Washington, DC’s rich history and culture attracts visitors from across the globe. To avoid the tourist crush, we asked Julie Saunders from Four Seasons Hotel to reveal the hidden gems of this capital city.

For the best drink

Come to the Four Seasons’ Bourbon Steak restaurant. I don’t say that lightly. Bourbon is my spirit of choice and I encourage people to do a whiskey tasting here in one of our private dining rooms – the Batch, the Barrel or the Spirit – which I actually named.

For the best burger

I go to Good Stuff Eatery – the original location behind the Capitol. It’s so good that the president goes there. Their burgers are amazing.

For a seafood fix

Head to L’Auberge Chez François in [Great Falls] Virginia – it’s like a country inn. The food is fabulous. I’ve been going there for 30 years because it’s so beautiful.

A popular place with locals

Bistrot Lepic & Wine Bar, a little French bistro that draws the international diplomatic crowd and other Georgetown locals. They have a great bar with live music on Monday and Wednesday nights.

Insider’s Tips to Washington, DC

For the best coffee

I go to Baked & Wired, which is a charming place on the canal. They don’t just do great coffee but also great tea and chai, plus they have a wonderful bakery section. And I love the name.

If you want world-class fashion

Visit Hu’s Shoes or Hu’s Wear, in Georgetown, for high-end buys. Or Cady’s Alley, which has a younger, trendier crowd.

For a dose of history and heritage

The place to visit is the Lincoln Memorial, where you get a wonderful long view of the Washington mall and, behind you, Arlington National Cemetery. I’d also go to the top of the Washington Monument, where you can see the circles and grand avenues and get an impression of how the city was planned – much of it modelled on Paris.

For an all-American day out

I’d recommend a baseball game at Nationals Park and hanging out on the riverfront near the Navy Yard, which is a whole other part of the city that’s being opened up for locals and visitors. It’s a good place to grab a beer or a meal before the game.

The city’s best outdoor experience

Walking along the Potomac River. On Sundays, a good portion of the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway is closed off so you can jog, rollerblade or cycle. In summer it’s leafy and green and in winter it has a beautiful stillness.

SEE ALSO: Things to do in Washington DC

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