My partner and I are eloping/self-officiating in DC on Friday 10/30, and were hoping to do a quick photo session at the Smithsonian Museum of natural history (we’re big dinosaur nerds). We don’t expect it to be empty, but we were hoping that if we arrived right at 10 that we’d have a good 30-45 minutes where crowds were low enough that it’d be easy to photoshop everyone out of the backgrounds while we’re in front of the dinosaurs and gemstones and that we aren't going to be super awkward posing in front of a ton of strangers. Since we’re from SWVA and can’t exactly scope it out ourselves, I was wondering what the actual crowd right after opening looks like.

Thanks!!

(any recs in the area for pretty public-but-private places for vows or celebratory dinners that won’t break the bank would be appreciated!)

Looking for a locally accessible bank to transition to after moving here.

My current bank (capital one) that I’ve had since I lived here once before has become absolute trash and since their recent Discover card merge everything online is at a 3% fee instead of whatever fixed rate is used for Visa/Mastercard. It’s also blocked from so many online merchants.

Desires for new bank:
• really good about not allowing random charges
• ability to lock card when not in use
• mobile app that’s not trash
• ability to use with Venmo and other pay services
• local branches and ATMs preferred or cash deposit/withdrawal ATMs easily accessible
• decent yield on accounts is negotiable at this time
• online sign up a bonus but not a deal breaker

Not being able to use Venmo at all and pay my rent without a 3% fee was my limit. Done. I wouldn’t recommend them if anyone is also in the market for a new financial institution.

Thanks in advance.

ETA: anyone else who is looking to call me dumb and insinuate I don’t know the difference between a debit and credit card yet doesn’t even use capital one please at minimum use Google to educate yourself or check the capital one or Discover subreddit. It’s specifically the Discover debit card merge. Nothing to do with credit cards. I am aware I can use my bank account to do things but I don’t want to be tied to that which is why I want a new bank. Thank you.

What are your favorite spots to splash around in a shallow creek/river? Somewhere kids can wade and collect rocks. Low current. Mostly clean (yes, I realize this may be a problem). Not on the Bay or Lake Anna. Within 1 hour drive. THANK YOU!

had some in Manchester at witherspoons and I can’t stop thinking about it… where can I find some in the area :)?

if anyone has an update, please lmk! Desperate for some answers. Doesn't look like anything has happened in ages

I’m going to a concert at The Anthem on Sept 22nd. I’m not super familiar with the area, what are the odds of being able to park in one of the Wharf garages? I know it’ll probably be busy, but will they fill up super fast? Also, anyone know what the prices are roughly (like if they jack up the prices for events) Any advice or suggestions are appreciated! Thanks!

Is this normal and legal? Is it a majority of cafes? Saw a sign for this at a cafe this morning and thought ‘then what the hell have I been doing on the screen tipper, paying extra for an overpriced latte?’

TLDR: What's a good, proper DC bar to watch the midterm elections for someone really into politics?

Hi all. I lived in DC for nearly 10 years before moving abroad in 2022. I'm coming to visit in November, along with my British boyfriend. I've never been huge into politics, but my boyfriend is very into it, and is obsessed specifically with US politics. In fact, he knows infinitely more about US politics than I do.

We happen to be in DC on midterm election night, and I'd like to take him somewhere (ideally a bar vibe) where we can watch the results roll in with a crowd of people who are as into it as he is. It's also his first time in DC, so I'd like to find a proper DC institution for it. In my 10 years in DC, I never went out for an election night so, depsite being very familiar eith the city, Im not sure where to go! My initial thoughts are something on/near the Hill like Bullfeathers, Union Pub, etc. But I'm open to anywhere! Suggestions would be very much appreciated!!

Edit: We will be strongly supporting Democrats in the election

Just received a harassing message from someone who was lurking the DC reddit and targeting DC folks with ADHD who had previously discussed medication shortages in old posts.

This person is trying to solicit medication. I've reported to mods but wanted to warn others that creeps are lurking and targeting people who have discussed ADHD in the subreddit.

On 7th st SE between C and N Carolina St across from Eastern Market. The top sign seems to say there's never any parking besides 6a-6p on weekends or is there some sign magic I'm missing.

It's great that the ornamental fountains are working (yay!) but why are none of the drinking fountains working

One of the most famous French restaurants in Washington DC metro area has been bought out. https://www.ffxnow.com/2026/09/01/ownership-change-pairs-acclaimed-great-falls-restaurant-with-reston-hospitality-group/

Figured I’d try here because…why not.

My date fell through for show Tuesday next week, Sept 8. So, I have an extra ticket.

The show is at Songbyrd (a great little local venue by Union Market, if you’ve never been). At 7pm with an opener.

The headliner is a fantastic indie “country rock” band called Brown Horse. Check them out: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mKxMFlRj6xw&list=RDmKxMFlRj6xw&start_radio=1&t=540s&pp=ygUQYnJvd24gaG9yc2UgbGl2ZaAHAQ%3D%3D&ra=m

So, if you’re a single lady interested in some good live music, hit me up. The ticket is yours. Maybe we can grab a drink beforehand.

As mentioned, I’m 38. Honestly, pretty exceedingly normal. I enjoy being outside, primarily kayaking. And live music. Typical DC job.

It’ll be a low pressure, non committal thing. If all we do is enjoy each other’s company and some live music…that’s cool!

Hey folks,

My fiancee and I had planned for a wedding reception at a restaurant in AdMo, and then they moved PorchFest right on top of us. Between the older folks who really don't move so well and all the fancy clothes we'd be trying to force our way through the crowds in, we're looking at moving the reception.

Anyone have any recommendations for DC or its immediate environs? We are on a pretty tight budget - <$8k for about 75 guests (which really doesn't feel like it should be tight, but that's DC for you).

Places we've reached out to so far:
- La Grand Bougerie
- Reynolds
- Minetta Tavern
- Tabard Inn
- The Henri
- Bonnie Vie
- Bluejacket
- Casa Teresa
- 2941
- Big Bear Cafe
- District Winery
- 7 Reasons
- Joe's Seafood
- Iron Gate
- Casamara
- Clyde's
- 60 Vines

Trying to strike a good balance of providing info and not being lengthy.

As the title says. I’m really not too picky, just wondering if anyone out here knew of any places before I start my usual searches on apps and stuff.

Also I’m not too picky about dates and times—just curious when and where places
might be available.

In the scenes, a few characters are following someone in the club, which leads to a chase, but nothing too crazy. Happy to provide any more info. Thanks.

I'm pretty angry but also having complicated feelings. idk if I'm looking for advice, reassurance or what.

i live in the Trinidad/Noma area. This morning I was at the intersection of WV Ave and FL Ave crossing and saw the woman walking down WV Ave yelling to herself. When I saw her a side of me was saying "don't judge. You've seen plenty of being mentally unstable here that have never posed a threat". She crossed the street while traffic was heavy and knelt down and spat on my 11 month old. Luckily it was just on the onesie and stroller strap. I confronted her, but it took every once of will power not to physically strike this woman. She was goading me to hit her. My wife was telling me no. In the split second while confronting her I thought about the optics of a 220 pound white guy striking a 100 point black woman. No way would that have look good, more so if someone filmed without the spot. But my God it was not easy.

I'm feeling conflicted as she was clearly mentally unstable, 100 pounds, and pretty sure unhoused. My wife recognizes her around the area. My wife is upset because she saw her cross the street, but didnt move the stroller cause the same thoughts I have. plus she works with a lot of homeless. I'm trying to forgive this lady because she is not mentally stable and dealing with homelessness, but dang I'm red hot right now. I see plenty of people with kids in this area (low and what I assume is high income), but NE DC does not feel like a healthy place for families.

I'm looking for in-home reactive dog sitter recommendations in the Nova, specifically Lorton, area. I have a 6 year old dog that is reactive and fearful of new people. When I travel I have family members that she knows well and loves watch her, but we will all be out of town for a family wedding so this is not an option this time. She does have a trainer back in NYC that we've been working with, so don't need any recommendation for that. I'm just looking for a professional who specializes in fearful/reactive dogs that I can begin introducing her too before leaving her with them for an extended period of time. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated!

Hey fellow DMV redditors. One of my friends is directing a horror short film and is looking for help. It will take place in the DMV area at the end of this month / beginning of the next.

It's a volunteer project but food, IMDb credit, and footage for your reel will be provided. Any other detailed info can be asked via email. You can send me a direct message if you or anyone you know would be interested. I can share the contact email and Google form there.

Please feel free to share and help a local filmmaker!

Anyone wanna go see citizen? My second bailed and I have an extra ticket. Meet met at the Filmore, buy me a beer, promise to go ham in the pit and it’s all yours.

Just moved here from NY/NJ and got a ragdoll kitten. Been bringing him places with me and he's doing very well. Brought him to local parks. At a beer garden right now with him. Any cat/pet friendly places in the area? Living in NoMa. Any kitty meet ups? Any tips on training an adventure kitty? My next hurdle is going to be going on the metro with him. Obviously in a bag with a harness.

I saw a ton of police cars and officers outside of the Capitol South metro station around 5:00 PM on Tuesday (they were across from the RNC, so not sure if it was related to that building). Just curious if anyone knows what all that was about.

(to clarify, I’m at that station frequently and it was WAY more of a police presence than I’ve seen there before)

Does anyone have a recommendation for a jeweler in town experienced with repairing very old pieces? DC proper preferred.

I have Georgian/Renaissance jewelry in need of repair but they’re very delicate works. I know a lot of jewelers advertise as familiar with antiques but it would be SO reassuring to me if someone could share firsthand experience with a jeweler working on their 200+ year old pieces. Thank you so much!!!

All the parking threads here lately got me curious, so I pulled the full 2025 parking citation dataset from Open Data DC and ran the numbers.

Totals for the year: 1,033,777 citations, $61,881,924 in fines assessed. That works out to about $7,000 in fines per hour, around the clock, all year.

The weird one is August. 46,568 citations — barely half of July (97k) or September (96.5k). It's a full month of data, not a partial pull, I checked it against the source directly. I don't have a good explanation for why enforcement fell off a cliff for one month. If anyone knows, I'm genuinely curious.

The top violation isn't what I expected either. "Fail to display a multi-space meter receipt" the paper slip from the kiosk — beat everything else at 130,767 tickets. And "no current tags" is the biggest money-maker of any category at $9.3M despite being second in count.

Everything's from Open Data DC. Happy to share the exact queries if anyone wants to check my math.