DC staycation ideas?

[y4m]

One of my besties is coming up this weekend to hang out. We need to celebrate her new job, and she's never spent time in DC before. She doesn't get many weekends off, and she's thinking of this as a hard earned and well-deserved vacation. Loves food and wine, need to be reasonably MM. She definitely wants to get a massage.

What should I do with her??!?

[gardengal]

The national book fair is this weekend

I'd do: paddle boating in tidal basin (yes, cliche but fun for a first visit!) and then lunch at Zaytinya. Monument tour at night (could drive around yourself)

If she's not from somewhere with amazing wine, then maybe wine tasting & picnic?

[winnied]

I recommend Hotel Tonight if you want to get a good deal on a hotel but not spend a ton.

I don't recommend brunch because generally I think it's an overpriced meal and experience. If you go, though, I enjoy Rustico and Jackson 20. If you don't do brunch, sleep in and then get massages. Have a nice dinner at one of the billions of places we've recommended here (happy to do it again, if it's not annoying for you!) One day I'd go wine tasting.

H and I did a staycation for our anniversary. We stayed at The Willard, got drinks at Black Jack, and had dinner at Le Diplomate.

[y4m]

rustico is like 2 seconds from my house!!

[mrshandy]

Jazz in the sculpture garden + huge pitcher of Sangria, Friday night

Maybe a trip to a winery if you're inclined to get out of the city.

Sugar house day spa in old town is a nice place for a massage.

[gt7301b]

My favorite local winery is Bluemont, it is a bit of a hike, but you can't beat the view and they let us bring the pup. Paradise Springs is pretty good too, it you don't want to trek so far.

[lasagnasshole]

I just did a staycation with a friend of mine! Our itinerary was:
Sunday: Eastern Market flea market, Newseum, early dinner at Teaism, failed attempt to see a show at Millennium Stage that turned into just walking around the terrace
Monday: hiking in Shenandoah National Park, followed by pizza delivery
Tuesday: Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, National Portrait Gallery, an hour chilling in the pool, concert at Millennium Stage, custard at Shake Shack

If you want to feel really hip, head over to Barracks Row and go to Rose's Luxury for dinner one night. Get there early to get in line, and then you can go get a drink at another restaurant while you wait.

If you do brunch, I recommend Masa 14. It's the same people who own El Centro DF (which you went to with me), but the food is a little more creative and the blood orange mimosas are amaaaaaaaaazing.

I always love the National Portrait Gallery. There is a great exhibit called American Cool, which is all about what it means to be cool. There is also a Robin Williams In Memoriam portrait on the north side of the first floor, a cool exhibit comparing the lives of Generals Grant and Lee, and the life-size portrait of all four female SCOTUS Justices.

The Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden doesn't get enough love. Last week was my first time in the museum, and I really liked it. There are a couple of really cool short films showing in one of the exhibits.

Great Falls or Rock Creek Park for a hike if she's at all outdoorsy.

I'd try to get in a night walk or bike ride of the monuments if she's never done that. Cooler than daytime, and such great views.

[lemons]

If she wants to do a tour of the monuments/sites, choose one where you can ride for free. We split the ticket costs with our out of area friends and it makes it more affordable for them. :-)

www.hometownpass.com/user-registration?city=WashingtonDC