Memorials, Washington DC, USA

December 2013

One of the highlights of visiting Washington DC is walking the monuments. While you cover a fair distance (approx 6.5 km), its all flat and plenty of opportunity to stop and take snaps.

We started with the White House, the National Tree (which we had also seen at night) and the EEOB.

We moved towards the Washington Monument towards the WWII memorial, stopping to take pictures of the beautiful buildings along the way.

We stopped at the WWII memorial, which was only unveiled in 2004.

From there we moved to the Vietnam memorials. These include the main wall, the Women's memorial and the male statue.

Here you come across the magnificent Lincoln Memorial, which is magnificent in everyday.

This is followed by the Korean War Veterans Memorial (my personal favourite).

On  the way to the next "significant memorial" we stumbled across the DC War Memorial.

We then arrived at the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial. This wasn't unveiled until 2011 and as a fun fact, when posted on Facebook it asks you to tag the face of the monument.

 The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is vast and includes the first lady at the time, Eleanor Roosevelt.

The memorial route is rounded off by the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. The most powerful part of this monument was this quote of the author of the declaration of independence.

The point that signifies the end of the route is the Washington Monument and the National Mall.

Cafe du Parc, Washington DC

December 2013

We chose Cafe du Parc outside The Willard for breakfast for two reasons. First it was very close to the hotel and second its reportedly where Kevin Rudd decided to resign as Foreign Minister.

Cafe du Parc has two others things going for it. The food. And the service.

Eggs Benedict   $17

Poached eggs with French ham, chive hollandaise and rissole potatoes

 Golden buttermilk pancakes   $14

• Served with maple syrup

Old Ebbitt Grill, Washington DC

December 2013

We chose the Old Ebbitt Grill purely because of the proximity to our hotel. I had booked just in case it was busy. I'm glad I did as it was packed.

The food was good, the service attentive and the place was packed but we didn't feel overall crowded in our seats.

Its not until we got home that I learnt of it's history.

Grilled Filet 8 oz with crispy garlic potatoes, green beans and red wine sauce $25.95

Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes with spiced sweet potato, green beans and tarragon oil $17.95

My biggest regret is not ordering any oysters.

W Washington DC

December 2013

We choose the W Washington DC mainly on the location (across the road from the White House and within a short hop to the Mall).

The rooms are nicely set, but tiny. The bathroom is so small the sink is in the main room which is small enough in itself, but redeems itself with the large comfy bed.

The day we arrived was wet and rainy and we were offered hot apple cider, and the lobby area is a nice place to reset, but not what I would call relaxing.

The rooftop bar is raved about online, but I found it over rated. Perhaps in the summer when it's open the view might be better, but everything just looked so small.

Overall this place was great in terms of location and this alone would be enough for me to come back. The service in the hotel was friendly but poor in the roof bar. The rooms were tiny, but tasteful and comfortable and I was glad we got a good rate.

Washington DC

December 2013

I haven't been to DC since 1997 and H has never been so while in NY I jumped at the chance for another trip.

We took the train from NYC and in about 3.5 hours we were in Washington DC. The day we arrived was wet and miserable, the day we left was cold but clear. But that worked perfectly, a day for the Smithsonian's (indoors) and a day for the monuments (outdoors).

Stay
W Washington DC, small rooms (tiny) but in a great location, within walking distance to everything

Eat
Cafe du Parc, the place where Kevin Rudd resigned as foreign minister

Old Ebbitt Grill, a popular place for oysters and a steak

Do
You have to pick your museums, so with half a day spare (the main ones were open til 7:30 pm the week we were there) we visited Air and Space Museum and the Natural History Museum

Visit the National Tree depending on the time of year

Walk the monuments, leave 2 hours to walk the full circuit (but missing Arlington). Two of our favourites was the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial

DC is a fabulous city and you could stay a week and not run out of things to do or see.

Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Rocky Steps, USA

December 2013

 I've never actually seen the movie Rocky, but the Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art was on every must do list of Philadelphia as well.

I think part of the attraction is that they are located at the Philadelphia Museum of Art which is an attraction in its own right both inside and out (we didn't get a chance to go in).

Its also located a close distance to Boathouse Row, which was no surprisingly quiet this time of year.

We managed to get a shot of the Boathouses lit up on our train trip home.