The Washington Hilton
I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Washington DC two times in 2021 with one of my closest friends Amber, who blogs at Pretty as Peaches and both times I was able to stay at a Hilton Hotel, and it was legitimately perfect. This time we had the opportunity to be hosted by The Washington Hilton. This hotel is conveniently located near Dupont Circle, which is a really great area of DC. It has that quintessential Northeastern city vibe with gorgeous row homes, brick sidewalks and the convenience of walking to so many stores and restaurants with ease.
The Washington Hilton has a fantastic coffee shop inside, where I drank my favorite Vietnamese Cold Brew each day. A gorgeous patio, pool, and bar for late night hangs, and more.
Amber and I got to stay in one of the top floor suites, and it did not disappoint.
Where to Eat & What to do in DC
Amber and I basically ate and walked our way through the city, and it was a dream. Keep reading to find out all the super cool places we visited on Friday and Saturday while in Washington DC.
Cafe Georgetown
First up was Cafe Georgetown. When you’re traveling, you need coffee, so our first stop after checking out our hotel was to go and find some coffee. We ended up at Cafe Georgetown, a darling Turkish coffee shop. The decor is so dreamy, and totally Instagrammable, with gold accents and cute tile prints. Cafe Georgetown has hints of Middle Eastern vibes in their pastry options and specials like Turkish Delight (the pomegranate was so good). They had ample gluten free options, and more types of coffee than you can imagine. The cafe also offers bar options in the evening, but we didn’t get to try those this time. If you’re looking for a cute place to stop in, and you’re in Georgetown, then this one is a must.
Pink Magnolia Picnics
Next we had the pleasure of a hosted picnic with Pink Magnolia Picnics outside of the Lincoln Memorial, near the Washington Monument. Their attention to detail was amazing, everything was beautiful, and they had tons of themes to choose from. Pink Magnolia is owned by two best friends that clearly love their craft. Amber and I got lost near the Washington Monument, and were super late because we walked (well wandered) forever 🤭, but they were so kind and gracious to us. If you’re looking to put together a special event in or near DC, or want to be pampered while on vacation, they are your girls. On the way back to our hotel that night, both our phones were nearly dead, and we called an Uber when I only had 2% battery left, it was definitely a full day.
Mission Dupont
Saturday morning called for brunch. And Mission Dupont was definitely a weekend hotspot for brunch in Dupont Circle! They have an incredible food menu along with BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH — 90 minutes of mission margaritas, mimosas, bud lights, and bloody mary’s for only $26.99! Amber and I got the chips and queso fundido for an appetizer, brunch tacos, and a delicious southwest breakfast bowl. The outdoor patio was perfect and huge, and when we walked by later that night, it was absolutely packed and hopping. If you love Mexican food, you definitely want to stop in.
Saturday Afternoon – Sight Seeing and more
That afternoon we made our way around DC, taking photos, finding cute little spots throughout the city, driving around in our Free2Move, rent by the minute rental car (use code STACIA) for $40 free dollars if you try it, and ultimately making our way to the White House. And if you follow me closely on social, making an emergency shopping trip to find me some flat shoes. I found a pair of flat comfy sandals at Nordstroms Rack, definitely didn’t plan well for walking so much. So, if you’re looking at this blog post for an upcoming trip (PACK COMFY SHOES).
Ala Dupont
We ended our glorious Saturday at the Mediterranean fusion tapas restaurant Ala Dupont. A delicious mix of Mediterranean, Greek, Israeli, and Palestinian style food. There service was amazing, and we got to try so many of their delicacies. The lamb chops were our main course, and did not disappoint. Their outdoor patio, is so dreamy, and their entire vibe is just inspiring.
Sunday morning we spent packing up all of our 1000 outfits, and then we headed home. Til next time DC.
Check out some of my previous recommendations for some of the best places to eat and stay in DC, right here.