The first time Ben and I visited his parents in DC last Spring, they had our entire fantastic vacation planned out for us, eager to show off their favorite spots in their new city. This time, however, they had nothing on the agenda for our week-long stint out here.
Say what?
Instead of creating an itinerary themselves, my in-laws thought it’d be fun to get the whole family involved in deciding what to do this week.
Sweet!
The day we got here, they set out 6 tiny boxes (one for each of us) that each contained 5 different activities to do in-and-around DC. Activities ranged anywhere from an hour at the shooting range (…) to dining at specific restaurants, visiting the capital to see the Christmas lights, wild cards, and much more.
We all picked a box, then chose 3 out of the 5 activities inside that we for sure wanted to do. Yesterday was our first day of hand-picked activities and it started with a stop at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Ben’s Dad had been before, but still chose it from his box, as he wanted to make sure the entire family experienced it firsthand.
(All pictures are from the USHMM website.)
The US Holocaust Memorial Museum is free to the public and has over 900 artifacts, 70 videos and four theaters over three floors, covering three parts of the Holocaust:
- Nazi Assault, covering Hitler’s rise to power
- Final Solution, covering the mass murders of the Holocaust
- Last Chapter, covering the aftermath of the Holocaust
As you can imagine, each floor was even more heartbreaking than the next and, although I felt somber and sickened by the end, I’m so, so, so glad we went. I learned so many things about the Holocaust that I never knew, and feel an even greater urge to be more kind and tolerant in my everyday life.
So, GO if you ever get the chance. It’s a must-see for everyone in this world!
It was pouring rain when we left the museum – kind of fitting for the mood – but we all cheered up when we realized what was next on our agenda…
Gut bombs at Ben’s Chili Bowl!
Hand-picked by yours truly… ;)
Ben’s Chili Bowl is a DC landmark. Established in 1958, it was one of the only business that remained open and helped restore the area after it was largely destroyed in the 1968 DC riots when Martin Luther King, Jr was assassinated.
Besides being a cornerstone of the community, Ben’s Chili Bowl has played host to a ton of famous people, including Bill Cosby, Nat King Cole, and even President Obama, whose photos eating Ben’s delicious menu cover every open inch of wall space.
From the moment we walked in, we knew were in for a treat. The line snaked all the way to the back of the restaurant, and we listened to everything from hip hop to 80’s pop music bump from the speakers throughout the restaurant as we waited in line to order.
None of us had a clue what to get, but there were signs everywhere advertising Ben’s famous Chili Half-Smoke. Seeing as how we were at Ben’s Chili Bowl, we decided to go with it and ordered 6 straightaway!
15 agonizing minutes later (we were starving) we found out exactly what a Chili Half Smoke was! A hot, snap-cased sausage nestled in a steamed, almost garlic tasting bun, smothered in Ben’s famous chili.
It was insane!
Salty, smoky, soft and snappy. We could not have been more happy.
Plus, we actually didn’t feel as bad as we were anticipating after devouring chili smothered sausages. Win! ;)
Just as we walked out and hopped into the car to head home, the rain stopped, the sky started to lighten, and a rainbow even made an appearance!
We were driving through Georgetown home (my favorite DC neighborhood – seriously obsessed) when off to the right we spied it…
I was lucky enough to stop for a treat at DC-based Georgetown Cupcake the last time we were in DC, and had – honest to God – the best cupcake I’ve ever had in my life.
There was no way we were going to pass by without stopping.
I hopped out of the car, surveyed the menu, and got 1/2 a dozen for the family to take home and enjoy after we made some room in our stomachs from the chili half smokes.
I mean!!
The abundance of cupcake flavors really tempted me – salted caramel, white chocolate peppermint and eggnog, oh my! – but in the end, I had to go with the tried and true…Lava Fudge.
“Valrhona chocolate cupcake with a rich fudge core topped with a vanilla icing with a fudge star drizzle”
I know! It’s the same one I got last time, but it was TOO good to pass up!
No regrets. ;)
Back to time with the fam! Hope you’re having a great week!
~~~~~
What’s more important, the cake or the icing?
I am in LOVE with Ben’s Chili Bowl. So worth the wait, glad you experienced it!!!
I went to a Holocaust Memorial museum here in Michigan when I was in high school and it was incredibly heartbreaking, but I agree that everyone needs to visit at least once in their lifetime.
The chili dogs…OMG, yes, please! I’m ready to drag the family to DC just for one of those and of course, a cupcake :)
I was at that museum in high school 15+ years ago and still remember the smell of the shoes! All of those shoes! Have you tried Scratch Cupcakery in Cedar Falls? They don’t have a tv show, but they are much closer:) Sooo good! Next time you are in the area you must try them!
Hi! I read your blog frequently, this is my first comment though :) I haaad to post after I saw you were in DC! I go to college there and had fun reading your post! Love it when blogs I read visit towns I know! I completely agree with your other commenters– you must try Baked & Wired! It’s kind of a funky, eclectic, coffee/tea/cupcake shop. The people working there are all super friendly and the atmosphere is really fun! Also if you need dinner recommendations, I think you’d LOVE Founding Farmers in Foggy Bottom, it has lots of comfort food. Also, if you like Italian, Piccolo in g’town is really great and it’s a nice atmosphere too. Enjoy the rest of DC!!
Those cupcakes look amazing! I am a total icing girl, it’s my favorite part of the cake! I always want the edge piece, because it has more icing! So, icing is my vote :).
Sounds like a great day!
What a fun way to plan activities on a vacation. Cake all the way…. I could care less about the icing!
We went to that memorial our last trip to DC. That was almost 15 years ago and it still haunts me. Glad to you went.
Count one more vote for baked and wired, I tried both last time I was in DC. My dad and I both agreed that baked and wired was our favorite and I heart cupcakes (friends joke I have never met one I could resist).
Those cupcakes look amazing! My mouth is watering as I read this and look at your pics!!
stood in line for 2 hours at Ben’s Chili Bowl and I would do it again! awesome!
love all this history and free museums in DC.
if you’re into flowers go to the National Arboretum. it’s beautiful.
& I’ve been dying to try Georgetown Cupcake.
Oh. my. word.
Those cupcakes…
I just. Don’t know what else to say. AH-mazing! I really, really want one rightnow!
Thirding the baked and wired recommendation. I read this blog a lot (and love it- IGE is the the best!!!) but very seldom feel compelled to post- however, I knew I had to act in this situation to keep you from missing out on the true bliss that is Baked and Wired. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND getting to Baked and Wired ASAP. It is right down the street from Georgetown Cupcake, and I PROMISE, it is ABSOLUTE INSANITY. Trust a DC insider!!!
I’m not in love with Georgetown Cupcakes, but I’ve never tried the lava one – does look pretty yum! I’m going to second the Baked & Wired recommendation. Plus, they have lots of great things to try outside of cupcakes. Also, there is a Sprinkles in Georgetown now, and they make the best red velvet imo. Enjoy your time in DC! If you like all natural bath & body stuff I suggest checking out the LUSH store in Georgetown. They are a little pricey, but so worth it!
i’m going to have to go with the cake! the icing is important, but if you don’t have a good base, you got nothin’.
those chili dogs are ridiculous! my husband would die.
Awesome! I can see why you’re mildly obsessed with that neighborhood. It’s gorgeous!
The icing AND cake are equally important, but I like about a 1:1 ratio to keep things even : )
I heart DC! I went to the Holocaust museum back when I was in like high school and even then I can remember being moved…
DC cupcakes are high up on my list!
I am all about the cake. If you have a delicious cake the icing/frosting is just a bonus ;)
Ahh, speaking of cupcakes and D.C., you’ve GOT to visit Sticky Fingers Bakery while you’re there! They won Food Network’s Cupcake Wars (or something like that…).
Baked and Wired are even better than GC! And they’re just down the street :D
Also, Lavender Moon Cupcakery in Old Town Alexandria has my favorite cupcake ever:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lavender-moon-cupcakery-alexandria
Georgetown Cupcake is one of THE greatest cupcakeries I’ve ever been to.
I’ve always wanted to go to the Holocaust Museum, despite how heartbreaking it is. It has such a history that is a good lesson for all.