Let's Go On an Adventure... Washington D.C

I don't even know how many times I've been to Washington D.C, but the city never fails to inspire me. Knowing that the world's decisions are being made in the city that I'm in excites me! I love politics. I don't see how one wouldn't be interested in politics. Politics relates to everyone. While I'm not here to discuss my political views, I love the energy in D.C! I also love how there is so much to learn in D.C, all the memorials are beautiful, and being able to visit them, you're able to learn all about the history. And the museums. Oh, the museums. If I loved in D.C, every weekend, I'd visit a different museum and spend the entire day there. There is so much to learn in museums, and it's hard to truly learn everything when you're visiting D.C, and trying to cram as much as you can in the time you're there. I love how you can walk, and take the Metro everywhere in D.C, it's the best way to stay in shape... walking from place to place.

Georgetown has stole my heart. The last time I visited D.C, I stayed in a hotel close to Georgetown. Georgetown was only a 10 minute walk away. The boutiques and restaurants in Georgetown are so cute. I could stay in D.C forever.

If you're planning on traveling to D.C soon, this is what I recommend:

Newseum: It's my favorite museum in the world. I love journalism and the news. There's so much to learn about the news, and it's so interesting- regardless if you're a news junkie or not. Here, you can see a part of the Berlin Wall, view 9/11 from the news side, and see every newspaper cover from the day you visit.You can even take part in a newscast! The top floor has a balcony, providing a gorgeous, panoramic view of D.C.

Current exhibit in the Newseum about JFK
Image taken by me

Panorama taken on the top of the Newseum balcony
Image via one of my Instagram accounts, check it out here!

Smithsonians: While a museum that everyone knows about, the Smithsonians have their famous repuation for a reason. There's so much to learn at the Smithsonians, and they're all a walking distance away from each other. Don't forget to go to the National Zoo, you can see the pandas there!

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: There is so much information in this museum about the Holocaust, people start at the top floor of the museum, and work their way down. Each floor is a different time period of the Holocaust. There are sometimes Holocaust survivors you can meet on the bottom floor. When I went to D.C with my eighth grade class, we got to meet a Holocaust survivor. She had written a book about her experience, and we learned so much while talking to her. The museum is very powerful, and is one you'll never forget. (You aren't allowed to take photos in this museum.)

Memorials & Monuments: The memorials and monuments are so beautiful. You can learn a lot about the people and wars that the memorials and monuments are about. It's nice to have a place to pay your respects to all those who served in the wars.

Lincoln Memorial
Image via one of my Instagram accounts, check it out here!

Sweetgreen: If you don't have a Sweetgreen in your area, try it out in D.C! It's a chic fast and healthy food place. Sweetgreen sells salads, wraps, soups, and some Sweetgreen locations offer Sweetflow, their frozen yogurt. I got the earth bowl (warm grains + organic arugula with roasted chicken, white cheddar, grape tomatoes, raw corn and spicy broccoli; topped with a pesto vinaigrette) at Sweetgreen, and it was delicious! The people working were friendly and happy to help. It came with a slice of bread, and I couldn't finish it all in one sitting! It's a lot of food. It's delicious, healthy, and a great alternative to fast food. That March bowl (organic mesclun + shredded kale with roasted sweet potatoes, caramelized onions, local blue cheese, bacon and candied pecans; topped with our housemade balsamic vinaigrette) looks like it was made for me, so I really wish I was in D.C currently for that March bowl.

Earth bowl
Image via one of my Instagram accounts, check it out here!

Meiwah: Best Kung Pao chicken I've ever had. This Chinese restaurant was really close to our hotel, so we decided to try some food from ther. The Kung Pao chicken was so good, that we got it again the next night. Many famous people have ate at Meiwah; in fact, it's one of Bill Clinton's favorite restaurants! (Didn't take a photo of the food or restaurant, and we ordered take out... whoops!)

I love D.C! I would love to have a future living there! Those Georgetown apartments are so charming. The excitement in the D.C air is enough to make me want to move there. Any other places you love in D.C? Where did I miss? I'll make sure to add them to my "must visit" list for the next time I'm in D.C, which will hopefully be very soon! ;)

Let's Go On an Adventure... Houston, Texas

Over spring break, I got a chance to go to Houston, Texas. I have a lot of family there, and I love it so much. The food, the atmosphere, the people- just everything is great. Here are some of my favorite parts of the Houston area.

Top Golf: If you like golf, you've got to check this place out! Playing golf off the balcony with a panoramic view of Houston? It doesn't get better than that. I recommend asking for a booth on the top floor, and eating the french fries. So good!

Top Golf fun!
Photo via my Instagram

The Galleria: The ultimate mall. There's everything from Gucci to Tory to Henri Bendel to an ice skating rink. Yes you heard me right. Ice. Skating. Rink. What else do you need? A shopaholic's paradise!

Galleria during the winter... stunning!
Image via Hotel Granduca Houston's blog

Shipley Do-Nuts: Shipley Do-Nuts' headquarters is located in Houston. If you don't have a Shipley in your area, (they're located in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi & Alabama) you should definitely try it out when you get the chance! I am not a huge fan of donuts, but I'm a huge fan of Shipley Do-Nuts!

YUM.
Image via Shipley Do-Nuts' website

Kolache Factory: I don't know where Kolaches are, but they're not in my area. There are a ton of Kolache Factories in Houston. So so good! Kolache is a pastry filled with a food item, such as cheese, bacon or fruit. So tasty, and such a good breakfast item!

Kolaches are sooo good. Sooo good.
Image via Houston Press' blog

Blue Bell Factory Tour: Love Blue Bell? So do I! Disclaimer: I personally haven't been on this tour, but my cousin went when she was younger, and said it was a lot of fun. They give a free sample of ice cream during the tour... so yay for ice cream! Blue Bell is such good ice cream, always fresh and always good. Blue Bell headquarters are near Houston, so yay!

Still a half gallon of ice cream!
Image via Blue Bell's website

Taste of Texas: Such good food. Mainly steak... it is a "Taste of Texas," after all. ;) You should get a reservation, if you can, because the wait is crazy long! There is amazing steak, an amazing salad bar, and amazing concessions while you wait for your table. (free popcorn, sodas and chips & salsa... yes please!)

Pappasitos' Cantina: Best. Tex Mex. Ever. The food is insanely good, Mexican food is the best. If possible, go on Wednesday because that's half price fajita day! The fajitas are amazing! So so so good. My favorite restaurant in Texas. For sure.

Houston Zoo: I visited this zoo when I was younger, I haven't been back in a while... but who doesn't love the zoo? Monkeys, elephants and ostriches- oh my!

You can feed the giraffes from 11am-2pm; it's only $5 for giraffe food!
Image via Houston Zoo website

The Children's Museum of Houston: I visited this museum when I was younger, and it was my paradise. We've came back recently, and it still is my paradise! They renovated the museum and made it even cooler... if that's possible! You can even get a Kid Card which is an ATM card that you can even play with electronically! And that's just one part of the museum... there's a great outdoor area with water play, if the weather is nice! The museum is seriously the coolest thing, if you have kids or younger siblings, or just wanna go check it out- there's nothing better to do!

The kids can climb on this.
And yes, I did too. Two years ago.
Too fun to resist!
Image via Children's Museum of Houston website

So much fun!
Image via Children's Museum of Houston website

Have you ever been to the Houston area? Or in Texas? I went to San Antonio once when I was younger on a weekend trip with some cousins, an aunt and an uncle. I mainly remember visiting the caverns, it was a while ago! I love Houston! Definitely check out Texas if you ever get the chance. :)