A Capital Weekend

This year, I took my Labor Day long weekend a little bit early. Rather than fight the stream of traffic that is sure to pour out of the city starting at the end of next week, I decided to head out of town this past Sunday instead to spend a few days in the nation’s capital.

A straight shoot across the George Washington Bridge and about four hours south on I-95, Washington is a relatively quick and easy trip from the city, which makes it perfect for a long weekend. And heading down on an off day—a Sunday or a weekday, for example—is your best chance for a smooth and hassle-free drive that will have you seeing the sights of D.C. in no time.

Washington is like New York in that it is a city full of history and alive with the energy of its inhabitants, both locals and tourists alike. Yet D.C. has a vast, majestic feel that sets it apart from any other city, astounding visitors with its grand monuments and dignified architecture. And, in three days or so, you can easily see all the major sights, as well as do some exploring in order to get a feel for the city—which is exactly what we did. Arriving mid-afternoon our first day, we had just enough time to walk from our hotel to the Capitol, stopping along the way to admire the city’s lush landscaping. Though the renowned cherry blossoms are not in season, bright pinks, purples, reds, and greens provide a sharp and tropical contrast to the pure white grandiosity of D.C.’s historic landmarks. The Capitol building, majestic from afar, has a Mediterranean feel up close, complete with potted palms, blooming flowers, and even a European-style fountain, inviting visitors to linger in its courtyard.

After a quick rest and much-needed showers (Washington is on the hot side this time of year, with temperatures in the upper 80s), we drove into Georgetown for a late dinner. Both a college town and a quaint, historic village, Georgetown has, from what we could tell, the best selection of restaurants and bars in the area, as well as some excellent shopping venues. We wandered around for a bit before finding the perfect place to dine—while watching the Olympics, of course—and we liked the area so much that we wound up returning for dinner the following night as well.

For our second day, we had a pretty ambitious plan: to tackle at least two museums, plus all the major monuments. And, for the most part, we were successful. Walking what was easily a total of seven or eight miles over the course of the day, we visited the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum, the National Archives, the Washington and Lincoln Memorials, plus the Mall and reflecting pool, taking in as much history as we could along the way—history that is easily found in a city with such a rich past.

Before getting on the road on our third and final day, we headed to the White House for a tour, which not only required advance reservations but compliance with a slew of security measures (for details, click here). But the slight hassle was worthwhile, as we were able to explore about ten rooms on the first floor of the historic home, seeing firsthand where John Adams used to eat breakfast and Jackie Kennedy used to share tea with visitors, as well as a magnificent collection of artwork and furniture. After our tour, we made one last stop in the Smithsonian’s Museum of American Art, where we viewed works from the American masters, visited the Presidential portrait gallery, and grabbed a quick lunch in the museum’s outdoor café before getting on the road.

All in all, it was a perfect Labor Day-esque long weekend. And, if you’re still looking for something to do over the actual Labor Day weekend, Washington just might be the perfect place for you as well.