I started this year with the knowledge that I would have a six day weekend towards the end of February.  I had no idea where I was going to go during this time, but I knew I wanted to go somewhere.  It wasn’t a hard problem to solve, as I have a very long list of places I want to visit and a knack for trip planning.  I wanted to go somewhere that would be cheap to fly to, easy to get around once I was there, and that had a good amount of amazing food and interesting attractions.  Washington, D.C. fit the bill.  I’ve been there once before, way back in 8^th grade.  We took a charter bus there that left from the school parking lot.  My eighth grade brain took all of the history of D.C. in one ear and out the other and focused mostly on finding those cool FBI sweatshirts with my friends so we could all match.  This time around, I’ll be going by myself and I plan to take it all in.  I’m no longer interested in hooded sweatshirts, in fact the only thing I will have in common with my 8^th Grade self is my concern of when my next meal will be.  I guess I’ve been on a recent kick of returning to places I’ve visited before to better appreciate them (see “Trip Planning: San Francisco”).  I am so excited to revisit Washington, D.C.  There is so much to see and do and eat there that I just hope I have enough time to accomplish it all.  I’ll be there for three nights, staying two nights in a hotel and one night in a hostel to help keep my spending in check.  I have a very long list of things I want to accomplish while I’m there.  Here is the breakdown:

Flight:

• American Airlines – nonstop from ORD to DCA

Lodging:

• Courtyard Marriott
• Hostelling International Washington, D.C.

What I want to see:

• The National Mall, The Memorials and The White House, of course
• The Smithsonian Museums
• The Eastern Market
• The Holocaust Memorial Museum
• Georgetown, Columbia Heights, Dupont
• The Folger Shakespeare Library
• Glen Echo Park
• And anything and everything else that I can fit in

What I want to eat:

• We the Pizza (any Top Chef fans out there??)
• Ted’s Bulletin
• Founding Farmers
• Dangerously Delicious Pie
• Honestly, I could go on and on; I’m going to need to eat four meals a day to keep up with this list

I have two and a half days to do it all.  My plan of attack is to tackle the National Mall, Monuments and Museums one day and tour the neighborhoods the next day.  I am just so excited to go on this trip, and I can’t wait to explore Washington, D.C.  I’m a little bit concerned that because I’m going there in the winter, some things may not be as enjoyable.  However, I’m going to bundle up and power through to make the most of it. See you in a few weeks D.C.!

If you have any Washington, D.C. recommendations or tips, please share!