Sunday, June 15, 2014

Washington D.C. (Part IV)

Alright, last installment. There was just so much to share from this trip! After the White House we were in a happy little daze, but made sure to continue around and check out all the major monuments we hadn't seen yet. We visited the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam and Korean War Veterans Memorials, walked along the reflecting pool (which unfortunately wasn't reflecting, as it was drained for repairs), glimpsed the fairly new World War II Tribute, peeked at the Tidal Basin and marveled at the Washington Monument.


The only thing I was sad to have missed was going up to the top of the Old Post Office Pavilion and Clock Tower. On weekdays you can take tours of the tower where they house the old copper Congress Bells and it's apparently quite a spectacular lookout point. Will have to hit that next time!
 

We ended our day with a visit to one of Obama's (and Grant McFadden's) favorite spots - Ben's Chili Bowl.


We'd heard about this hole-in-the-wall place from several different people and though it was a bit of a schlep from everything else we'd been visiting and out hotel, we were determined to find it. Hotdogs AND chili? You couldn't keep me away if you tried.

 

The joint was kitschy and fun, the atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, the food well worth the hype.  There were tons of pictures on the walls of celebrities and politicians who have visited over the years, and several dogs named for prominent visitors.  Dogs come with either french fries or old-fashioned crinkle cut potato chips, and the majority of them come topped with chili, onions and cheese. Definitely a belly bomb, but SO good.

 
 
 

The next morning, we had just a few hours for a last minute jaunt about town before catching our ride home. The only place we hadn't paid homage to yet was the Capitol Building itself, so we grabbed some coffee and made our way up the hill. Particularly fun to check out, having just finished House of Cards.

 
 
 

 Then it was off to catch a train to Bethesda to meet up with the Spe's for the ride back to NYC.




Fun weekend, District of Columbia! Heading home to start House of Cards all over again!

2 comments:

Thank you for visiting! A penny for your thoughts...