If you've ever wanted to visit Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls - this is your chance! Celebrating 250 years of history this year, Old Ellicott City stole our hearts the moment we saw it.

From visiting America's oldest surviving railroad depot, browsing eclectic shops, or sampling a local distillery, this town is loaded with charm and things to do.

Try a new brew at one of the local breweries and tap rooms around Howard County (I hear Manor Hill Brewing is great)!

Go for a stroll and enjoy the woods on the Trolley Line #9 Trail, a 1.25-mile boardwalk and paved trail near Old Ellicott City.

Visit the Bejamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum, a 142-acre site dedicated to telling the story of Benjamin Banneker, often considered the first African-American man of science.

NOTE: The last time we went the museum was closed for renovations, but we still had a great time visiting the recreation of Benjamin's cabin and pumping a surprisingly large amount of fun facts and details out of the cabin attendant.

If you feel so inspired, there are a bunch of trails behind the cabin for woodland miandering.

If you've never been to DC and like museums, look no further! Encompassing 17 museums in the DC area plus the National Zoo, you can't visit DC without visiting a Smithsonian.

It's impossible to list all of the amazing treasures at these museums (I tried...).

Here is a guide from the Washington Post that can help if you're not sure where to start.

Also a few new things to mention I didn't see on this list:

- The Presidential Portraits (National Portrait Gallery)

- Lucy (Natural History Musuem)

- Pandas (National Zoo)

TIP: There's no chance you're going to make it through all of these museums... don't be a completionist (trust me -- I'm a completionist). I would make a list of your must-sees so you don't get overwhelmed.

See all the buildings that make DC famous!

The White House

You can see the North and South Lawn whenever, but if you want to go inside, you'll need to contact your senator in advance to ask for a ticket. I've never done this (we don't have any ha) so you'll have to google it.

The Capitol

Seeing it from the outside is amazing. If you want to go inside, you should consider making a reservation. If you forgot to make one, might as well give it a shot anyway.

The Library of Congress

You'll need a timed entry ticket to get in. Check out their know-before-you-go page for more info.

The Supreme Court

Supposedly open to the public, except when impeded by business of the court. More info here.

Embrace your inner Nick Cage and come see the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence! Need I say more...

NOTE: If you plan to visit this one, I suggest getting a FREE timed entry pass that will let you skip the lines. More info on the website.

Visit the world's largest tallest freestanding stone structure built to honor George Washington.

FUN FACT: You can actually go to the top of the Washington Monument! But you need a FREE ticket... more info on the website ;)

DC is home to dozens of monuments - and luckily many of them can be found centralized near the National Mall! I'll list out a few of our favs below which we typically do in one day, walking around the Tidal Basin and National Mall.

But you should still check out this website for an even longer list...

Trust me, these are worth your time!

Lincoln Memorial

World War II Memorial

MLK Memorial

Vietnam War Memorial

Jefferson Memorial

FDR Memorial

FUN FACT: DC is home to the largest population of Ethiopians outside of Ethiopia... you would be remis to not try it here, if you're going to try it anywhere.

Some of our favorites are CherCher and Letena.

If you want to try a traditional Ethiopian coffee service checkout Sidamo (right down the street from our local bookshop, Solid State Books)!

DC is home to the highest density of Michelin-starred restaurants in the U.S.

Whether you are looking for your next Michelin-star or just some great food, might we recommend checking out the Washingtonian's Top 100 restaurant list. It's our go-to when we're looking for a fun new place to check out!