I’m a city girl at heart.
When I say city, I mean no beaches, no suburbs.
Being in the midst of the city’s pubs, restaurants, libraries, and monuments gives my heart a beat I can’t find elsewhere.
I can’t explain it, but when I’m far away, my heart doesn’t vibrate the same way. I find a sense of glee when I’m in the city, and the gentle breeze strokes my face.
The sounds coming from the hustle and bustle are a sweet melody to my heart. It signifies the whole city is wide awake and ready to tackle new challenges and come out winning!
What adds even more to the beauty of the scenery are historical landmarks found in museums and monuments. They give each city its own touch and perfume the city with a unique narrative.
In Washington DC, plenty are the views. For one, it is the capital of the most powerful nation in the whole world, and several places attract visitors, not only internationally, but also nationally.
It is not uncommon for “Washingtonians” to have never been near the White House, the Lincoln, Martin Luther King’s, or the Jefferson memorials.
Washington DC has so many symbolic features it’s easy to miss out on the less-talked-about blazes that are spread out through the city.
If you’re like me, you enjoy a good background to capture your stroll through the city.
Here are 3 places that perfectly encapsulate the feelings the city evokes in me:
CityCenterDC
CityCenterDC is like my own personal slice of heaven in the midst of the city’s music. Located right by another landmark, Chinatown, CityCenterDC sits pretty in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the city. While the city is engulfed in traffic, transactions and everyday activities, CityCenterDC offers an interruption at anytime of the day where one can shop, eat or even sit for a few minutes to just absorb everything that’s happening around.
The luminosity surrounding the place offers a great background for pictures.
The Bridge at the Yards Park
This bridge to me symbolizes the nature of a city. You’re passing through. It’s the center of activity for many different people and all walks of life collide at a single point. Being in the city gives me a view of this beautiful encounter. I see the city as a place where one has a unique chance for personal growth. Being around so many different backgrounds forces you to expand your perspective on so many different things. You walk away enriched in your thinking without even realizing it.
I love this bridge because of the aerial views it offers. Pictures taken there promise to be ethereal and vibrant with life!
Pershing Park
This place offers a solace in the city. Although located not too far from the White House and other historic monuments, it is relatively unknown. Visitors don’t flock to it, yet it is perfect for meditation or any outdoor session.
The placement of the steps reinforces even more its concept of tranquillity because the first thing you probably see are seats up higher, then one can take steps down to access its center and discover even more serenity. Once you get to the bottom of the steps you’ll discover a duck pond you can observe while sitting. These days the duck pond has been replaced by absolutely dry land but the stillness is still there.
It’s pretty perfect for pictures because you are unencumbered with passersby or even just curious folks. You can flicker it up at will.
As you can probably tell by now, I’m a girl who enjoys the quiet in the midst of the storm. Each is intrinsically connected with the other. I just can’t have one without the other.
If you’re like me, that place offers you an even more reflective glare of things that exist around you but that sometimes you take for granted.
With that in mind, enjoy your stroll!
- City At Heart – Washington DC - July 20, 2017
Hello from a fellow DC city girl! You did a great job at capturing the diverse architecture and neighborhoods of the city. Haven’t been to Bridge at Yard’s park. Will totally check this out! Thanks for the recommendations!
Thank so much Bryana! Isn’t the background gorgeous?! I recommend it at night (for pictures lol)
Love this post, I am also a city girl but have to get my beach fix in at least once a month if I can!!
Yes girl! Sometimes you need a change of scenery, even if just for a few days!
You’re pictures are just another level! So beautiful. And gorgeously written as well, love it!
Thanks Nellie! I have to give credit to the people who took those pictures!
They are truly amazing!
Oh boy, I do wanna go to Washington now. Fantastic photos by the way. That bridge must look beautiful at night time 🙂
Come! You won’t regret it!
Yes I love that night view, it’s something else!
Absolutely a change of scenery is always a necessity. We live in Brooklyn and always feel that need for sure.
Praying you find your next move! xoxo
Nice write up and some interesting places you have there ! Totally goes with the city girl style and glad you’ve found places that get you that happiness one looks for ! I am still trying to find mine !
Thanks! I hope you find yours in the most unexpected places! xoxo
I live in DC but I’ve never seen Pershing Park. Maybe I’ll check it out soon!
Please do! I always pass it by when I walk over from Freedom Plaza on my way to the White House
A very unique article. Tbh, I have not read too many articles on city life or love for a city but I must say I enjoyed yours, specially the beginning 🙂
Thanks so much Madhurima! Hopefully it inspired a visit through the city!
I am a D.C native and these are some interesting places. The photos taken are clean and well portrayed. One of my favorite spots in under the canal in Georgetown back behind the bridges overlooking the Potomac. Cheers!
Thanks! Credit to the people who took those pictures!
I’ve never been under the canal, although I always look at it when I’m crossing the bridge. I should check it out!
A few years ago I watched the July 4th fireworks in Georgetown by the docks I think it was.
Love the view!!
Love the look of your blog. Been to DC many times but not quite seen through your eyes!! Very nice.
Thank you much Ilene! xoxo
This is beautifully written, you can sense your passion. I’m the opposite and a beach girl at heart, but there’s no denying you’ve sold it to me with this article.
Aww I did my job! Thanks!!
Now I need someone to convince me to go to the beach lol! I do like it though, the only issue I have is the grains of sand being with you for weeks on end, and on the craziest places of your body haha!
Loved reading your post. I totally agree with you about needing a change of scenery 🙂
🙌🏾🙌🏾 The truth!!
I’m an adventure traveller at heart but you can find me loving city life too – I’ll be using your tips when I head to Washington DC! Love the article – it’s an easy to read!
Thanks Vanessa! Hope this helps!!
I never was a city girl. But if the city is this beautiful, i wouldn’t mind spending weeks here.
Yes indeed Jen! You won’t regret it! xoxo
Hey City Girl !! Love the way you have found meaning in what the bridge symbolizes. The city seems to have a blend of both the glitz and glamour along with serenity.Cheers!!
Yes! The combo is perfect!
I love the way you have explained your love for the city. That is how i felt when i was in Tokyo.
Yes! I just love cities! They’re magic! 😍
im a nature lover and i love being in a serene place with lots of trees and flowers. however i also feel the same way as you. i look for a bustling city with great food, historical places, and interesting culture coz i can learn a lot from it.
The culture is everything! That really draws me in!
Lovely pictures.. loved the combinations here!
Thanks Saumyata!! xoxo
We still don’t know if we can make it to Washington for our next trip to the US East Coast but if we can squeeze it in, I’ll definitely use this useful guide, thank you!
No problem Dany! Im glad you enjoyed it!
Hopefully you can make it! xoxo
Your post is beautifully written! I’ve never been to Washington – your pics and post have tempted me to visit one day. Pershing Park looks so serene, great place to escape the hustle and bustle.
Please do! I’m sure you won’t regret it!
I’m a city girl too! I love the pictures here, it looks like Washington DC would be an amazing city to walk through and experience, especially at night.
Some parts of the city can be super lively during week nights but some of the ones here are somehow covered with an extra layer of serenity at night. Breathtaking!
Love this post, and I can’t tell you how much your comments about loving the city resonated with me. I’ve never been to Washington, but it’s so nice to see some destinations outside of the typical tourist guides you see out there. Will bookmark this for when I do have a chance to visit!
Yay! Thanks for reading Karyna! xoxo
Thanks for showing a different side of Washington DC. This blog post makes me feel that I know a lot more about Washington DC than just a major metropolitan and a seat of power. I particularly like the Pershing park. I guess every city no matter what size, is incomplete without a beautiful park where citizens can come, socialize and relax after a hectic schedule.
Yes indeed Ambuj!
I’ve lived in the DC area for 7 years and JUST discovered Yards Park last month. I remember when they were building CityCenterDC, still haven’t been but whenever I drive by (especially at night) it looks amazing. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading Vanessa! Xoxo