tchoiniere

3 of us made a return trip to DC from August 23 to August 30, taking the train from Windsor CT into DC on the 23rd. Train was uneventful this time (see my May trip for explanation). We sat in the Quiet Car and enjoyed the ride. Arriving in DC at 1:30, we called for Uber when we got to Union Station instead of using Metro with our luggage. Got to the Americana Hotel and checked in quickly. Deposited our luggage in our room and off we went.

Took Metro back into DC and went to District Chophouse for a late lunch. Had a couple of their own beers and a bowl of soup. Once again, we enjoyed this stop.
We then went to the Crime & Punishment Museum. Spent about 3 hours in here and really enjoyed it Lots of hidden gems in here. I was sad to see that they announced this week that they are closing due to lease issues. Hopefully they can reopen at one point in a different location. We then went to Iron Horse next door for some liquid refreshment. Great beer selection and a fun décor / atmosphere. We then took Uber to Right Proper Brewing for dinner. Good food and decent beer. Place was mobbed at this point so we were squeezed in. We tried a few of their beers. One weird thing for them is they do not offer flights (most breweries you can get multiple 3 or 4 ounce samples for a price). Here you have to do it by the pint – not able to try as many of their beers that way. Back to the hotel and we crashed.

We got up Monday early and took Metro to Nationals Park for a 10:30 tour. I really enjoyed this tour as you go into the dugouts and bullpens getting a lot of access to the stadium that you normally wouldn’t. I highly recommend this tour which they offer on non-gamedays. After this tour, we went to Bluejacket Brewery for lunch. What a great location and a great brewery. Lots of choices for beer. Did a flight to try most of their beer. Great IPAs and a few good sours. Food was really good too – I got a Caesar salad for lunch. Nice and fresh. Bought a couple of 22 ounce bombers of beer to bring home with me. I will definitely be back here the next time I am in DC.

After lunch, we went to the Air and Space Museum for a little while. It was too busy to really enjoy but we continued to have fun. After this, it was back to the hotel to rest for a little while. We then took Lyft (had a discount code for $20 off the first ride) as we were heading to Mad Fox Brewery in West Falls Church. Another great stop on our beer tour. Excellent food and great beer. One of their beers was Sandy Eggo IPA – made special for last week with the Nationals playing the SD Padres. It was also being poured at Nationals Park.

obxgirl

A very beer-y trip report! Sounds like a fun time.

Mad Fox redux opened late in August in the city, Glover Park. Agree with you -- good food and verrrry generous beer flights.

tchoiniere

Tuesday, we got up and went Paul for breakfast. It is a great stop for breakfast and we really enjoyed it again. After this, we went to the Newseum, spending about 4 hours here. We were able to skip around, having been here multiple times. Otherwise, its tough to get through in less than a full day. Such an amazing museum. We really enjoyed the Reporting of the Vietnam War Special Exhibit and the 10 years of National’s baseball exhibit but there is so much to see. After this, we took a break in the cafeteria for a little while then headed to the Museum of the American Indian. I was not impressed with this museum and was bored. Too much on the treaties, rather than their cultures. Gorgeous building but lacking exhibits.
We then headed to Nationals Park early as we knew it was a giveaway night for Anthony Rendon Garden Gnomes. It drew a huge crowd but we were in front of the mob. Got to the Red Porch for a few beers and off to our seats. We were sitting in Section 310 on the LF line. Decent seats and a great game. I really enjoy Nationals Park and continued to. We opted against the Metro Mob and Ubered it back to our hotel.

On Wednesday, we walked the Monuments first thing so it was not as hot as the middle of the day. We really took our time as we were just hanging out talking. The new DC Circulator bus is such a great addition as we used it at a couple of points to get off our feet. Watching the double-decker buses – they are not worth it. People were having to skip buses to wait for open seats and the Upper deck did not look like fun being in the sun. I had my normal emotional breakdown between the Vietnam Wall (where my Dad served – he is currently battling cancer) & the WW2 Memorial where my grandparents are registered. We then went to the Portrait Gallery for a little while and again enjoyed it (little out of our way but an awesome building). After this stop, we went to Gordon Biersch Brewery for lunch and a few beers. Then to the Nats game again and better seats. First stop was the Red Porch then our seats. At the back of our section, the beer vendor was all local craft beer. Great choices but the girl serving it had no clue what she was pouring. Big mistake to me as I kept asking questions knowing she didn’t know the answer – she wasn’t even bothering to read the tags on the taps.

tchoiniere

Thursday was the Museum of American History and the Museum of Natural History. Really enjoyed both museums amid the construction in each. Saw Dinosaurs Alive3D in the Imax theatre. We then took Lyft to 3 Stars Brewery in NE for a few beers. I had had their Peppercorn Saisson in May and loved it. This brewery visit was no different. Such awesome beer and great people working here. Located in the middle of nowhere but worth the trip. Spent a lot of time here and bought a lot of beer to bring home then went to Hellbender Brewery nearby. More great beer and another awesome stop. After this, I met my aunt at Churchkey for dinner as she had flown in for the weekend. I sampled a lot of beer here and had a half-smoke for dinner. I really like this restaurant and will continue to go back. After this, I took a cab to meet my friends (who had gone elsewhere) at the Lincoln Memorial to see Abe at night then back to the hotel.

Friday, we got to the Zoo bright and early so that the animals were up and active. We enjoyed it yet again. The male Panda was upfront munching on bamboo, all the animals were active. By lunchtime, it was getting hot so they started slowing down as we were too. I bought some outfits for my niece and nephew. We spent more time here than we were planning on – more just hanging out and talking than anything. We then walked out the back exit and took Lyft to DC Brau Brewing only to find them closed for a private event. No notice on their website at all. We managed to catch out driver and he got us to Atlas Brew Works nearby. One of my favorite stops for the week. Great beer and awesome people working there. I really enjoy their Rowdy Rye Ale but they had just come out with a new IPA and a new Summer Ale so we had a lot of fun. From here, we went back to Right Proper for dinner and a few more of their beers. I was not in favor of going back as I would have preferred someplace new for the week but again we really enjoyed it. From here, it was back to the hotel as I was wiped.

Saturday, it was off to Arlington Cemetery. We used the tram tour – which was expanded since our last trip – but went off the beaten path too. Found Joe Louis’ and Lee Marvin’s graves and a lot of other famous people. Such an amazing but devastating site too with how many graves there are. We spent about 4 hours here (including the Iwo Jima Memorial) (maybe a little less). My aunt was heading into the cemetery as I was heading out so we talked for a little while before we headed to Port City Brewery to try their beer. I really enjoyed this stop. Lots of different beer being poured in a great location in Alexandria. From their Optimal Wit to their Monumental IPA, it was worth the time to get there. Back to the hotel briefly and then to the Nationals game. It was the best seats we have had (15 rows behind the Marlins dugout) but it was also a very quick game. Over in 2.5 hours with the Nats winning. Really enjoyed it then some barhopping after the game.

Sunday, it was just back to CT unfortunately. An amazing trip with us seeing a lot and really enjoying it.

Americana hotel really is a perfect hotel for us. Basic but its clean, safe and quiet in a great location. I will definitely stay there again. We had no issues at all with the hotel. I cannot wait to come back next year.

tchoiniere

Obxgirl, we had saw that they were opening there but opted to go to their original location. Debated heading there on Friday night when we went back to Right Proper.

We hadn't realized how many breweries were in DC until researching this trip. I managed to bring a lot of beer home with me to keep enjoying!

yestravel

Glad you enjoyed DC. Didnt know why the Crime Museum was closing, so thanks for reporting its a lease issue.

LouisaH

I absolutely love trip reports like yours, tchoiniere! I'm afraid some of us locals forget what an amazing place we live in so it's wonderful to see it with fresh eyes. You've touched on many of my favorites.

I've been involved with a local community service organization for years and Port City Brewery has been very generous with our fundraising efforts ever since they opened. I absolutely detest beer after drinking far too much cheap beer in college (love wine, though!) but I think I may need to reconsider and go to our next event in October.