The title pretty much says it all. My married daughter with dog lives in DC. She is a true minimalist. She does love to travel and experience things. She likes the arts and like her mother, she likes good food. Any DC people with ideas?
Maybe a couple of restaurantgcs? Earthtreks climbing? Comedy class? Date night painting class or cooking class? Tickets to the Spy museum or some other place? Kennedy Center, Warner Theater GC or tickets?
Is there a city nearby you know she would like to explore? Buy her a mini-trip: AirBNB gift card, day admission to a museum in the city and gift card to a couple of local eateries in the city.
Not from the area, but my husband lived and worked down there for a couple of years until this past summer, so here goes:
Tickets to something at Kennedy Center? Other performance venues? I almost said museum passes but have the impression that many are free.
As it’s a really great dog-friendly area, maybe gift certificate to a shop or pet service (groomer, etc.).
There are some wonderful vineyards in VA. Easy drive from DC and lots of nice B&Bs.
If she likes adventuresome stuff, there is iFly indoor sky diving.
If she likes shows/performances, and has a good sense of humor, I highly recommend tickets to The Capitol Steps.
http://www.capsteps.com/about/
Dh and I have seen them a few times over the years and laughed so hard my stomach hurt. We given tix to my parents and friends as gifts and all have raved about the show. They are bipartisan in their jokes and always updating skits to reflect current events.
Kings Dominion which is close to Richmond (95 south is having it’s winterwonderland tickets I believe for $25) That would be a nice weekend adventure to go to.https://www.kingsdominion.com/tickets-passes/winterfest
We attended the “Winter Walk of LIghts” in Vienna, VA last week and that was really nice. The turn a botanical garden into a beautifully lit holiday walk around the park. Maybe you could book a new year’s weekend for her at National harbor. They have so many holiday events taking place there.
For my urban dwelling relatives, I like to research the best rated, newish restaurants in town and get them gift certificates. Some restaurants will also offer bonuses on gift cards during the holidays.
Has she been to Philly? Easy access from DC, offering both great arts and dining. Could be an excellent weekend excursion. It made National Geographic’s recently released Bets Trips 2020 list - one of only 2 places in the USA to be listed (the other being the Grand Canyon).
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/features/best-trips-2020/
A friend in DC was always finding fun classes - sushi making, silver-smithing, etc. Cooking classes are always fun.
I also love a subscription to the symphony or a theater.
I live in DC area and all of the responses so far are great.
The only thing I would add is tickets to Wolf Trap National Park for Performing arts.
Look up Christmasonthepotomac. There are many holiday events there at Gaylord National Harbor. You can find discount tickets to an event there called “ICE” an holiday exhibit made with 2 million pounds of ice. I believe there is a cyber sale going on if you go to their website. Nice way to celebrate the joy of the holidays.
Since she likes good food, I would get her a gift certificate to a really nice restaurant. Two years ago I went to a wonderful Indian restaurant in DC—Rasika. I was with a group that was being hosted by locals. A woman in our group was worried because she didn’t like Indian food. She ended up loving her meal. I love Indian food and loved the food there.
Tickets to performances at Strathmore. It’s a lot cheaper than the Kennedy Center and it’s attached to a Metro station. https://www.strathmore.org/
@Bromfield2 seconding Rasika - terrific food with a “fine dining” atmosphere and service!
A highly useful gift for a Washingtonian is a subway pass.
Expensive but a WaterRower is pure minimalist. Wood frame and water friction.
The day after Thanksgiving, I bought a walking food tour for our whole party (eight people), including my son who has lived in his city for more than two years. He loved it, learning about new places he’d never been as well as history of the area. They have similar things in the DC area.
Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) membership for the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
Gift tickets to museums such as the Phillips Collection. Tickets or gift card for the Folgers Shakespeare Library. And the usual ones, Kennedy Center, Warner Theater, National Theater. Arena Stage. Seems to be a zillion vineyards in Virginia…https://virginiawinepass.com/
Verizon Center…is it still called that?..concert or gift card.
As someone said, Metrorail passes.
White House Christmas ornament.
also 240 dollars gets you an unlimited pass to all the movies at any time, any day at Regal for the year.
The other chains have these programs too. That’s a lot of bang for the buck if she likes cinema.
Wow! I think I have some great ideas now. I think I have some great ideas for the next few years! You guys are great. I’m thinking of tickets to The Capitol Steps, GC to Rasika and maybe theater tickets in the future for son in law’s birthday. I am blown away by all of this (and jealous that she lives in such a culturally rich area). Thank you, thank you!!