic Georgetown

One of the last places I visited was Georgetown, a beautiful and historic part of Washington, D.C.

🏡 Charming streets & fun shops – Georgetown has cute cobblestone streets, great stores, and amazing restaurants.
📖 Lots of history! – Georgetown is older than Washington, D.C. itself! Founded in 1751, it was originally a separate town before becoming part of the capital. Many historic buildings remain, giving it a colonial feel.

∞ Autism-Friendly Tip: Georgetown’s quiet side streets are a perfect place to take a sensory break from the busy city.

Waiting Out a Crazy Thunderstorm!

One of the biggest surprises on our trip was a huge thunderstorm that rolled in!

⛈️ A lightning and thunder show – The storm was so loud and bright, with tons of lightning flashes and booming thunder!
🏨 A cozy day inside – Since it wasn’t safe to go out, we stayed inside at the JW Marriott, and it turned out to be the perfect place to wait out the storm!

∞ Autism-Friendly Tip: Storms and loud noises can be overwhelming, so I used some of my favorite sensory-friendly tools to help me stay calm:

🦊 Frankl Weighted Fox – Hugging my weighted plush fox helped me feel grounded and cozy while waiting for the storm to pass. Frankl is perfect for reducing stress and creating a sense of calm! https://averysautismadventures.com/product/frankl-the-weighted-fox
🛌 Nodpod Weighted Eye Mask – The thunder and lightning were intense, but using my weighted eye mask made it easier to relax, block out the flashes, and feel more comfortable. https://averysautismadventures.com/product/nodpod-gray

Even though we had to stay in, the JW Marriott was very accommodating, and we had plenty of snacks from the hotel market, comfortable spaces to relax, and great service that made us feel right at home.

∞ Autism-Friendly Tip: If you need a quiet and calming break during travel, weighted sensory items like Frankl the Weighted Fox or the Nodpod Weighted Eye Mask can help provide relief from overstimulation, available in my Avery Approved shop of my favorites!

Final Thoughts on My Washington, D.C. Adventure

Washington, D.C. was such a fun and exciting city to visit! I loved seeing The White House, exploring the National Mall, visiting the zoo, walking through Georgetown, and eating delicious food.

We only stayed for two nights as part of our East Coast road trip, but I can’t wait to go back and explore even more museums and landmarks!

Until next time!

💌 Avery