Washington DC
STAY
Dupont Circle Hotel - Well-located hotel with comfortable rooms and good rates
Park Hyatt - Central, beautiful hotel between Georgetown and Foggy Bottom (White House, etc) with a great restaurant (Blue Duck)
EAT + Drink
Barcelona - Spanish tapas & wine spot on 14th street.
*Blue Duck Tavern - A favorite for breakfast or lunch
Café Milano - Italian popular among the Georgetown crowd
Doi Moi - Trendy Thai
*Kafe Leopold - Lovely European café in Georgetown
*Iron Gate - Charming Mediterranean in Dupont Circle spot with an amazing patio
Il Canale - Great pizza and Italian in Georgetown
*Le Diplomate - Delicious French restaurant that is consistent, lively and fun
*Sakana - Hole in the wall Sushi in Dupont Circle
*Rasika - Great Indian and one of my favorites in DC.
Tabard Inn - Indulgent brunch/lunch in a charming ‘inn’
Thomas Sweets - Ice cream in Georgetown
Zaitinya - Fun Greek
2 Birds 1 Stone - Chic bar under Doi Moi
SEE
Botanic Garden - Great stop at the end of the National Mall by the Capitol
Cherry Blossoms - Amazing blooms in the spring along the Tidal Basin on the National Mal
Dumbarton Oaks Park - Beautiful walk that crosses from the Embassies to Georgetown
Dumbarton Oaks Museum & Gardens - Private home turned museum with gorgeous gardens in upper Georgetown
Dupont Circle - Cute, central neighborhood to stay in and/or explore with a fabulous Sunday Farmer’s Market
Embassy Row - A great street with beautiful embassies
Georgetown - Spend the afternoon shopping on M and strolling the streets above
Hirshhorn Museum - Great museum and structure
National Museum of Asian Art
National Mall + Monument walk - Visit the many monuments and museums; enjoy the monuments lit up at night and have the place to yourself (Highlights: Thomas Jefferson, Lincoln w/ reflecting pool, and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorials memorials)
National Gallery + Sculpture Garden - Great museum and sculpture garden on the National Mall
National Portrait Gallery - Don’t miss the top floor contemporary art wing
Phillips Collection - Small museum in Dupont Circle with great exhibits and private collection
Renwick Gallery - Historical gallery space near White House with incredible rotating exhibitions
White House - Swing by for a peak
Sackler Galleries - Amazing Asian art collection.
SHOP
Clare V.
Christ Child Opportunity Shop - Great antiques