weekend getaway: 48 hours in washington, dc
Happy Labor Day, my fellow Americans! During our brief stint in the USA this summer, sort our visas was at the top of our list. It was a whole bunch of stress (dear French embassy: WHY ARE YOU SO MEAN?), but one major perk? An unexpected weekend in our nation’s capital: Washington, DC.
Alas, the French don’t really acknowledge this holiday. I am ok with it, though, because I hear they celebrate about 45 other public holidays instead. While the hubs is officially back to school, I’m playing catch-up.
So, what better time to review our three weeks stateside than on a revered public holiday??
Though both the hubs and the wino lived in DC, there’s a new kid in town. And that kid is my sister! Naturally, we were excited to have a local host help us explore new places that didn’t exist when we were last there.
Where to sleep
After sleeping at The Westbury Hotel in Dublin, I couldn’t wait to try out the Doyle Collection‘s only US property in one of my favorite neighborhoods in DC: Dupont Circle. The property overlooks the circle, and just like at The Westbury, the room was enormous, the beds were absurdly comfy, and the extras were greatly appreciated–HELLOOO, fresh fruit & bottle of wine upon arrival and a late-night snack of mini sandwiches waiting for us at the end of our evening bar crawl!
We also spent a few hours sitting in the lobby getting our visa things in order, and free-wifi, seating right between the windows and the elevators, and Bar Dupont only steps away meant it was prime for people watching AND productivity.
Where to dine
Though I had been itching for another pasta tasting at Acqua Al 2 in Capitol Hill, my little sassafrass told us that if we were up for a change, Ping Pong is the place to go for Dim Sum. She was correct. We went with one of their set menus and split between the three of us. I didn’t love that we couldn’t sub out some of the dishes, but everything ended up being delicious. So, Ping Pong, I forgive you. (Seriously, though, when everything is close in price, no-subbing is a restaurant pet peeve of mine.)
Where to drink
The hubs has a few happy hour rules for summer: outdoor deck and cheap beer. Both sister girl and Local 16 delivered, with an adorable rooftop and $5 beers on tap. The restaurant/bar takes up multiple floors and the rooftop deck was covered, so it’s even an ideal happy hour spot if the weather isn’t compromising. Lucky for us, it was.
Where to satisfy your sweet tooth
Guys, that’s like a quarter of the menu. Forget Georgetown Cupcake, THIS is where you go for your Georgetown sugar rush.
Where to feel oh-so-patriotic
Jazz in the Garden
Ok, soooo technically this isn’t happening anymore–the last of the series was on August 30th. BUT, should you find yourself in the city in the summer, this is a must. It was packed with people kicking off their weekends, and was one giant pre-dinner party, complete with pitchers of beer and sangria for everyone! Heaven, basically. And, even if Jazz in the Garden isn’t in full swing, from March through May, a stop by the sculpture garden at the National Gallery of Art is still a nice way to escape the hustle and bustle of the Mall right on the other side of the tree line.
DC always feels a little underrated, but it deserves it’s spot at the top of my list of favorite cities in the states. Also, spoiler alert: it looks pretty killer in the fall, too:
All images above are from my own Instagram, and I fully recommend following myself & the wino along for a daily update of our adventures. We’re, like, pretty cool.
xo!
the romantic
– Big thanks to The Doyle Collection for allowing me to spend two perfect nights at The Dupont Circle Hotel back in July. It was another amazing Doyle experience, and all opinions are, as always, my own.
Lazy Travelers
The Lazy Travelers are two transatlantic best friends who have mastered the art of exploring a new city. Though Ashley is based in London and Carolyn is in Philadelphia, we'll use any excuse to reunite around the world. We’re professional bar hoppers, pub crawlers, and food testers, and you’ll never see us zipping around, checking things off a list of “must-sees.”
19 Comments
Harvey (H-Bomb's Worldwide Karaoke)
I went to law school in D.C. and lived in Dupont Circle all three years I was there. It’s definitely one of my favorite neighborhoods in any city! I always enjoy getting back down to our nation’s capital, too; it does make for a great weekend getaway for people living in NYC and other points in the northeast corridor. This post has also given me some ideas for new things to check out the next time I get to D.C.!
D.C. also has a karaoke taxi that I once took a ride in, but I digress. 🙂
Harvey (H-Bomb’s Worldwide Karaoke) recently posted..H-Bomb’s Friday photo, week 29: a gigantic glacier in Alaska
Lazy Travelers
a karaoke taxi!?!?! i feel like my sister needs in on this.
Lazy Travelers recently posted..weekend getaway: 48 hours in washington, dc
Harvey (H-Bomb's Worldwide Karaoke)
Technically this very special taxi is based in northern Virginia, but he’s happy to drive into the District. The driver is a really cool Filipino guy. Anyway, if you’re interested, message me on twitter and I can get you the details.
Harvey (H-Bomb’s Worldwide Karaoke) recently posted..Country no. 30 on my World Karaoke Tour: mayhem in Moldova
@mrsoaroundworld
I love this. Something tells me that I need to go to Washington DC. This is like the 3rd sign this week. Could it be??
@mrsoaroundworld recently posted..My hOtel: Sofitel London St James @sofitellondonsj
Lazy Travelers
ahh yes, do it! tons of amazing restaurants, and the bar atop the w downtown is soo you.
Lazy Travelers recently posted..weekend getaway: 48 hours in washington, dc
Jess (JessinBelgium)
I LOVE DC. And Dupont Circle is one of my favorite spots. I miss grabbing a gigantic salad just the way you want it at Chopped (to-go salads without odd extra ingredients like potatoes or pasta are actually really hard to find in Belgium). I miss my all-time-favorite bookstore, Kramerbooks. Books and burgers? Yes, please. And I too have a soft spot for the Doyle Collection (I recently stayed in the lovely Kensington Hotel in London) and the Dupont Hotel (indeed great people watching from the bar outside).
Jess (JessinBelgium) recently posted..Words aside… South Africa
Lazy Travelers
ahh we’ve been coveting the kensington in london! dupont is definitely one of the best neighborhoods in dc, hands down.
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Pola (Jetting Around)
This is one of my favorite US cities to visit! There’s always so much to do, so many hangouts to check out. I’ll add a few from your post to my list. Oh, and jazz outdoors? Right up my alley.
Lazy Travelers
couldn’t agree more, pola! i should have also mentioned that it’s a good summer city since the city’s population decreases significantly when all the college kids are out of town.
Lazy Travelers recently posted..singapore: the gateway drug
Francesca
I’ve been to DC once and absolutely loved it, though I spent no time in DuPont Circle. I really want to go back and when I do, I’ll be sure to remedy the above mentioned situation.
Francesca recently posted..#CTC13: Capture The Color
Lazy Travelers
please do! and keep the dupont circle hotel in mind 🙂
Lazy Travelers recently posted..singapore: the gateway drug
Traveling Ted
I was just about ready to get in the car and drive to the jazz in the garden, but I guess I will have to wait until next year. I need to hit the nation’s capital sometime. I am into history, yet have never made the voyage.
Traveling Ted recently posted..Isle Royale National Park inland photo essay
Lazy Travelers
if you’re a history buff, dc is definitely your jam! hop to it.
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Erin at The World Wanderer
This sounds like the most fab weekend! I haven’t really ever had a grown up trip to DC and feel like it’s probably necessary at some point soon. Your suggestions are ones I will gladly take. 🙂
Erin at The World Wanderer recently posted..Croatian Palatschinke.
Lazy Travelers
hop to it, erin! i think you’d love it. dc has tons of green space, so it’s perfect for you adventurous types, too 😉
Lazy Travelers recently posted..city escapes: ditching melbourne for phillip island
Kieu ~ GQ trippin
Yes, please.. on the sugar rush. And all of the above! I’ve always wanted to visit DC.
Kieu ~ GQ trippin recently posted..My Weekend Getaway Packing List
Lazy Travelers
really what we should do is an east coast/west coast roadtrip swapathon. the wino and i are severely lacking in our pacific coastline experiences.
Lazy Travelers recently posted..city escapes: ditching melbourne for phillip island
lola
it has been soooo long since i’ve been to DC. i, of course, trust your judgement completely on the recs. because, you ARE, like, SO COOL!! 😉
lola recently posted..3 Euro Escapes for Less
Lazy Travelers
hahaha oh thank you, thank you. it’s a fun city, i think lola would approve! and easy to reach from boston 🙂
Lazy Travelers recently posted..city escapes: ditching melbourne for phillip island