The doughnuts & bread basket are to die for, and probably my favorite brunch atmosphere. Non-pastry food is good but not super special.
Tabard Inn Restaurant
My go to "fancy brunch" spot. Classic dishes executed well. Can almost always get a res last minute on OpenTable.
Blue Duck Tavern
Classic DC brunch.
Le Diplomate
Great pastries
Tatte Bakery & Cafe
Dining
High on my to-try list.
The Dabney
Haven't been yet - saving for a special occasion. Supposed to be incredible.
Komi
Nice atmosphere and great food - best for sharing.
Tail Up Goat
Super unique atmosphere (part store, part kitchen) with delicious shareable food. Go with friends.
Maketto
Haven't been yet but hoping to go soon.
Bad Saint
Dying to go here - one of my friend's #1 DC recs.
Red Hen
Unique experience - hole in the wall with delicious, different Thai food. Too spicy and trendy for my dad, but I loved it!
Little Serow
Nice food and atmosphere - good for double date.
The Riggsby
Cool atmosphere and interesting food - some dishes are hit or miss. The burger is surprisingly amazing.
Reverie
Haven't been yet but heard great things!
Rose's Luxury
Delicious & interesting! Available on Resy exactly one month out I believe.
Maydan
Cocktails
The original was out of this world. The new location is very cool, albeit a little too trendy / less authentic than the original - if you can handle a full cocktail tasting with minimal food, it's a neat experience!
Columbia Room
One of my favorite places when I lived in DC many years ago - not sure if it's still great, but awesome place for a trendy, quiet date or catch-up.
The Gibson
Haven't been yet but heard great things!
Left Door
Haven't been yet but heard great things!
Copycat Co
Walking
Best when roads closed to traffic - for MDers, I like parking at Beech drive and walking from there.
Rock Creek Park
Crowded on weekends and not all parts are scenic (e.g., you'll walk past a Safeway and a few main roads), but you can't beat the convenience in downtown Bethesda and/or Georgetown, and the length gives lots of options.
Capital Crescent Trail
Such a DMV area treasure! As Marylanders, we like starting by the Great Falls on the MD side and walking south - beautiful and not too crowded (and the falls are worth seeing). The Billy Goat trail right along the water (vs. the main trail) is intere...
C&O Trail
Hiking
Haven't been yet, but recommended for close-in DMV hikes by a few lists.
Prince William Forest Park
Near Camp David - haven't been yet, but it was recommended by a few lists.
Catoctin Mountain Park
Great daytrip / hike with beautiful bucolic VA views! The historic house some times has various fairs / BBQs that add to a nice day.
Sky Meadows State Park
Low-key hike - more like a walk. Both VA and MD sides are interesting; VA probably prettier but much more crowded.
Great Falls
Museums
Need advance tickets.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Unbelievable - need advance tickets, but can usually get day of if you go online right when box office opens (6AM?).
National Museum of African American History & Culture
Great museum + IMAX!
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Summer jazz in the garden is super fun.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Super worth the trip! By Dulles and amazing.
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Haven't been yet but hoping to do an open self-guided tour!
Library of Congress
Super underrated DC attraction - worth a visit, and even possible to do a moonlight tour (check the schedule).
National Arboretum
Day Trips
Low-key Day Trip to a scenic VA town. We've stayed at the Goodstone Inn and loved it; Salamander Resort has a great spa but is overrated for the price. Dinner & Red Fox Tavern is excellent.
Middleburg
Worth seeing, but likely more of an overnight trip than day trip given distance. Great wineries and historic sites (e.g., Thomas Jefferson estate) nearby.
Charlottesville
Fun daytrip for a cute city (main street is touristy, surrounding streets nice), and crabs on the water! Ideal in better weather.
Annapolis
Would love to go but haven't made the trip yet.
Harpers Ferry
Low-key Day Trip - haven't been yet, but on our list.
Fredericksberg
Overnight Trips
High on my list for a special occasion dinner & overnight.
The Inn at Little Washington
Beautiful hotel on the water in a cute town - with beautiful nearby towns of Easton & Oxford to explore. Where wedding crashers was filmed!
The Inn at Perry Cabin
Hidden gem in Delaware, and there's lots to explore in the DE/PA Brandywine Valley!
The Inn at Montchannin Village
Super beautiful, especially in the fall - recommend Sperryville area if you can make it that far!
Shenandoah & the Blue Ridge Mountains
Haven't been, but saw on a few lists for good nearby overnight trips.
