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For Valentine's Day or whenever, woo your boo with these charming ideas sure to conjure romance.
Located near Downtown and Chinatown, the elegant CityCenterDC mixes shops and restaurants for a vibrant experience in the heart of nation’s capital. An outstanding meal is available at any of the eateries, including Fig & Olive and Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse. A romantic walk down Palmer Alley is a must, and you can peruse high-end fashion at retailers like Paul Stuart, Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and kate spade new york.
Reserve a table for two aboard one of City Cruises' special couples' offerings. The vessel was inspired by famous Parisian dinner boats that sail down the Seine. On the Potomac, you'll glide by DC landmarks like the Washington Monument and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, providing the perfect romantic setting while you dine.
If you’re looking to truly dazzle your date, reserve a fireside table at 1789 Restaurant, specifically in the John Carroll room. Housed in a Federal-style townhouse, 1789 is a favorite for special occasions and romantic evenings, known for its cozy tables, stunning 16th century antiques and a delectable rack of lamb. The restaurant also sports a delicious tasting menu option.
The Red Hen features a woodfire-powered kitchen, bucolic decor and a menu filled with Italian favorites near the Shaw neighborhood. You and your sweetheart can fill the appetites with delicious mezze rigatoni with fennel sausage ragu or grilled swordfish along with a perfectly paired bottle of wine.
The beloved Jefferson Hotel offers a romantic dinner at The Greenhouse or Quill (room service is an option, too!). Once your meal is through, spend the night upstairs at one of DC’s most elegant boutique properties, housed in a historic apartment building that dates to 1923.
Sparks can fly when you can warm up by a fire without leaving the comfort of your room. Numerous DC hotels offer fireplaces in their suites, making for the perfect romantic vibe before or after a night on the town. The recently renovated St. Gregory Hotel and the Presidential Suite at Rosewood Washington, D.C. are great options, as are the three-bedroom Presidential Suites at The Watergate Hotel, the Royal Potomac Suite at the Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. and the Royal Suite at the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C.
The National Gallery of Art presents some of the world’s finest works of art, while its sculpture garden serves as an ideal romantic rendezvous. Walk by Robert Indiana’s famed AMOR (which is Spanish for “love”) sculpture, a play on the artist's iconic LOVE works.
Many bars and restaurants in the District can help you get cozy with your boo as you shake off the brr of winter and warm up by a fire. Savor the bonfire vibe at spots like Dirty Habit in Chinatown, Top of the Gate at The Watergate Hotel, Bourbon Steak and Farmers Fishers Bakers in Georgetown and Barcelona on 14th Street.
You and your date can be transported to Paris without leaving DC by visiting The Phillips Collection, which features an expansive collection of French impressionism from artists like Henri Matisse, Paul Cézanne and Vincent van Gogh. Be sure and see Auguste Renoir's famous masterpiece, Luncheon of the Boating Party.
This Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall is truly epic under moonlight. Any nighttime stroll along the Mall will be memorable, but the this memorial is particularly stunning, as King’s statue emerges from the Stone of Hope with words from the iconic “I Have A Dream” speech etched into its side.
The Southwest Waterfront is the place to be during winter, as one of the District’s most exciting entertainment, dining and shopping destinations features a skating rink on Transit Pier. Yes, with so many things to see and do at The Wharf you could spend a week here, but gliding across this riverfront ice rink beneath the fiery glow of a sunset is a can’t-miss winter date experience.
Union Market is one of the most buzzworthy spots in DC, filled with outstanding food experiences and artisan-made arts and crafts. There’s also the famous Heart Wall, a mural created by L.A.-based graffiti artist Mr. Brainwash for International Women’s Day in 2015. Hold your boo tight in front of this Instagrammable artwork before or after you explore the wonders of the market.
The nation’s oldest continuously operating jazz supper club, Blues Alley is a laid-back sanctuary tucked into an alleyway in Georgetown. Revel in an ambiance reminiscent of the dawn of the Jazz Age for the perfect date night inside this converted carriage house.
Shakespeare Theatre Company stages the best of Shakespeare’s plays, as well as contemporary productions inspired by the ultimate wordsmith’s work. Even though the Bard of Avon has been dead for centuries, his influence can still rock a date night today.
The Willard InterContinental Washington is one of DC’s grandest hotels, residing on Pennsylvania Avenue since 1850. Spend an evening at this posh locale, and in the morning, head to Café du Parc for coffee and crepes. Then, it’s time to walk just two blocks and wander through stunning scenery along the National Mall.
Whether you’re in the throes of winter or the weather is warm, a delicious, hot drink is a perfect treat for date night. Fortunately, DC is filled to the brim with great options, including offerings from Le Diplomate, Blue Duck Tavern, Old Ebbitt Grill and more.
The Four Seasons Hotel is on M Street in historic Georgetown, providing a healthy dose of luxury in one of DC's most elegant neighborhoods. Savor an entire weekend with your significant other through a sophisticated dinner at Seasons Restaurant and enjoying massages at the on-site spa.
Savor the atmosphere of a French country inn in the heart of Georgetown. A central stone fireplace inside La Chaumière channels romantic vibes. The menu is filled with French specialties and a variety of red and white wines. It all adds up to refined coziness in one of the city’s most historic neighborhoods.
Retire to the Kimpton Banneker Hotel in Dupont Circle, where a luxurious room awaits. Even before you settle in for the night, you can enjoy a drink on the rooftop bar that is Lady Bird, or dine on elevated comfort food at Le Sel.
Spending the night in the center of one of the most powerful neighborhoods on planet earth adds a special flair to date night. YOTEL Washington, DC, Capitol Hill is one of the sleekest hotels in the District, residing in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol Building. Downstairs, Art and Soul will have you falling in love with Southern cuisine before you retire to your room.
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