}
THE WASHINGTON POST • FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2010
22
by Lavanya Ramanathan
college, who informs you she’ll be in town for a summer wed- ding. Your little brother, scop- ing out a Hill job for next sum- mer. Your parents, who can’t wait to visit you . . . again. Panicking? You want to show them a
I
memorable time packed with all the necessary sightseeing, a few surprises and, of course, great food. But so far, all you’ve ever managed to do is scribble directions to the White House on a napkin and send them on their way. This year, we have you cov-
ered. We created six perfect week-
end agendas to showcase the city and keep your guests hap- py, interested and full, no mat- ter who they are (yes, even the picky eaters). Oh, but first, a tip: Winging
it may seem like a hip way to see Washington, but try it and your guests’ most memorable D.C. experience will be the hours they spent standing in lines. Why wait when you can reserve spots not only for res- taurants, but also for bars and even the Washington Monu- ment? The only downside? Your guests might love Washington so much, they’ll want to come back.
ramanathanl@washpost.com
ITINERARIES
6
t’s almost summer, which means only one thing: The Tourists. Are. Coming. Your best friend from
COMPANY’S COMING
PATHERENTS
Your folks are visiting for the fifth time in as many years, which means that they’ve seen the monuments and the museums. And they’re not very adventurous eaters. Where do you go?
TRIP ONE: Middleburg
WHAT TO SEE: This quaint town, an hour outside Washington, was a getaway for President John F. Kennedy and his wife, and all these years later, it’s still a classy outpost. Wineries and ponies dot the hills, and Middleburg itself is a treasure- trove of quaint boutiques and fine din- ing. Your first stop, just before you reach downtown Middleburg, should be Chrys- alis Vineyards. Do a long tasting, then soak up the breathtaking view of the hills. Continue your journey on U.S. Route 50 right onto Washington Street, the artery of Middleburg, lined with up- scale shops such as White Bench (cozy, vintage-tinged home decor) and Beyond the Pale (boutique makeup finds).
EAT: The Red Fox Inn is a must; the his- toric bed-and-breakfast was founded in the 1700s and has been frequented by guests including Elizabeth Taylor and Jacqueline Kennedy. The food? Afford- able and parent-proof: Think crab cakes, tuna melts and fried green tomatoes. Save room for dessert. Locals head to
Scruffy’s Ice Cream Parlor to cool off.
UNWIND: Plan your trip for a Saturday so you can end the day at Twilight Polo, a
DETAIL OF ILLUSTRATION BY JOHN UELAND FOR THE WASHINGTON POST
summer institution at nearby Great Meadow. Guests tailgate, gather around to watch polo, then end the night with music and dancing, every Saturday night through Sept. 18. (Guests are allowed to bring picnics and wine into the event.)
Chrysalis, 23876 Champe Ford Rd., tastings are $5 for short tastings, $10 for longer tastings, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, 540- 687-8222 or
www.chrysaliswine.com. Red Fox Inn, 2 E. Washington St., 540-687-6301 or
www.redfox.com. Scruffy’s Ice Cream Par- lor, 6 W. Washington St., 540-687-3766. Twilight Polo, Great Meadow, 5089 Old Tav- ern Rd., The Plains, gates open at 6:30 p.m. Saturdays; matches begin at 7 p.m., $10 per person or $30 per vehicle, 540-253- 5000 or
www.greatmeadow.org.
TRIP TWO: Eastern Market
WHAT TO SEE: Take Metro to Eastern
Market (go before noon to spare your guests the worst of the Washington heat). Thriving again after a 2007 fire, the sprawling complex includes a week- end flea market with jewelry (particular- ly affordable), tunics with boisterous ethnic prints and vintage art. Don’t miss the food and flower vendors and farm
stands selling produce. Be sure to bring cash.
EAT:Make your first stop of the morning a pancake breakfast, served Saturdays at Market Lunch, in the South Hall. The one skinny table is communal, but at it sit couples, children with grandparents, and young families, many of whom are sharing short stacks of the eatery’s popu- lar pancakes (about $5). After your shop- ping trip, rest your weary feet at Match- box; the pizzeria opened a location in Capitol Hill last year, and you can expect the same popular sliders and pizza.
UNWIND: Grab an iced coffee from Per- egrine Espresso and take 10 minutes to chill out and listen to the buskers out- side Eastern Market Metro, where on this reporter’s recent visit, musicians with a violin and keyboard rendered a lovely, classical take on Notorious B.I.G.’s “Big Poppa” — one that won’t make your parents blanch.
Eastern Market, Seventh Street and North Carolina Avenue SE, www.easternmarket-dc. org. Matchbox, 521 Eighth St. SE, 202-548- 0369 or
www.matchboxdc.com. Peregrine Espresso, 660 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, 202- 629-4381 or
www.peregrineespresso.com.
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