GAC Guide 2023

Here you are in DC, for the GAC.

Of course you’re here for the conference. But there’s so much more to the experience. Here’s a little extra information to make your time all that much more enjoyable.

Dining

No question about it: DC is a town for great dining. We’ve got some suggestions.

Activities

Bored? It’s not the town’s fault. Here are some things you might try out.

Getting around DC

Plus, if you have questions about how to get around DC, check out our guide.

Association Team Members

You’re not alone. In fact, you’ve got a at least three credit union friends in town. Feel free to reach out to them.

Utah delegation

Greeting the elected representatives is an important part of the trip. Learn more about them here.

Dining Recommendations

From Association team members and elected representatives:

Ted’s Bulletin, casual American diner, Scott Simpson’s choice. Two nearby locations: 505 8th St SE, and 1818 14th St NW. Stephen is also a fan, suggesting the peanut butter bacon burger.
Bullfeathers on the Hill, pub-style dining, recommended by Stephen Nelson. Located at 410 First St SE.
Medium Rare, a fixed-menu steakhouse, a little further out. Recommended by Stephen Nelson. Located at 3500 Connecticut Ave NW.

Recommendations from those who’ve moved on to other things:

Ruth’s Chris, steaks and seafood, recommended by Marilyn Pearson. Located at 21st and 21st, L St NW. Try the ribeye, sweet potato casserole, sautéed mushrooms, and Ceasar salad
Hunan Dynasty, Chinese, recommended by Shule Bishop. Located at 215 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. Try the crispy prawn with walnuts.
Good Stuff Eatery, burgers and shakes, recommended by Shule Bishop. Located at 303 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. Try the farmhouse bacon cheese, and salty caramel shake.

Spencer’s Corner

Matchbox, American and pizza. Located at 521 8th St SE.
Shake Shack, burgers and shakes. Two nearby locations: 800 F St NW and 50 Massachusetts Ave NE.
Medium Rare, steakhouse with a set menu. Two locations a little further out: 3500 Connecticut Ave NW and 3601 Fairfax Dr, Arlington.
Spencer also recommends Ted’s Bulletin, Good Stuff Eatery, and Seventh Hill Pizza, recommended above.

Congressional Picks

Senator Mitt Romney: Favorite: Karma Modern Indian, located at 611 I St NW. Also, Good Stuff Eatery, burgers and shakes, located at 303 Pennsylvania Ave. SE (try the toasted marshmallow shake).
Rep. Chris Stewart: We the Pizza
Rep. John Curtis: Chopt Creative Salad Co., salad and wraps. Multiple nearby locations: 1257 First St SE, or 801 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
Rep. Burgess Owens: Capital Grille, located at 601 Pennsylvania Avenue NW or (farther away) 5310 Western Ave, Chevy Chase, MD 20815. and Osteria Morini, located at 301 Water St SE.

Activities

DC is a hotspot for things to do and see. Here are a few that the Association Staff particularly enjoy.

National Archives Museum

Feast your eyes on an ancient document or two, such as the Magna Carta, Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution of the United States.
Cost: free.
Get more details here.
Look up the location on Google Maps.
Recommended by Stephen Nelson.

Thomas Jefferson Building

When you go to this breathtaking building, don’t forget to look over the main reading room, and take a peek at an original Gutenberg Bible.
Cost: free.
Get more details here.
Look up the location on Google Maps.
Recommended by Stephen Nelson.

Washington Monument

To tour this iconic monolith, you’ve have to get tickets online, but the sights are worth it! Tickets become available at 10 a.m. each day for the next day.
Cost: free.
Get more details here.
Look up the location on Google Maps.
Recommended by Stephen Nelson.

Spencer’s suggestions

Been to DC many times? Need something new to see? Spencer Stokes has the following suggestions!

Renwick Gallery
A branch museum of the Smithsonian American Art Museum dedicated to contemporary craft and decorative arts. More info here. Located at 1661 Pennsylvanian Avenue NW.

National Portrait Gallery
Also a Smithsonian branch, this museum displays portraits and stories of inspiring Americans. More info here. Located at 8th and G Streets.

President Lincoln’s Cottage
Lincoln’s home during the height of the Civil War, the Gothic-Revival cottage is now a museum. More info here. Located at 140 Rock Creek Church Rd NW.

Eastern Market/ Farmers & Art Market
Bustling marketplace since 1873 featuring a variety of produce, handmade crafts & prepared foods. More info here. Located at 225 7th St SE.

Getting Around DC

It can be intimidating to get around the town. Here are a few thoughts:

Ride sharing: Uber and Lyft are great resources in DC. Just specify your destination, and tell the app to find you a driver. The app tells you how soon a driver will be there, and you sit back and wait. You do have to have a user account for the service, and have to enter a credit card, so it’s useful to set up the service before you actually need it.
Taxi: you can hail a taxi—just like you’ve seen in the movies. When you spot a taxi with the light on its roof turned ON, wave your hand at it. Hopefully it will see you and stop! If not, you can call taxi companies at:
- Red Top Cab Arlington: 703-522-3333
- Yellow Cab Company of DC: 202-544-1212
- DC Taxi Service: 202-412-7049
- Taxi Transportation: 202-398-0500
Rental Cars: if you need to go further out, or just want the freedom of your own car for a day, you can try these companies:
- Avis: 703-419-5815
- Enterprise: 844-648-1606
- Budget: 703-872-0320
- Thrifty: 877-283-0898
- Hertz: 703-419-6300
Public transportation: DC has an excellent public transportation system that can get you within walking distance of a lot of great places. Besides, it’s a badge of honor to learn how to use the Metro!
- Metro rail: the subway system has many stops around town, and can get you to some far-flung places, as well. We could share links to all kinds of information, but it’s probably just easiest if you download the DC Metro and Bus app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Maps apps, such as Google Maps and Apple Maps also provide directions using public transit.
- AMTRAK: this train service can take you long distances.
- MARC: another train service for longer trips
- Virginia Rail Express: a third train service to the Northern Virginia suburbs, Alexandria, Crystal City, and DC.
Walk: hoofing it is a great way to get around town–just be sure to gauge the distance with an app. Appearances can be deceiving. For example, the walk from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol building is 2.1 miles!