The Tennis Traveler: Visit Washington, D.C. for the Citi Open, stay for the Pedestrian Scramble

The North American hard-court summer swing continues next week with the ATP and WTA 500-level Mubadala Citi DC Open. Although many players are opting for Paris and competing in the 2024 Olympic Games, there is plenty to enjoy for the ones who chose Washington, D.C.—especially with an itinerary that includes a few of these unorthodox adventures.

Without further ado, here are five memorable experiences in the capital city that are brag-worthy to any Paris-goers. Plus, TENNIS.com's Steve Tignor returns with his own Top 5 list featuring must-see historic landmarks and museums.

1. O Mansion! My Mansion!

Right off Dupont Circle sits a multi-purpose mansion that celebrates history while simultaneously paving the present. Whether opting for a night at the museum or scheduling a daytime experience, there are more ways than one to take in the Mansion on O Street.

The maze-like mansion has over 100 rooms and 70 secret doors to discover. There are daily events that tour the mansion which include anything from a five-course high tea service to a speakeasy treasure hunt. The mansion also serves as a rental space for private parties, teambuilding retreats, and holiday specials. Keep in mind that an online reservation is required beforehand.

Fun fact, the mansion itself isn’t a mansion but rather four conjoined rowhouses. It also houses a permanent art collection, and most of the items throughout the themed rooms are for sale.

2. Exorcism on the Rocks

Although released back in 1973, The Exorcist remains an anchor point for horror movies to this day. In fact, it was named Time Out’s scariest movie of all time earlier this year, not to mention countless other recognitions as a horrifying two hour and twelve minute experience.

If demonic possession is your thing, you’re in luck. If it’s not, I won’t hold it against you if you scroll to number three.

Where Canal Road and M Street meet, there is a steep staircase hammered between stone and brick. Spoiler alert: True fans of the movie will recognize the brick house for the window that Father Karras jumped out of.

This location is now considered a historic landmark in D.C., and ironically, the stairs are marked as “kid friendly” on maps.

Since we’re on the subject of movies, around the corner from the stairs stand Bumblebee and Optimus Prime from the beloved Transformers movies. Although the city is in constant battle to remove these statues, they’re still standing… for now.

3. Pedestrian Scramble

Did you know that the Chinese New Year is celebrated for fifteen days every year in Washington, D.C.? With parades, dragon dances, food and music, Chinatown becomes a spectacle of history and honor.

The Chinatown Barnes Dance Public Art Project marks the crosswalk at 7^th and H Street, right below Chinatown’s Friendship Archway. The perpendicular crosswalks with the traditional zebra stripes feature the twelve zodiac signs, while the diagonal features colorful dragons.

This soon came to be known as the Pedestrian Scramble, as traffic engineer Henry Barnes noted people dancing in the street following the installation.

Experience the culture, the food, the friendship [arch], and then make your way on foot to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, the National Portrait Gallery, or the National Building Museum.

Opting for a break from history and landmarks and memorials? Stop by the Museum of Illusions which is also just a short block away from the Pedestrian Scramble.

4. Hall of Fake Presidents

Since you’re already paying tribute to the rich history of the United States with a visit to the capital, you might as well recognize America’s fictional leaders as well.

The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema houses a Hall of Fake Presidents that honors a dozen fictional U.S. presidents from notable films. Morgan Freeman in Deep Impact and Harrison Ford in Air Force One are two honorees, alongside a life-size statue of President Whitmore from Independence Day, which is framed with Bill Pullman’s speech from the movie.

Also at the Alamo is the Highbinder, a spy-themed bar with 32 draft beers, for a pre-show meal or a post-film review. Fun fact, the term “highbinder” is used to describe a corrupt politician. Fitting name for a bar adjacent to a hall of fake presidents, no?

5. Dial 1 For Joke

A newer installation in Washington, D.C. is a free to use payphone that’s been upgraded to more than a dialing device. Yes, there is an outgoing functionality, but the kicker is the incoming calls and extras.

Per instructions, an incoming call allows you to leave a joke, a fact, or anything, really. Call the payphone’s number, leave your message, and hang up. But there's a hidden feature, too. Dialing star (*) and any of the nine digits or (#) results in one of ten things happening:

• a knock-knock joke
• a little kid joke
• a slightly older kid joke
• jokes of random quality
• crazy fun facts for kids
• crazy fun facts for older folks
• positive thoughts for kids
• positive thoughts for youth
• positive thoughts for parents on the edge
• a random guy who thinks he has all the answers

Find this Jokes Phone near an elementary school in the Chevy Chase neighborhood, where its creator Don Rutledge, a substitute teacher, lives.

Steve Tignor’s Top 5 in Washington, D.C.

1. The Dabney

This one-star Michelin restaurant serves elevated mid-Atlantic cuisine in an eight-course tasting menu, as well as an additional a la carte dinner menu at their bar and bar area tables.

2. National Gallery of Art

Open daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm, explore notable works, hear the stories behind the art, and take in the current exhibitions featured on site.

3. Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Pay attention to the Three Servicemen statue, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, the In-Memory Plaque, and a flagpole of the five military branches at the time.

4. National Museum of African American History and Culture

A stunning building from a far, and even more so from inside the walls. This museum dives into the experiences of African American lives through the history of the country.

5. Thomas Sweet

Ending on a sweet note, as everything always should, there is a must-try spot to satisfy the sweet tooth in the heart of Georgetown. They offer ice cream, frozen yogurt, chocolate, and fresh fudge.