Lafayette Park
Even as the leaves begin to turn, it’s not too late to still enjoy the outdoors. Lafayette Park, located on H Street between 15th and 17th streets, offers the perfect location to enjoy some fresh air and a view without having to travel very far from the office.
The park is the ideal location for a private phone call you didn’t want to have in the office, meeting friends for a picnic lunch (there are many quick dining options nearby), or just to remember why you decided D.C. was the city for you.
From a bench in Lafayette Park, you have an excellent view of The White House, the Washington Monument and the historic neighborhood. Although much of this can be viewed from a local office building, a free break from the daily grind and some fresh air is always a plus.
Sweetgreen – Sweetflow Mobile
1512 Connecticut Ave. NW – (202) 38-SWEET
As children we always found it exciting to try to chase the ice cream truck all around the neighborhood, but were left disappointed if we were too slow, or if it never stopped nearby. Now, technology helps us out.
Sweetgreen, a local salad and frozen yogurt fast-food restaurant, utilizes Twitter to inform followers where their frozen yogurt truck, The Sweetflow Mobile, will be during lunchtime daily, updating with cross streets after they find a location.
The truck makes stops all over the Dupont and Golden Triangle area, making it a great but brief work distraction as you can run right out of the building and quickly return to your previous activities, just like when you were a kid.
Sweetgreen’s actual restaurant in Dupont Circle is also a great place to stop for a quick healthy lunch if time permits, or just to grab one on the go.
The Sweetflow Twitter account is www.twitter.com/sweetflowmobile and other information regarding Sweetgreen can be found at www.sweetgreen.com
Books-A-Million
11 Dupont Circle NW- (202) 319-1374
If you have more than a few minutes to spare Books-A-Million is a good distraction from a busy day, or a good place to pick up a quick read for the Metro ride home.
The third largest bookstore chain in the country, Books-A-Million offers many of the same things as a Barnes & Noble or Borders on a slightly smaller scale.
Well aware of its audience, the bookstore stocks the front of the store with quick reads and quirky gifts to aid the busy businessman or woman making a fast stop in.
If you happen to have more time away from the office, Books-A-Million is also a good stop for lunch at its in-store café, Joe Muggs. Offering free Wi-Fi, you can even bring your work with you if need be.
Firehook Bakery
912 17th St. NW – (202) 429-BAKE
Finding a good bakery in a big city is sometimes hard to find, yet with Firehook Bakery it’s made quite easy with seven locations all throughout the city. No matter where you work, you are never too far from quality baked goods.
Firehook makes for a great distraction for those with a few minutes to spare at any point during the day, as they constantly have fresh products and offer a warm place to stop in when the chill becomes too much to bear.
Firehook offers a wide variety of dessert selections varying from the traditional Linzer Tart to the Presidential Sweet, an oatmeal cookie with chocolate chips, dried cherries, pecans and coconut.
Not only a place for cakes and cookies, this bakery also has homemade sandwiches, salads, and soups as well as some breakfast foods. Additionally, there is always a supply of various breads available.
They also offer a large beverage selection including various teas, coffees, chai, and hot chocolate; all perfect for the cold walk to and from work.
Hours vary upon location and can be found at www.firehook.com.