Things To Do
Old Town, Alexandria
A historic district along the Potomac River, Old Town is marked by cobblestone streets and quaint 18th-century townhouses. Check out the best things to do, here: https://www.visitalexandriava.com/old-town-alexandria/essentials/.
Fish Market Restaurant
For those of you on Team Bride, this is Emily's favorite restaurant in Old Town. If you know Emily, you know she loves oysters, and Fish Market is home to one of her favorite raw bar happy hours.
Sisters Thai
For those of you on Team Groom, this is Jacob's favorite restaurant in Old Town. If you know Jacob, you know Thai food is his favorite - and you know he has a big sweet tooth, too! Sisters Thai is attached to Magnolia's Bakery.
BARCA Pier & Wine Bar
A fun spot within close proximity to Hotel Indigo, one of our recommended hotels. If you are staying at Hotel Indigo, enjoy some tapas and day drinks on the water!
Founder's Park
Take a stroll through Founder's Park, along the Old Town waterfront. Jacob proposed to Emily here, next to the water and near one of the running paths. They have a lot of fond memories around this park, which is why Jacob selected it for his proposal!
Whiskey & Oyster
If you enjoy whiskey and oysters, this is the place for you! Jacob took Emily here for brunch the morning he proposed, before they headed over to Founder's Park (with the ring in his pocket - no wonder he was slugging those drinks!). It was the perfect beginning to a memorable day.
City Cruises Alexandria Water Taxi
Check out national landmarks on the narrated Monuments Tour, take the water taxi into D.C., or cruise to George Washington's Mt. Vernon and National Harbor.
Georgetown Waterfront Park
Check out the best things to do in D.C.'s oldest neighborhood: https://washington.org/visit-dc/things-do-georgetown-waterfront
Georgetown University
Take a walking tour of Georgetown University, where both Jacob and Emily attended graduate school for their MBA and MPS degrees, respectively. Both of their graduation ceremonies were held on the Healy Lawn. Hoya Saxa!
Washington Monument
Explore downtown D.C.! The Monument is located close to other historic landmarks: the Lincoln Memorial, World War II Memorial, Vietnam Wall, MLK Memorial, FDR Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the White House, U.S. Capitol, and more. One of Emily's favorite memories in D.C. is when she and Jacob went for their first late-night run around the monuments. They sat on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, and had the whole reflecting pool to themselves.
Smithsonian National Museum of American History
The American History Museum is one of many Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C. See here for a complete list of attractions to visit: https://www.si.edu/museums.
Arlington National Cemetery
Visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, JFK's eternal flame gravesite, the Memorial Amphitheater, and more. Witness a Changing of the Guard ceremony, and pay your respects to Medal of Honor recipients, military leaders, Presidents, astronauts, explorers, and many more who shaped American history. Jacob and Emily once got stuck in the cemetery after dark, and were kindly escorted out in the back of an Army police vehicle in 2017. A memorable experience, to say the least!
District Wharf
Check out the best things to do at The Wharf, D.C.'s newest waterfront destination: https://www.wharfdc.com/ Jacob and Emily frequent East Potomac Golf Course across the water, and often take a walk over to The Wharf for drinks after a round. They usually end up at Mi Vida for tacos and margaritas.
The Red Hen
A Michelin-star Italian restaurant located in the Bloomingdale neighborhood of D.C., close to where Jacob lived for a year or two. While Jacob and Emily have been going out to dinner together regularly throughout their friendship, it is Red Hen they consider their "first date" in 2018. They realized their connection and gave dating a shot, though a serious relationship did not come to fruition at the time.
George Washington's Mount Vernon
Check out the Mansion at George Washington's Mount Vernon, one of the most iconic 18th-century homes in America. It also holds significance to Jacob and Emily, as they've biked along the Mt. Vernon trail countless times to the mansion & back, often stopping to munch on Jacob's homemade trail mix and sip on Emily's backpack beer.