Washington D.C. is one of my favorite cities in the US. There is so much to do and see, but this trip we wanted to keep things simple…. and local.
Below are my insider spots in D.C so you can explore the area like a local.
Weekend Getaway in Washington D.C.
Insider’s Guide to a Weekend Getaway in Washington D.C.
MUST SEE IN D.C.
Aside from the museums and the Lincoln Memorial, there are a few stops that are a definite must-see.
DUMBARTON OAKS
Dumbarton Oaks is a lush garden spanning sixteen acres. Owned by Harvard University it’s located in the gorgeous Georgetown neighborhood. So take a day to plan your visit. It’s worth the exploration.
DISTRICT WHARF
The Wharf is a newly gentrified area of D.C. is built under sustainable design. It is a mile-long stretch along the Potomac River and comes to life with restaurants and retailers, which are definitely worth checking out. Traffic is heavy near happy hour time (usually around 4) so pop early to grab a seat by the water.
CITY CENTER
City Center is a luxury neighborhood filled with shop till you drop fun. There are your usual mall suspects but within its perimeter is DGBG– and although this restaurant didn’t make my list – it will next round! In addition, it is an absolute must-see.
WHERE TO STAY IN D.C.
With an unrivaled location in the heart of Georgetown, the Westin Georgetown is a boutique-style hotel with luxury accommodations. We checked in to our Starwood Preferred room which included a walk-in closet and whirlpool tub.
In fact, the best part about the Westin Georgetown is that it is steps away from the cutie neighborhood of Georgetown. Hello cupcakes and shopping galore!
It’s an all inclusive location featuring White Tea by Westin™ Bath products. And get this… they even have a Heavenly® Dog Bed for Zoey! She was in nugget heaven at the Westin and literally went bananas in the room when she saw her new bed. She also ate so many treats from the lobby pup bowl… that she’s now on a strict diet, ha!!
My favorite part of the room is the complimentary lavender oil they place on the bedside table to help with sleep. I just so love the smell.
The hotel also features two yummy restaurants onsite, the Caucus Room Brasserie-Steakhouse and Bóveda – they have incredible margaritas!
STAYING ACTIVE IN D.C.
I love traveling but it often gets the best of my waistline – literally eat everything while exploring a city! In fact, one of the perks about staying at the Westin Georgetown was the fully equipped gym.
The Westin is a health and fitness brand and they cater to fitness junkies on the go. From guided runs around Georgetown to TRX equipment in the gym, Westin ensures that you can live optimally while on vacation.
The best part is that if a guest forgets gym clothes, the hotel will deliver a fresh set of New Balance Gear with their lending program. So there’s no excuse for not staying fit on vacation!
WHERE TO EAT IN D.C.
*** Note: we tried so many spots that I’ll be sharing a full restaurant list next week! You’re welcome.
Dukes Grocery
Duke’s Grocery is a neighborhood pub and supper spot located in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C. A nod to the ubiquitous corner cafés, bodegas and curry joints of the East London neighborhoods of Shoreditch and Hoxton, Duke’s culinary inspiration is as diverse as these brilliantly working class parts of the English capital.
- Earth to Sea Tartine– Red Beet cured salmon, goat cheese & hemp seed spread, mint chive infusion, roasted red beet chip, all served over multigrain toast.
- The Brunchie Burger– just look at the melt in your mouth photo above and you’ll want it too – trust me!
- Quinoa Salad-Mandarin oranges, shaved fennel, red quinoa, goat cheese, almonds, served with lemon vinaigrette.
Ted’s Bulletin
It’s so rare for a spot to make one of my lists for just one item. But when a dessert makes an impression on me, I need to share with you! I used to eat PopTarts like they were going out of style in high school and Ted’s Bulletin brought back these memories with a gourmet tart. So don’t leave D.C without picking up a Strawberry Tart from Ted’s. It’s beyond incredible.
The Baked Joint
If you saw my Instagram stories I indulged heavily on Baked & Wired ice cream sandwiches. So after a weekend of indulgence, we wanted to do something healthy-ish and The Baked Joint had a curated menu so perfect for a light meal. In fact, their bread is handmade on-site and baked daily using organic wheat and a long, naturally leavened fermentation process to bring out the maximum flavor and nutrition out of the grain. In addition, no commercial yeast. So all of their dishes are just as simple… and delicious.
- Smoked Salmon Sandwich smoked salmon, scallion cream cheese, tomato, fried capers on an open-faced baguette.
- Curry Chicken Salad Sandwichis served with roasted chicken, granny smith apples, walnuts, curry, arugula, mayo on a croissant
- Biscuit Sammie choice of meat/cheese or goat/cheese/herbs with an organic fried egg & mayo
- Bánh Mi-toserved with carrots, cukes, shrooms, cilantro, sriracha special sauce + chicken on a baguette
Le Diplomate
Le Diplomateis a Parisian brasserie, where every meal with a sweeping sense of European drama. And you know me I love dramatic flare. The menu features a variety of Gallic classics, including onion soup gratinée, steak frites and escargots, as well as daily plates such as bouillabaisse and cassoulet. A thoughtfully curated wine list and specialty cocktail program complete the transporting experience.
- Onion Soup Gratinée
- Salade Niçoise with confit tuna, red bliss potatoes, green beans
- Steak Frites*with herb roasted, maître d’butter, pommes frites
The weekend getaway in Washington D.C did not disappoint! It’s always so fun catching up with friends in the city and exploring the town with Zoey. In fact, any city that has a friendly hotel like the Westin Georgetown is always on my list! So if I missed any hot spots, leave a comment below as I know I’ll be back to D.C soon.
For your convenience, I linked my outfit details below!
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As one of Miami’s top bloggers, Evelyn Torres has become one of the leading voices in fitness, fashion, and Miami. Brickellista started as a Twitter alias in 2009 and has expanded to become a lifestyle blog capturing a Miami girl’s perspective. Evelyn is a businesswoman, entrepreneur, brand ambassador and on the pulse of the Miami social scene.
Today as founder and Managing Director of BrickellistaFiles.com, Evelyn is not only the face of BrickellistaFiles, but oversees the strategy and direction. She is the driving force behind the brand and has built the go-to site for everything Miami.
