https://www.eldred-colman.com/explore-washington daily 0.75 2018-09-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ad1ff72c258b4351848de7b/1531585686593-GA91D3TTCAW2YM65HLAS/2.jpg Explore Washington - The Gibson Speakeasy Here's where it all began! Jaime and Matt's first date was at the Gibson on March 15, 2016. They sat at a table on the front wall, farthest to the right. The Gibson is a speakeasy bar (the entrance is just a door on the street) specializing in pre-prohibition era cocktails. You really can't go wrong on this menu. Tell the waiter what kind of liquor you like and they will help you find your poison. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ad1ff72c258b4351848de7b/1534035074919-ULXC2EZPNWRZB6WPP4ST/opencitydc.jpg Explore Washington - Open City Cafe Just a short walk from the National Zoo, Open City Cafe is an incredible place for breakfast and a great place for any other meal. Jaime and Matt frequently grab breakfast here before heading up Mount St. Alban to the Cathedral on Sunday mornings. The coffee here is great and always comes with one or two of their signature animal crackers. It can get busy and unfortunately doesn't take reservations, so come early! The Washington Rumormill has said that this is fairly frequently visited by President Trump's daughter Ivanka -- so you know that's a thing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ad1ff72c258b4351848de7b/1531586052483-P29Q34KW9KGNN4WSXQNP/6434595265_e332335a85.jpg Explore Washington - Big Bear Cafe Just a few blocks from Jaime and Matthew's apartment, Big Bear Cafe has its fair share of the money from their wallet. Excellent food, delicious, strong Ceremony Coffee (roasted in Annapolis, Maryland) and a quiet, serene patio with song birds. We're here too often and we highly recommend it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ad1ff72c258b4351848de7b/1531586270411-LLTNNRG1ZUEF6AK659EV/The-Building-Capitol-In-US-iphone-8-wallpaper-ilikewallpaper_com.jpg Explore Washington - The Capitol and Library of Congress According to Matthew, the center of American Democracy, the United States Capitol, is a must see for any first-time visitor to Washington. Don't miss the grandeur of the Capitol Rotunda, but also make sure you step across the street to the, often looked over, Library of Congress. Built on Thomas Jefferson's own collection sold to the Library after the War of 1812, the Library of Congress is often described as the largest library in the world. Don't miss the special exhibit which displays Thomas Jefferson's original, personal library on the second floor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ad1ff72c258b4351848de7b/1531587471307-J4Z0GMH4INR86PLRBTFG/IMG_1299.jpg Explore Washington - Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams Jaime suggested to Matt that they make Jeni's Ice Creams a new addition to their regular haunts, but he was hesitant since he really loved the ice cream shop in Union Market. But he soon realized that, for someone with a dairy allergy, Jaime has pretty damn good taste in ice cream. Jeni's is originally from Ohio and only recently opened its store front in Washington. The flavors are unique, but so good -- including dairy free options for Jaime! If you are in the 14th and U Street neighborhood we highly recommend you pop in. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ad1ff72c258b4351848de7b/1534035045623-YG94379UY07BACOQQH0J/GWMP_THIS_20101118_AD_15.jpg Explore Washington - Teddy Roosevelt Island As an avid member of the DC Audubon Society, Jaime regularly frequents Teddy Roosevelt Island to bird. She even dragged Matt to one of the excursions where he saw his first pileated woodpecker. Most recently, Jaime has been taking their puppy, Gibson, on hikes there. The island is part of the DC network of National Park Service parks and is accessible from the George Washington Parkway by car. With miles of trails, beautiful scenery, and a memorial to one of our most extraordinary President it is great for a weekend morning walk and makes you feel like you've been transported out of the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ad1ff72c258b4351848de7b/1531585763731-WW32H117G9SBB9Q3AM8O/other-smithsonian-museum-washington-dc-mall-clouds-capital-picture.jpg Explore Washington - The Smithsonian & National Mall Welcome to America's front yard -- where America celebrates, protests, and Matthew should be running to train for a marathon. Matthew often forces Jaime to explore the National Air and Space Museum while Jaime returns the favor with the National Natural History Museum. Seriously though, you can't go wrong here. So much to do and see! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ad1ff72c258b4351848de7b/1534034928850-27EUAJ32WSNY9FV4ZTAW/752c68ef473a4b5808a395960d81dadf.jpg Explore Washington - Capitol Hill Books Jaime and Matt are enamored with books and frequently find themselves visiting this little shop across from Eastern Market on Capitol Hill. The little used bookstore is crammed full of gently used tomes, divided up by genre and subject, with small passageways between shelves. There are even books in the bathroom! The former owner, Jim Toole, still often tends the cash register excoriating customers when they use specific words like "totally," "whatever," or "perfect." Even Matt was the subject of his ire when he used one of the words at the end of his transaction. The store is a Capitol Hill institution and if you are need of a little light reading for the flight or drive back home there isn't a better place to go. Even if you don't buy anything the store is an experience unlike anything you've seen elsewhere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ad1ff72c258b4351848de7b/1531586553561-ID7R60VSZBBOTNQGEULB/Union-Market-DC-5296.jpg Explore Washington - Union Market Also just a few blocks from Jaime and Matthew's apartment, Union Market has fed us many a meal and ice cream cone over the past two and a half years. The market hosts a number of rotating, delicious food vendors and other sundries. Jaime usually goes to the ramen stand while Matthew gets the pasta. The market can be busy on weekends, but is worth the chaos. Don't miss the public art by Yoko Ono on the side of the Market and the new store fronts going in nearby. This is an easy and fun way to spend a few hours around lunch time or dinner -- plus there is free parking! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ad1ff72c258b4351848de7b/1531586852626-DK6FCB84M1XWY0B7T08D/bullfrog-bagels-dc.jpg Explore Washington - Bullfrog Bagels Jaime and Matthew are big fans of Bullfrog Bagels with locations on H Street and near Eastern Market. Made fresh daily, these New York Style Bagels are delicious and come with just about any toppings you can imagine. Jaime likes the sausage and egg and Matthew usually gets pastrami. Don't be fooled, the Bullfrog Bagel location on H Street shares its space with an Irish Pub. The decor is a mix of menorahs and leprechauns and that's just the clash of cultures you come to expect in this crazy, diverse city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ad1ff72c258b4351848de7b/1534035888422-0OM2QNB2WGP1GQCXX99R/c3dc899dbe5d2050e086763492b12c95.jpg Explore Washington https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ad1ff72c258b4351848de7b/1534115175682-L51GJA7M2AXSAX3G461X/CathderalGround.jpg Explore Washington https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ad1ff72c258b4351848de7b/1534035902012-GNHP23NL388OV7P61DPX/download.jpg Explore Washington https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ad1ff72c258b4351848de7b/1534035862145-JB8D6Q3CDIG9333TEJFK/maxresdefault.jpg Explore Washington https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ad1ff72c258b4351848de7b/1534035920171-SDUOBGLDQ2BA5P1AUZV3/5989176437_94449c2748_b.jpg Explore Washington https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ad1ff72c258b4351848de7b/1530734707252-Z5VGGLFRI12VYBVRN7EN/107863892.jpg Explore Washington https://www.eldred-colman.com/matthew daily 0.75 2020-08-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ad1ff72c258b4351848de7b/1598467487098-J3ZQD804P4N6DPU3LTHV/IMG_6466.jpg Matthew https://www.eldred-colman.com/jaime daily 0.75 2020-08-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ad1ff72c258b4351848de7b/1598469430039-R0LEZDFCEP100E5MJ49C/DSC_0252.jpg Jaime https://www.eldred-colman.com/gibson daily 0.75 2020-08-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ad1ff72c258b4351848de7b/1598467666805-7UJPEVZ26HXO43BY6RT8/IMG_6753.jpg Gibson https://www.eldred-colman.com/home-1 daily 1.0 2023-11-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ad1ff72c258b4351848de7b/1699994385617-5JM3T4OX9VA4ZTI5V8T0/IMG_8585.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ad1ff72c258b4351848de7b/1699994391654-USUIH7BC4J5559L4DPDK/IMG_2136.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ad1ff72c258b4351848de7b/1699994394236-MK6G5ENUH1078ZAM09EC/DSC_4277.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ad1ff72c258b4351848de7b/1699994398564-R8F0TYG0722LLVY6LAS7/EMP_MEldred_10082023-27.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ad1ff72c258b4351848de7b/1699994402547-KDLBSC3LK78CA9ACKBC4/EMP_MEldred_10082023-50.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ad1ff72c258b4351848de7b/1699994488631-AXWT6FHP9JKI2N8FY2K7/JaimeMatthewWedding_Highlights-59.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ad1ff72c258b4351848de7b/1699994869874-14PZZXEW8NKE3UPGLUXW/IMG_0652.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ad1ff72c258b4351848de7b/1699995032475-KVZ1RPKVGAA7FIY21L55/IMG_1040.jpg Home https://www.eldred-colman.com/evelyn-wren daily 0.75 2023-11-14