DC Fish Market

The Maine Ave Fish Market in Washington, DC is probably one of my favorite places to visit during the Spring and Summer seasons.  I am pretty sure if you're looking for a special kind of fish or any type of shellfish you will be able to find it here.  There are different vendors with fish, crab legs, shrimp, oysters, clams, lobster, Maryland Blue Crab, etc.  You can buy the raw shellfish and take it home to prepare yourself or you can have them cook/steam it for you right there and enjoy eating it on the deck along the Potomac River.  

We mostly order the steamed shrimp and a whiting fish sandwich served with this super soft homemade bun! You've got to try this bun - I'm really not a bread person, but I can have a couple of these in one sitting!  My husband and I also decided to give the Maryland Blue Crab a try for the first time!  We had no idea how to crack open a crab (I refused to touch the crabs!), which part of the meat you are supposed to eat and parts that you're advised against eating!  It was very messy, but that is what I think makes the whole experience at the DC Fish Market fun and enjoyable!  Fortunately, we were saved by this very nice European couple that not only showed us how to crack open a crab and what to and not to eat, but also lent us their crab mallet!  You get to meet some cool people that are not only locals but also from around the world.

Afterwards, you can walk over to National Mall, Smithsonian Museums, or a walk around the Tidal Basin with a stop at the paddle boats to burn off some of those delicious calories.

Here are a few pictures from a couple of weeks ago that I managed to capture in the crowds (we were planning on going this weekend, but the weather was horrible!).  And, if you are a newbie to eating crabs I suggest clicking on this link before attempting!