Slip down to the waterfront to rent a canoe or kayak from Jack’s Boathouse — there’s no better way to see the Potomac River and get some exercise.
Clo ckwise f ro m to p l e f t : M i k e L e mansk i ; Char l e s K n ox / Sh u t t e rsto ck . co m ; M . V . Jan t z e n / F l i ck r . co m
The Francis Scott Key Bridge, named for the author of the American National Anthem, spans the Potomac River between the state of Virginia and D.C.'s Georgetown. Key once made his home on M Street.
the intersection of 36th and M Streets, it’s a local landmark.) If you’re feeling inspired by the trendy Georgetownians, check out the slew of elite national stores and independently owned boutiques that line Wisconsin and M Street. Or if you’re feeling more adventurous, slip down to the waterfront to rent a canoe or kayak from Jack’s Boathouse — there’s no better way to see the Potomac River and get some exercise. 1 p.m. | Stop for a casual lunch at Tackle Box, Washington’s “first and only lobster shack.” The lobster roll is unmatched in the city, and sides like hush puppies and fried green tomatoes will make you think you’ve traveled to America’s Deep South. 2 p.m. | Walk off your full belly with
a trip up Wisconsin Avenue to nearby Dumbarton Oaks, where the United Nations charter was outlined in 1944. Boasting both formal and naturalistic gardens designed by landscape architect Beatrix Farrand, Dumbarton gives a taste of country life within the city. Blaze your own trail through the gardens or follow a docentled tour, offered most weekday afternoons. And while you’re in a touring mood, check out the Old Stone House on M Street, aptly named for being the oldest home in Washington (built in 1756). The small, six-room house with its unassuming character commemorates the ordinary Americans who first established the city. 6 p.m. | Grab some chic chocolates from Fleurir to satisfy your sweet tooth later in the evening. With flavors like Pink Peppercorn, Peanut Butter Banana, Sesame Hazelnut and Lavender Shiraz, you’ll satisfy your adventurous side too. 7 p.m. | Wander over to Das for upscale Ethiopian cuisine — including beef, poultry, seafood and vegetarian dishes, as well as imported Ethiopian beer. Formerly known as Zed’s Ethiopian Cuisine, this establishment served for decades as the Ethiopian restaurant of choice for members of Washington’s upper crust, including Hilary and Chelsea Clinton. Now under new management, Das has retained both the classy ambience and authentic menu of its predecessor. If you have a healthy appetite but dislike choosing from the many menu selections, try the vegetarian or meat sampler, offering a variety of tasty dishes on one plate. Or if
How to get there » Ethiopian Airlines flies daily from Addis Ababa to Dulles International Airport, just outside of Washington, D.C.
your palate pulls you in a different direction, rest easy: With scores of acclaimed restaurants in the area, you’re sure to find a Georgetown restaurant for every taste bud. 9 p.m. | Enjoy an after-dinner cocktail at Martin’s Tavern, a quintessential corner pub that opened the day after Prohibition ended in 1933. (It’s also rumored to have witnessed John F. Kennedy’s wedding proposal to Jackie 20 years later — in booth 3, specifically.) Consider ordering a Bourbon Old Fashioned, as a nod to the many politicians who have made Martin’s their local watering hole throughout the decades. 11 p.m. | Immerse yourself in historic Georgetown glamour at the Georgetown Inn, a boutique luxury hotel that is classic Washington, D.C. Retire for the evening in a plush robe as you look out on the neighborhood you’ve conquered — and the rest of the city that lies ahead. M Street, Georgetown's bustling main corridor, is home to designer boutiques, restaurants and bars — as well as many of the capital's upper crust.
july / august 2012
57