D.C. – Baltimore Magazine

Dazzling Mid-Atlantic Holiday Light Shows You Need to See This Season

Lauren Cohen — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 20:07:24 +0000

Holiday lights at Longwood Gardens in PA. —Courtesy of Longwood Gardens/Becca Mathias

It may not be visible from space, but hand it to Hampden’s Miracle on 34th Street for setting the high-wattage mark of holiday lights. Where else can you find a single block so devoted to such an unabashedly over-the-top and proudly tacky tribute to the most wonderful time of year?

But believe it or not, Baltimore, 34th Street has rivals throughout the Mid-Atlantic. There are neighborhoods, and one especially luminous family farm, that can brighten the night sky.

Brilliantly festooned botanical gardens and parks. High-tech light shows, as well as simple, ceremonial tree lightings. Boats that float and some that don’t, lit from bow to stern. There are displays through which you can drive, walk, or even ice-skate. Many include family-friendly extras: Santa and his elves, candy canes and model trains, cozy bonfires and hot cocoa. For the actively inclined, there’s also ice-tubing, ice-skating, and…axe-throwing?

If you love lights of the festive and decorative kind, consider these doable day trips or wintry weekend getaways. And let there be lights—lots of ’em.

News & Community

Baltimore-Area Lights in December

If you're looking for something a bit closer to home, here's your guide.

DECORATED DAY TRIPS

Nightly through Jan. 1: National Christmas Tree

President’s Park, Washington, D.C.
3 hours roundtrip. Free.

A century ago, on Christmas Eve, 1923, President Calvin Coolidge walked from the White House to the Ellipse to inaugurate a cherished tradition. He switched on a 48-foot fir tree wrapped in 2,500 red, white, and green bulbs, turning “the national Christmas tree into a flashing vari-colored pyramid of radiance,” marveled the Washington Evening Star. Visitors can admire this year’s radiant conifer and its 60,000 lights following the National Christmas Tree Lighting on or about Nov. 30. The Pathway of Peace features smaller lit trees representing U.S. states, territories, and the District.

Through Dec. 31: Enchant Christmas

Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
2 hours roundtrip. $24-89.60.

Two enterprising Canadian teenagers turned a neighborhood light-decorating business into a high-tech holiday extravaganza held at seven locations, including the Nation’s Capital. D.C.’s baseball stadium hosts their 2023 themed “Reindeer Games” show, whose signature attraction is an immersive light maze. Visitors are tasked with finding Rudolph and co.’s magic bells amid a blinking, pulsing, cascading landscape of more than one million lights. (Think Oz meets Times Square.) There’s also an illuminated ice-skating trail, a 100-foot-tall Christmas tree, and a village of artisan vendors.

The Enchant Christmas at the Nationals stadium in D.C. —Courtesy of Enchant Christmas

Through Jan. 1: Mormon Temple Festival of Lights

Washington D.C. Temple, Kensington, MD
2 hours roundtrip. Free.

From its hilltop perch above the Capital Beltway, the white marble, six-spired Mormon Temple is an imposing sight in any season. Come December, though, the starkly spotlighted temple goes technicolor during its beautiful Festival of Lights. Nearly one half million lights in shades of red, green, blue, gold, purple, and white festoon trees on the temple’s 57-acre grounds. In the Visitors’ Center, model crèches depict nativity scenes from around the world and the 540-seat auditorium hosts live holiday concerts.

Through February: Sailing Through the Winter Solstice

Carroll Creek Linear Park, Frederick, MD
2 hours roundtrip. Free, donations encouraged.

Frederick’s downtown “linear park” follows gentle Carroll Creek, where a small fleet of unusual vessels steal the spotlight during the cold winter months. Beginning in November, an eclectic armada of downsized boats—gaff-rigged ketches, three-masted schooners, pirate ships, and even a boat designed to look like an aircraft carrier, all outlined in lights—battle Old Man Winter in the name of charity and cabin-fever relief. For a dollar a vote, pick your favorite among the floating fleet and a handful of on-land watercraft.

Through Dec. 30: Winter City Lights

Olney Boys & Girls Club Park, Olney, MD
2 hours roundtrip. Advance tickets only. Prices vary.

Everything about this attraction is gigantic: one million-plus lights, a lit canopy the size of a large Ferris wheel, a 52-foot-tall Christmas tree programmed into an ultra-sophisticated light show, 33 bonfires, eight lanes of snow-tubing, and a signature dessert (The Blizzard) made of multiple funnel cakes, deep-fried Twinkies, deep-fried Oreos, and tons of whipped topping. A 1.5-mile mulched trail leads through woods lit with supersized decorations and it “snows” (artificially) at regular intervals. Did we mention there’s axe-throwing,
too?

Lights in Olney. —Courtesy of Winter City Lights

Through Dec. 30: Christmas Magic—A Festival of Lights

Rocky Ridge Park, York, PA
2 hours roundtrip. Reservation-only. Prices vary.

This annual spectacle owes its origins to the 1970s energy crisis, when York County stepped in to light the way for residents dissuaded from decorating. A half-mile, hilltop trail meanders through forest lit with 600,000 sparkling LED lights and animated scenes as holiday music plays. And warm snacks include a beloved local treat: Bricker’s Famous French Fries.

Dec. 7-15: National Menorah

The Ellipse, Washington, D.C.
2 hours roundtrip. Free

The ceremonial lighting of the world’s largest menorah—an over-30-foot-tall, electrified candelabra—begins the Hanukkah celebration in Washington and across the country. Jewish leaders and a VIP speaker preside at the event, attended by thousands and broadcast internationally. The lighting occurs Dec. 7 and the menorah remains on display throughout the holiday.

Dec. 9: Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade

Annapolis Harbor, Annapolis
2 hours roundtrip. Free.

A beloved Chesapeake Bay tradition, this enchanting procession of brightly lit boats through the Annapolis Harbor and along Spa Creek has been going strong for 40 years. Grab a viewing spot (very) early on Spa Creek Bridge, at City Dock, along Eastport’s and Spa Creek’s waterfronts, or book a cruise with a local tour company for the Dec. 9 parade.

The Eastport Yacht Club Boat Parade in Annapolis. —Courtesy of Eastport Yacht Club

MORE MERRYMAKING

Through Jan. 7: A Longwood Christmas

Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
3 hours roundtrip. Reservations required. Free-$30.

The most coveted holiday ticket around, Longwood Gardens will celebrate “A Very Retro Christmas” this year, decorating its conservatory and nearly 200 acres of gardens with midcentury flair, including “a fab, festive holiday party scene.” As always, over half-a-million lights and the gardens’ famous dancing fountains synced to Christmas music will highlight the display, with hot cocoa available for both day and nighttime visitors.

Through December: Miracle on South 13th Street

1600 Block, South 13th St., Philadelphia, PA
4 hours roundtrip. Free.

Philadelphia’s answer to Charm City’s 34th Street ornamentation is this block of rowhouses in South Philly, where residents are just as festively gung ho. The entire stretch glows with white and colored lights strung over the street, around windows and doorways, under eaves and encircling trees, filling front yards, and spilling onto sidewalks. With a mixture of gaudy and imaginative yard art, inflatables, and costumed figures, the spectacle traditionally draws thousands of holiday lovers who drive or walk by each year.

Through Jan. 1: Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular

FDR Park, Philadelphia, PA
4 hours roundtrip. $15.99-40.99.

Another South Philly attraction, Tinseltown is a soup-to-nuts celebration of the season featuring an immersive stroll through a crystalline wonderland of over two million lights—twinkle-lit trees, tunnels, snow globes, snowflakes, even a version of the Liberty Bell. There’s also an ice-skating trail, an ice slide, and guest appearances by Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and Gritty Claus, the Philadelphia Flyers’ orange, google-eyed mascot dressed in holiday threads—with photo ops to boot. Warm up with hot beverages at Union Forge Lodge and in the gift shop at Mistletoe Marketplace.

Weekends through January: Shady Brook Farm’s Holiday Light Show

Shady Brook Farm, Yardley, PA
4 hours roundtrip. $30-150.

More than three million lights illuminate this century-old farm market and “agri-tainment” venue in Bucks County each December. Ho-ho-hoing all the way, drive a two-mile trail of festively lit displays or hitch a ride on a tractor-drawn wagon. While there, pick out your Christmas tree and pose with Santa to complete a jolly evening.

Through Jan. 1: Koziar’s Christmas Village

Bernville, PA
4 hours roundtrip. Free-$12.

If you’re traveling darkened country roads near Bernville this time of year, that glow in the distance is an ex-dairy farm turned fantasyland. William Koziar first decorated his farmhouse in 1948. Since then, the display has mushroomed, becoming one of Pennsylvania’s most popular seasonal attractions. Over one million lights adorn the farmhouse, barn, roofs, walkways, train tracks, holiday scenes, and a village of small buildings, casting their colorful reflections on a large pond. Don’t miss indoor and outdoor model trains.

Through Jan. 7: Winter Walk of Lights

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA
3 hours roundtrip. $18.

Visitors to this Northern Virginia oasis wander a half-mile paved path through an enchanting forest of illuminated “flora” and “fauna,” including larger-than-life tulips, sunflowers, toadstools, butterflies, grasshoppers, herons, whittling woodpeckers, belching bullfrogs, and koi that appear to leap from a lake. The 95-acre garden’s living trees are also wrapped, twigs to trunk, in tiny, colored lights, as is the lake’s gazebo. Buy hot beverages and desserts in the glittering conservatory and enjoy s’mores over a fire pit.

FARTHER FESTIVITIES

Through Dec. 31: Richmond Tacky Lights Tours

Richmond, VA
5.5 hours roundtrip. Free

Take 34th Street’s miraculous lights, scatter them over a 20-mile radius, and you’ve got Richmond’s “tacky lights” tours. Every year, the Richmond Times-Dispatch offers driving maps of neighborhoods where over-the-top holiday decoration is the rule of thumb. We mean tens of thousands—even 100,000—lights per property. Yards obscured in inflatables, cutout figures, and animated displays. Windows where Santa dances and “leg lamps” shine. Suggested driving tours range from 30 minutes to an hour, but plan on more; you need to see many of these on foot.

Tacky Lights fanatics in Richmond. —Courtesy of Tacky Lights Tours

Through Jan. 7: GardenFest of Lights

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Henrico County, VA
5.5 hours roundtrip. Advanced purchase only. $8-27.

A perennial favorite and one of the nation’s most impressive botanical exhibits, GardenFest of Lights bathes the 50-acre Virginia garden in over one million lights, including on more than 100 trees. The most spectacular, Darlington Oak, is draped in a mile of miniature bulbs. This year’s decorating theme is “Rhythms of Nature,” reflected throughout the grounds and the 11,000-square-foot Conservatory, with its towering Christmas tree. Sip hot chocolate and toast s’mores in the Children’s Garden and don’t miss the Kelly Education Center’s model trains.

WinterFest at Kings Dominion in Virginia. —Courtesy of Town of Ocean City

Through Dec. 31: Kings Dominion WinterFest

Kings Dominion, Doswell, VA
5 hours roundtrip. Free-$49.99.

Thirty minutes north of Richmond, this theme park becomes a dazzling holiday experience. Aglow with millions of lights, WinterFest features strolling performers, horse-drawn carriage rides, sessions with Santa, holiday treats, iceskating, a petting zoo, and, of course, roller coasters and other rides. The park’s iconic 300-foot-tall Eiffel Tower becomes a spectacular Christmas tree.

Source

Field Trips: The Region’s Best Long-Weekend Getaways That Combine Fun and History

Aaron Hope — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 14:00:04 +0000

We round up the region’s best long-weekend getaways that combine fun with history lessons.

By Marty LeGrand

Fall Travel

Field Trips

We round up the region’s best long-weekend getaways that combine fun with history lessons.

By Marty LeGrand

September 2022

At this point, virtually all information is contained on the internet. So sure, you could use Google or YouTube to learn about your region, but nothing beats a physical trip for immersing yourself in a destination. That’s why school kids take field trips, right? To see the room where the Founding Fathers forged a nation. To imagine the fear and determination of escapees on the Underground Railroad. To feel the wind aboard a Chesapeake Bay skipjack. Rekindle your childlike curiosity and refresh your memory of American history with a long weekend at these local-ish destinations. No bag lunches or permission slips required.

Opener photography by Mike Morgan. MODELS: JENNA AND SLOAN HUGHES.

⇓ Article continues below ⇓

ANNAPOLIS:

The Boating, Bay, and Naval Heritage Tour

Maryland's walkable capital city radiates the salty spirit it first earned as a colonial seaport, founded in 1649. Tobacco-laden schooners and oystermen’s workboats are gone from the harbor now, replaced by race boats, sailing yachts, and Chesapeake pleasure craft, plus a bevy of bustling restaurants, bars, and shops worth spending an afternoon in, located just under an hour from Baltimore.

State Circle.

Day 1

Begin your orientation at the wooden-domed Maryland State House, where the Continental Congress once met and the state General Assembly still convenes. The capitol graces State Circle, one of the city’s two hilltop hubs. The other—separated physically and constitutionally—is nearby Church Circle, where St. Anne’s Episcopal parishioners have worshipped since 1692. Explore Chesapeake heritage and ecology at the Annapolis Maritime Museum in the free-spirited neighborhood of Eastport. This small museum in an old oyster-packing plant brims with instructive, entertaining exhibits: a holographic waterman shucking oysters, aquariums depicting the estuary’s changing water quality, virtual reality “rides” in traditional Wednesday night sailboat races. Once the museum closes at 3 p.m., its Back Creek Nature Park campus is perfect for boat- and bird-watching.

Day 2

Start the morning with a java jolt at 1845 Coffee in the U.S. Naval Academy’s historic Gate 3 gatehouse and then visit “the Yard,” aka the training ground for seafaring officers since 1845. Daily 90-minute guided tours explore midshipman life and historic sites like the Tiffany-windowed Chapel, John Paul Jones crypt, and stately Bancroft Hall. And don’t miss the Academy Museum with its incomparable collection of warship models. Spend the afternoon sizing up Annapolis from the deck of one of Schooner Woodwind’s 74-foot cruising sailboats, with advance bookings encouraged. On Wednesday and Saturday nights through September 24, several downtown restaurants participate in Dinner Under the Stars, festive evenings of dining and dancing on string-light-illuminated West Street near Church Circle.

The Naval Academy; Ego Alley.

GETAWAY DAY

If you haven’t already, be sure to boat-gawk at Ego Alley, the playful nickname for Annapolis harbor’s aquatic cul-de-sac, where skippers strut their vessels and vanity. Before heading home, visit Historic London Town and Gardens in Edgewater, site of an 18th-century tavern on South River. On select Thursdays, visitors can concoct and quaff colonial cocktails like syllabubs and toddies.

LODGING & EATS

Built by a Welsh shipwright, the Victorian-era townhouses comprising the Flag House Inn reflect Annapolis history and gentility, with a personal twist—innkeepers fly their guests’ state or national flags. In Eastport, try crab cakes at local nautical hangout Boatyard Bar & Grill. For lunch, make your way to Galway Bay, an Irish pub and whiskey bar, for cabbage wraps and corned beef.

EXTRA CREDIT

Eastport welcomes boating season with a ritual bonfire. What do participants burn?

bras
navigational charts
old life jackets
stinky socks

Show Answer

ANSWER: d. They torch their unlaundered winter hosiery.

⇓ Article continues below ⇓

CHARLOTTESVILLE:

BFFs Jefferson and Madison Tour

Our third and fourth presidents owned plantations just 30 miles apart in central Virginia, both of which were slavery-based—something that their tours now grapple with in an extensive and clear-eyed way. You’ll also learn that the two men were equally close politically and personally, though temperamentally, not so much. The diminutive, balding, and deliberative James Madison complemented his towering, crimson-haired neighbor, Thomas Jefferson, a fiery idealist. Charlottesville is about a three-hour drive from Baltimore, but an Amtrak route also affords a more leisurely form of travel.

The Colonnades at Lambeth Field at the University of Virginia.

Day 1

Located near Orange, Virginia, Montpelier was home to the “Father of the Constitution” James Madison and his wife, Dolley, doyenne of Washington society. Allow two hours to tour their Georgian mansion and stroll gardens, old-growth forest, and historic cemeteries across 2,700 acres. Don’t miss the groundbreaking exhibit “The Mere Distinction of Colour.” It tells the story of Montpelier’s enslaved population in artifacts, images, and the haunting words of living descendants while inviting visitors to reflect on present-day inequality. The same Piedmont soils that still yield Montpelier artifacts produce the area’s award-winning wines. Sip some at Barboursville Vineyards, whose historic estate includes the ruins of a Jefferson designed governor’s mansion. Linger for dinner at Palladio, the winery’s elegant Northern Italian restaurant.

Day 2

Head for Monticello, Jefferson’s self-designed, mountaintop estate in Charlottesville. You’ll easily spend half a day—there’s that much to see: the entry’s ingenious Great Clock, Jefferson’s private bed chamber and library, enslaved families’ cabins and workshops on Mulberry Row, and extensive vegetable and flower gardens in which Jefferson practiced experimental agriculture. Guided and self-guided tours explore the home, grounds, and Monticello’s dark legacy of slavery. Monticello is 10 minutes from Charlottesville’s leafy, traffic-free Downtown Mall. Shop, eat, and enjoy live music in the city where the Dave Matthews Band (among others) was born.

James Madison’s Montpelier; Jefferson’s Monticello.

A Virginia vineyard.

GETAWAY DAY

Some retirees play golf. Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia, “the hobby of my old age,” as the man himself once said. With BFF Madison’s input, he conceived the university and dictated its classical design. In fall, UVA students conduct historical tours of their campus. And if you’re not Founding Fathered-out, there’s one more presidential estate in Charlottesville, Highland, home of POTUS number five, James Monroe.

LODGING & EATS

Near Orange, Virginia, the restored, 1770s Inn at Willow Grove is a romantic’s retreat offering luxury suites and cottages; a fine-dining restaurant, Vintage; an on-site spa; and morning delivery of house-made beignets. In Ruckersville, enjoy farm-fresh breakfast or lunch at Jack’s Shop Kitchen, housed in a former tractor showroom. Diners rave about the innovative cuisine at Oakhart Social, a craft food spot in downtown Charlottesville.

EXTRA CREDIT

What colonial cash crop was called “sot-weed”?

corn
tobacco
wheat
indigo

Show Answer

ANSWER: b. aka “stupid” weed.

⇓ Article continues below ⇓

DORCHESTER COUNTY:

The Harriet Tubman Legacy Tour

Governor Hogan proclaimed this “The Year of Harriet Tubman” as the state and the nation celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Eastern Shore native’s birth in Dorchester County, about a two-hour drive from Baltimore. Maryland Public Television debuts a Tubman documentary this fall, and area museums tell the story of the woman called “Moses.”

The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor Center. Photography by Mike Morgan

Day 1

The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway, a three-state driving tour, traces her escape from Dorchester County servitude to freedom in Philadelphia. It begins, as one should, at Dorchester County Visitor Center in Cambridge. There are Tubman exhibits and helpful staff who’ll point you to the city’s Tubman Memorial Garden, the Harriet Tubman Museum and Educational Center, where a powerful mural depicts the URR conductor offering an outstretched hand, and the once-tragic, now-tranquil Long Wharf Park. A landing and auction site for the slave trade centuries ago, the wharf now features weekend sails on the skipjack Nathan of Dorchester and self-guided tours of the Choptank River Lighthouse, a replica of the original.

Day 2

Spend your day in Tubman territory. She and her enslaved family worked the fields and waters around the current Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, where her father’s cabin site was recently discovered. Nearby, Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor Center honors the legacy of this fearless leader who escorted scores of her friends and family north to freedom. See their story strikingly rendered in Visitor Center exhibits, including a replica of the shed where Tubman hid her brothers prior to their escape. Bring a picnic lunch and stroll the park’s Legacy Garden. Download the free Tubman Byway app to learn about the Bucktown General Store, where an angry overseer grievously injured Tubman, and the Choptank Landing, site of the siblings’ daring escape—both of which you can visit by driving the shore’s backroads.

Aerial view of the Choptank River Lighthouse; a Harriet Tubman mural. Photography by Mike Morgan

GETAWAY DAY

Don’t miss Sunday Gospel Brunch at ArtBar 2.0, an art gallery and event venue at the Tubman mural in Cambridge. Afterward, walk to Dorchester County Courthouse. Here, in 1850, Tubman’s niece dramatically escaped a slave auction with her children. Near the same spot, “The Beacon of Hope,” a towering bronze sculpture of Tubman, is slated to be unveiled this month.

LODGING & EATS

Cambridge House B&B sits on a quiet street just blocks from several Tubman sites plus Cambridge Creek and the Choptank River. Its Dorchester room features a king-size bed and cozy fireplace. For dinner, try Blue Ruin, a Gatsbyesque lounge offering small plates, a large craft cocktails menu, and decadent desserts. Admire Dorchester’s marshy beauty en route to Old Salty’s, an old-school seafood restaurant in the backwaters of Hoopers Island.

Inside the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor Center. Photography by Mike Morgan

EXTRA CREDIT

Tubman was an Underground Railroad conductor and which of the following?

Civil War spy
Civil War nurse
Suffrage advocate
All of the above

Show Answer

ANSWER: d. Tubman the activist never retired.

⇓ Article continues below ⇓

PHILADELPHIA:

The Cradle of Democracy Tour

In four years, the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of its birth. Just about two hours from Baltimore, Philadelphia, democracy’s cradle, will surely become party central. Cheesesteaks, Rocky, and the Phillie Phanatic aside, in visitors’ minds, the City of Brotherly Love’s most enduring—and popular—symbols remain the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.

Independence Hall.

Day 1

There are at least as many must-see attractions in the Old City neighborhood of Philly as there were original colonies. Fortunately, these landmarks are concentrated within a walkable area. Get advice and tickets (where needed) at the Independence National Historical Park Visitor Center. The National Constitution Center’s dramatic “Freedom Rising” performance brings the nation’s founding document to life and its life-sized Founding Father bronzes enjoy posing for selfies. Nearby, stroll through Christ Church Burial Ground, final resting place of Benjamin Franklin and four other signers of the Declaration. And don’t miss Elfreth’s Alley, a cobblestone street that looks much as it did three centuries ago. A small museum tells its story.

Day 2

Don’t, as Ben Franklin cautioned, fail to plan. Buy advance tickets for timed-entry tours of Independence Hall. You’ll skip the lines waiting to see where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed. No tickets are needed for the Liberty Bell Center, but fortune favors early birds—it’s first-come, first-admitted. (Passersby can see the bell anytime through the center’s large windows.) Don’t miss Franklin Court, home to the Benjamin Franklin Museum and Printing Office, with its reproduction presses. Philly was temporarily the nation’s capital in the 1790s; tour the President’s House Site, an open-air museum built on the first presidential mansion’s foundation. Guided historical tour options abound: costumed interpreter-led, murder-mystery, ghost, and even a BYOB trek by trolley.

Bennington Flag; Ben Franklin atop Philadelphia’s City Hall.

The Declaration of Independence.

GETAWAY DAY

Daring, rebellious, natural leader, and scientific wizard. Benjamin Franklin was all these, as you’ll learn at The Franklin Institute, an enthralling science museum named for the Newton of Electricity. Franklin shares these traits with another role model whose Institute appearance is currently Philly’s hottest ticket: “Harry Potter: The Exhibition,” which takes an immersive tour of the Wizarding World through September 18.

LODGING & EATS

Historical immersion needn’t entail sleeping on corn husks or straw. Boutique Lokal Hotelsoffer stylish, hip, apartment-style suites right in Old City and in trendy, not-too-distant Fishtown. While you’re in town, nosh Philly-style: cheesesteaks at Pat’s in South Philly, sweets at Federal Donuts, anything at Reading Terminal Market. For dinner, Uber over to The Love, a new hotspot from two renowned restaurateurs.

EXTRA CREDIT

What’s the official name of the U.S. 250th anniversary?

Semiquincentennial
Quarter Millennium
Bicenquinquagenary
Sestercentennial

Show Answer

ANSWER: a. All are technically applicable, but Congress chose Semiquincentennial.

⇓ Article continues below ⇓

WASHINGTON, D.C.:

The First Americans Tour

An hour drive or MARC train ride from Baltimore, the nation’s capital’s granite memorials, federal buildings, and history museums allegedly host almost as many school kids as Disney World. But what of the Native Americans on whose lands these attractions now stand? Slowly, long overdue recognition of them is growing.

The Capitol Rotunda.

Day 1

Anacostans originally lived on what is now present-day Washington, D.C. The tribe perished, but several sites highlight Native-American history—if you know where to look. Tour the U.S. Capitol (weekdays, reservations required), where the National Statuary Hall’s collection includes eight statues of Indigenous individuals donated mostly by Western states. The oldest (1917) is Sequoyah, inventor of the Cherokee alphabet; the newest (2019) is Chief Standing Bear, whose 1879 court case granted Native Americans standing as “persons” deserving equal rights. In televised Capitol interviews, you’ll often see Cherokee-born Will Rogers’ statue looming over politicians, a group he loved to mock (and, despite this, the pols like to rub the statue’s left shoe for luck). Admire artist George Catlin’s famous Native-American portraits at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Day 2

Allow at least two hours to tour the National Museum of the American Indian, one of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Mall museums. Four floors of exhibits and artifacts examine Indigenous history and culture, including the Chesapeake Bay’s Algonquian peoples, several of whose tribes survive today. The powerful “Americans” exhibit examines the co-opting of Native images and stories in American culture. Sample fry bread, empanadas, and more at NMAI’s Mitsitam Native Foods Café, and don’t miss the National Native American Veterans Memorial on the museum grounds. A stirring stainless-steel and stone monument honors current and deceased veterans.

1844 portrait of Iowa Medicine Man, See-non-ty-a, by painter George Catlin; The National Museum of the American Indian.

GETAWAY DAY

Visit Capitol Hill’s historic Congressional Cemetery, where the American Indians Walking Tour highlights the gravesites of those who negotiated treaties for their peoples and served the United States in war. Among them is Pushmataha, a Choctaw chief who fought in the War of 1812. Thousands attended his military funeral. The cemetery’s tribal-carved totem-pole arch memorializes victims of the 9/11 attacks.

LODGING & EATS

Eaton DC, a “regenerative travel” hotel, pampers guests with in-room vinyl listening, “happy hour yoga,” a rooftop taco bar, a literary-themed lounge, and the Michelin-caliber Michele’s restaurant. (Ask about the Maryland resident discount.) Near the Smithsonian Art Museum, chef/humanitarian José Andrés’ Zaytinyaserves fabulous mezze meals. Early tribes settled at the intersection of the Potomac and Anacostia rivers, known as Buzzard Point, where you can now enjoy waterfront views and wood-grilled seafood at the acclaimed The Point.

EXTRA CREDIT

Of the following Indigenous tribes whose members live in Maryland, which group is not native to the state?

Pocomoke
Lumbee
Piscataway
Accohannock

Show Answer

ANSWER: b. Many Lumbees live near Baltimore, but the tribe’s roots are based in North Carolina.

⇓ Article continues below ⇓

WINCHESTER:

The Civil War Showdown Tour

Troops under Stonewall Jackson, Philip Sheridan, and Jubal Early fought to control the fertile Shenandoah Valley of Virginia during the Civil War, with Winchester, a just under two-hour drive from Baltimore, in the crosshairs. Battles were waged in and near the city, which changed hands more than 70 times.

The Shenandoah Valley.

Day 1

At the Winchester Battlefields Visitor Center learn about Shenandoah war lore and battlefields—one right next door. Third Winchester Battlefield Park marks the site of a bloody, see-saw conflict on September 19, 1864, after which Confederate troops ultimately fled the city. Retrace the battle on walking trails or a driving tour whose stops include Winchester National Cemetery and the Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum. Resting place for thousands of Union soldiers, the cemetery also has monuments dedicated to the fallen. Housed in an 1840 courthouse variously used as a prison, hospital, and barracks, the museum preserves more than 3,000 artifacts and some interesting graffiti, including a soldier’s curse for Confederate leader Jefferson Davis. (It involved ingestion by large sea creatures.)

Day 2

The Shenandoah Valley was strategic turf, both as the Confederacy’s food supplier and its avenue of attack on Washington, D.C. The South held fragile control when Union general Philip Sheridan began his 1864 Valley Campaign. It culminated on October 19 in a pivotal Union victory in the Battle of Cedar Creek. At Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park, the park’s Visitor Center and Battlefield Foundation Museum tell the story, from Jubal Early’s daring pre-dawn strike to Sheridan’s famous ride from Winchester that turned imminent defeat into victory. Hike the Morning Attack Trails and Union Earthworks. Tour Belle Grove, the antebellum plantation at the battle’s center, and follow a self-guided driving tour of the battle.

Winchester Battlefield war re-enactments; the Winchester courthouse.

GETAWAY DAY

Battlefields offer one perspective on the war, personalities another. Exhibits at Stonewall Jackson’s Headquarters in Winchester reveal Jackson as a gifted tactician and devoutly religious Virginian. “Kneading in Silence,” a monthly presentation at Belle Grove Manor House, tells the life story of a plantation cook, Judah, whose early death orphaned her 12 children.

LODGING & EATS

The George Washington, a Wyndham Grand Hotel downtown, features classically styled rooms, onsite dining, a health spa, and an ornate indoor pool evoking a Roman bathhouse. Northerners won here, but Southern cuisine endures. Enjoy the classics—grits, pulled pork, biscuits—at Bonnie Blue Southern Market & Bakery. Or just down the road, savor smoked brisket at Riley’s ChiCorkfish, a BBQ joint in an Exxon station. Try their Texas Twinkies (jalapeños wrapped in smoky bacon).

EXTRA CREDIT

After his celebrated Cedar Creek battle ride, Sheridan renamed his horse. What did he call it?

Belle Grove
Rienzi
Winchester
Jubalation

Show Answer

ANSWER: c. Originally named for Rienzi, Mississippi, the steed became, fittingly, “Winchester.”

⇓ Article continues below ⇓

Source

Vibrant Living

Megan McGaha — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 17:44:41 +0000

ue and Thom Rinker, age 74 and 75 respectively, were feeling very isolated in their condo in Baltimore County. “We were ready for a change,” says Sue.
“My mother had lived at a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) for 20 years and some of our friends had moved to that type of community. We really liked what a CCRC offered.”

According to seniorliving.org, a CCRC (also known as a Life Plan Community) delivers independent living and an amenity-rich lifestyle with access to onsite, higher-level care should a resident’s medical needs progress. The levels of care usually include independent, assisted, memory care, and skilled nursing as well as rehabilitation therapy on the campus. This continuum of care ensures residents that they have the comfort of remaining in the place they call home and the peace of mind that comes from knowing their future care is figured out.

“We wanted a CCRC so our two children who live in the area wouldn’t be burdened with our future healthcare,” Sue continues. “But for now, we are healthy and wanted lots of great amenities.” The Rinkers, who live at Blakehurst in Towson, say that it’s like living at a five-star resort.

Robin Somers, CEO of Broadmead, a Life Plan Community in Cockeysville, says, “Today we are seeing many of our residents coming in younger. Rather than in their 80s, they come in their 70s.”

Elizabeth O’Conner, director of marketing and sales at Blakehurst, adds that not only are residents younger, “they are very active.”

Without the drudgery of home maintenance, doing daily chores like cleaning and meal planning, and even trying to get the COVID-19 vaccine booster, there’s time for residents to be physically active and explore myriad intellectual and cultural opportunities. But for those who prefer to spend time alone or with a few friends, there’s that too.

A fitness center ranks high on must-have lists for incoming residents. In many CCRCs, residents will find state-of-the-art equipment, classes including yoga, tai chi, and aerobics, and a heated pool. Sometimes there’s even a juice bar and a spa for manicures, pedicures, and massages. Parker Williamson, 81, is an avid sailor who lives at BayWoods of Annapolis, a waterfront community. He says, “I exercise every other day, but don’t like group classes, so the personal trainer worked up a routine just for me.”

Many CCRC's, like Broadmead, are pet-friendly. Photo courtesy of Broadmead.

Shutterstock.

“Today’s residents want individualization,” remarks Somers.

Sharon Krulak, 79, is a new resident at Blakehurst. She’s also an artist who works in mixed-media. When the Krulaks were looking at Blakehurst, she told O’Connor, “I need a room to do my art. And they made it happen.”

At Broadmead, two residents who were trained and experienced beekeepers had a conversation with the Broadmead executive director, and the Broadmead Apiary was established in 2013. Today, there is a group of six residents who are involved. Throughout the year they inspect the beehives, feed the bees sugar syrup, and harvest the honey into jars for sale.

Residents of Broadmead playing tennis. Photo courtesy of Broadmead.

Shutterstock.

Usually, CCRCs have councils, committees, and their own governing body where residents can make things happen. “At Blakehurst we have 43 residential-run committees,” says Sue Rinker. “Thom is on the residents’ board and I’m on the refurbishing and jigsaw committees.”

CCRCs have concerts, guest speakers, and some arrange continuing education through Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (university-based education specifically for people 50 and older) or nearby universities. At Broadmead, they recognize artists within their community and in the greater Baltimore vicinity by having exhibits, programs, and educational outreach. This April, the Broadmead Art Council will host an exhibit of the works of Herman Maril, a Baltimore native known for painting seascapes, interiors, and landscapes. These exhibits and lectures will be open to the greater community.

Other amenities usually include endless clubs, beautiful walking trails, gardens where residents can plant vegetables and flowers, a movie theater, a library, woodworking, a beauty salon and barber shop, card and poker rooms, billiards, bocce, and a resident computer and business center. Some communities have a croquet court, a putting green, and pickleball. As most CCRCs welcome your four-legged family members, there are even dog parks. And in keeping with making life effortless, some places will deliver your incoming packages right to your door. The list of concierge services goes on, including scheduled transportation to grocery stores, shops and more. At Edenwald, a CCRC in Towson, a bus transports residents to cultural events and attractions like the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at the Meyerhoff, a string quartet at Shriver Hall, and plays.

Cuisine plays an important part in daily life. The number of dining venues depends on the CCRC and so do the plans they offer. Many have a grill, café, bar, and outdoor dining. CCRCs pride themselves on having an excellent chef, offering plenty of choices on the menu, high quality ingredients, and dining experiences resembling a great restaurant.

In this area, all CCRCs are close to vibrant cities—Annapolis, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. As Parker Williamson, resident at BayWoods, says with a laugh, “What’s great is we can visit Baltimore and D.C. and take advantage of all they have to offer, but we don’t have to live there.”

The Guide to Regional Continuing Care Facilities & Senior Resources

Shutterstock.

ASBURY METHODIST VILLAGE
201 Russell Ave.
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
(301) 216-4001
asbury.org/asbury-methodist-village

ASBURY-SOLOMONS ISLAND
11100 Asbury Circle
Solomons, MD 20688
(410) 394-3000
asbury.org/asbury-solomons

BAYLEIGH CHASE
501 Dutchmans Lane
Easton, MD 21601
(410) 657-4900
actsretirement.org/communities/maryland/bayleigh-chase-easton

BAYWOODS OF ANNAPOLIS
7101 Bay Front Drive
Annapolis, MD 21403
(410) 268-9222
baywoodsofannapolis.com

BEDFORD COURT
3701 International Drive
Silver Spring, MD 20906
(301) 598-2900
sunriseseniorliving.com/communities/bedford

BLAKEHURST
1055 W. Joppa Road
Towson, MD 21204
(410) 296-2900
blakehurstlcs.com

BRIGHTVIEW SENIOR LIVING
Multiple locations
(888) 566-8854
brightviewseniorliving.com

BROADMEAD
13801 York Road
Cockeysville, MD 21030
(410) 527-1900
www.broadmead.org

BROOKE GROVE
18100 Slade School Road
Sandy Spring, MD 20860
(301) 924-2811
www.bgf.org

BUCKINGHAM’S CHOICE
3200 Baker Circle
Adamstown, MD 21710
(301) 804-2159
actsretirement.org/communities/maryland/buckinghams-choice-adamstown

CARROLL LUTHERAN VILLAGE
300 St. Luke Circle
Westminster, MD 21158
(410) 848-0090
clvillage.org

CHARLESTOWN RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
715 Maiden Choice Lane
Catonsville, MD 21228
(410) 405-7683
ericksonseniorliving.com/charlestown

COLLINGTON EPISCOPAL LIFE CARE COMMUNITY
10450 Lottsford Road
Mitchellville, MD 20721
(301) 925-9610
collington.kendal.org

EDENWALD
800 Southerly Road
Towson, MD 21286
(410) 339-6000
edenwald.org

ELIZABETH COONEY CARE NETWORK
1107 Kenilworth Drive, Ste. 200
Towson, MD 21204
(410) 323-1700
Elizabethcooneyagency.com

FAHRNEY-KEEDY
8507 Mapleville Road
Boonsboro, MD 21713-1818
(301) 733-6284
fkhv.org

FAIRHAVEN
7200 Third Ave.
Sykesville, MD 21784
(410) 892-1946
actsretirement.org/communities/maryland/fairhaven-sykesville

FRIENDS HOUSE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
17340 Quaker Lane
Sandy Spring, MD 20860
(301) 924-5100
friendshouse.com

GINGER COVE ANNAPOLIS LIFE CARE
4000 River Crescent Drive
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 266-7300
gingercove.com

GLEN MEADOWS RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
11630 Glen Arm Road
Glen Arm, MD 21057
(410) 592-5310
presbyterianseniorliving.org/glen-meadows-retirement-community

GOODWILL RETIREMENT VILLAGE
891 Dorsey Hotel Road
Grantsville, MD 21536
(301) 895-5194
goodwillhome.org

Shutterstock.

HARMONY AT WALDORF
11239 Berry Road
Waldorf, MD 20603
(240) 270-2759
harmonyseniorservices.com/senior-living/md/waldorf/berry-road

HERON POINT OF CHESTERTOWN
501 Campus Ave.
Chestertown, MD 21620
(443) 214-3605
actsretirement.org/communities/maryland/heron-point-of-chestertown

HOMEWOOD AT FREDERICK
7407 Willow Road
Frederick, MD 21702
(301) 644-5600
homewoodfrederick.com

HOMEWOOD AT WILLIAMSPORT
16505 Virginia Ave.
Williamsport, MD 21795
(301) 582-1472
homewoodwilliamsport.com

INGLESIDE AT KING FARM
701 King Farm Blvd.
Rockville, Maryland 20850
(240) 557-8791
inglesideonline.org/ingleside-king-farm

LEISURE CARE: THE LANDING OF SILVER SPRINGS
13908 New Hampshire Ave.
Silver Spring, MD 20904
(301) 388-7700
leisurecare.com/our-communities/landing-of-silver-spring

LUTHERAN VILLAGE AT MILLER’S GRANT
9000 Fathers Legacy
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 465-2005
millersgrant.org

MAPLEWOOD PARK PLACE
9707 Old Georgetown Road
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 571-7444
maplewoodparkplace.com

MARYLAND MASONIC HOMES
300 International Circle
Cockeysville, MD 21030
(410) 527-1111
mdmasonichomes.com

MERCY RIDGE
2525 Pot Spring Road
Timonium, MD 21093
(410) 561-0200
mercyridge.com

NORTH OAKS
725 Mount Wilson Lane
Pikesville, MD 21208
(410) 484-7300
northoaksseniorliving.com

RIDERWOOD VILLAGE
3140 Gracefield Road
Silver Spring, MD 20904
(301) 701-4076
ericksonseniorliving.com/riderwood

ROLAND PARK PLACE
830 W. 40th St.
Baltimore, MD 21211
(410) 243-5700
rolandparkplace.org

THE RESIDENCES AT VANTAGE POINT
5400 Vantage Point Road
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 964-5454
vantagepointresidences.org

OAK CREST VILLAGE
8800 Walther Blvd.
Parkville, MD 21234
(410) 405-7419
ericksonseniorliving.com/oak-crest

ORTHOPAEDIC ASSOCIATES OF CENTRAL MARYLAND
Six locations in the area
(410) 644-1880
mdbonedocs.com

RECORD STREET HOME–HOME OF THE AGED
115 Record St.
Frederick, MD 21701
(301) 663-6822
recordstreethome.org

THE VILLAGE AT AUGSBURG
6811 Campfield Road
Baltimore, MD 21207
(410) 834-4143
thevillageataugsburg.org

THE VILLAGE AT ROCKVILLE
9701 Veirs Drive
Rockville, MD 20850
(301) 424-9560
thevillageatrockville.org

WECARE
1852 Reisterstown Road
Pikesville, MD 21208
(410) 602-3993
wecarepds.com

WILLOW VALLEY
600 Willow Valley Sq.
Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 464-6800
willowvalleycommunities.org

Shutterstock.

Source

Love Thy Neighbor

Jess Mayhugh — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 08:30:00 +0000

Edited by CHRISTINE JACKSON
Photography by SCOTT SUCHMAN
Illustrations by Em Roberts

Travel & Outdoors

Love Thy Neighbor

We check in on our big-sister city and like what we find in Washington, D.C.

Edited by Christine Jackson.
Photography by Scott Suchman. Illustrations by Em Roberts.

As much as we love to tout all the things that make Baltimore better than D.C. (we have more personality, everything is cheaper, and we can start a conversation without asking what someone does for a living), it does have some redeeming qualities. Free museums, fantastic food, and public transportation options all come to mind, but there’s something for just about everyone packed into the nation’s capital. Does a trip to Washington really count as travel? That depends on who you ask. But visiting the District, whether it’s for a day or long weekend, is never more than an easy train ride or quick drive away (if the traffic gods are in your favor, of course). Ditch the long travel times and bulky luggage of faraway destinations, and discover what’s new, what’s worth a second look, and what you’ve been missing this whole time, right next door.

BRIDGE AT CAPITOL RIveRFRONT.

Brave New World

It’s easy to return to old favorites when business or pleasure calls you south, but we say break away from those tried-and-trues and experience the changes underway in this old standby. D.C. is full of new development, and, luckily, these projects have gone far beyond luxury apartments and city infrastructure. Expansion of the city’s waterfronts and new attractions in nearly every neighborhood mean there are plenty of fresh spots where you can eat, play, learn, and relax all over town.

Along the National Mall, art aficionados who have exhausted local collections can look forward to innovative new exhibits at The Hirshhorn. From November 1 through April 2019, immerse yourself in Pulse, the D.C. debut of Mexican-Canadian artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, which will visualize visitors’ biometric data through light and sound. Afterward, indulge in a gelato at the on-site Dolcezza and unwind in the recently renovated lobby, which was designed as a functional artwork. For new art outside of a traditional museum, try Artechouse, just a short scramble away near L’Enfant Plaza, featuring large-scale installations that blend visuals and technology into an immersive experience. New Nature by Marpi, on view now, features flora- and fauna-inspired works that respond to visitors’ movements.

Just across the way, the buzzed-about National Museum of African American History and Culture has quickly become a must-visit on the Mall. The exhibits celebrating African-American history and contributions to art, sciences, sports, and politics are worth the wait time. Just be sure to check out the special exhibition on Oprah, now through June 2019. While your best bet is probably waking up early to log in and snag a same-day pass online, the museum also periodically releases advance timed passes for the months ahead. Take time to soak up everything you’ve seen a few blocks north at The Dabney, the three-year-old James Beard Award-winning restaurant by chef Jeremiah Langhorne boasting an ever-changing Mid-Atlantic menu.

TRAVEL TIPS

Avoid the I-95 and Beltway traffic entirely by taking the MARC train from Penn Station to Union Station at $16 round trip.

And while the Mall area is a must, Washington, like Baltimore, is also a city of neighborhoods, and those along the Washington Channel and the Anacostia River have exploded in the past year, with great dining and family activities popping up along both waterfronts.

Foodies will flourish at District Wharf on the channel, where options range from seasonal $3 sweets at District Doughnut (brown butter and funfetti never disappoint) up to contemporary seaside Spanish specialties at Fabio and Maria Trabocchi’s Del Mar. After your meal, stretch your legs in 7th Street Park or swing under the arches at Recreation Pier. Come December, families and couples can also lace up their skates and glide around the Wharf Ice Rink at Transit Pier. If the kids are at home, top off the night with a concert at The Anthem, the new waterfront endeavor from the folks behind the 9:30 Club and Merriweather Post Pavilion. Grab tickets early to see one of the venue’s big-name acts, such as Young The Giant or Kacey Musgraves.

Down M Steet, Capitol Riverfront along the Anacostia River in the Navy Yard neighborhood also offers food, fun, and plenty of spots to take in a game. Just outside Nationals Park, you’ll find All-Purpose, a crowd-pleasing pizza spot with patio space and Italian Water Ice cocktails named after Nintendo characters. If seafood is more your speed, try The Salt Line for raw bar goodies such as king crab legs and razor clam ceviche, or take a quick stroll up the Riverwalk Trail to Whaley’s, a chic, bright oyster house offering down-home favorites and a must-visit rum cart.

We know it’s a sin to support any team other than the Ravens and O's, but for more sports, head farther south to Audi Field at Buzzard Point, the new home of the D.C. United soccer team. The black and red may be done for the season, but the nearby Field House sports bar has your back for local teams' home and away games, which you can watch on a 22-foot screen while sipping brews in the pet-friendly beer garden.

oysters at Whaley's; server at the salt line; bar at WHALEY'S; The national museum of african american history and culture; all-purpose; the anthem.

READY FOR A REVISIT

That aforementioned construction isn’t just tied to spanking-new spots. City-wide renovations and refreshers are giving some of those time-honored stalwarts a breath of fresh air and some serious staying power.

If you’re planning well in advance, keep an eye out for news from the International Spy Museum and the National Museum of Natural History in the new year. The former will reopen in a brand-new building at L’Enfant Plaza this spring, while the latter will unveil its new Tyrannosaurus Rex display in the renovated David H. Koch Hall of Fossils starting in June.

In the meantime, follow the gravel paths of the National Mall to the National Museum of American History. It’s not quite the yellow brick road, but a trip up the escalators to the third floor will bring you to the reopened 3 West galleries, which celebrate American culture. Snap selfies with the Insta-worthy murals by No Kings Collective as you move about the space, but don’t miss all the sports memorabilia, including a classic New York Yankees ticket booth, on your way to visit the long-awaited return of Judy Garland’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz.

TRAVEL TIPS

If you’re used to navigating cars, buses, and tourists on a bike or scooter, grab one of the many available and affordable rentals. Uber and Lyft can get expensive, but both have rolled out their ridesharing options in D.C., so if you’re not in a hurry, share a ride to cut down on cost.

A few blocks away on 7th Street, you’ll find the home of another D.C. treasure that looks pretty good in red, the Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals. With no hockey team to call our own, Baltimoreans can jump on this trophy-toting bandwagon guilt-free at Capital One Arena. Head down in November and December for rowdy rivalry nights against the Pittsburgh Penguins. For a cheaper option, and maybe some face time with the players, Caps practices at MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia, are free and open to the public.

As long as you’re visiting old favorites, wander over to Georgetown for a bite at Jose Andres’ America Eats Tavern, which has found a new home on bustling M Street and still features legacy Mid-Atlantic and barbecue specialties in the cozy space. Arriving early and looking to brunch without the long lines and loud dining rooms? Look no further than The Sovereign, a tucked-away Belgian spot with one of the best beer lists in town. After your meal, walk it off with some window shopping at the new Amazon Books brick-and-mortar or the 40-year-old independent Bridge Street Books with its unparalleled poetry section. Recent additions to Georgetown shopping also include two Canadian favorites: Aritzia, for on-trend women’s clothing, and Roots, for some of the coziest sweats in the game.

coffee at songbyrd; rowhomes in adams morgan; thip khao. row 2: A rake’s progress; donburi; thip khao's Seng luangrath.
—Songbyrd photo by Isabel Gloss

Adams Morgan and nearby Columbia Heights also deserve a second look (especially in the light of day, if you’ve only ever bar-hopped between them). Hop on the Green or Yellow line at the nearest Metro station to get to these eclectic neighborhoods, which offer far more than big-box shopping and bustling nightlife. Past the chains, you’ll find that old D.C. charm alive and well with authentic international eats, neighborhood dive bars, and an artistic vibe.

Right on the edge of Columbia Heights, crowds line up to dine on the Middle Eastern spread at Bon Appetit darling Maydan. On the other side of the neighborhood, Gloria’s Pupuseria hawks the namesake ooey, gooey Salvadoran comfort food at just $2.25 a pop, while Thip Khao, a family-style Lao joint, serves up fresh salads, succulent noodles, and perfectly spiced curries. A little farther up 14th Street, wash it all down at two beer bars with personality to spare: The Pinch, which hosts basement punk, rock, and metal shows, and Red Derby, which boasts a covered rooftop, friendly service, and board games. Also see what’s on the marquee at the GALA Hispanic Theatre, a 42-year-old performing arts space with classic and contemporary plays, dance, spoken word, and this month’s annual film festival.

Adams Morgan, just a short walk down Columbia Road from Columbia Heights, is where a neoclassical former church has been converted into The LINE Hotel, home to A Rake’s Progress by Baltimore’s own award-winning chef Spike Gjerde. The once-hallowed halls now offer a different kind of religious experience in the form of exemplary service and well-crafted plates using solely local ingredients, naturally. For something easier on the wallet, try Donburi, a fast-casual Japanese spot serving belly-warming bowls to those lucky enough to grab a stool around their intimate open kitchen. Let the meal settle as you browse new and used vinyl at Smash!, Red Onion, and Songbyrd Record Cafe and Music House, which features live shows and its own coffee roastery on site.

daikaya; beer at daikaya; national cathedral; gardens at the cathedral; comet ping pong; politics and prose bookstore.

UNDER THE RADAR

While we all have our favorite stops throughout the District, there is still an array of spots that have been flying under our radars for years, if not decades. They may not be exactly what you went looking for, but you’ll be awfully glad you found them.

Just steps from Union Station is the National Postal Museum, a Smithsonian holding that’s so much more than just an extensive stamp collection, though that’s pretty impressive, too. Rotating exhibits offer glimpses into the lives of historical figures through their mail-related ephemera (current displays cover prolific letter-writer Alexander Hamilton and the stamp collection of a young John Lennon), while permanent collections explore the likes of classic delivery vehicles, from wagons to airplanes, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service—think fraud detection and anthrax scares. Art-lovers should also explore the recently renovated Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, collectively known as the Freer|Sackler, which offer a bounty of Asian art as well as a welcome respite from crowds and field trip groups. Spend time in the Peacock Room, with its elaborate wall art and ceramic collection, and the Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room, a sacred Himalayan sanctuary.

TRAVEL TIPS

Embrace the Metro. Purchase a SmarTrip Card at any station and load it with what you’ll need in advance. Metro apps such as Transit or D.C. Rider help you choose the best lines for your schedule.

Once you’ve gotten your museum fix, give your brain a break and your belly a reward a few blocks north in Chinatown with an abundance of Asian eateries. Skip the raucous bars and Friendship Arch photo op and shoot straight to Daikaya for two stories of delicious Japanese fare. Its first-floor Daikaya Ramen churns out Sapporo-style ramen for a quick bite, and its second-floor Izakaya encourages leisurely dining with shareable plates. New Big Wong is the best place to end your night, as the sit-down or carry-out spot is open until 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. (Whatever time you wander in, order the dry scallop fried rice.) Da Hsin Trading also sells hard-to-find ingredients to craft your own Asian dishes at home.

Across town, the city’s Northwestern neighborhoods offer a slower pace with plenty of hangout spots to saunter into between the quiet residential streets and the bustle of interns and students. As one might imagine, Cathedral Heights is home to the Washington National Cathedral, a sprawling Neo-Gothic Episcopalian church that is the second-largest in the nation. While the architecture alone is worth a visit, you can also experience themed tours, take tea in the Pilgrim Observation Gallery, or climb the church’s towers for spectacular views of the city. Also swing by the on-site café, Open City, for world-class waffles.

Back on the ground, 2Amys is the place for snackable charcuterie plates, vibrant salads, or perfect Neapolitan pizza from its famous wood-burning oven, now back in business after a burst pipe in July. A few minutes north near Van Ness, sate your carb cravings with Sfoglina’s handmade pastas or Bread Furst’s artisan loaves and sinfully good pastries. To keep the theme going, a quick walk up Connecticut will take you to Comet Ping Pong, the pizzeria that ought to be known more for its crispy crust and high-quality toppings than a debunked conspiracy theory.

While you wait for your table at Comet, take a quick trip to Politics and Prose next door. They now have locations at Union Market and The Wharf, but the Northwest location is the original and boasts 9,000 square feet of books and magazines. A place after our own hearts.

Source