The Real Chic Life

Last weekend, George and I packed up the car and headed north for a fun DC weekend. His sister (pictured with me below) was celebrating her 45th birthday in the city, and we were thrilled to be able to celebrate her in such a fun way. I hadn’t been to DC since we’d celebrated George’s birthday back in 2018. Of course, we all know what followed in early 2020, and somehow, several years rolled by before we’d even thought of visiting again. While I wondered why we dropped the ball on our nation’s capital when we booked our stay, I was pleasantly surprised by some of the more progressive changes when we arrived. Maybe it was worth the wait.

If you haven’t been in five or more years, one of the most significant changes you’ll notice is The Wharf. When we arrived at the Wharf —which was still under construction the last time we were there—it was bustling with restaurants, bars, and small shops. Despite the cool, overcast day, busy patrons spilled out onto the sidewalks. But it wasn’t so crowded that it felt stifling and overly touristy. 

While I realize that many people appreciate the free museums and monuments on family vacations (I’m a museum lover too) it reminded me that DC is a perfect place for a couple’s reprieve! 

My daughter and her husband are no strangers to a romantic DC weekend. They live close by and enjoy a city vacation as much as I do, so I also turned to her for a Wharf recommendation. And just in case you’re looking for a fun city to “adult in,” I thought I’d share some of the spots we visited with you. 

I lived in DC in the mid-nineties, and let’s just say it wasn’t anything like it is now. Anyone remember the flagship Phillips Seafood? Back then, the fish market was undoubtedly the main draw, but it wasn’t the entertainment sector that it is now. The waterfront has been reimagined. They’ve created an exuberant commercial and residential community on the 1-mile waterfront connected by Wharf Street. Think expansive piers with large porch-style swings, walkways with roaring fire pits, on-stage entertainment, bars, restaurants, and small shops. Several hotels are at or near the Wharf, making it a prime place to stay. And there  are over 60 places to dine at the Wharf- we visited two.

We had lunch at Mi Vida– (a modern take on traditional Mexican home cooking and street food) which mainly consisted of margaritas and appetizers before the dinner party, which was held at Kaliwa (a tribute to the Southeast Asian food and cultures of Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines).  

Both restaurants were excellent, but Mi Vida had a blue cheese and grape guacamole I’m still thinking about. We’ll definitely return to Mi Vida, which is co-owned by acclaimed chef Roberto Santibañez, who also owns the renowned Fonda restaurant in New York City. I also heard the tapas-style brunch at La Vie is terrific, and we might try that next time. My son-in-law gave La Vie five stars! 

Again, you have over 60 choices, so finding a great meal won’t be a challenge. You can check them all out here. 

Now that we’ve got where to dine straight, you might want to look into what else to do. If relaxation is at the top of your getaway list, I’d suggest walking along the beautiful waterfront or relaxing on the oversized swings I mentioned being right on the pier. You can also take a boat ride on The Wharf Jitney- its free!  Or if your idea of relaxation includes eye masks and steam rooms, you can even visit the luxurious Intercontinental Spa at The Wharf. Sadly, my sister-in-law couldn’t book a spa party there, so we used their sister spa at the Willard Hotel (also an Intercontinental property). Let’s just say it didn’t disappoint. I had the most fantastic massage there. If you caught my story, you saw me raving about it in real time- still draped in my white terry cloth robe. On our next visit, we’ll stay at the InterContinential at the Wharf and book a couples massage. 

If you’re looking for something a little more upbeat, you might want to check out The Boardwalk Bar and Arcade. My daughter and son-in-law had a fun-filled date night there. They have three bars serving creative takes on classic cocktails, beach-inspired bites, and a wide range of arcade games that are bound to recapture the carefree feeling of days by the ocean from your youth. 

If you’re a music lover, the concert stage might be your Jam. The Wharf provides live musical entertainment 365 days a year. You can see which concerts will be playing during your stay here. 

And if you’re heading up soon, be sure to stop for s’mores. Hello Camp Wharf at the Firepit. 

You can also check out the iconic fish market which is still there. It’s neat  to see the fishmongers in action, and they have plenty of cooked food available, too. 

Finally, if you’re the adventurous type, you can rent kayaks and paddle boards and really enjoy the water. 

As I mentioned, there are several small shops, but if you’re looking for something a little more high-end like I was, you can always pop over to City Center. This area always reminds me of shopping in Manhattan. You’ll find all of your designer brands in a contemporary, walkable area. It isn’t a waterfront stroll, but it’s lovely, too, and only a short drive away.

So there you have it. I’d certainly recommend a fun couples getaway spent specifically at The Wharf (bonus: you don’t have to deal with the DC traffic on your visit if you stay right there). There’s plenty to do. And if you’re coming to DC for a bigger trip and planning to visit the monuments and museums, I’d still add a visit to The Wharf to your Must-See List.  

I’d love to hear about your experience at the Wharf and your favorite DC spots. 

Until next post, 

Tonya Parker