It was the Thursday before MLK weekend this year and I had no plans for the holiday — unacceptable. After a few texts to a few friends across the country, my destination was set. My friend Lia and Washington D.C. awaited. But how would I get there from Atlanta when it was too late for cheap flights and too far for my old car?
Everything fell into place when I heard a friend say “we’re driving to Philadelphia this weekend,” to which I replied, “can you drop me off near Arlington in Alexandria?” Within half an hour, I had a place and a ride. Go Juan.
And let me tell you — my first trip to the nation’s capital did not disappoint.
The Itinerary
Friday: Get to work two hours early. Leave the office around 4:30 P.M. Overnight drive to Philadelphia with a stop in Alexandria.
Saturday: Arrive in Arlington around 3:30 A.M. “Sleep” before brunch and a full day of sightseeing in D.C. Night out in the town.
Sunday: Brunch in Arlington. Chill day at home. Karaoke and video games with the gals.
Monday: Coffee and cupcakes in Georgetown. Early lunch in Old Town Alexandria. Pick up at 10:30 A.M. Drive back to Atlanta.
Budget
I decided to “splurge” a bit on this trip, so I set aside $200 for the long weekend.
- Gas: $35 for a tank of gas (four of us carpooled, each person filled up once)
- Food and beverage: $160 (two road meals, two brunches, one lunch, two coffee breaks, one night out, one night in)
- Bike rental: $16 (took two bikes all over the National Mall)
- Metro pass: $5 (roundtrip from Arlington to Washington)
- Ubers: $30 (from the White House to Arlington and from Arlington to the club)
GRAND TOTAL = $246 (mildly over budget, but worth it)
Activites
Drive-by night tour of Arlington
Lia and her roommate Reggie were kind enough to take the scenic route back home so I could see the Arlington National Cemetery and the D.C. skyline from across the Potomac on our late night drive from Alexandria.
Brunch at Firefly
Chic restaurant in the city serving carafes of mimosa for $15? We’ll take two! I can still taste the delectable eggs Benedict with prosciutto I had. Perfect way to set the mood for this full day of exploring.
Bike ride around the National Mall
Dressed to the tens in fabulous winter clothes on baby blue rental bikes looked so wanderlust-y we were basically a Pinterest post. Best way to explore the National Mall and its surrounding areas.
Getting cultured at the National Gallery
Did you know most museums in the capital have free admission? We took our time to explore this enormous gallery, where I found several paintings by my favorite Impressionist artist, Georges Seurat.
Hot cocoa and pastries at PAUL
The hot cocoa and the pastries were beyond, and the decor made this spot feel like a modern Parisian café — très chic. Much needed stop in the freezing winter weather on our way to the White House.
Walk around the White House
Timing was ideal for me to visit the outside of the White House as Trump was away in Florida for the weekend. Having no chance of running into him kept me at ease, though I can’t deny feeling a bit jealous of the view from his room.
Night out at Nellie’s Sport Bar
Our attempt at a bar crawl turned into a lit night at Nellie’s. The small outdoors area felt like a freezer but the inside felt more like a sauna with all the heat we crazy kids were leaving on the dance floor.
Brunch at Tupelo Honey in Arlington
I can’t believe I ate half a fried chicken. And drank several drinks. Everything was so good. I felt like the guy in those old Alka-seltzer commercials saying “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing.” We spent a solid four hours here.
Champagne and video games at home
It saddens me to admit that the only champagne we found at the nearest liquor store was Trump champagne. It saddens me even more to admit that we bought it and actually enjoyed it. Not bad, Trump.
Cupcakes and coffee at Baked & Wired
Stupid good cupcakes. Like HELLO, Georgetown. Bacon maple syrup flapjack happiness in my mouth with yummy coffee was all I needed so start my last day in the DMV area.
Lunch at Nando’s PERi-PERi in Alexandria
My mouth is watering as I write about this. Chicago and the D.C. area are the only two places in the United States that are home to Nando’s. This was a must-visit on my list for this trip, and the life-changing chicken I had did not disappoint.
Relfections
America is beautiful and its capital is one of its best features. No matter the length of your trip or the stops you make, you are sure to come back inspired and cultured after a stay in the capital. Be sure to bring cute clothes and chic walking shoes, keeping the weather in mind as the seasons can be intense in this area.
Despite the quick planning and the unforgiving cold weather, this weekend was exactly what I needed to get back into the groove of life after the holidays. There is so much to see in the Washington metropolitan area that one weekend is not enough. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly destination, find a cheap flight and a cheap Airbnb and you’ll be set — here’s a chic apartment near Capitol Hill for under $90 a night. There are plenty of activities to do and plenty of delicious restaurants, both for reasonable prices.
Happy exploring!
FROM TAMPA TO [ ] 