The Architect’s Guide to Washington, D.C.

With the 2024 AIA Conference on Architecture set to kick off next week on June 5 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., RECORD reached out to several locally based architects, design writers, museum leaders, and others seeking recommendations for conference attendees who might be looking to peel off and explore the nation’s capital beyond the convention center floor (where you’ll find RECORD at booth 345). While our guide includes noteworthy D.C. buildings, ranging from historic to contemporary, it also features storied cultural institutions located at a remove from the dense crowds of the National Mall, lesser-trafficked memorials, bustling urban markets, trendy cocktail bars, and much more.

Below, you’ll find our insider's suggestions for making the most of a trip to the District.