You may not immediately think of Washington, DC as a holiday destination, but the Nation’s Capitol actually has quite a lot to offer in the way of holiday merriment.
Here’s a primer on what you should Do, See, Hear, Watch, Drink and Buy during your time in the District. Happy Holidays!
Do It!
Take to the Ice:
Parktake in a DC tradition and go ice skating on the rink in the National Gallery’s Sculpture Garden on the National Mall. You’ll be skating in the shadow of the National Archives and the Capitol Building.
Or pop over to Georgetown and skate the Washington Harbor Rink overlooking the Potomac River and the Kennedy Center.
Visit the Luckiest Turkey in America:
Head south of the city and spend a day exploring Mount Vernon, George Washington’s former home. The Visitor’s Center has nearly a dozen decorated trees in various George Washingtonesque themes, there are special access holiday tours AND you can see the Turkey that the President pardoned on Thanksgiving plus a camel (apparently good old Georgie liked to have exotic animals on the property during the holidays).
Get Spiritual:
The National Cathedral takes the holidays seriously and offers a multitude of programming (including candlelight caroling!) throughout December to celebrate the season. Not to mention the building is stunningly decorated for Christmas.
Wander Obama’s Abode:
Taking a tour of the East Wing of the White House all gussied up for Christmas is a must if you can score tickets! While the 54 decorated trees that adorn the Wing are impressive, the giant models of the First Dogs, the display of previous Presidential Christmas cards and the 300-pound gingerbread and white chocolate replica of the White House are the true show stealers.
Can’t snag tickets? You can still get a behind the scenes look inside online.
Das Christmas:
Venture into the Brewmaster’s Castle – the former home of German immigrant, turned DC beer kingpin, Christian Heurich. The house is the best-preserved late-Victorian home in the District and is filled with intricate woodwork, crazy technological features (for the time anyways) and luxurious furnishings. Tours in December showcase the home prepped for Christmas guests.
See It!
The Most Famous Tree in all the Land:
South of the White House, on the Ellipse, you can walk around the National Tree. It’s surrounded by an elaborate set of electric trains and is ringed by smaller tress representing all US states and territories. From 5-8:30pm every day until December 22nd there’s live music and Santa is on hand as well. The National Menorah is just a stone’s throw away and is worth a visit too!
The Second Most Famous Tree in all the Land:
The Capitol Tree, situated in front of the US Capitol Building, is a bit more impressive than the National Tree at the White House (IMHO). It’s a much taller spruce and is covered with handmade ornaments from its state of origin.
Beat the Cold in the National Botanical Gardens:
Not only is it nice and toasty inside, it’s also decked out for the season. There’s a train ride, but unless you’re visiting with kids I would suggest avoiding the madness and lengthy line that accompanies it. Instead, ogle at the entry atrium, which is filled with lights, poinsettias and sculptures of some of the most notable building on the National Mall – made out of over 70 types of plant material!
Be Humbled by Arlington National Cemetery:
Every year hordes of volunteers lay wreaths on over 100,000 gravestones throughout the cemetery. It’s a beautiful sight and sentiment honoring our fallen soldiers. While you’re there be sure to watch the hourly Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Holiday wreaths stay put mid-Dec through mid-Jan.
ZooLights!
From 5-9pm daily, the National Zoo (which is always free to visit) keeps its gates open and invites the public to view its winter light display. There’s music, food, games and performances spread throughout the Zoo, plus the Visitor’s Center showcases gingerbread houses, train sets and a model of the Smithsonian Castle in Legos.
Ogle at the Mayflower Hotel:
The Mayflower hotel may have a somewhat scandalous reputation, but they sure do love their holiday decor. From the gleaming marble hall lined with trees to a giant gingerbread replica of the hotel to massive greenery garlands, there’s no shortage of things to look at. Even better, you can pop into the lovely one-year old EDGAR restaurant for dinner or craft cocktails.
Hear/Watch It!
See A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theatre:
You can’t get more holiday than this Christmas classic and you can’t get more DC than the site of President Lincoln’s fatal shooting, Ford’s Theater.
Get Your Song on at the National Gallery of Art:
Twice a day on weekends, local children’s choirs perform carols in the West Building’s Rotunda. Spectators are given a program with lyrics and everyone is encouraged to belt out holiday favs.
Take in Some Culture at the Kennedy Center:
Get dolled up, grab an early dinner and spend your night at the Kennedy Center for Preforming Arts. With nightly holiday performances ranging from opera to orchestral music to ballet and plays, you’ve got plenty of options. On a budget? Check out a performance on Millennium Stage. There’s a new show everyday starting at 6pm and it’s FREE!
Get in Touch with Old World DC:
The Willard Hotel is one of the fanciest and most famed hotels in DC (it’s where the term “lobbyist” comes from!). And they do Christmas time right. Their gorgeous lobby tree features the official White House ornaments from this and past years and there are daily caroling performances from 5:30-7:30pm. If you feel like getting fancy, try their afternoon tea service.
Drink It!
Round Robin:
If you’ve popped into the Willard Hotel for an evening caroling sesh, be sure to continue you’re night at the Round Robin bar. You never know who you might see at this old school DC watering hole while sipping an exquisitely prepared cocktail.
A Drink with a View:
Take the elevator to the top floor of the W Hotel on 15th Street NW and grab a drink overlooking the White House at the POV Lounge. From here you get one of the best views of the National Mall and also get a bird’s eye view of the National Tree. Go at dusk on a weekday if possible to avoid the crowds.
Cozy up at the Tabbard Inn:
With ample decorations and fireplaces blazing, the Tabard Inn is a must on cold nights. Grab a hand crafted cocktail and a seat on one the couches scattered throughout the homey, multi-level bar and warm up with friends or a book.
A Good Kind of Grinch:
Venture away from Downtown and check out Union Market in NE. There are tons of food options, a Christmas tree lot, holiday inspired drinks, and Happy Hour Tuesday through Friday 4-7pm.
Buy It!
Official Merch:
Normally I would never suggest setting foot in a gift shop, but around the holidays I’m willing to make an exception and vouch for the White House gift shop on 14th and F Streets NW. Why? Because you can pick up the official White House ornament. You can also score it online.
A Town Named George:
Tackle your holiday shopping in Georgetown as a boatload of stores are offering seasonal specials. If at all possible, try and avoid weekends – the Town gets stupid busy.
Do as the Locals Do:
The Downtown Holiday Market is a staple destination for all DC residents. It hosts more than 180 vendors stretching from 7th to 8th Street on F Street in Chinatown. There’s food (empanadas anyone?) jewelry, art, ornaments, clothing, housewares and more, making it the perfect spot to knock out some gift shopping. There’s even a booth completely dedicated to vintage maps – swoon.
