With the International Day of Friendship coming up this Sunday, July 30th, there’s no better occasion to make some time for your besties and head out on a DC “friend date”. Here are some ideas to inspire your outing.
Capitol Riverfront
The Capitol Riverfront is one of DC’s fastest growing neighborhoods and there are so many ways to enjoy this riverfront area. Throughout the summer months, enjoy free outdoor movies in Canal Park on Thursday nights and free outdoor concerts in The Yards Park on Friday nights. This neighborhood is also home to Nationals Park and you can typically grab relatively cheap tickets at the last minute, so catching a baseball game is another great way to enjoy a night or afternoon out in this area. Read more about the Capitol Riverfront here.
Whaley’s Rosé Garden
Newly opened this summer, Whaley’s (adorable) Rosé Garden serves as an extension of the indoor restaurant, but with a focus on, what else, rosé wine. Sip this summer’s drink of choice (or one of their frozen concoctions) while enjoying the utterly Instagram worthy space and small nibbles to start the night. The garden is open from 5pm to 10pm Monday through Friday and noon to 10pm Saturday & Sunday.
Salt Line
After enjoying a glass of wine or two, meander along the waterfront toward The Salt Line, one of the most hotly anticipated newcomers to the neighborhood. Embracing its waterfront location and a well-executed New England theme, The Salt Line is the perfect place to enjoy a light (or not so light) dinner with just about anyone. From thoughtfully crafted cocktails to perfectly executed lobster rolls and oyster plates, you can’t go wrong with this menu. Sit outside on a nice day or take it inside on a hotter-than-heck or rainy day to enjoy the stunningly decorated interior. From here, you can either enjoy the totally Instagram-worthy Fluffernutter Milkshake or towards Ice Cream Jubilee for some of the best ice cream in the city.
Ice Cream Jubilee
If you choose the latter, you’ll be treated to an equally delicious and photo-worthy experience. Ice Cream Jubilee also made our list of DC’s Most Instagrammable Desserts Of The Summer thanks to their variety of fresh and inventive flavors and the Yards Park location, full of great photo-ops for documenting your outing. For this and more of our favorite DC photo ops, check out this blog post.
Dupont Circle
If it’s a day date you’re after, Dupont Circle is the perfect spot. There are unlimited possibilities for how to spend an afternoon in this neighborhood, but we’ll try to narrow it down to a few suggestions.
Enjoy a Leisurely Brunch
Dupont Circle is chock full of great brunch options. A few of our favorites are Boqueria for unlimited tapas, drinks, and sweets, Tabard Inn for traditional brunch plates (and the best homemade donuts around), and Kramer Books & Afterwords for a delicious brunch with a side of awesome used bookstore.
Peruse The Farmers Market
Head to Dupont Circle on a Sunday morning to enjoy one of the biggest and best farmers markets in the city. You can shop for fresh produce from local farms, nibble on snacks and sip on cold-pressed juice for local vendors and more. Check out their website for hours and more details.
Do Some Shopping
There’s no shortage of shops to peruse, but a couple of our favorites are Secondi and Fillmore & Fifth for consignment clothing and Tabletop for unique home goods.
Georgetown
A leisurely day (or evening) spent in Georgetown is always a good idea. Between the length of waterfront and the stretch of shops and restaurants, there are so many ways to spend your time in this classic DC neighborhood. Here are a few options.
Do Some Retail Damage
Whether you’re in the mood to poke around and window shop or drop some serious cash, Georgetown’s M Street is full of great retail options. You’ll find the usual suspects in clothing, home goods, and accessories plus plenty of charming boutiques as well.
Enjoy a Meal on the Waterfront
One of the biggest highlights of this DC neighborhood is the extensive riverfront boardwalk. Enjoy lunch or dinner at Fiola Mare for seafood, Nick’s Riverside Grill for casual cuisine, or Sequoia for their extensive outdoor patio.
Go To The Movies
If the weather is less than ideal (think rain or mid-July heat wave), head to the neighborhood AMC Loews movie theatre to take in the latest blockbuster. Recliner seats and reserved spots make this an above average movie-going experience, so treat yourselves!
Sip On The Best (and biggest) Manhattan In Town
Located within the stunning Rosewood Hotel, The Rye Bar is a cozy, impeccably decorated bar and lounge that is home to the most amazing cocktails, the crowning jewel of which is the $22 Oak Aged Manhattan. Yes, the price is steep, but the ingredients are top-notch, the portion size generous (you’ll only need one), and the ambiance impossible to beat. Order a cheese plate and you’ll soon find yourself in absolute heaven.