The frequency of my trips to DC has lately started to make me feel like each time the wheels touch down at Washington Reagan International, I'm home.
I can't even begin to explain how much I've fallen in love with DC over the last few years and, especially the last few months.
Washington, DC has lately become, in a way that New York City was for so long, my home away from home.
This weekend's trip to DC involved a lot of firsts.
It was the first time I didn't get lost.
It was the first time someone asked me for directions and I was able to give them directions, without saying, "I'm sorry, I'm not from around here."
It was the first time I saw the monuments at night.
Oh the monuments at night...we'll get there in a second.
I got to DC on Thursday morning and Andrea picked me up from the airport, swung me by her place to drop off my stuff and get changed and head to my first meeting of the day.
In between meetings, I stopped at Shake Shack to fulfill a major craving. Shake Shack in DC? I fit in here really well.
At Shake Shack, on a Thursday afternoon at 2:30, there was a bridal party chowing down on some burgers and fries. Awesome.
I headed to my 2nd meeting and then spent the afternoon wandering around DC before meeting up with Emily for some quality marathon talk over a few beers.
Friday involved trekking out to Friendship Heights (Maryland) for another meeting and then some quality shopping in the area where I bought an amazing dress for a summer wedding for only $25. Score!
I made my way back to Alexandria and Andrea and I headed out for beer flights, fro yo and a Harry Potter movie night. Low key at it's finest.
Saturday morning, we headed to Rock Creek Park for a gorgeous 6 mile run through the trails in the park. I didn't bring my Garmin and it was the perfect way to start the morning. Rock Creek Park is beautiful. After our run, we had some French Toast and then lounged around by the pool for the afternoon.
The Pilot was due to land late that afternoon for a long DC layover so we met up with him and made our way to Eastern Market for dinner. We walked around the area for awhile before making our way toward Penn Quarter for drinks and then heading out to see the monuments at night.
First up, The White House. The Pilot had never seen the front of The White House (I don't think) so that's where we headed.
I can't even begin to explain how much I've fallen in love with DC over the last few years and, especially the last few months.
Washington, DC has lately become, in a way that New York City was for so long, my home away from home.
This weekend's trip to DC involved a lot of firsts.
It was the first time I didn't get lost.
It was the first time someone asked me for directions and I was able to give them directions, without saying, "I'm sorry, I'm not from around here."
It was the first time I saw the monuments at night.
Oh the monuments at night...we'll get there in a second.
I got to DC on Thursday morning and Andrea picked me up from the airport, swung me by her place to drop off my stuff and get changed and head to my first meeting of the day.
In between meetings, I stopped at Shake Shack to fulfill a major craving. Shake Shack in DC? I fit in here really well.
At Shake Shack, on a Thursday afternoon at 2:30, there was a bridal party chowing down on some burgers and fries. Awesome.
I headed to my 2nd meeting and then spent the afternoon wandering around DC before meeting up with Emily for some quality marathon talk over a few beers.
Friday involved trekking out to Friendship Heights (Maryland) for another meeting and then some quality shopping in the area where I bought an amazing dress for a summer wedding for only $25. Score!
I made my way back to Alexandria and Andrea and I headed out for beer flights, fro yo and a Harry Potter movie night. Low key at it's finest.
Saturday morning, we headed to Rock Creek Park for a gorgeous 6 mile run through the trails in the park. I didn't bring my Garmin and it was the perfect way to start the morning. Rock Creek Park is beautiful. After our run, we had some French Toast and then lounged around by the pool for the afternoon.
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| Andrea and I in front of The Capitol |
First up, The White House. The Pilot had never seen the front of The White House (I don't think) so that's where we headed.
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| See that light on in the window between the 1st and 2nd columns? Let's zoom in. |
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| That would be Malia and Sasha Obama dancing in the window of the White House. What other little girls would be dancing in the windows of the White House at 10pm? |
After savoring the moment of being closer to the Obama family as I will ever get, we headed toward the Washington Monument to meet my friend Adam and see the rest of the monuments.
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| Me and my handsome Pilot |
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| The WWII Memorial has always been one of my favorites...at night, it's absolutely breathtaking. |
We spent a lot of time just sitting on the water looking out toward Mr. Lincoln and just chatting. It was a warm summer night and it was a perfect moment.
Last but not least, we walked up to see the ever impressive Lincoln Memorial.
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| Astounding. |
It was the perfect night in DC. If you live in DC and have never seen the monuments at night, do yourself a favor and go see them. If you're planning to travel to DC this summer, make sure you plan a night to stroll through the monuments and see them up close at night. Those white marble monuments are beautiful but at night...they're simply breathtaking.
Sunday morning, I was up bright and early to catch my flight to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky where I am for the next few days relaxing with my best friend and her family. It's times like these that make me love summer.
Tell Me: What did you do this weekend? Have you ever seen the DC monuments at night? Do you have a place that you consider your 'home away from home?'
Have a GREAT week!
Gahhh twin!! I am soo jealous!! I have never been to DC before!!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures! I spent new year's eve in DC and it was fun!
ReplyDeleteI've got another DC activity to add to your list, sitting on the steps of the Lincoln and watching the sun rise. It's magical!
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a great weekend!
I LOVE this post! DC is my favorite city and I am fortunate enough to live only 1 hour from there! The WW2 monument is my favorite as well. I remember seeing it being built, and I will try to take your advice and see the monuments at night! :)
ReplyDeleteChristy, thanks so much for visiting our DC Shack.
ReplyDeleteHope you had an awesome trip, and our teams can't wait to see you again soon (in DC or NYC)!
-Brandy, Shake Shack
Christy, thanks so much for visiting our DC Shack.
ReplyDeleteHope you had an awesome trip, and our teams can't wait to see you again soon (in DC or NYC)!
-Brandy, Shake Shack
Awesome weekend! I think seeing the monuments at night is one of those "must do" activities. Aren't they beautiful? You're becoming a real DC girl now :) Glad you had a great time!
ReplyDeleteThe monuments at night are just gorgeous. When I started teaching, I found myself in DC at least once a year, and I really miss it. Will this be your new home??? :)
ReplyDeletejust move here already, please.
ReplyDelete(yes I'm two weeks behind on blogs)