When you’re figuring out how to spend your weekend in NoVA, you’re probably not asking yourself how you can “live like a local.” You just do.
But if you’re on the lookout for something fun and unique, it could be time to look to Airbnb (the company who coined that slogan back in 2008). No, you don’t have to stay in a condo or riverside home just a few miles from your own place. Instead, you can find a viable experience for a few hours, such as creating art, tasting wine and spirits or touring an unfamiliar area.
Airbnb offers over 40,000 experiences in more than 1,000 cities across the globe. We’ve rounded up 10 nearby to choose from, and we can almost guarantee there’s a new way for you to live like a NoVA native.
For Seeing the Sights
Running Tour of the Monuments
1.5 hours, up to six people
This 4-mile tour could also fall under the category of those looking for a local workout, but there really isn’t a better way to see the nation’s capital than to get up close and personal. Lace up your running shoes and jog the city with Beth, the local, licensed tour guide (also @dcrunningtours on Instagram) who will show you around the Tidal Basin, past the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the White House and the Washington Monument. Special destinations can also be requested, like the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, the World War II Memorial and more, and you’re sure to see Washington, DC in a whole new way. // $30
Art & Soul of Black Broadway
1.5 hours, up to 10 people
Getting to know the history of Washington, DC extends well beyond the iconic monuments. During this local tour, spend an hour or two with Tim, a licensed DC tour guide who will teach you all about the musical heritage of U Street, also known as Black Broadway. Genres of music that were created and performed in the area spanned over 100 years and ranged from jazz to hip-hop. Here, you’ll get to know the insight on how murals, theaters, music venues and memorials honor and celebrate the musical history of the area. It’s just the mix of pop culture, history and modern art you’ve been looking for. // $25
For the History Buffs
On the Trail of DC’s First Brewmaster
1.5 hours, up to 15 people
Depending on where you’re from, you might have started to notice a spike in the rise of local breweries. It seems that everyone knows someone who is brewing their own beer, or making a business out of it. But what about nearly 250 years ago? This 90-minute walking tour with Garrett of Atlas Obscura will take you through Alexandria in the footsteps of Andrew Wales, the area’s first brewer in 1770. The tour starts at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House, where Andrew and his wife were buried, and move through the Wales’ brewing sites. Participants also learn about the brewer’s relationship with George Washington. It’s a tour of hidden history filled with one-of-a-kind artifacts, cobblestone streets and archaeological excavation sites, right here in NoVA. // $28
Explore the Ruins of Seneca Quarry
2.5 hours, up to 15 people
A structure that stands out in the nation’s capital for being unique in its own right is the Smithsonian Castle in Poolesville, Maryland. Its 19th-century architecture and red brick are a stark contrast to the white sandstone of the monuments. So, where did it come from? Take this walking tour and you can explore the ruins of the Seneca Quarry, where the red sandstone of the castle and other structures in the nation’s capital originated. Attendees can sneak a peek of the Seneca Aqueduct (the only aqueduct on the canal made with Seneca redstone), the quarry master’s house and more. // $30
For the Budding Artists
Make a Celebration Ring
3 hours, up to six people
Whether you’re traveling to the area or have lived here your whole life, you can create a memento that you’ll cherish forver in Alexandria. Join Jennider, a professional artist and jewelry maker (who owns Wear Ever Jewelry Gallery and Studio School), and she’ll teach you how to use steel letter stamps and a hammer to impress words or phrases on to a piece of sterling silver. You’ll then fit the ring to your size and solder it together, oxidize the metal and polish it to your liking. You’ll leave with something new for your jewelry box and the experience of touring the on-site gallery and studio school. // $75
Dare to Dream with a Collage Artist
4 hours, up to 10 people
Local author and artist Amanda Lopez is looking to help you dream up your biggest goals through the creation of a dream collage. For this local experience in Sterling, you’ll get the chance to look through dozens of magazines for quotes, color and design inspiration, and then learn to layout, color, theme and adhere your pieces to a foam board. You can even bring your own magazines that have inspired you to create something worth hanging on your wall. It’s just the dose of creative inspiration you might need right down the road! // $53
For Those Looking to Wine and Dine
Tour and Sip at Virginia’s Oldest Distillery
1 hour, up to 10 people
A. Smith Bowman is the oldest distillery in the commonwealth of Virginia. Its roots date back to before the Prohibition era, when the Bowman family owned a granary and dairy farm in Sunset Hills. After repealing prohibition, Abram Smith Bowman spearheaded the efforts to turn the family business into a modern distillery, and the current location is now just outside of Fredericksburg, cranking out hundreds of bottles of spirits each year. This experience will let you learn even more of the history behind the business, look behind the scenes at the liquor-creating operation, and taste some samples for yourself. Plus, leave with a souvenir after getting a $25 voucher to the distillery gift shop. // $25
Fall in Love with Virginia Wineries
5 hours, up to four people
Virginia wine country is not to be missed, especially if you’re a local. For this experience, you can join Kristopher on a journey to six Virginia wineries and get a taste of what Virginia wine country is all about. He’s known as @dc_wineguy on Instagram and has traveled to over 165 wineries across the state in the past 10 years, so if there’s a white, red or rosé recommendation you need on the tour, he’s your guy. Attendees spend around 90 minutes at each winery, with transportation provided, and get to enjoy wine-friendly snacks and beautiful views along the way. // $109
For the Instagram Lover
Be the Star of an Artsy DC Photo Shoot
Times and amount of people varies
Looking to up your Instagram game? How about changing the theme of your feed? With this DC-based experience, you’ll get a 90-minute session with Stef, a freelance photographer who has a passion for capturing portraits and street style. All you have to bring to the session is yourself, and be ready to pose your way to perfection. Backdrops for the photo shoot include the rainbow LOVE mural by Lisa Marie Thalhammer in Blagden Alley, the heart wall near Union Market and more. You’ll be adding more color, creativity and confidence to your social media feed in no time. // $75
Enjoy a Photo Shoot in Old Town Alexandria
2 hours, up to five people
The background of Old Town Alexandria is nothing short of photogenic: cobblestone streets, twinkling lights and a spacious waterfront. But it needs a subject, and that should be you! If your aesthetic falls in line with the rustic and chic look of Alexandria, book your experience and photo shoot with Emile, a local photographer who is ready to capture candid and posed portraits of you all over the city. Plus, forget the one or two snaps, you get 30 edited photos for the private session within three business days. // $99
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