5 Ways to Leisure Around DC This Summer
Personal time is a must for mental and physical health. Anxiety of MOOW (missing out on work) or the never-ending life to-do list tend to bully this vital time aside.
Time off doesn’t always mean taking a full-on vacation for three months (as much as we wish), so here are five easy ways to snag “me time” (Bonus: it’s flight-free if you live near Washington, DC):
Tip #1: Take. Time. Off. (And, don’t go far!)
We often think if we stop working the whole world will implode. The sky will fall. Pigs will fly.
Spoiler alert: it won’t.
Luckily for Washingtonians, you don’t have to go far to refuel. There are plenty of vacation-worthy towns nearby to choose from!
Want a quaint getaway?
Hit up St. Michaels or Frederick, MD. These small towns offer quiet streets, local shops, amazing food, and beautiful colonial architecture.
Prefer a more lively and family-friendly atmosphere?
Hop, skip, or jump your way to any one of the beaches that run along the Maryland, Virginia, or Delaware coasts. My personal favorites are Ocean City, Dewey Beach, and Bethany Beach.
Tip #2: You say staycation. We say spacation.
It’s no secret that DC is a city full of worker bees. And, where there are worker bees, you will find a plethora of spas to catch them.
Here are my two favorites:
Nusta Spa is a true DC hidden gem. As one of the country’s first Gold LEED-certified spas, everything from its products to furniture is eco-friendly. The real reason I love it? Complimentary champagne 🥂 while you wait.
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel is the epitome of “treat yo’ self”. Bonus: they feature a warm mineral pool and steam room for peak relaxation.
- Facial? Check.
- Massage? Check.
- Glowing from the inside and out? Check check.
Tip #3: Wine, dine, fine.
We can all agree that DC’s food options are starting to stack up against NY and LA. From fast casual Asian street food venues like Brllnt-loved CHIKO to pricey-but-so-so-so-so-worth-it Michelin-star restaurants like Pineapple and Pearls, this city offers mind-blowing flavor experiences.
One of my favorites is Bad Saint. This Filipino restaurant was named the second best restaurant in America by Bon Appetit in 2016 and won Chef Tom Cunanan the 2019 James Beard Award for Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic.
If you’re craving Mediterranean fare with an extra topping of carbs (hello pasta and bread!), then Tail Up Goat is the place. This cozy spot in Adams Morgan is perfect for leisurely date nights or quiet time alone with your bowl of rigatoni.
Tip #4: Take a hike.
Don’t have time for a two-week silent meditation retreat in India? Take a hike. In a 2018 Business Insider article, researchers found that being in nature improves memory, lowers stress levels, and decreases physical inflammation, fatigue, depression, and anxiety — the same benefits as going on vacation!
DC has immediate access to trails and parks along the Potomac that you can take advantage of — kayak in Navy Yard, take a stroll through Rock Creek Park, or meander the Georgetown Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath Trail (C&O Canal).
Tip #5: Extended stay weekends.
Here’s the recipe to a perfectly cooked home-based-vacation: add an extra day or two to any weekend, combine with your happy place, and voila! A la Vacation mode.
Want to binge watch Netflix? Go for it. Want to read a good book? Be my guest. Want to try your hand at that Lidia Bastianich recipe you’ve been staring at for the past 6 months? YOU’VE GOT THIS.
Sometimes being a homebody is living your best life. Here’s your permission slip to take some time off to do absolutely nothing.
Friends, this is your summer. Do with it as you please. Take a trip (or don’t), eat well, live well, and above all, don’t forget to salt your pasta water.
Ciao for now! — Courtney
