Washington, DC may not get the reputation for being a city for lovers but I beg to differ. Maybe I’m biased because my husband proposed to me at the National Mall, but there’s plenty of places to keep romance alive in the district. A great date night in DC can range from a decadent fine dining experience to an inexpensive museum outing. Here are some suggestions:
Affordable Romance
Who said a date night in DC has to be expensive? Take a stroll at the National Mall at night. The National Mall may seem touristy during the day but at night it’s simply magical. I love taking a walk along the reflecting pool, see the monuments shine at night, and catch a gorgeous view of the capital from the Lincoln Memorial. Best part is that this experience is free!
Art & Wine
This is not a “Date Night” per se, but you get the idea! The National Gallery of Art is one of my favorite spaces and Washington DC. Free to the public, it displays a priceless collection of art from the Dutch Masters to modern contemporary art. Currently the museum is holding a beautiful exhibition called Della Robbia: Sculpting with Color in Renaissance Florence. The sculptures originally belonged to the Antinori family, who have been a fixture in Tuscany for centuries and now own a prominent vineyard featuring top Tuscan wines. Take in the Della Robbia exhibition and head to a nearby bar such as Fiola or the bar at The Willard Intercontinental for a glass of Antinori Tignanello wine.
Dinner & Movie
A date night in DC list wouldn’t be complete without a dinner and a movie. I’m a big fan of the Shaw neighborhood in DC. This neighborhood is home to The Landmark Theatre at Atlantic Plumbing Building. The Landmark Theatre has plush seats that you can lift the armrest so you can cuddle with your sweetheart during a movie. My favorite part is the bar: order craft cocktails and appetizers to enjoy while you watch the film. Dinner after the movie? Check out Tim Ma’s Kyirisan. The menu is a creatively delicious fusion of Chinese and French cuisine set in a sexy, modern space.
Fine Dining
Washington DC is going through an amazing culinary revival. For a space fit for a proposal, check out Plume at The Jefferson Hotel. This Michelin-Starred restaurant has one of the most beautiful dining rooms I’ve seen in the city with its delicate crystal chandeliers and classic decor. Treat your love to a breakfast at one of my favorite places, The Blue Duck Tavern. Try their seasonal pancakes and waffles, absolutely delicious! Instead of a date night in DC, try a date lunch at The Oval Room. Their lunch at the bar for $20 (main course, dessert and one glass of wine) is the perfect way to catch up with your love during the day.
A Sweet Walk in Georgetown
I love how DC is such a walkable city. One of my favorite places to go for a walk is in Georgetown. Take a walk along the canal and admire the solitude in the heart of the city. I also enjoy walking on the smaller streets off of M Street and Wisconsin Ave to admire the colorful colonial row homes. For a sweet ending to your outing, grab a cone of chocolate dipped strawberries at Godiva on M Street and head to the Waterfront for a walk along the Potomac River.
For the Sports Lovers
One of my favorite date night in DC experience is going to a Wizards game with my Dutchman. My husband is a big basketball player and my first live NBA game experience was one of our first dates in DC. We watched the Wizards play almost courtside and I was taken by the energy at the Verizon Center. Since then, I’ve been hooked! The Wizards have had their ups and downs but I’m no fair weather fan! Tip: after the game celebrate (or lament) with your boo with a cocktail at Dirty Habit DC. I love the sexy decor of this space.
Staycation
I am a hotel fan! There’s nothing I enjoy more than plush linens, room service, and a room with a view. There are so many great properties to choose from in this city. The Mandarin Oriental DC is one of my favorite properties in the city. Its hidden location lends to some of the best views in the city. Tip: plan a stay during the Cherry Blossom Festival for even more epic views. Another great choice is the Park Hyatt DC. Indulge in Michelin-Starred cuisine at The Blue Duck Tavern and walk off the calories in neighboring Georgetown.
Date Night in DC: The Verdict
Regardless of budget there are many ways to have a great date night in DC. There’s simply so much to do in the city with your loved one. We don’t get tired of discovering new restaurants, taking in new exhibitions, or returning to where my Dutchman asked me to be his wife.
The Dessert at Kyirisan looks divine and the cocktail I am single so don’t want romance just food and drink lol. I really want to go to DC though as there always looks as though there is so much to see and do
Hope you make it to DC soon! And yes, a good dessert and cocktail are not reserved just got the lovers!
I think a walk around the National Mall in the evening looks super romantic! And who can say no to chocolate covered strawberries 😉
Right? Chocolate covered strawberries are the best!
In all my visits to the US (I used to live in Minnesota and Colorado, as well as on the border with Montana from my time in Canada), I’m sorry to say I’ve never had the chance to visit your nation’s capital. I can imagine there must be an untold amount of high-class restaurants.
Bummer, hope you can come to DC soon. The city has changed a lot for the better. Plenty more to do than the monuments…
My husband, daughter and I love DC. There’s so much to do and yes, I imagine a stroll in the evening at the National Mall, must be so romantic. Also, love all of Jose Andres’ restaurants.
So do I! Big fan of Jose Andres!
How romantic was that! My idea of a complete date night!!!
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