Washington, D.C.

What to See

Obviously, the main reason people visit our nation's capitol is to see some of the most famous
monuments and memorials in the country. I would recommend spending your first day or two in
D.C. doing this type of site seeing.

The National Mall is the park area spanning between the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol building. There are maps to guide you, but I recommend this route to be most efficient:

-Start at the Capital, then walk (or Uber) West.
-You'll end up at the Washington Monument.
-Head North to go to the White House (consider taking a tour inside, esp. during Christmas time).
-Nearby, you'll find the Lincoln Memorial along with the Reflecting Pool.
-From there, walk to the World War II Memorial and the Korean War Memorial
-Closer to the water, you'll find the Martin Luther King Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial (change up your walking excursion, and take a paddleboat to the Jefferson).

*These are the major monuments, but you’re going to pass several important museums and art galleries along the way. Visit npmaps.com to get full details on ALL the attractions.

Where to Eat:

Classic Restaurants:

Old Ebbitt Grill $$

The Hamilton $$

Le Diplomate $$$

The Dabney $$$

Trendy Restaurants:

Osteria Morini $$

Mi Vida $$

Bad Saint $$

Union Market $$

For a Quick Bite:

Cava $

Where to Stay:

Capital Hilton $

Phoenix Park Hotel $

The Willard $$

The Mayflower $$

The JW Marriott $$

The Grand Hyatt $$

Metro Center Marriott $$

The Liaison $$$

Relaxing/Vacationy Itinerary:

Tea time at the St. Regis Hotel or the Willard Hotel. The St. Regis has more availability, the Willard has a harpist.

Georgetown Cupcakes. Take a walk with your cupcakes down to the Georgetown Waterfront.

Wine Country. Stone Tower Winery is a favorite. The main indoor setup, sprawling grounds, and
backyard barn offer many ambiance options while spending hours sipping away the day.

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Overall, DC is an incredible place to remember what and who has made our country so great,
but it’s also a lovely balance of city life with southern hospitality, so don’t forget to have a drink
under a cherry blossom tree while you read those history books.

Thank you for reading! Feel free to ask any questions, and I'll see you next time on 10-Minute
Travel Tips.

Delray Beach, Florida

Situated between West Palm Beach and Miami, what started as a little farming community in the late 1800’s quickly started booming. The development of the railroad and the influx of Florida residents in the 1920’s established Delray as a small city, and it’s year-round beach weather and bustling Atlantic Avenue has since made it a vacationer’s paradise.

Atlantic Avenue is the reason one would visit Delray. The main strip of shops and restaurants runs about two miles, with the beach at the very end the final destination. The feel is slightly high end but still laid back. It’s also got a sprinkle of an art vibe, with the Pineapple Grove Arts District and several galleries and pop up art markets lining the street. The area is always bustling with families, but the nightlife is lively, as well.    

Food

Restaurants come and go quickly on Atlantic Avenue, and only the best survive. My favorite restaurant that has been a staple since I started traveling to Delray is Dada. Dada’s food is just as enchanting and offbeat as their decor. An eclectic mix of American cuisine with a unique twist, you’re sure to find a dish that excites you. Make a reservation for either lunch or dinner.

Sloane’s has got your sweet tooth covered, as well as your desire to be surrounded by candy themed crystal chandeliers. Ice cream, cookies, candy, milkshakes—they’ve got it all! You'll also find a Kilwins and Ben and Jerry's on the Ave.

Nightlife

There are plenty of bars and restaurants catering to all ages and crowds. They've got dive bars with rock bands and more high end clubs as well. Just walk the Ave and find the best fit for your group!

Lodging

After a raucous evening, you definitely want a hotel on the Ave to crawl back to. My choice: The Seagate Hotel and Spa.  The Seagate is a luxury boutique hotel with the best amenities and location on the Ave. The rooms feel like a sanctuary where one can recover from the sun and the vibrance of the area. Treat yourself to a massage at the spa, enjoy a dip in the pool, or go the gym (if you like to include a little cardio on your vacation). You can also indulge in exclusive guest privileges at the private Seagate Beach and Country Club down by the ocean.

If you are doing a trip that’s a bit more budget-friendly, the Marriott is right by the beach and the Hyatt is just a walk up the street. 

Other Attractions

Boca Raton: About a 15 minute drive to Boomers (a fun-for-the-whole-family amusement park) and Mizner Park (high end shopping center complete with several restaurants and an IPIC movie theater--TIP: order truffle fries and a martini during your movie).

Miami: About a 30 minute drive to another fabulous city!

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Perfect for a long weekend or a relaxing week away, Delray Beach is a little gem that sparkles with sunshine and fun! Thank you for reading! Feel free to ask any questions, and I’ll see you next time on 10-Minute Travel Tips.