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CARLY MERCER
URBAN FARMER
Carly Mercer works for Love
& Carrots, helping businesses
and individuals turn urban
spaces into gardens.
A Different Beat
“Meridian
Hill Park has an incredible
terraced design with beautiful
stonework and fountains,
and the energy is buzzing.
It’s a great way to see how
people in D.C. utilize the urban
green spaces. Every Sunday
afternoon, a drum circle forms.
Even if you don’t join in, you
can’t help but feel part of it.”
Way to Grow
“Hands
down, the [United States]
National Arboretum is the best
public garden. It’s huge, but
awesomely maintained. It’s
a great place to take a walk
or a bike ride and explore.
My favorite is the bonsai tree
exhibit [at the arboretum’s
National Bonsai & Penjing
Museum].”
Way to Go
“I am a huge fan of
biking — you get to zip by all
the horrendous car traffic. And
D.C. has a great and easy-
to-use bike-share program
[Capital Bikeshare]
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. There
are also a lot of excellent bike
lanes that connect the city.”
To Market
“Farmers markets
happen year-round, but the
produce in the summer is really
fantastic. My favorites are the
ones at Eastern Market
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[on Tuesdays and weekends]
and the one at Dupont Circle
[on Sundays]. It’s a great place
to wander and eat some
awesome free samples.”
JOHNNA FRENCH
LAWYER AND FOODIE
Johnna French is
founder of the food blog,
johnnaknowsgoodfood.com.
Family Favorite
“Besides
the artisanal Pop Tarts that
feature indulgences such as
bacon and sprinkles
3
, Ted’s
Bulletin on Capitol Hill has a
little something for everyone.
The noise level also allows for
screams here and there — the
kitchen is open and bustling.”
Truckeroo
“The area’s top
food trucks converge on the
The Bullpen at Half Street
Fairgrounds, across from
the Washington Nationals’
baseball stadium, once a
month on a Friday from April
through September. It’s the
best place to link up with
friends, nosh on random
treats, and feel the summer
breeze in D.C.”
Trending Ethiopian
“What
many do not know is how
influential Ethiopian food is on
the food scene here. Ethiopic
[Restaurant] is located on H
Street NE, a neighborhood
where the food scene is
blowing up. The lamb tibs,
kitfo, and vegetarian platters
are a must on my visits here.”
Day-Trip
Baltimore, Maryland
“Start the day by visiting the
National Aquarium, then lunch
at Gertrude’s, where you must
have Maryland’s staple dish:
crab cakes. Then visit Oriole
Park at Camden Yards and
stroll around Fell’s Point.”
(Approximate drive time is
1:10.)
CANDYCE STAPEN
AUTHOR
Candyce Stapen is a travel
writer, with a focus on family
vacationing.
Brand-New Museum
“The Smithsonian National
Museum of African American
History & Culture, which
debuted in September
2016, explores the lives and
culture of African-Americans
in the U.S. Reserve timed-
entry tickets well in advance
through the museum’s
website. [A limited number
of] same-day passes [are]
available.” Admission is free.
Space Odyssey
“The Rock
Creek Park Nature Center and
Planetarium is just the right size
for curious, but hesitant little
kids. During a typical show,
you rocket to the moon to view
craters and fly by Jupiter to see
the planet’s bands.”
Hop-On/Hop-Off
“Old Town
Trolley Tours have been circling
D.C.’s top attractions for
years
4
. The guides provide
‘transportainment,’ a mix of
jokes and facts. Choose one of
three routes to visit stops such
as museums, monuments,
Capitol Hill, and Arlington
National Cemetery.”
Cool off
“D.C. sizzles in
summer, so run through the
synchronized sprays with your
kids at Georgetown Waterfront
Park, an oasis that comes
with Potomac River breezes,
benches, and lawns. Nearby,
concrete steps lead to the
river, getting you close enough
to feed the ducks.”
AARON KILLIAN
TOUR GUIDE
Aaron Killian leads historical
tours of the district’s renowned
landmarks.
Walking Tour
“The National
Mall was built for self-guided
exploration, but one of the
nicest places to wander is the
Tidal Basin area, where you
can find the Martin Luther
King Jr., FDR, and Thomas
Jefferson memorials. Head to
the [Municipal] Fish Market and
order the catch of the day for
lunch from one of the stalls.”
Taste for Time Travel
“The
world-famous Florida Avenue
Grill next to Howard University
is a diner straight out of the
1940s. It’s quaint and fun.
Order pork chops for breakfast
and take in all the autographed
photos of famous African-
American celebrities who’ve
eaten there.”
Theater Scene
“Perennially
underappreciated is D.C.’s
great theater, at venues such
as the Kennedy Center,
National Theatre, Ford’s
Theatre, Arena Stage, and
Studio Theatre. The quality of
the productions is terrific.”
Day-Trip
Manassas, Virginia
“This is a three-in-one
excursion: There’s Old Town,
with lots of history and great
restaurants, the Manassas
National Battlefield Park —
endlessly fascinating for Civil
War geeks — and nearby is
The Winery at Bull Run. Bring
a picnic, buy some wine,
and spend the afternoon.”
(Approximate drive time is 1:00.)
44
INTERVAL WORLD
n
Issue 1, 2017
IntervalWorld.com
The Insiders
Ken Howard/Alamy Stock Photo; AA World Travel Library/Alamy Stock Photo; B Christopher/Alamy Stock Photo; Ted’s Bulletin
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3
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In the high-energy Ballston neighborhood of Arlington,
Virginia, Liberty Towers by BridgeStreet is within walking
distance of plenty of restaurants, nightclubs, parks, and public
transportation to Washington, D.C.’s attractions. The property
has a rooftop pool and fitness center.
Ideally located to offer an urban experience, BridgeStreet at
The View at Liberty Center is in the heart of Arlington, Virginia,
surrounded by shops, restaurants, and entertainment. The
resort boasts one- and two-bedroom units with upscale,
modern furnishings and full kitchens. A rooftop terrace presents
dazzling city views.
Just a quick Metro ride to D.C. sightseeing highlights, The
Gramercy at Metropolitan Park by BridgeStreet in Arlington,
Virginia, is tucked amid shopping, dining, and nightlife options,
as well as parks and bike trails. Accommodations offer full
kitchens, and amenities include saunas and a massage room.
Situated in downtown Washington, D.C., BridgeStreet at City
Center affords easy access to the iconic monuments, museums,
and sights of the nation’s capital via public transportation.
Restaurants, bars, and shopping abound, and on-site amenities
include a fitness room, a restaurant, and an outdoor swimming
pool.
To view all of the Washington, D.C.–area resorts in Interval’s
network,
.
Accommodations at BDG, BGI, BGP, and BGY are available for purchase through the Getaway program,
and generally will not be available for exchange.
Capital Calling
Make an exchange or buy a
Getaway at
.
.
The Getaway price is valid
July 1 through December 31, 2017.
AREA RESORTS
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