Old Town favorites

We lived and worked in Old Town, so it’s safe to say we know where you should be when you’re not celebrating with us. If you’re staying at the Hotel Monaco, there are many restaurants and shops just steps away. Here are some of the things we miss and will certainly be visiting:

Food first (always)

Breakfast at Society Fair: For $5, you can have a biscuit (with eggs and cheese) so fluffy and big that you’ll remember Virginia is the South. If you stop by for lunch, don’t skip the grilled cheese with tomato soup!

$10 pizza and a drink for lunch at RedRocks: Adrienne’s weakness is a saucy pizza right out of a brick oven. Eat it here.

Sandwiches galore at Bittersweet: A turkey BLT that includes bacon and avocado? A cranberry lemonade so big it nearly requires two hands? Why are you still reading this and not eating? (Also a nice salad bar, if that’s your thing.)

Indulge in gelato at Casa Rosada: We ate here once a week when it opened. The family who runs it is so kind. We love the chocolate con almonds and coconut.

Where we had our first date: Fall in love at Virtue Feed & Grain like we did.

Things to see

Cobblestone streets: There are two left from the 1790s. The first is the lower Prince Street area known as Captains’ Row, and the other is Princess Street near Washington Street. Great for pictures! Make sure to check out the historical homes while you’re walking around the neighborhood.

Mount Vernon Trail: If you’re feeling gutsy, rent a bicycle at King and Patrick streets and take on part of this 18-mile trail that goes along the Potomac. You can also walk or run here.

Carlyle House Historical Park: Get a sandwich at Bittersweet and eat outside in their gardens.

The Old Town Waterfront: A path along the waterfront will take you to Jones Point Park if you’re looking for a long walk, otherwise, peer at D.C. from across the water and have lunch.

Mount Vernon: George Washington’s estate and gardens, a neat thing to see. You’ll need a car to get here (or an Uber).

Del Ray: This adorable neighborhood is a short cab ride away, but it has many delicious restaurants. Have frozen custard at The Dairy Godmother (Obama did!), dinner at Evening Star or the best Thai at Thai Peppers.