DC has that lovin’ feeling

As winter descends upon us once again and another congressional session prepares to draw to a close, fight the urge to stay inside! Whether you’re a long-time resident or new to the city, grab that special someone, bundle up and hit the D.C. streets and its environs for some holiday romance. 

For couples that are keen on history, or for anyone trying to woo a wonk, Mount Vernon (3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Alexandria, Va.) invites visitors to retrace the holiday footsteps of George and Martha Washington. Each winter the historic home, which at Christmas is filled with dancing, live music and festive decorations, hosts a handful of candlelight tours. 

With these festivities, the home’s nostalgic surroundings create an atmosphere of comfort. In fact, the motor club and leisure travel organization AAA recently wrote that Mount Vernon is one of the “12 places to catch the holiday spirit.” 

Take advantage of this holiday event, which runs to Dec. 16, and make sure to bring a date. Romance is sure to fill the air as you walk through the historic home bathed in candlelight. 

If you are in the market to dazzle a new date or to keep an old flame alight, then venture out to one of D.C.’s many Christmas lighting ceremonies for an evening that’s sure to sparkle. 

One light festival that will liven up any relationship is ZooLights. This year, the National Zoo presents a display of 500,000 sparkling lights featuring sculptures of many of the zoo’s animals. If you’re planning on attending the event (3001 Connecticut Ave. NW), Zoo representative Devin Murphy has a great tip: those who visit the Friends of the National Zoo Facebook and Twitter pages can get a coupon for a free hot chocolate. The event would be a lighthearted outing for any couple, but undoubtedly the best part about ZooLights is the price: it’s free! 

After such a fun and economical first stop, why not splurge on a sophisticated dinner? For some delicious and upscale fare, Blue Duck Tavern in the city’s West End — a previous date location of President Obama and the first lady — is one of the many fine-dining experiences Washington has to offer. 

There you’ll enjoy a cozy and romantic meal in front of a wood-burning oven in which executive chef Sebastien Archambault and chef de cuisine John Melfi create their delicious concoctions, like roasted Muscovy duck breast with crispy leg confit and pumpkin relish. 

The Blue Duck Tavern (1201 24th St. NW) is incredibly popular, especially during the holiday season, so don’t wait to make a reservation. Pubic relations manager Renee Sharrow attributes the restaurant’s popularity, in part, to its welcoming surroundings 

“We like to say celebrate and gather in good taste, our food is meant for sharing,” said Sharrow.  

Another holiday favorite is ice skating at the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden, with the National Archives building as a backdrop.

Because of its playfulness, ice skating can be a great date activity — depending on how good you are, you can show off a little and reveal your graceful side, or perhaps just hold on to your date for dear life. The worst you can do is fall and laugh. So enjoy the wintry setting as you whiz around the rink. The activity costs a mere $8 for a two-hour session.

Having worked up a healthy appetite, head over to D.C.’s 7th Street NW for a slew of restaurant choices. If you’re in the market for a real holiday treat, however, make the trek over to Estadio (1520 14th St. NW), where you can warm up with a quatrofiasco, a drink with espresso, milk, almond and orange brandy. It’s a perfect tonic to fight off that wintry chill. 

If ice skating is a little too energetic for you, and you are looking for an excuse to hold a special someone extra tight, then take a chilly stroll through the winter wonderland that is the National Mall in December.

Visit the Lincoln Memorial and the newly refurbished reflecting pool, or the Jefferson Memorial across the tidal basin. Washington is magical by night — and more so on a crisp, clear winter’s eve. And don’t forget to stop by the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse.

 Whether you’re with a lifelong partner or a budding winter love, D.C.’s holiday stops are perfect places to make new memories and holiday traditions.