Our time on the east coast consisted of lots of walking, seeing, and eating. We knew we wanted to visit the sites in D.C., but we were pressed for time, so we did the best we could. The nice thing about D.C. is that most all of the monuments, memorials, and museums are free. It turned out to be a great couple of days.
Highlights:
The Lincoln Memorial. The last time I stood on the steps of The Lincoln Memorial, I was 14 years old and visiting the capitol with my high school band. It was really cool to go back and see it again. The area was filled with many tourists, but we also noticed plenty of joggers running through the area. I love the idea of taking a morning run through the national monuments and memorials.
The White House. I've never been this close to the white house, and it is fun to imagine what it is like on the inside. I have seen some pictures online, but to me, the inside of The White House will always look like Richie Rich's house...complete with McDonald's and other fun things. I was hoping to see President Obama walking the family dogs (Bo and Sunny) or the First Lady watering the garden, but no such luck.
The Holocaust Museum. We set aside several hours one day to learn about an important time in our world's history. The Holocaust Museum was very well put together, and it is better than any text book or movie. I knew very little about the Holocaust aside from what I have learned in school, and this museum takes you through The Nazi Assault, The War, and The Liberation. There is also a large section on different types of genocide that are currently happening around the world.
Bei Bei, the baby panda. The National Zoological Park is part of the Smithsonian family, so it was another free exhibit to visit. Parking, however, was not free. But as we said that day, it was all for Bei Bei. I learned a lot about panda fertility issues at the zoo. Apparently, it is very hard to make panda babies, so we all hope that Bei Bei stays healthy. We also were saw one of the adult pandas, Bao Bao, eating bamboo.
The Cool House Illusion at the Sculpture Garden. We walked through the Sculpture Garden one evening and saw the neatest 2D house that appeared 3D.
The Food. It is not a secret that Aaron and I seem to have bottomless stomachs. Next to our Uncle Bodong, and now maybe Yung, the two of us are Olympian eaters. Trang does come in at a close 4th ;) We had so much delicious food on this trip. Scroll down for our full food list, and here are a few pictures.
Midnight snack at Shake Shack
Our cousins.
My Aunt and Uncle treated us to the most festive Korean dinner. We truly appreciated their hospitality throughout our trip.
Duck Donuts
Grand Trunk
Ben's Chili Bowl
Georgetown Cupcake
The People. Aaron and I planned the trip for the sole purpose of visiting our family, but it was a real bonus that not only did Yung and Trang join us, we got to see Nicole as well. Food + People = Bliss. We spent our last two nights up late eating Hot Cheetos and a myriad of other junky type rot-your-stomach food. It was the best time.
Aaron and I with our aunt.
Where we stayed:
Hyatt Regency in Fairfax, VA. Adjoining rooms are the way to go!
What we saw:
Downtown Fairfax, VA
The Lincoln Memorial
The Washington Monument
National World War II Memorial
The White House
China Town in D.C.
Smithsonian Museum of American History and Natural History
The Sculpture Garden
The National Zoological Park
The Holocaust Museum
Jefferson Memorial
Georgetown, D.C.
The Lincoln Memorial
The Washington Monument
National World War II Memorial
The White House
China Town in D.C.
Smithsonian Museum of American History and Natural History
The Sculpture Garden
The National Zoological Park
The Holocaust Museum
Jefferson Memorial
Georgetown, D.C.
Where we ate:
Two Sisters Thai
Haveabite
Shake Shack
Silver Diner
China Boy
Jackey Cafe
Chinatown Coffee
Joy Luck Bakery
Dessert Story
BonChon
Yechon
Duck Donuts
HMart
Pi Pizzeria
Grand Trunk
Red Velvet Cupcake
De Clieu Coffee
Ben's Chili Bowl
Georgetown Cupcakes
Sprinkles
Oki Ramen
Todai Japanese
Lots of Hot Cheetos
Where we parked:
Traffic and parking is apparently a nightmare in the D.C. area, but we got extremely lucky every day. Aside from the zoo, we found free parking at all of our other destinations. We received a parking list from a sweet family friend. Contact me before your next D.C. trip, and I will share it with you.
More pictures:
Selfies for days. Until our next adventure! Pass the Hot Cheetos.
Xoxo,
C
*Photos contributed by Aaron, Yung, and myself.
Two Sisters Thai
Haveabite
Shake Shack
Silver Diner
China Boy
Jackey Cafe
Chinatown Coffee
Joy Luck Bakery
Dessert Story
BonChon
Yechon
Duck Donuts
HMart
Pi Pizzeria
Grand Trunk
Red Velvet Cupcake
De Clieu Coffee
Ben's Chili Bowl
Georgetown Cupcakes
Sprinkles
Oki Ramen
Todai Japanese
Lots of Hot Cheetos
Where we parked:
Traffic and parking is apparently a nightmare in the D.C. area, but we got extremely lucky every day. Aside from the zoo, we found free parking at all of our other destinations. We received a parking list from a sweet family friend. Contact me before your next D.C. trip, and I will share it with you.
More pictures:
At the WW2 Memorial
In China Town, most American places had Chinese characters written next to the English sign. We saw places like Corner Bakery, Panera, and Starbucks.
Can you spot Bao Bao?
Jefferson Memorial
Xoxo,
C
*Photos contributed by Aaron, Yung, and myself.
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