cherry blossoms • 16 comments • Even though I missed them at the tidal basin, I ended up finding some cherry blossom trees...
dc recommendations • 5 comments • ENID A. HAUPT GARDEN | We sat in this garden a few times while visiting the Smithsonian. It's a beautiful place to rest your feet after hours of walking through museums. HELLO CUPCAKE | I went in to ask about parking and the guy working there was so friendly that I felt bad about leaving without buying anything. He suggested the Samoa and I got one to go. A+ THE WHITE HOUSE | The tours were cancelled shortly before we arrived. All you can do now is be kind of pathetic and stand at the gate which is really far away from the actual White House. I still wanted to see it in person though, so we got a glimpse, took a photo of it, and left. There were lots of people posing with the fence. SMITHSONIAN | Another pretty obvious recommendation, but worth mentioning. There's something here for everyone and you could easily spend the entire day (or even two) visiting several of the 19 museums within the complex. We went on a rainy day so that we didn't feel bad about not being outdoors. It was perfect. PITANGO | Arguably overpriced but really good gelato. I'm still deciding if I liked the Pistachio flavour. MATCHBOX | Alex got their spicy meatball pizza and I tried shrimp and grits for the first time. The service was great, too. DUPONT CIRCLE FARMER'S MARKET | There were a variety of apples, cheeses, and honey to be sampled and plenty of fresh produce. Someday I'll be the type of person who gets up, goes to the market, and cooks my meals with only the finest of organic ingredients. Until then, expect more updates about cupcakes and pizza.
more from dc • 7 comments • Once we had visited several of the touristy spots in DC, we headed to The Source. Alex recommends the roast duck. I say skip the tuna tartare (usually one of my favourite appetizers, but it was awful here) and save room for dessert. After walking around and admiring the architecture, we stopped into Busboys and Poets for a chai latte before heading back to our hotel. - Mina
the tidal basin • 11 comments • Alex and I went to the tidal basin during the Cherry Blossom Festival in hopes of seeing the trees in bloom. Even though we were there for the typical peak season, the blossoms were just beginning to open. I can't complain though; it was a nice walk in the sunshine and I had great company. - Mina
blossom kite festival • 16 comments • Formerly known as 'The Smithsonian Kite Festival, The Blossom Kite Festival is held annually on the National Mall. We didn't know about it in advance so it was a pleasant surprise to stumble onto the festivities en route to the Lincoln Memorial. I'll take any excuse to listen to songs from Mary Poppins (they had this on repeat). - Mina
ben's chili bowl • 11 comments • Ben's Chili Bowl is really milking Obama's visit to their establishment (I totally would too). They have this terribly unflattering photo of him inhaling a chili dog on their t-shirts, which I was tempted to buy just because it was so ridiculous. We ordered Bill Cosby's* favourite: a half-smoke and some chili. If I can make a recommendation, I'd say just skip the chili and order an entire half smoke for yourself, so that you don't have to share, because it was sooooo good. After the meal, Alex got a photo with Barry and Michelle outside. I doubt the FLOTUS would have approved of our caloric intake that day :( *In our defence, we went here when he was still just a beloved TV sitcom dad...
washington, dc • 8 comments • It was gorgeous and sunny on the day that we visited the Lincoln Memorial and the National War Memorial. Unfortunately, the Washington Monument was under construction. While the entire area is grand, I think I had built it up to be larger in my head because of all the significant events that happened there (and that sweet scene in Forrest Gump). Nonetheless, it was awesome to finally see it in person. - Mina
