Romantic Washington: Capital Cuddles – Tips For a Romantic Weekend In and Around Washington, DC
Description:
Washington’s downtown parks and monuments provide a distinctive backdrop for romantic strolls and cozy picnics. But if you’re planning a long weekend in DC with your sweetheart, you have many other, lesser-known options at your disposal. Some are easily accessible via public transportation, and some require driving; if you don’t have a car, then you can stick to the places and activities near Metro stations. One thing most people will agree on, however, is that lugging a suitcase all over the city is not particularly romantic, so this guide recommends establishing one hotel as your “home base” and planning your activities from there.
Author: Torie Castiello
Day 1 - Washington DC, Luray
The Tabard Inn is a great choice for lodging – it’s walking distance to Dupont Circle and the White House, but is tucked away on a quiet street so that you’ll feel like you’re getting away from the city’s hustle and bustle. Start your day with breakfast served in the Inn’s cheerful downstairs restaurant. Then leisurely wander across Dupont Circle (if the weather is nice, you may want to sit on one of the benches in the Circle and people-watch) and head to the Phillips Collection for a little bit of culture. The fact that this Dupont Circle art gallery is housed in a beautiful mansion adds to its aesthetic appeal, and you’ll find lots of opportunities for huddled murmurings in front of the Collection’s world-class modern works. If you’re feeling peckish afterwards, Teaism (http://www.teaism.com/Restaurant/DupontCircle8.html) is about two minutes up the road and offers a wide selection of nibbles and exotic teas. In the evening, you can get dolled up and catch an early dinner at Mendocino Grille before treating your loved one to a night of theater at the Kennedy Center. Mendocino’s location on the lower end of M Street in Georgetown makes it an easy cab ride (or about a 20-minute walk) to the Kennedy Center. Head back to the Tabard Inn and, if you’re up for it, enjoy a nightcap in the Inn’s snug lounge.
1
Hotel Tabard Inn
Location:
view in google maps1739 N Street Northwest
Between 17th and 18th sts
Washington DC, DC 20036
Phone:
+1 202 785 12772
DC Ducks
Location:
view in google mapsUnion Station
Washington DC, DC 20018
Phone:
+1 800 213 24742
Billygoat Trail
Location:
Washington DC, 220672
Luray Caverns
Location:
view in google maps970 US Highway 211
Luray, VA 22835
Phone:
+1 540 743 65512
The White House
Location:
view in google maps1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Visitor entrance gate at E St. and E. Executive Ave
Washington DC, DC 20502
Phone:
+1 202 456 2121 / +1 202 456 11112
Smithsonian Information Center (the "Castle")
Location:
view in google maps1000 Jefferson Dr. SW
Washington DC, DC 20553
Phone:
+1 202 633 1000 / +1 202 357 29572
Verizon Center
Location:
view in google maps601 F Street Northwest
Washington DC, DC 20004
Phone:
+1 202 628 3200 / +1 202 661 50002
Lincoln Memorial
Location:
view in google maps900 Ohio Drive Southwest
National Mall & Memorial Park
Washington DC, DC 20024
Phone:
+1 202 426 68412
National Air and Space Museum
Location:
view in google maps6th Street and Independence Avenue Southwest
On Independence Ave. SW, between 4th and 7th sts., on the south side of the Mall, with entrances on Jefferson Dr. or Independence Ave
Washington DC, DC 20576
Phone:
+1 202 633 10002
National Zoological Park
Location:
view in google maps3001 Connecticut Ave. NW
Adjacent to Rock Creek Park
Washington DC, DC 20008
Phone:
202.633.48002
Cheesecake Factory
Location:
view in google maps5345 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Washington DC, DC 20015
Phone:
1 202 364 05002
Old Glory Barbecue
Location:
view in google maps3139 M St. N.W.
(near the corner of Wisconsin and M Streets)
Washington DC, DC 20007
Phone:
1 202 337 34062
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Location:
view in google maps100 Raoul Wallenberg Place SW
Formerly 15th St. SW; near Independence Ave., just off the Mall
Washington DC, DC 20250
Phone:
+1 202 488 0400 / +1 202 488 04062
National Gallery of Art
Location:
view in google mapsConstitution Avenue Northwest
On National Mall between 3rd and 9th Streets
Washington DC, DC 20565
Phone:
+1 202 737 42152
National Geographic Museum at Explorers Hall
Location:
view in google maps17th and M Street North West
Washington DC, DC 20036
Phone:
+1 202 857 75882
Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar
Location:
view in google maps223 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE
At 2nd St. SE
Washington DC, DC 20541
Phone:
1 202 544 80882
Belga Café
Location:
view in google maps514 8th Street, SE
At Pennsylvania Ave
Washington DC, DC 20003
Phone:
1 202 544 01002
Blues Alley
Location:
view in google maps1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW
in an alley below M St
Washington DC, DC 20007
Phone:
202/337-41412
Phillips Collection
Location:
view in google maps1600 21st St. NW
At Q St
Washington DC, DC 20440
Phone:
+1 202 387 21512
Dupont Circle
Location:
view in google mapsConnecticut Avenue
Washington DC, DC 20036
Phone:
+1 202 789 7000 (Tourist Information)2
The River Inn
Location:
view in google maps924 25th St NW
Between K and I sts
20037 Washington DC, US
Phone:
+1 202 337-76002
Watergate Hotel
Location:
view in google maps2650 Virginia Ave Nw
20037 Washington DC, US
Phone:
+1 800 289 1555 / +1 202 965 23002
Kreeger Museum
Location:
view in google maps2401 Foxhall Road North West
Washington DC, DC 20007
Phone:
+1 202 338 35522
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Location:
view in google maps1050 Independence Ave. SW
Southwest
Washington DC, DC 20553
Phone:
+1 202 633 48802
Freer Gallery of Art
Location:
view in google maps1050 Independence Avenue
Jefferson Dr. SW at 12th St. SW (on the south side of the Mall)
Washington DC, DC 20576
Phone:
+1 202 633 48802
Corcoran Gallery of Art
Location:
view in google maps500 17th St. NW
Between E St. and New York Ave
Washington DC, DC 20240
Phone:
+1 202 639 17002
Meskerem
Location:
view in google maps2434 18th Street NorthWest
(Columbia Road Northwest)
Washington DC, DC 20009
Phone:
1 202 462 41002
Kramerbooks and Afterwords
Location:
view in google maps1517 Connecticut Avenue, Northwest
Washington DC, DC 20036
Phone:
1 202 387 1400 (Bookstore)2
National Mall
Location:
view in google maps900 Ohio Drive, Southwest
Washington DC, DC 20024
Phone:
+1 202 426 68412
Adams-Morgan
Location:
view in google maps18th Street Northwest & Columbia Road Northwest
Washington DC, DC 20009
Phone:
+1 202 789 7000 (Tourist Information)2
Glen Echo Park
Location:
view in google maps7300 MacArthur Boulevard
Washington DC, MD 20812
Phone:
+1 301 492 62292
Family Theater Kennedy Center
Location:
view in google mapsJohn F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
2700 F St NW
Washington DC, DC 20566
Phone:
+1 800 444 1324 / +1 202 467 46002
Cafe Saint-Ex
Location:
view in google maps1847 14th Street NW
Between S and T sts
Washington DC, DC 20009
Phone:
1 202 265 78392
Poste
Location:
view in google maps555 8th Street NW
In the Hotel Monaco
Washington DC, DC 20073
Phone:
1 202 783 60602
Austin Grill
Location:
view in google maps2404 Wisconsin Avenue North West
(between Hall Place and Calvert Street North West)
Washington DC, DC 20007
Phone:
1 202 337 80802
Bistrot Lepic & Wine Bar
Location:
view in google maps1736 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington DC, DC 20007
Phone:
1 202 333 01112
SEI Restaurant & Lounge
Location:
view in google maps444 7th Street NW
Washington DC, DC 20004
Phone:
1 202 783 70072
Hawk & Dove
Location:
view in google maps329 Pennsylvania Avenue Southeast
(near 4th St Southeast)
Washington DC, DC 20003
Phone:
202 543 33002
The Red & The Black
Location:
view in google maps1212 H St. NE
Between 12th and 13th Streets
Washington DC, DC 20002
Phone:
202/399-32012
Domku
Location:
view in google maps821 Upshur Street, NW
Washington DC, DC 20011
Phone:
202 722 74752
Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden
Location:
view in google mapsIndependence Avenue and 7th Street South West
Independence Ave. at 7th St. SW (on the south side of the Mall)
Washington DC, DC 20576
Phone:
+1 202 633 1000 / +1 202 357 17292
National Aquarium
Location:
view in google maps14th Street
(between Pennsylvania & Constitution avenues NW)
Washington DC, DC 20230
Phone:
+1 202 482 28252
National Air and Space Museum at Dulles (Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center)
Location:
view in google maps14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway
Washington DC, VA 20151
Phone:
202.633.10002
Eastern Market
Location:
view in google maps225 7th Street SE
Between N. Carolina Ave. and C St. SE
Washington DC, DC 20003
Phone:
202-544- 00832
Tourmobile Sightseeing
Location:
view in google maps1000 Ohio Drive Southwest
(Main Office)
Washington DC, DC 20024
Phone:
+1 202 554 51002
Georgetown University
Location:
view in google maps37th and O St.
Washington DC, DC 20057
Phone:
+1 202 687 36002
Hotel Monaco
Location:
view in google maps7th Street Downtown
East of 16th Street NW
Washington DC, DC 20004
Phone:
+1 202 628 71772
George Washington University Inn
Location:
view in google maps824 New Hampshire Ave Nw
Between H and I sts
20037 Washington DC, US
Phone:
+1 800 426 44553
Mendocino Grille and Wine Bar
Location:
view in google maps2917 M Street, NW
Washington DC, DC 20007
Phone:
1 202 333 29124
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Location:
view in google maps2700 F Street, Northwest
Washington DC, DC 20566
Phone:
800 444 1324 / 202 467 4600Day 2 - Washington DC
After your day of culture, switch things up a bit by exploring DC’s great outdoors. Rock Creek Park provides lots of pretty, wooded walks (many of which require very little in the way of strenuous effort) and picnic opportunities. What makes Rock Creek Park so romantic is the privacy that it offers; you can walk for miles at a stretch without seeing more than a handful of other people. (Don’t worry – as long as you stick to the marked paths, you won’t get lost!) In Georgetown, you’ll find a nice opportunity to window-shop and have a coffee after your outdoor excursion. (Be advised, though, that it’s packed on weekends and parking is tricky; if crowds aren’t your thing, then aim to visit during the week.) You can wander down to the Washington Harbour, on the Waterfront, and experience more lovely views of the Potomac River (as well as quality people watching); if you’re still in the mood to stroll, you can also walk along the Capital Crescent Trail, which starts in Georgetown. Keep things local in the evening by heading over to Restaurant Nora near Dupont Circle for an intimate dinner. It’s been said that many of DC’s power players like to dine here; regardless of your interest in the clientele, you’ll be pleased by the fresh, organic offerings and upscale atmosphere that Restaurant Nora has to offer. You may want to stop by Veritas (www.veritasdc.com), a charming wine bar, on your way.
1
Rock Creek Park
Location:
view in google maps5200 Glover Road Northwest
Washington DC, DC 20008
Phone:
+1 202 895 60702
Georgetown
Location:
view in google mapsM Street and Wisconsin Avenue
Washington DC, DC 20007
Phone:
+1 202 789 7000 (Tourist Information)3
Washington Harbour
Location:
view in google maps3000 K Street Northwest
Washington DC, DC 20007
Phone:
+1 202 789 7000 (Tourist Information)4
Capital Crescent Trail
Location:
view in google mapsWater Street Northwest
Washington DC, DC 20009
5
Restaurant Nora
Location:
view in google maps2132 Florida Ave., N.W
Washington DC, DC 20008
Phone:
1 202 462 5143Day 3 - Washington DC
For your final day in the DC area, head out of Washington and into the outlying areas. There is so much to do at Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home, that you should allow yourself plenty of time to explore. If you’re lucky, your visit might coincide with a wine festival; check Mount Vernon’s website for the calendar of events. You’ll need a car to get here, as it’s not metro accessible (although Gray Line Bus does run there from Union Station in DC). After heading back to rest and change, venture south of the river again, this time to Old Town Alexandria. Dinner at Vermilion Restaurant is a good option. Vermilion is a restaurant with a decidedly funky feel. The upstairs dining room is particularly attractive – it’s got exposed brick and quirky, interesting artwork – and there are plenty of little corners for sexy conversation in the downstairs lounge. Follow up with delicious cocktails at PX Lounge. It’s exclusive and hard to find, reservations are critical, and wandering in off the street in jeans is verboten. But don’t let this seeming pretention keep you from visiting PX Lounge. The interior is lush, the cocktails are first-rate and the wait staff are all quite friendly (particularly the head bartender, Todd Thrasher). There are few better places in the DC metro area for canoodling with your significant other and to cap off your weekend of Washington love.
1
Mount Vernon
Location:
view in google maps3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Washington DC, VA 22121
Phone:
+1 703 780 2000