On March 30th, I went on a 2.5-hour scenic road trip from Philadelphia to Washington DC to experience their highly anticipated cherry blossom festival, which is also said to be “one of the world’s greatest celebrations of spring”.
The Road Trip:
Leaving Philadelphia at 7:30 am, I relied heavily on Apple Maps to guide me to my first destination in Washington DC, which was a parking spot, so I didn’t have to worry about navigating through that DC traffic or being unsure about how to move about tourist areas with my car. Preparing in advance, I prepaid for a parking spot through Spot Hero, an app that lets you find and reserve parking in 300+ major cities in the US and Canada. The rates are also pretty good, too, compared to what you would pay at a parking garage. Using Spot Hero also ensured a hassle-free start to my day, because it was one less thing I had to worry about on my solo trip.
Once I parked my car, I took a short ten-minute walk to Uncaged Mimosas, a hidden gem for brunch enthusiasts located at 300 Florida Avenue NW. From where I parked, the walk was very walkable, because it was all flat with no obstructions to make the walk there a challenge.
Brunch at Uncaged Mimosas:
I arrived at Uncaged Mimosas for my 11 AM reservation and I was warmly welcomed by the hostess. I was initially seated across from the bar, but after struggling to get comfortable in my seat, India, the bartender, found a spot for me to sit at the bar. And before I move on, let me explain why I had such a hard time getting comfortable. For starters, I have hips, therefore a short seating area with a back, just doesn’t work for me. I found myself constantly sliding to the point where I had to use the table leg, as a way to keep myself up. I must say, if anyone was watching, it would’ve been a sight to see! Luckily, the bar stools did not come with a back attached.
Now moving on, instead of giving their namesake a try, I ventured beyond the mimosa menu and indulged in a refreshing strawberry mango margarita with a sugared rim, made with Casamigos Blanco. The drink was absolutely delicious! Being the foodie that I am, I ordered their shrimp and grits, which were creamy and well-seasoned, and I also tried their grilled buffalo garlic wings, all served promptly and bursting with flavor.
Exploring the Cherry Blossom Festival and Beyond:
After brunch, I requested a ride through the Lyft app to the Tidal Basin on the Maine Avenue side, where the cherry blossoms painted a picturesque scene. The pink and white blooms mesmerized me, setting the tone for a day of inspiring sights. From there, I headed over to the Lincoln Memorial where the sky was filled with colorful kites, in all shapes and sizes. On the stage, rhythmic beats could be heard from the performers' drums, creating quite a vibrant atmosphere. The weather was ideal for both the kites and the leisure walk that I went on to take in all of the sights.
During my leisure walk, I came across the United States Botanical Garden, which was open to the public. I walked through the garden, but there really wasn’t too much to see, and I’m going to assume that was because it’s too early in the spring season. There weren’t too many blooms and the garden itself was pretty scarce.
Wishing that I planned it out a little better, it would’ve been nice to visit one of the museums - But although free, a ticket is required. So, no last-minute tickets were an option on this day! But note to self, secure a ticket or two in advance, if you should decide to visit DC again in the future.
To end my solo adventure in DC, I requested a Lyft ride back to my car, and it was at this moment that my day filled with exploration, beauty, and new discoveries had ended.
But I must say, I truly enjoyed my time in Washington, D.C. I arrived a little before a 11 AM and I was back on the road by 4 PM. From brunch to the Tidal Basin to walking the beautiful grounds, it was all an enjoyable experience, to say the least. There was definitely a crowd and that was to be expected, especially with all of the kites. It was definitely a sight to see and something I can see myself doing again in the future.
