An Insider’s Guide to Washington, D.C.
Courtesy of @julitmart via @visitwashingtondc
If the thought of DC causes your blood pressure to rise: stop right there. There is so much more to this beautiful town than the stresses of politics. Despite being slightly biased (Ariel went to GW and has a major soft spot for our nation’s capital), the food scene, antiquing, museums, architecture, and more simply cannot be beat. Truly a special city buzzing with energy, DC should be at the top of the travel list for any art and culture lover. Check out our own recommendations for our favorite parts of D.C., from hotels to stay at to can’t-miss shops.
WHERE TO STAY
Courtesy of @rosewoodwashingtondc
The Rosewood Hotel in Georgetown is positioned in one of the best spots of the city—right on the C&O canal in the heart of Georgetown. It’s the perfect location to walk the streets of Georgetown, where some of the cutest homes and incredible antique shops can be found. Not to mention, unbelievable shopping (more on that in a bit!) Wolfgang Puck’s CUT restaurant is situated right in the hotel—the interiors are enough reason to dine in! You also can’t ever go wrong with a Rosewood.
Courtesy of @hayadamshotel
The Hay Adams (voted best hotel in D.C.) is also one of the most historic. The hotel was originally the homes of John Hay (Abraham Lincoln’s personal secretary and later Secretary of State under two presidents) and Henry Adams (a direct descendant of Presidents John Adams & John Quincy Adams). The two, along with their wives, became close friends and even had custom china and a letterhead they would use (goals?!) The homes were passed down through family, and eventually opened as a hotel in 1927. The hotel has preserved most of the original parts of the house, and the interiors of the rooms are darling, and any designer’s dream (toile rooms overlooking the monuments!!) Not to mention, located in the heart of D.C., the hotel is nearby all the famous landmarks.
Courtesy of @stregisdc
Another stunning hotel located downtown is the St. Regis. It’s so close, in fact, you can see the White House from your hotel window! This famed hotel has been welcoming guests for almost a century, and is so grand you’re guaranteed to enjoy your stay with luxe interiors and a fabulous staff and butler service. The St. Regis Bar – a must visit simply for its interior beauty – even crafts the hotel’s signature cocktail—the Capital Mary (a take on the Bloody Mary.)
Other options include The Park Hyatt in DC, a modern spot that hosts one of our favorite restaurants, Blue Duck Tavern (a must for any DC brunch) on its ground floor. In the West End neighborhood of DC (and across the street from Ariel’s old apartment building!) this area is quaint, walking distance to Georgetown, and bustling with a great bar scene. Not to mention the hotel’s neighbor is the luxurious Fairmont Hotel just in case you need another great West End option with capital style. There’s also the Four Seasons in DC with an excellent spa, gorgeous rooms, and a majorly happening bar scene, is within walking distance to Georgetown, and has fantastic service – what more do you need? See below where we wax poetic on Bourbon Steak, the in-house Michael Mina restaurant that Ariel still dreams about.
Courtesy of @caferiggs
Once the headquarters for Riggs National Bank, it is now revived as the Riggs Hotel, a gem in Penn Quarter filled with rich history and unique design to resemble the golden age of DC. Located in the City Center, it’s near all the top restaurants, and the National Portrait Gallery as your next-door neighbor.
WHERE TO EAT
Courtesy of @dcfray
Welcome to La Vie! This upscale restaurant and bar with a Mediterranean-coastal flair is located in DC’s Wharf District. Definitely one of the most photogenic restaurants in DC’s repertoire, it’s the phone eats first with La Vie’s dishes! We also love Le Diplomate, which is the most perfect French restaurant in town and great for any meal. It's absolutely gorgeous, and will transport you right to the streets of Paris! But we have to warn you that you definitely need a reservation ahead of time.
But in our mind, The Dabney could be the best restaurant in town. It only serves dinner and the menu changes each week. Order the secret menu item - catfish sliders - as appetizers. In the heart of City Center lies Fig and Olive. An escape from the craziness of downtown DC is a sliver of the French Riviera. Everything from the cocktails to the whipped feta is to die for (make sure to get the Branzino!) Last, but definitely not least, make your way to the brand new contemporary Japanese restaurant located 3 blocks from the White House, Shoto. A Tokyo oasis now in the capital is a must-eat on your next DC trip.
Some of Ariel’s favorites? Peacock Café for brunch or a late lunch (the nachos and tomato soup are not to be missed), Jose Andres’s Zaytina for some of the most inventive Mediterranean food you’ll ever eat, Café Milano and RPM for a delicious pasta dish and glass of wine (and a surefire politician or celebrity sighting), Bourbon Steak at The Four Seasons for the bar scene, turkey burger and truffle garlic knots (AO still dreams about them – it’s her first stop every time she visits) and Lutèce by Bonaparte (used to be called Café Bonaparte), the most charming little hole in the wall French restaurant with excellent French onion soup – Ariel and her mom went here every time she visited Ariel at school for crepes and a walk along Wisconsin to pop into the antique shops. For a nightcap in Georgetown, across the street from Bourbon Steak is L’Annex, the perfect corner cocktail bar of your dreams (nothing compares to their drink “Enough Already”). And for cupcakes as dense as your head – don’t miss the famous Baked & Wired.
And if you’re not sure what you want, may we suggest Union Market. The industrial indoor market has a restaurant, food vendor booths, and a few shops. It's packed on the weekends and is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
WHAT TO SEE
Courtesy of @visitwashingtondc
It goes without saying that the monuments, history museums, and memorials are all must sees. Walking along the Tidal Basin and the National Mall are required—bonus if it’s at night (so beautiful!)
Courtesy of @glenstonemuseum
But there’s so much more to do. We recommend getting tickets to Glenstone, even DC’s very own Darryl Carter agrees! Glenstone combines art, architecture, and nature. It’s so serene, and just outside of DC. There’s also the Renwick Gallery, which is part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. It’s right across the street from the White House. It’s small, but has so many cool contemporary installations.
Best time to come would have to be in the spring during the cherry blossom festival and best weather to walk around. As the weather gets nice make such to buy some tickets for a National’s baseball game. There is nothing like being surrounded by Washingtonians with a Hebrew National in hand!
DuPont Circle is a can’t miss—spend the day walking around and popping in and out of shops, like Kramers Books. Head down Massachusetts Avenue, otherwise known as “Embassy Row” and see all of the embassies that stretch for two miles. Eager for more architecture and interiors? You can see Woodrow Wilson’s former home, or Anderson House to immerse yourself in the American Revolution. The National Portrait Gallery is also breathtaking.
WHERE TO SHOP
Courtesy of @officialgeorgetowndc
Georgetown is the place to do some major shopping and strolling along the canal. Don't miss Ann and Sid Mashburn—it’s a hidden gem with some of the chicest clothes and accessories for both men and women. The Opportunity Shop on Wisconsin Avenue is one of the best resale shops in the city – highly recommended for great china and art. Mosey up and down Wisconsin Ave. in Georgetown for the amazing antique shops (John Rosselli being one of them), with popular brands like Tuckernuck, Free People, and Tory Burch (to name a few!) We also recommend heading to Upper Georgetown to explore Book Hill, filled with antique shops, boutiques, and art galleries.