While Annapolis has cozy coffee shops and bay views galore, sometimes, during the chill and whirlwind of our winter semester, we need to get away from campus. Luckily for us, St. John’s offers free shuttles to the metro station every Saturday morning. Only 3 dollars later and we find ourselves in Washington D.C. What to do when we arrive in D.C.? Here are this Johnnies recommendations for a day out and about our nation’s great capitol.
When getting off the train I would hurry to any museums you are interested in first, both to avoid the crowded lines and to get out of the cold air. The Natural History Museum, with its 52 foot long megalodon shark model, and precious gems exhibit is my favorite museum in the area. Interactive exhibits and a liveliness that can only be created by children at 9 in the morning, it is sure to be tons of fun.
If a more mature atmosphere is more your vibe, the National Gallery of Art is only blocks away, currently displaying works by Da Vinci, Raphael, Rembrandt, and more. And the fun doesn’t stop there! During the colder months of November to March, ice skating is available in the Gallerie’s Sculpture Garden for only 12 dollars with a student ID. Fly away from any essays, seminar readings, or paper conferences with this winter wonderland activity!
Cold and hungry after a couple hours of skating? Stop by Rosa Mexicano for great service, delicious salsa, and a fun atmosphere. Pitango Gelato is a delicious ice cream joint for an after taco’s dessert fest, (don’t worry, hot chocolate is available for these colder months.)
Still have some time after eating before heading back to campus? The Botanic Gardens are an absolutely stunning conservatory, in which you can walk through different climates and their native plants. Grab a book in relax in their outdoor picturesque rose and pebble garden.
The best part about D.C.? Next time you come back there will still be plenty to do! The Lincoln Memorial, Air and Space Museum, The National Zoo (they have pandas!) and more are all waiting for you and your friends in Washington D.C. While the quaint town of Annapolis is the perfect amount of peaceful for certain moods, sometimes you need the hustle and bustle of a major city and D.C. happens to have plenty of incredible (and mostly free) activities seemingly made to reinvigorate your spirit after a week of hard work.
The Johnnie Chair 
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