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I've always wanted to do this. I've never kayaked before. Can anyone give a newbie a few helpful tips? I'm guessing a life vest is a must, but does the rental place typically have them available, or should I bring my own? Is there a limit on how far away from Georgetown you can go? Is it generally advised to go upriver or downriver?
I think a lot of people don't understand my question. I was literally asking for things to do alone while in D.C. I wasn't asking how to meet people. I know how to meet people.
I think most people in this thread mean well, but given how socially isolating and transient of a city DC can be a lot probably don't see why you would want to be alone. I tend to be more of a lone wolf myself because most of my friends are coupled up and don't ever want to hang out with me. Last weekend I just took the Orange Line into the city, got off at the Smithsonian station, and then walked in a weird meandering path back to the Orange Line station in Ballston via the Key Bridge. I find that just exploring new areas of the city on foot can be pretty exciting when you're short on friends.
My favorite thing to do on my own is take photographs. DC is so full of interesting details. Give yourself a theme--photos of carved stone details. Photos of garden gnomes. Or people walking dogs, or potholes, or interesting windows. You can spend a whole day walking around taking them and you'll see your city in a whole new way.
In fact, taking photos is one of those things that's more fun on your own than with other people around. I want to be able to slow down and take a dozen shots on the same street if it looks interesting to me. If someone else is with you, they'll find that boring.
I've always wanted to do this. I've never kayaked before. Can anyone give a newbie a few helpful tips? I'm guessing a life vest is a must, but does the rental place typically have them available, or should I bring my own? Is there a limit on how far away from Georgetown you can go? Is it generally advised to go upriver or downriver?
If you're a woman, the club "Washington Women Outdoors" has beginner kayak trips scheduled every week in the evenings, in Alexandria. You would know this, if you had clicked on the link that I just provided here, to "Washington Women Outdoors."
My favorite thing to do on my own is take photographs. DC is so full of interesting details. Give yourself a theme--photos of carved stone details. Photos of garden gnomes. Or people walking dogs, or potholes, or interesting windows. You can spend a whole day walking around taking them and you'll see your city in a whole new way.
In fact, taking photos is one of those things that's more fun on your own than with other people around. I want to be able to slow down and take a dozen shots on the same street if it looks interesting to me. If someone else is with you, they'll find that boring.
I wish I had a nice camera to do that. However, I have a point-and-shoot pocket camera. It takes OK pictures, but I look at the pictures my friends post who have professional cameras and they get some truly beautiful shots.
For now I am continuing to go to museums and random casual/quick restaurants. I think I've run out of places to shop, having tried the Friendship Heights pavilion and the Pentagon City mall. Maybe I'll go do Georgetown sometime.
I wish I had a nice camera to do that. However, I have a point-and-shoot pocket camera. It takes OK pictures, but I look at the pictures my friends post who have professional cameras and they get some truly beautiful shots.
For now I am continuing to go to museums and random casual/quick restaurants. I think I've run out of places to shop, having tried the Friendship Heights pavilion and the Pentagon City mall. Maybe I'll go do Georgetown sometime.
Invest in a good camera. Seriously. If I didn't have photography I would have jumped off a building while living in DC. Drive to Annapolis or Baltimore or the beach for the weekend. Hang out at the waterfront and visit the Torpedo Factory in Old Town.
As you can see, I'm a big fan of...water! I am also drawn toward the entertainment industry crowd which is why I am ending up in Vegas...when I'm feeling bored and alone I drive to a random high end hotel, sit in the lounge with a drink, people watch, and end up having a really good conversation with whomever is around. Tourists and locals love gabbing and connecting. Then I get invited to some random party or dinner or event and voila! Something to do.
Maybe you can crash an interesting convention or go gambling in Charles Town, West VA. Maybe there's a racetrack you yourself can drive on...Or some bungee jumping somewhere around there. There's got to be some place you can jet ski. Or jump on the train and hit Philly, one of my fave cities ever. New York's not too far away either. How about some nightlife and gambling in Atlantic City, also within reach?
There's also Craigslist's Casual Encounters...whatever you do, don't watch Looking for Mr. Goodbar. It'll ruin one nighters for you for the rest of your life. Okay, seriously though....I hope this helps somewhat.
I haven't lived here long and I've been basically focused on my job. Haven't really put the effort into making friends and since I might leave soon, I don't see the point now. Anyway, I can stay cooped up in my apartment on weekends, but then my roommates think I am a freak. Plus, it gets boring. What can I do alone in D.C.?
-Obvious thought: museums. I did go to a few by myself and it seems like there are plenty more I could visit.
-Second obvious thought: shopping. I've gone to Friendship Heights, which was pretty nice, and the Pentagon City mall which I wasn't a fan of.
-Movies. Haven't done this yet, but it's always an option.
Any other ideas? Or specific new spots to try for these activities? Also, places where it wouldn't be weird to eat alone are good too. Thanks!
are you outdoorsie? There are lots of bike baths, etc. YOu can walk up the C&O canal, or ride a bike. Even could rent a kayak or something like that.
Some of the major bicycle paths in the area include:
1. Mount Vernon trail - paved - from Memorial Bridge, parallel to the G.W. Parkway, through Old Town Alexandria, to Mount Vernon.
2. Rock Creek Park trail - paved - along Beach Drive from Georgetown to Lake Needwood near Rockville
3. Washington and Old Dominion rail trail - paved - from Rosslyn, VA to Leesburg/Purcellville, VA
4. Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath - unpaved - from Georgetown to Great Falls and Cumberland, MD (189 miles)
5. Capital Crescent Trail - (I think ?) from Union Station to Silver Spring
6. various paths following stream beds in Arlington and west Alexandria
For more information, contact Washington Area Bicyclist Association [WABA]
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