Four ish days in DC
 

Will be in DC this coming Saturday to Tuesday during cherry blossom peak. Have a list of some old haunts and new things.

arrive by train Saturday at 12. Staying near Dupont Circle. Flight from Reagan Tuesday at 630 pm.

Saturday:

Tatte lunch

Dumbarton Gardens and House - have tickets 2 pm

Number nine

Les desales 715



Sunday

us Botanic Garden - quickly?

National gallery

Smithsonian American Art

Old ebbit grill: 7:30





Monday:



U.S. National Arboretum

Tidal Basin - where exactly to go?

Le diplomat: 715

Trade


Tuesday:

Phillips Collection

Lars Anderson House

bistro du coin


- other option would be to do National gallery and botanic gardens Tuesday and Phillips and Larz Sunday.

Should be a great trip! Just a few comments, and given that you've apparently been here before, forgive me if I say things you already know.

Sunday sounds ambitious to me, even if your visit to the U.S. Botanic Garden is a quick one. (I trust you realize that the Botanic Garden is primarily an indoor facility, not particularly known for cherry blossoms.) Depending on your interests, the National Gallery (of Art, I assume) can easily take a full day … or, for that matter, several days – so it might be worth deciding on your priorities in advance. That said, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) makes a lot of sense – it’s open until 7 p.m., unlike most museums in the city (which close at 5 or so). Again, though, you’ll need to be selective!

I know the Old Ebbitt Grill is considered by many to be a de rigueur stop. I’m not a fan, as I find it stuffy. In the area near the SAAM, I far prefer the Jose Andres restaurants (Zaytinya or Jaleo in particular – ask for one of the covered outdoor areas, as the indoors of each can get quite loud) or Rasika Penn Quarter.

The National Arboretum is a bit out of the city and can be a bit of a bear to reach, though I certainly find it worth the trek. I might make it your second stop of that day, in part to avoid the after-work crowds at the Tidal Basin.

For the Tidal Basin, most people do the circuit around it. There are only a few places where you can start, and I don’t think it much matters which point you choose. I would decide based on where I’ll be before and after.

The Phillips Collection is one of my favorite museums! It can get quite busy on weekends, so I think you are wise to go on a weekday. The Lars Anderson House is quite interesting, IMO, and IME, not much visited at any time.

I find Bistro du Coin MUCH too loud – painfully so! In that area, I far prefer Floriana, the Iron Gate, La Tomate, or the Tabard Inn.

Hope that helps!

I'll second kja's rec for Zaytinya, one of my favorite DC eateries.
I'll disagree about Bistro du Coin - the great food easily overrides and crowd noise!

Thanks. Have been to Zaytina often in Miami.

Yes, had planned to do Smithsonian until 7.

How far or long is the tidal basin route? If I go in an uber, where is a good drop off point?

The Tidal Basin loop:
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cherryb...loop-trail.htm
Sorry, it's been too long since I visited the Tidal Basin for me to recommend a specific stop -- but you should be able to figure it out with this info!

A few thoughts:

I think Dumbarton House is closed for an HVAC overhaul? If that is still the case, I suggest Hillwood. (I would always suggest Hillwood over Dumbarton Oaks, but that's just my opinion.) Lovely gardens; Faberge eggs; and the typical overprced cafe.

Having been to D.C. before, I'm sure you know you can't see the NGA in one day. The current Mary Cassatt exhibit is well done; and of course, the Calder Tower is always worth a look.

At American Art, the Grandma Moses exhibit was als well done, I thought. I learned a lot! Nick Cave's Mammoth was fun, too.

Just saw Miro at the Phillips Collection yesterday. Loved it!

As for the cherry blossoms, DH and I arrived in DC around 5:30 a.m. to park (along the mall--we got lucky) and I snapped this photo around sunrise (~6:50 a.m.). I personally would Metro to Smithsonian (Independence Ave exit) and walk. Traffic is always a nightmare at cherry blossom time.

Regarding restaurants, I personally like Old Ebbitt Grill and dislike Zaytinya. DH and I had lunch at OEB after seeing Miro yesterday. The Wellfleet Oysters are my favorite, when available.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2bfedcf987.jpg

One of my great 'secret' pleasures of DC is doing the tea tasting at 10:30am on Sundays in Valley Brook Tea, inside the Ven Hotel at Dupont Circle. Always best to call the day before just to make sure it's going on as the guy is sometimes away, traveling for business.

The proprietor's family grows tea in China (mostly oolong) and he is superbly entertaining. He can talk for so long on many subjects. He sits at a table that can hold about 8 people max. Sometimes that's all who shows up, and other times many others come as well, but it is not as special sitting elsewhere, so get there early. FAR more rewarding than the Botanic Garden.

As far as restaurants are concerned I find that too many people overuse the word 'great,' and I don't give out blanket recommendations. I suppose some of your list is composed of sentimental favorites.

Meanwhile you will be staying right near Sura, one of DC's best places to eat. I would call the menu 'Bangkok's Chinatown.' Go early or reserve. From the current menu, go for the Duck larb, pork belly rice, pickled hum choy, chips and dip, salmon crudo, and quail egg wontons, fried to a delicious crisp. This last one deserves special attention.

I'd take the advice and not try to Uber anywhere near the tidal basin. Between the pedestrian and the car traffic you will spend more time in the Uber than it will take to walk from the Smithsonian metro station.

You may or may not be aware that the No Kings march is scheduled for Saturday so the metro into DC may be even busier than a regulation cherry blossom weekend day.

If you do choose to eat at Rasika, I'd recommend Rasika West End since you are staying near Dupont Circle.

I think Dumbarton House is closed for an HVAC overhaul?

Both the gardens and the house at Dunbaron Oaks are open now.

Hillwood is a great option ... maybe better than the Arboretum.

Tudor Place is a small historic home, well, the parts visible to visitors are small, with exquisite gardens. Best of all, Tudor Place is one block from Dumbarton.

i hadn’t heard of it before either, but enjoyed it very much.

if you are at Hillwood, consider Kreeger close by.

And if you’ve been to the Rubell in Miami, there’s a different Rubell in Washington, a little far afield of where you are planning to be.

i like staying near Du Pont, too.

if you are familiar with tam Tam in Miami, the. Idtnamese foodin Eden Center, Falls Churchis not as exciting.

Thanks! A friend had also recommended Hillwood so adding it to the list. Maybe nixing Lars.

Maybe for a separate trip.... as mentioned above the Kreeger is a very special experience and unlike going to other museums. It was a home designed by Philip Johnson so that it could be turned into a museum after the Kreegers passed. so the building itself is a work of art and an intimate exploration of the many art masterworks. As a bonus, the 'guards' there are very knowledgeable about the art so it's like having a personal docent on the spot if you have questions.

In addition, I will mention the Mansion on O St as an exceptional experience. Dupont Circle area. It's open day and night. It is a museum with over 100 rooms and also a hotel and also a game, also an antiques store, also an outrageous riot of color, form, objects and a home of social justice activism. Unlike many museums in DC, its expensive. It is unique unto the world. I went in knowing very little about it, and I felt like a kid coming out.

I had read about O Mansion as well.

Probably needed another day to fit in all these great recs. Will report back.

Trip going well so far but my hip glute issue acting up today. How can I streamline the arboretum, especially if I arrive by uber?

Good question! There are some interesting gardens near the building with visitors' info (where I assume the uber could leave you), but if your goal is to see the cherries, I'd ask for guidance at the office. I think a short walk is unlikely; you should go prepared for some longish walks, as the property is extensive. Even the smaller gardens near the office are designed to channel people through long-ish routes, IIRC.

You might prioritize Hillwood (it's Japanese garden should be lovely) or Tudor House, both mentioned upthread.

Good luck!

Perhaps too late, but I would skip the Arboretum for Hillwood. Much more manageable.