Solo Trip to Washington DC, Philadelphia, and New York City ✶ JPKOUDSTAAL.COM

This October, I went to the U.S. for a design conference and took the chance to turn it into a solo trip. Over ten days, I explored Washington DC, Philadelphia, and New York City, three places I’d wanted to (re)visit for a while.

Along the way, I explored history, practiced photography, enjoyed favorite foods, and met inspiring people. If you want to read about the design conference, go here, if you want to read what else I did, continue:

Washington DC

After a nine-hour flight, an hour at customs, and another hour commuting, I finally arrived at Hotel Hive, a micro hotel near George Washington University and just a short walk from the National Mall.

Once I dropped my bags and grabbed a quick pizza, I walked to the Lincoln Memorial. It was around 8 PM, though my body insisted it was 2 AM, but the excitement of being in a new place kept me awake. I expected it to be quiet, but the place was full of tourists and school groups.

After a few photos, I wandered past the Korean War Veterans, Martin Luther King Jr., and Franklin D. Roosevelt memorials before looping around the Tidal Basin to the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument. It turned into a much longer walk than planned, but it was worth it and I tried to beat jet lag by staying up late.

But that didn’t work, cause the next morning I was wide awake at 05:30. At 07:00 the sun was out, so I took a walk to the White House and watched the city slowly wake up. Breakfast was at Lincoln’s Waffle Shop, an old-school diner across from Ford’s Theatre, where Lincoln was assassinated in 1865. Two eggs over easy, waffles and bottomless coffee is exactly what I needed.

From there I continued to the U.S. Capitol. The sunlight was beautiful and it was still very quiet, which made it feel a little surreal remembering the images from what had happened there on January 6.

One of my goals on this trip was to explore more of America’s Black history, so I visited the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Thankfully it was open despite the government shutdown. The museum opened in 2016 and tells the story of African American life from slavery to civil rights and beyond. I joined a tour of the Slavery and Freedom exhibition, which was powerful and emotional.

I took a moment to reflect at the Contemplative Court, a calm space centered around a circular waterfall, then had lunch at Sweet Home Café, which serves Southern-inspired dishes. I spent about five hours in the museum and still felt like I’d only seen part of it.

Later that afternoon, I returned to the National Mall to see the memorials again in the warm light. While walking between the Lincoln and Vietnam memorials, I spotted a fox chasing squirrels and actually catching one. A strange and memorable sight in the middle of DC.

That evening I grabbed another pizza and called it an early night, impressed by how much the city had to offer.

Along the way, I explored history, practiced photography, enjoyed favorite foods, and met inspiring people. If you want to read about the design conference, go here, if you want to read what else I did, continue:

Washington DC

After a nine-hour flight, an hour at customs, and another hour commuting, I finally arrived at Hotel Hive, a micro hotel near George Washington University and just a short walk from the National Mall.

Once I dropped my bags and grabbed a quick pizza, I walked to the Lincoln Memorial. It was around 8 PM, though my body insisted it was 2 AM, but the excitement of being in a new place kept me awake. I expected it to be quiet, but the place was full of tourists and school groups.

After a few photos, I wandered past the Korean War Veterans, Martin Luther King Jr., and Franklin D. Roosevelt memorials before looping around the Tidal Basin to the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument. It turned into a much longer walk than planned, but it was worth it and I tried to beat jet lag by staying up late.

But that didn’t work, cause the next morning I was wide awake at 05:30. At 07:00 the sun was out, so I took a walk to the White House and watched the city slowly wake up. Breakfast was at Lincoln’s Waffle Shop, an old-school diner across from Ford’s Theatre, where Lincoln was assassinated in 1865. Two eggs over easy, waffles and bottomless coffee is exactly what I needed.

From there I continued to the U.S. Capitol. The sunlight was beautiful and it was still very quiet, which made it feel a little surreal remembering the images from what had happened there on January 6.

One of my goals on this trip was to explore more of America’s Black history, so I visited the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Thankfully it was open despite the government shutdown. The museum opened in 2016 and tells the story of African American life from slavery to civil rights and beyond. I joined a tour of the Slavery and Freedom exhibition, which was powerful and emotional.

I took a moment to reflect at the Contemplative Court, a calm space centered around a circular waterfall, then had lunch at Sweet Home Café, which serves Southern-inspired dishes. I spent about five hours in the museum and still felt like I’d only seen part of it.

Later that afternoon, I returned to the National Mall to see the memorials again in the warm light. While walking between the Lincoln and Vietnam memorials, I spotted a fox chasing squirrels and actually catching one. A strange and memorable sight in the middle of DC.

That evening I grabbed another pizza and called it an early night, impressed by how much the city had to offer.

Philadelphia

The next morning, I took the Amtrak from DC to Philadelphia. It was my first time traveling by train in the U.S., and it felt a bit like flying with gates, lines, and all. I arrived around noon, checked into my hotel, and headed straight to Campo’s for my first proper Philly cheesesteak (Whiz Wit is what one of the owners advised me to try).

Mia and Mike Campo from Campo’s Deli, Philadelphia

I knew that Campo’s is family-owned, so when I saw the father-daughter owners behind the counter, I asked them for a portrait. I’ve always been interested in travel photography, but usually I take pictures of landscapes and architecture, this year wanted to make it more about the people, so I’m ignoring my natural shyness and am just asking people if I can take their picture.

From there I wandered around South Street and found Atomic City Comics, a great little comic book shop, where I bought a Spider-man comic.

Chara & Mike Smith with a tall dude from The Netherlands

Next, I visited Smith & Diction, one of my favorite design studios. I had emailed Mike a week earlier asking if I could stop by, and he and Chara couldn’t have been more welcoming. Their studio is on the top floor of an old school building, full of light and creative energy.

We talked about design, process, and community. And I gave them some Dutch sweets I’d brought along. Before I left, they gifted me a few prints and the Philly pennant I had planned to buy, so nice!

Me and Dan Mall enjoying pizza at Pizzeria Beddia in Philadelphia

That evening, I met up with another Philly designer and entrepreneur, Dan Mall. We have known each other for a while, and it was great to catch up over incredible pizza at Pizzeria Beddia. We talked about photography, freelancing, travel, and raising kids in the smartphone era. And I had some Dutch sweets for him too, of course. (Thanks again for the great dinner and chat, Dan!)

The next day I visited Reading Terminal Market, a busy, neon-lit food hall full of local flavor. Inside I found Down Home Diner and ordered the Barnyard Platter (eggs, home fries, and a biscuit) exactly what I needed.

Two women sitting next to me were wearing the same color top, and since I’m trying to get better at photography, I asked if I could take their photo. They said yes, and I sent them the picture later that day.

After breakfast, I walked to City Hall, the LOVE statue, and the Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Of course, I did the famous pose at the top, along with about twenty other people. Kind of amazing that people still do that, nearly 50 years after the movie came out.

From there, I walked back to the city centre and explored Elfreth’s Alley, America’s oldest continuously inhabited street. I also joined a walking tour focused on Black history in Philadelphia. The guide shared powerful stories of enslaved people, abolitionists, and early African Americans who helped shape the city. It was an eye-opening way to end my time in Philly.

Philadelphia

The next morning, I took the Amtrak from DC to Philadelphia. It was my first time traveling by train in the U.S., and it felt a bit like flying with gates, lines, and all. I arrived around noon, checked into my hotel, and headed straight to Campo’s for my first proper Philly cheesesteak (Whiz Wit is what one of the owners advised me to try).

Mia and Mike Campo from Campo’s Deli, Philadelphia

I knew that Campo’s is family-owned, so when I saw the father-daughter owners behind the counter, I asked them for a portrait. I’ve always been interested in travel photography, but usually I take pictures of landscapes and architecture, this year wanted to make it more about the people, so I’m ignoring my natural shyness and am just asking people if I can take their picture.

From there I wandered around South Street and found Atomic City Comics, a great little comic book shop, where I bought a Spider-man comic.

Chara & Mike Smith with a tall dude from The Netherlands

Next, I visited Smith & Diction, one of my favorite design studios. I had emailed Mike a week earlier asking if I could stop by, and he and Chara couldn’t have been more welcoming. Their studio is on the top floor of an old school building, full of light and creative energy.

We talked about design, process, and community. And I gave them some Dutch sweets I’d brought along. Before I left, they gifted me a few prints and the Philly pennant I had planned to buy, so nice!

Me and Dan Mall enjoying pizza at Pizzeria Beddia in Philadelphia

That evening, I met up with another Philly designer and entrepreneur, Dan Mall. We have known each other for a while, and it was great to catch up over incredible pizza at Pizzeria Beddia. We talked about photography, freelancing, travel, and raising kids in the smartphone era. And I had some Dutch sweets for him too, of course. (Thanks again for the great dinner and chat, Dan!)

The next day I visited Reading Terminal Market, a busy, neon-lit food hall full of local flavor. Inside I found Down Home Diner and ordered the Barnyard Platter (eggs, home fries, and a biscuit) exactly what I needed.

Two women sitting next to me were wearing the same color top, and since I’m trying to get better at photography, I asked if I could take their photo. They said yes, and I sent them the picture later that day.

After breakfast, I walked to City Hall, the LOVE statue, and the Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Of course, I did the famous pose at the top, along with about twenty other people. Kind of amazing that people still do that, nearly 50 years after the movie came out.

From there, I walked back to the city centre and explored Elfreth’s Alley, America’s oldest continuously inhabited street. I also joined a walking tour focused on Black history in Philadelphia. The guide shared powerful stories of enslaved people, abolitionists, and early African Americans who helped shape the city. It was an eye-opening way to end my time in Philly.

New York City

After Philadelphia, I took the train to New York City. The moment I stepped out of Penn Station, the city’s energy hit me, the sounds, the crowds, the smells, I love it every time. I took the subway to The Baltic Hotel in Brooklyn, close to the conference I was attending. The room was small, breakfast was basic, and I had to pay $20 for early check-in, but at least the location was good.

The DOP Margherita at Brooklyn DOP

That afternoon, I headed to Brooklyn DOP in Park Slope. I tried their signature Margherita with roasted mushrooms, sweet shallots, and Calabrian peppers, and a Sicilian slice with incredible flavor. It was the perfect start to my NYC food quest. Even with the rain falling, I wandered around DUMBO, photographing the bridges while the streets stayed quiet.

Staple Street Skybridge, New York City

The next day, I took the subway to Fulton Street for a solo photowalk. I went from The Oculus to the 9/11 Memorial, then to the Staple Street Skybridge and the Ghostbusters Firehouse. The light drizzle made the walk a bit uncomfortable, but it added a nice atmosphere to the photos.

Walking through Washington Square Park, I spotted a rat crossing the street right in front of me. I was too slow to get a photo, but it did make me laugh. A short time later, a woman asked if I could walk a few blocks with her, because she felt threatened by someone following her. We did and saw the guy walk away, but what a frustrating reminder of how differently women experience the city.

Fried Onion Burger and the Carolina Slaw Burger, Hamburger America

Later, I visited Hamburger America, owned by “burger scholar” George Motz, whose videos I’ve followed for years. I tried his Fried Onion Burger and the Carolina Slaw Burger, which was only available that month. Both were amazing. It felt like an authentic burger joint with diner furniture and decorations. I hear it gets very crowded on the weekends, so just go on a rainy Monday at 11:00 AM, like I did and you’ll be fine.

I continued my photowalk through SoHo, the East Village, and the Lower East Side, stopping at Economy Candy to grab some Halloween treats for my daughter.

I returned to the hotel to start editing my photos, then went out for ramen at a nearby spot, Ramen Thukpa, that was crowded but still had room for one. The big bowl was exactly what I needed.

Unisphere, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens

The following days were mostly for attending and helping out at Kinference, but on Friday, I explored Queens for the first time. I walked around Flushing Meadows Corona Park, admired the Unisphere, and then wandered through Flushing Chinatown. I grabbed lunch at Raising Cane’s, then returned to Brooklyn.

That evening, I met my Dutch friend Laurens, who has lived in Williamsburg for over a decade. We went to Fini Pizza (his favorite) and attended a pre-season Knicks game. We were amazed at how much expensive Knicks merch and food & drink was sold. The game and the entertainment surrounding it was so much fun, a perfect end to the day.

The next (and my final) day, I stored my backpack and took the train to Chinatown for a morning photowalk, enjoying the city waking up. I walked to the middle of the Manhattan Bridge for the classic view of the Brooklyn Bridge and Lower Manhattan skyline. Then I visited the Tenement Museum, where I took a guided tour to hear the story of the Moore family and the experiences of Black New Yorkers after the Civil War.

Finally, I grabbed a lox bagel at Russ & Daughters and some cookies from Levain Bakery for my wife and daughter (and me, of course). Then back to the hotel to pick up my backpack and then head to JFK to fly home.

And that was my trip…

3 cities in 10 days, averaging 15,000 steps per day. I met inspiring people, explored new spots, and pushed myself creatively. I left feeling grateful for the experiences and the chance to explore on my own. Trips like this remind me how lucky I am to discover new places and create memories that will last long after the journey ends.