Timeline
06:55
Walk to the Phillips Collection for the quietest morning light. Arrive before the doors open to soak in the exterior and the stillness of the neighborhood.
07:25
Watch the sunrise. The Phillips Collection is America’s first museum of modern art, and the morning light hits the building and gardens with a specific clarity that defines the moment.
07:50
Walk 1 minute to Regent Thai for breakfast. It is one of the best Thai places in the city, serving authentic, less greasy dishes. Get there early to avoid the lunch rush that starts at 3 PM.
08:20
Walk 1 minute to Jolt 'N Bolt for coffee. It is a neighborhood café with an attractive interior and a more private seating area on the side. The perfect spot to digest and reflect on the morning.
Local tip
The Phillips Collection is less visited than the major Mall museums, making it the ideal spot for a solitary sunrise experience.
Check before you go
- Regent Thai opens for lunch at 11:30 AM on weekdays, but serves dinner from 5 PM. For breakfast, verify if they have morning hours or stick to the coffee shop nearby as the primary breakfast stop if the Thai restaurant is closed.
- Jolt 'N Bolt is open from 7:00 AM, so you will not miss it.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Washington, D.C. (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).