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Take a Girls' Weekend Getaway to Washington, D.C.

May 15, 2019


Each year my college roommates and I plan a long weekend getaway. We've been out of school for almost 20 years and are scattered up and down the East Coast. With work, kids, and busy commitments, it's always great to unplug and enjoy some time together! Last year I shared about our Cape Cod adventure in Truro, but this year, we headed south to Washington, D.C. It provided easy access by plane, train, and vehicle as we all traveled from different directions.

Rather than a hotel, we opted for an AirBnB apartment where we could enjoy a living room to hang out, kitchen to do some of our own cooking, and plenty of bedrooms for sleeping. We chose a location not far from Capitol Hill that gave us great options for walking or a short Uber ride to everything we wanted to do for the weekend.

Read on for some of our sightseeing and culinary adventures!


After arrival on Friday, we enjoyed lunch at Boxcar Tavern and exploring the great produce, bakery, and other stands at the Eastern Market to help stock the fridge at our AirBnB. If you're visiting this area on a Saturday or Sunday, you can enjoy a large outdoor market full of local crafters and artisans.




That evening we ventured to Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar for dinner reservations. They have a great upstairs lounge space to enjoy happy hour specials, and then a cozy downstairs with tables and low lighting for a relaxed dinner vibe. Natural ingredients that are sourced locally lead to rotating main dishes and traditional favorites such as gourmet pizzas and grass-fed burgers. 




Saturday was a day for exploring some of the culture and history that Washington, D.C. is known for. A few of us who studied broadcasting and news in college made our first trip to the Newseum. I can't say enough about how moving and emotional that experience was with exhibits on the Berlin Wall, 9/11, Pulitzer-prize winning photography, and so much more that left a lasting impression. We also made a visit to the new Butterfly Pavilion at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Note that while museum admission is free or charge, there are timed tickets and a minimal fee required for entry into the pavilion. 



 

A few of us also traveled the National Mall via electric scooter! Several companies, including Bird, Lime, and Lyft have shared scooters, similar to the shared bicycle concept in large cities. Just download the app to your phone and enjoy a good time! 


If you're looking for lunch spots near the National Mall and like BBQ, a stop at Hill Country Barbecue Market is a must! Also right in that area, we stopped at Penn Quarter Sports Tavern for a cocktail. They had a nice outdoor seating area and a good menu selection.

Continuing on our theme of great eats, dinner on Saturday featured a stop at China Chilcano by José Andres, which features Peruvian cuisine. We ordered a variety of choices from the menu and ate family style, which allowed all of us to get something we liked, and try something we had never had before. The service there from the hostess to the server was fantastic, too! On a weekend though, the place was PACKED, so I suggest reservations at least a week or two in advance if this is a must on your itinerary.

We closed out our mini reunion weekend with Sunday brunch at Belga, which is also within easy walking distance of the Eastern Market. Not far from Capitol Hill, this Belgian restaurant had not only the most incredible waffle combinations, but terrific cocktail choices, too. The restaurant is also open for lunch and dinner with menus available on their website.



Next time you're looking for locations for a girls' weekend getaway, consider a trip to Washington, D.C.!