Two of the world’s most influential cities—Washington, D.C. and New York City—are fertile ground for capacity building. Here, policy, philanthropy, multilateral institutions, startups, and culture cross-pollinate daily. This itinerary is built to sharpen leadership, deepen sector knowledge, and spark collaboration while savoring museums, architecture, and standout food.

Washington, D.C. offers unrivaled access to think tanks, the World Bank Group Visitor Center, and civic institutions—ideal for policy learning and NGO networking. New York City complements with the United Nations Headquarters, social innovation hubs, and a humming ecosystem of media and design—perfect for global perspectives and creative problem-solving.

Expect daily structure with mornings for workshops or site visits, afternoons for museums and meetings, and evenings for debriefs over memorable meals. Book timed-entry tickets for popular venues, carry a light jacket for highly air-conditioned buildings, and use transit cards (SmarTrip in D.C.; OMNY in NYC). Fly into Washington, D.C. (DCA/IAD) and out of NYC (JFK/LGA/EWR); search flights via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Washington, D.C.

D.C. is the world’s living classroom for governance and development. The National Mall anchors icons like the Lincoln Memorial and Smithsonian museums, while neighborhoods—Shaw, 14th Street, Navy Yard—pulse with creative energy. For capacity building, you’ll find the World Bank, OpenGov Hub (a collaborative space for transparency and accountability orgs), and frequent public events at major think tanks.

Top sights for context: the World Bank Group Visitor Center (global development explained with interactive exhibits), Planet Word (innovative communications museum), and the National Museum of African American History and Culture (crucial U.S. context). Cafés double as meeting rooms: Compass Coffee (multiple locations), A Baked Joint (industrial-chic bakery/café), and Seylou (whole-grain bakery with serious coffee).

• Stay: Browse centrally located stays near the Mall, Dupont, or 14th Street via VRBO Washington, DC or hotels on Hotels.com Washington, DC.
• Arrive: Fly into DCA (closest), IAD, or BWI via Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 1 — Arrive in D.C., Context Walk, and Night Views

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Land and check in. Stretch your legs with a National Mall orientation walk: start at the Smithsonian Castle, continue to the Washington Monument, and loop the WWII and Lincoln Memorials. This walk frames U.S. civic history that underpins much policy work.

Evening: Dinner at Le Diplomate (bistro fare; great for team debriefs) or Unconventional Diner (modern comfort dishes; easy to share). Cap the night at the Lincoln Memorial—its after-dark hush is ideal for a first reflection session.

Day 2 — World Bank Visitor Center + Communications Skills

Morning: Coffee at A Baked Joint (house-made breads; ample seating). Visit the World Bank Group Visitor Center (1818 H St NW). Exhibits unpack poverty reduction, climate finance, and data dashboards—excellent for sector newcomers and veterans alike. Plan 90 minutes.

Afternoon: Lunch at Immigrant Food (Penn Quarter; mission-driven, globally inspired bowls). Head to Planet Word (K Street)—its “auditorium of words” and persuasive speaking exhibits make it a stealth communications workshop. Follow with a 60-minute internal debrief: what messages resonate and how to translate them into your organization’s storytelling.

Evening: Team dinner at Maydan (live-fire Middle Eastern; communal platters foster conversation) or Albi (Levantine flavors; Michelin-starred). Nightcap at Allegory (Eaton DC; literary-themed cocktails) to continue discussion on narrative framing.

Day 3 — OpenGov Hub, Think Tank Events, and Team-Building

Morning: Espresso at Compass Coffee. Arrange a drop-in or meeting at OpenGov Hub (international development collaboration space) to learn about transparency and civic tech programs. If available, attend a public talk at a nearby think tank (CSIS, Wilson Center, Brookings often host lunchtime discussions).

Afternoon: Lunch at Teaism (Penn Quarter; bento-style plates and teas). Choose a museum with leadership angles: National Museum of African American History and Culture (equity and policy context) or the National Museum of American History (innovation and entrepreneurship exhibits). Build in 45 minutes for a facilitated SWOT or “premortem” exercise on your current project.

Evening: Casual dinner at Busboys and Poets (literature-meets-cafe; community vibe) or The Dabney Cellar (Mid-Atlantic small plates). Optional team-building: International Spy Museum (problem-solving challenges; great for cross-functional teams).

New York City

NYC is a global crossroads for diplomacy, media, and design—making it perfect for capacity building in storytelling, partnerships, and international frameworks. The UN Headquarters anchors the East River, while hubs like Civic Hall and the New York Public Library nurture digital skills and open knowledge.

Balance your days between Midtown institutions and creative Brooklyn neighborhoods. Coffee culture fuels the pace: Devoción (Colombian-sourced, Williamsburg and Flatiron), Culture Espresso (near Bryant Park), and Joe Coffee (multiple).

• Stay: Search for Midtown East or Union Square for easy UN and transit access via VRBO New York or Hotels.com New York.
• Transit from D.C.: Morning AMTRAK (3–3.5 hours) or a 1-hour flight (DCA→LGA/JFK/EWR) via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical fares: flights from ~$100–$250.

Day 4 — Travel to NYC + UN Headquarters

Morning: Depart D.C. early. If flying, aim for a 7–9 a.m. departure to reach Midtown by late morning. If taking the train, leave around 8 a.m. to arrive midday.

Afternoon: Check in and head to the United Nations Headquarters (Midtown East) for a guided tour—learn how agencies coordinate on peacekeeping, development, and SDGs. Build in time at the Visitors Centre shop for SDG materials useful in trainings.

Evening: Dinner near the UN: Sakagura (underground izakaya with deep sake list) or The Smith (American brasserie; group-friendly). Short stroll to Grand Central for the Whispering Gallery and a quick oyster tasting at Grand Central Oyster Bar.

Day 5 — Civic Skills, Libraries, and Media Literacy

Morning: Coffee at Culture Espresso; then New York Public Library (Stephen A. Schwarzman Building). Explore rotating exhibitions on manuscripts, maps, and media—ideal for research literacy. Quick stand-up on how your team will source, vet, and cite data moving forward.

Afternoon: Lunch at Urban Hawker (Singaporean hawker classics—Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, satay—great for quick variety). Walk the High Line to study public space design and stakeholder collaboration; debrief at The Shed plaza on how design thinking applies to your programs.

Evening: Book dinner at Dhamaka (bold, regional Indian; hard-to-find dishes) or Thai Diner (inventive Thai-American comfort). Night views at Top of the Rock or SUMMIT One Vanderbilt—use skyline time for a “stop/start/continue” reflection on skills gained so far.

Day 6 — Brooklyn Innovation + Team Workshop

Morning: Coffee at Devoción (Williamsburg; floor-to-ceiling greenery). Head to Brooklyn Navy Yard or Industry City to see makers, circular-economy brands, and design studios (some tours operate by reservation). Optional visit to the Tenement Museum (Lower East Side) earlier if you prefer social history of migration and resilience.

Afternoon: Lunch at Llama Inn (Peruvian with creative vegetable plates) or Rule of Thirds (Japanese-inflected, airy space—good for group tables). Reserve a 2–3 hour private room at a coworking location (e.g., WeWork, Industrious) for your internal capacity building workshop: objectives, roles, and a 90-day action plan with owners and metrics.

Evening: Celebrate at Laser Wolf Brooklyn (Israeli grill with skyline views) or Lilia (house-made pastas; tough reservation but worth the effort). For a final toast, try Westlight (The William Vale rooftop) or Overstory (Financial District; intimate, reservations recommended).

Day 7 — Wrap-Up, Knowledge Capture, Departure

Morning: Final recap over breakfast at Daily Provisions (flaky crullers, egg sandwiches) or Ess-a-Bagel (classic New York bagel). Run a 60-minute retrospective: top insights, what to pilot first, resource gaps, and a shared reading/event list for the next quarter.

Afternoon: Last cultural stop—MoMA for design inspiration or a quick browse at Strand Book Store for leadership and policy titles. Depart for the airport; search flights via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: Travel home with a clear 30-60-90 day plan and a running agenda for follow-ups with contacts made this week.

Practical Dining and Coffee Shortlist

• D.C. Coffee/Bites: Seylou (whole-grain baking), Compass Coffee (reliable Wi‑Fi), A Baked Joint (breakfast sandwiches).
• D.C. Lunch/Dinner: Immigrant Food (global bowls), Le Diplomate (French classics), Maydan (communal Middle Eastern), Albi (Levantine), Busboys and Poets (community hub), The Dabney Cellar (Mid-Atlantic plates).
• NYC Coffee/Bites: Devoción (lush space), Culture Espresso (near Bryant Park), Daily Provisions (breakfast staples), Ess-a-Bagel (NY icon).
• NYC Lunch/Dinner: Urban Hawker (Singaporean hawker center), Los Tacos No. 1 (fast, phenomenal), Dhamaka (regional Indian), Thai Diner (crowd-pleaser), Llama Inn (Brooklyn), Laser Wolf (rooftop grill), Keens Steakhouse (historic if you prefer classic).

Booking Pointers

• Flights: Compare fares and schedules on Trip.com and Kiwi.com for arrivals to D.C. and departures from NYC, plus optional D.C.→NYC hop.
• Hotels/VRBO: For walkable bases near key venues: Hotels.com D.C., VRBO D.C., Hotels.com NYC, VRBO NYC.

This 7-day capacity building journey pairs D.C.’s policy depth with NYC’s global outlook. You’ll return with sharper skills, new contacts, and a concrete action plan—plus the satisfaction of having eaten very, very well along the way.