Things To Do
Bethesda
EAT/DRINK/SHOP IN BETHESDA, MD Dinner Restaurants ITALIAN: Olazzo, Aventino PIZZA: Alatri Bros, Pizzeria Da Marco, Andy's Pizza, AP Pizza Shop MEXICAN: Gringos & Mariachis, Tacombi ASIAN: Raku, Hawkers AMERICAN: Woodmont Grill, Salt Line MARYLAND SPECIALITY: Bethesda Crabhouse FARM TO TABLE/VEGAN: Planta, True Food Kitchen, Rooted3 LUNCH SPOTS: Dig, Jetties, Fish Taco, Chiko, Cava, Sweet Green, Chopt COFFEE SHOP/BAKERY/BREAKFAST: Maman, Tout de Sweet, Grace Street Coffee, Tatte Bakery & Café, Call Your Mother Bagel Trolley, Foxtrot Market, Ceremony Coffee Roasters SWEET TOOTH: Levain, Laduree, Jeni’s Ice Cream, Georgetown Cupcake, Chip City PRE-EVENT DRINK SPOTS: Hip Flask Rooftop, Salt Line, Woodmont Grill Bar, Barrel & Crow SHOP BETHESDA ROW: Vuori, Lululemon, Anthropology, Allbirds, Anine Bing, Bonobos, Faherty, Jenni Kayne, Kendra Scott, Madewell, Sassanova, Serena & Lily, Room&Board, Williams Sonoma, Nike, Veronica Beard, Mejuri
Visiting the Cherry Blossoms in Kenwood
Talk about fate! The Cherry blossoms are projected to be at peak bloom during our wedding weekend, and I am sure many of you are wondering how you see them! There are actually cherry blossoms very close by to downtown Bethesda! If you are nervous to venture the crowds in DC and are up for a nice long walk on the Crescent Trail, the Kenwood neighborhood in Bethesda, Maryland is known for their Cherry Blossom Community. Peak bloom usually happens 3-4 days after the trees in the Nation's Capital. You are not allowed to park in the neighborhood, so walking on the trail is best! Enter the Capital Crescent Trail in Bethesda (near the Ourisman Honda and Chopt). It's about a mile walk or bike ride from the Bethesda Capital Crescent Trail entrance to Kenwood and most of the route is on the Capital Crescent Bike Trail.
Visiting the Tidal Basin Cherry Blossoms!
If you are interested in seeing the historic Tidal Basin cherry blossoms and the monuments, this is for you! METRO: If you are staying in downtown Bethesda at the Marriott or Hyatt, head to the Bethesda Metro station and hop on the red line towards Glenmont. Get off at Metro Center. Use the Blue, Orange or Silver lines and head towards New Carrollton. Exit at the Smithsonian Metro stop. From there, it’s a 10-15 minute walk to the Tidal Basin Welcome Area, located at 1501 Maine Avenue SW, where those picture perfect views of the cherry blossoms are. If you must drive down to DC, please note that pedestrian and vehicle traffic is very congested during peak bloom. We highly recommend you try to reserve a parking spot with Spot Hero ahead of time at the link below.
Downtown
EXPLORE OUR NATION’S CAPITAL 1. Visit the White House 2. Explore the Tidal Basin a) Monuments include Thomas Jefferson Memorial, MLK Memorial, FDR Memorial. b) Activities include Paddle Boats. c) Museums include United States Holocaust Memorial Museum 3. National Mall and Smithsonian Museums a) Monuments include Washington Monument, World War II Memorial, Lincoln Memorial & Reflecting Pool, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden, Ulysses S Grant Memorial, United States Capitol, United States Botanic Garden b) Museums include National Museum of Natural History, National Gallery of Art, National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Museum of American History, National Museum of Asian Art, National Museum of African Art, Hirshhorn Museum, National Museum of American Indian
Capital Crescent Trail, Trailhead
Looking to get outside for some exercise? Caroline and her brothers grew up running and biking on this trail! Trail runs from Bethesda to Georgetown DC. Capital Bikeshare locations are located all around downtown Bethesda.
Georgetown
Spend a day in Georgetown eating, shopping, or walking the historic streets and waterfront. Navigate every nook and cranny in DC’s oldest, yet most active, neighborhood.
The Wharf DC
The District Wharf located on the Potomac River is home to the nation’s longest continually operating open-air fish market. The Wharf is DC’s premier waterfront destination with restaurants, bars, shops, live-music venues, and a boardwalk spanning the length of the waterfront.
Union Market
More than 35 independent merchants and purveyors of food and drink operate within the Market, alongside a unique mix of small businesses, nationally recognized retail brands and highly rated restaurants located throughout the broader Union Market District.