Via Destination DC.
Yesterday, Destination DC—the city’s official tourism agency—celebrated another record-setting year for tourism. In 2014, 18.34 million tourists visit D.C., and probably all stood on the left side of escalators, like some kind of monsters.
Anyway, Destination DC also announced a bunch of new campaigns to hopefully continue boosting the District’s tourism economy in 2015. Among them? D.C.-specific emojis.
That’s right, for some reason emojis of all things D.C.-related is Destination DC’s newest—and hippest—tourism campaign. These include, but are not limited to: the D.C. flag (obviously); a cupcake with a D.C. flag in it (ugh); a burger with a D.C. flag in it (?); a bunch of monuments, the White House, and the Capitol (of course); a Bikeshare bike (that’s the wrong color); the Chinatown archway (weird, but cool, we guess); and a Metrorail car (the new 7000-series, it looks like!).
Sure, these are all things that are specific to D.C.—kind of—but are they the most D.C. emojis Destination DC could think of? Hell no. Thus, DCist presents: ideas for better D.C. emojis.
(Note: if any graphic designers want to actually turn these into real emojis, by all means.)
Photo by Mike Licht.
Half-Smoke
Come on, who thought it would be a better idea to put in a hamburger (cheeseburger) over a half-smoke?
Photo via DDOT.
Empty Streetcar
This would be a very useful emoji.
Photo by spiggycat.
Escalefters
Another useful emoji, especially for D.C. residents.
Photo by Kyle Gustafson / www.photokyle.com
Chuck Brown
Because if you want to pay tribute to an iconic D.C. figure via emoji, at least make it the Godfather of Go-Go.

“Flex Your Head” D.C. Flag Logo
Because even punks use emojis sometimes.
Photo by Amberture
Overcrowded Metro Platform
Better Metro emoji.
Photo by ABPR.
Cherry Blossom Tourists
This emoji would just be a single cherry blossom tree with about 400 people with cameras pointed at it.

Pop-Up
For when you want to send a “big middle finger to taste and scale” to your friends, but just can’t quite find the right words.
Win McNamee/Getty Images.
Marion Barry
Again, if you’re going to pay tribute to another iconic D.C. figure via emoji, make it the mayor-for-life.
Photo by Kerrin Nishimura.
The Big Chair
An emoji tribute to this Anacostia landmark.
Via Shutterstock
Marijuana Leaf
Because D.C. = Dank Chronic, am I right?
Photo by Lauren Padgett.
$15 Cocktail
ಠ_ಠ
Photo by Mr. T in DC
Broken Escalator
Probably the most accurate emoji on this list.
Photo by Mary Kushman.
Tourist Decked Out In Panda Swag
Because we don’t fetishize pandas enough in this city.
Photo by kimberlyfaye
DOOM
For every time there’s a weather forecast.