Ready for Winter in DC?
Staying indoors when you’re in a bustling city can give you cabin fever, especially when it’s cold and snowy outside.
You don’t have to wait for the Cherry Blossom Festival to get out and enjoy yourself, though – put on your favorite knit hat, grab a scarf, a friend, and come see what DC has to offer this 2020 winter!
Winter in DC: Seasonal Highlights
- The city offers unique ice skating experiences, from skating under Edison bulbs at the National Mall to the rooftop rink at the Watergate Hotel, where visitors can enjoy hot toddies at The Top of the Gate.
- Winter shopping opportunities include the Downtown Holiday Market for handmade gifts and cultural experiences like the Heurich House Museum German Christkindlmarkt and House of Sweden in Georgetown.
- DC’s winter dining scene features cozy restaurants like Maydan (ranked America’s second-best new restaurant by Bon Appetit) for North African cuisine, and Gaslight Tavern with its fireplace-warmed patio.
- The city celebrates cultural events during winter, including Chinese New Year festivities that feature authentic props, music, and cuisine, along with various embassy events.
- Winter drinks and treats are available at multiple venues, including Masa 14’s “Cocoa Under The Stars” rooftop hot chocolate bar and Pitango Gelato’s authentic Italian sipping chocolate available at six locations.
- Winter activities can be paired with indoor cultural experiences, such as visiting the Smithsonian museums, Hirschhorn Gallery, or National Gallery of Art for a perfect cold-weather outing.
Ice Skate Through History
Bring your skates – or rent a pair – and enjoy ice skating underneath twinkling Edison Bulbs at the National Mall.
Plus, pair your outdoor fun with a visit to one of the museums of the Smithsonian, warming up and viewing breathtaking, modern art at the Hirschhorn Gallery.
Maybe you’re a history buff? Well, visit the Air & Space Museum and stand in awe at priceless bits of national history!
Maybe you’d prefer something a little more unique?
Grab your jacket and head over to the Watergate Hotel to ice skate on their gorgeous rooftop patio.
But don’t worry, you can keep warm with a tasty treat or hot toddy from The Top of the Gate right nearby!
Go Shopping Outdoors in DC
Enjoy an afternoon shopping with friends at one of several shopping malls in these cool DC neighborhoods.
You may find something to liven up your apartment, or maybe a gift for a special someone.
If you’re looking for something special, The Downtown Holiday Market has unique, handmade gifts you won’t be able to find at a big box store.
Plus, there are plenty of stands for a warm cup of hot chocolate or a delicious snack.
Either way, take advantage of DC’s reputation as a melting pot and visit the Heurich House Museum German Christkindlmarkt.
If that’s not enough Scandinavian fun, venture over to the House of Sweden in Georgetown for even more of an adventure!
Dine out in DC, Cozy Style.
It’s time you took a break from cooking in your apartment and take your date or #squad out to one of Washington DC’s many delicious restaurants.
Many condos and DC apartments don’t have a fireplace, but these delicious restaurants will do just the trick!
We recommend trying Maydan, which is ranked America’s second-best new restaurant by Bon Appetit magazine.
Here, grab a bite of delicious North African and Middle Eastern fare, cooked in an exposed brick kitchen for that sweet, homemade taste.
Handcrafted cocktails at Maydan are also intriguing, as they’re enhanced with the local spices of cardamom, paprika, and sumac.
If you prefer a more traditional winter nosh, then try Gaslight Tavern off U Street.
It’s a throwback to the speakeasy days of the Roaring Twenties and features a roaring fireplace in the glassed-in patio, specialty cocktails like the Sidecar, and delicious winter comfort food like braised short ribs and poutine.
Celebrate Chinese New Year!
If you missed the fun of ringing in 2020 in DC, get out of your house and try one of these exciting Chinese New Year’s activities.
With a diverse population in our nation’s capital, many of these feature authentic props, music, and, of course; delicious food & drink!
You can also check out one of the many Embassy Events in the city as well.
Have Fun With a Girls Night Out & Warm Cocoa
Don’t stay inside your apartment watching Netflix with your friends, take a girls night!
Bundle up in your favorite, coziest sweater and enjoy a delicious (adult!) hot cocoa instead.
Masa 14 offers Cocoa Under The Stars, a hot chocolate bar on their rooftop patio dining area.
Enjoy peppermint candy, gourmet marshmallows, and even a shot of Bailey’s or Kahlua to spice up your treat!
You can also grab some friends and go visit the National Gallery of Art, followed by some spiked hot cocoa over at Pavilion Café.
The outdoor seating is a perfect setting for cozily sipping on hot cocoa and people watching or simply enjoying a great conversation with friends.
Pitango Gelato takes warm, rich hot chocolate to a whole new level.
Their bittersweet cocoa mix has almost the consistency of warm pudding, made with traditional sipping chocolate from Torino, Italy.
With six locations throughout the DC area, it’s definitely worth leaving your apartment for, and no excuses about it being too far!
Enjoy the Snowfall In DC
Don’t let the cold weather keep you inside this winter, get out and take advantage of the winter wonders that Washington DC has to offer.
There is always lots to do in a neighborhood near you, and if you’re looking to move to one of these bustling communities, start your DC apartment search today!
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Have questions or need assistance finding your perfect DC apartment? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Contact us today!
