Washington, D.C. City Guide, Part 1

I’ve been back from D.C. for a couple weeks now, so it’s time to post the photographic evidence that I was there. I’m notorious among my friends and family for never posting photos from trips and events because I always insist on editing them first, and then I never do because I always take so many and editing them just becomes a chore. (Case in point: I have a ton of photos from my trip to South Africa last year that no one has seen yet…) Maybe now that I have a blog I’ll actually take the time to share some of the photos I take. Anyway, as I mentioned in my first post, I lived in D.C. for a summer in college and I loved it, so it was really nice to be back for a bit.

Before I get going with the pictures, though, I have a special treat for you! I’m excited to announce that Rin of The Cupcake Kid (whose star mug I featured in the Kitchen Road Trip to D.C.) has so kindly offered my readers 10 percent off anything in her shop through Jan. 31! Use the code “HOORAYFEASTANDWEST” at check-out. Rin has some new stuff in her shop since I made that post, so go show her some love. I absolutely I adore her cute vintage letterpress selection! Thanks, Rin!

The weather on the way to D.C. was atrocious. We actually hydroplaned a full 450 degrees to face oncoming traffic. It was so scary! Thank goodness my dad, who accompanied me on the first half of the trip, was driving because I think I would have camped out right there on the highway until the weather got better.

These were three of my four charges while my brother was gone. The one male cat was probably staring at me outside of the frame. We became friends by the end of the trip, though!

We had dinner on New Year’s Eve at Founding Farmers (at the Montgomery County, Md. location) on the recommendation of my friend Mollie. The bar had an amazing menu of craft cocktails and the food is all locally sourced when possible. I was intrigued by the $2 “Popcorn of the Day” appetizer so, as a staunch advocate of popcorn, I insisted we order some. The flavor of the day was vinegar and Old Bay Seasoning and it was divine! We ate so much, then we came home to watch a movie and drink champagne. It was the most low-key New Year’s I’ve had in some time, but I was OK with that.

On New Year’s Day, we visited the National Museum of American History — one of my favorite museums. (I already wrote about that here!) Afterward, we had dinner at Ben’s Chili Bowl, which is a D.C. landmark I’ve somehow never been to. Located in the U Street Corridor, it was built in 1958 and it still has the original fixtures and signs. It feels like walking into a history book. There is a sign inside that says, “People who eat free: Bill Cosby, President Obama/family, and no one else,” that made me giggle. Apparently it’s one of Bills’ and the Obamas’ favorite restaurants, and I can see why: They have the most amazing chili dogs! We all tried the famous Original Chili Half-Smoke and it was amazing. It even had mustard on it! (I usually hate mustard…)

CLICK BELOW TO READ THE REST OF PART 1! 

After we’d been there a week, my dad and his lady had to head home on the train and I stayed behind to house-sit solo. The day they left, D.C. took in four inches of snow, and the temperatures were record-cold. So, naturally, my friend Ijeoma and I spent an afternoon walking around Arlington National Cemetery. We froze our butts off, but we still had a good time. And we took so many pictures. I’d never been to Arlington before either, even though I used to pass by it on the Metro on the way to my internship when I lived in D.C. The white headstones looked really incredible against the snow — a sight I won’t soon forget.

After Arlington, we needed to warm up, so IJ took me to Teaism, an amazing tea room in Penn Quarter. She insisted I try the spiced chai even though I’m not a “chai person.” It was so good! We went back for seconds and I went back another time too… However, if it hadn’t been cold, I probably would have gotten the bubble tea because it has been years since I’ve had it! Anyway, I would definitely recommend this place as it is one I will definitely visit again!

…And that’s it for Part 1. Stay tuned for Part 2 next week! // susannah