The best sober activities to do in Washington DC instead of drinking.
Whether you ’re resetting for 2024 , necessitate a “ dry ” month , or just flirting with the idea of a “ damp January , ” we ’ve sire majuscule news : Just because you ’re not drinking , does n’t mean you have to have a quiet ( or boring ) month .
With the booze - free movement continuing to flourish and become a average for many , now , a change in drinking habit no longer mean a dull societal life . And along with a bevy of selection for non - alcohol-dependent wine-coloured and non - alcoholic drinks , the city is also teem with things to do that are great alternatives to waken up with a katzenjammer . From imaginativeness boards and perspire out toxins to explore a new brunch spots or zero - cogent evidence cocktails , here ’s everything we ’re doing in DC .
Non Alcoholic Wine and Non Alcoholic Drinks in DC
Non-Alcoholic Wine Pairings
Various LocationsOnce known to many as being overly sweet , mocktails have really upped their mundanity and profiles in recent years . So too have NA wines , and there are some memorable situation around the city calling to you to pair a mythic repast with some alcohol - free varietal wine . Irregardless , the H Street wine-coloured - sharpen restaurant pours non - alcohol-dependent Riesling ( Leitz ’s Eins Zwei Zero ) by the glass , but you would be forgiven for ordering an entire nursing bottle . The elegant and unpretentious Gallic dishes atLutècein Georgetown duad beautifully with a glass of NA sparkling rosé from Germany . And to really plash out , the opulent tasting menu at José Andrés’Minibarcan be complemented by a “ sexual morality tasting ” of NA wines .
Dry January at Binge Bar
H StreetBinge Bar , H Street ’s hip , subterranean bar exclusively serves NA beverages , so if you have n’t been , make this your month ( or season , or year ) to terminate in . The spot has project a diverse and exciting line - up of drab result this January , like a happy hournetworking eventfor women ( January 11 ) , a NAbottomless brunch(January 20 ) , and a guided meditationworkshop(January 28 ) .
Non-Alcoholic Cocktails
Multiple LocationsNA cocktail have come a long style in late age , so whether you ’re looking to recreate the taste of a perfect martini sans vodka , or perhaps something that just whets your whistle , there ’s batch to take from . Restaurants around the DMV tend to tote up more NA options in January when more mass are cutting back from liquor . We have intercourse the grape and date Jallab atYasminein Union Market , the tropical - themed Storm Brewing atMichele ’s , the matcha coladas atNama Ko , and the NA gin - based cocktail , Frostbite atWilson ’s Hardware .
Vision Board Brunch
U Street Corridor,$50Looking to manifest a fab class and connive by beak up a new creative way out ? Consider make avision boardthis wintertime . Essentially a collage of hopes , goals , dreams , and aspirations , visual modality boards have gain reasonably of a devoted chase . It ’s not just about pretty pictures , there ’s some satisfying psychological science behind this craftiness , like the self - efficacy theory , which deposit that those who believe in and envision their goals , are more probable to attain them . In honor of National Vision Board Day ( January 13 ) promontory to El Secreto de Rosita . The Peruvian and Pan - Romance eating place will be hosting a brunch focused on manifesting your big and little dreams for 2024 . Reserve a fleck for straight-out brunch dishes and guided vision board creation in a welcoming and plus atmosphere surrounded by other goal - seekers .
Coffee
Multiple LocationsWinter is definitely the good time to bring a book or a friend to a coffee shop and tuck in for some caffein and coziness . The urban center is teeming with choice and some of our favorites admit theBlue Bottlein Georgetown , Sidamoon H Street , Big Bear Caféin Bloomingdale , andEllēin Mount Pleasant .
Brunch
Various LocationsWaking up for an early ( or earlyish ) brunch is decidedly gentle when you have n’t been sip cocktails the nighttime before ( iykyk ) . Take reward of your unexampled take on mornings by treating yourself to brunch . Bistro Du Jourin the new Hotel Sonesta is a fresh take on a classic Gallic brasserie;Unconventional Dinerserves creative spins on morning favorites ; Yard Bird satisfies with mouth - lacrimation comfort food;Stabletransports you to the après - aliveness of the Swiss Alps ; andYellowwill have you dream of pastry until the foreseeable future .
Elevated Home Dinner
Your ApartmentThree of the urban center ’s top - level restaurants : Little Pearl , Rose ’s Luxury , andPineapple & Pearls , have teamed up to help you up your dinner party plot this wintertime . The in - nursing home dinner party are designed to serve between 8 and 12 node and derive with all the thing you could possibly need : the dishes and glasswork , linen , food ( duh ) , a dinner play list , and even the chef who gear up everything to perfection onsite . These dinner party will gear up you back a pretty penny ( dinners start at $ 300 per person ) , but you could save on drinks by curating your own household NA beverage menu .
Wellness Activities to Do in DC Instead of Drinking
Cold Plunge
The WharfCold plunge , long revered in Scandinavia for its health and health benefits , is make waving on this side of the Atlantic and business in DC are contract notice . This wintertime you could try the chili pepper , invigorating experience at the Pendry Hotel in the Wharf . Spa Pendry will be pop the question a three - hourguided breathwork and cold plungesession with Wim Hof certified instructors ( January 21 + January 28 ) .
Infrared Saunas and Float Therapy
GeorgetownKeep your center undress for the belated winter first step ofPure Sweat + Float Studio(expected opening : former January / other February ) . The Georgetown studio will offer infrared saunas , and float therapy ( basically a behemoth , healing Epsom salt bath ) .
Facials
Multiple LocationsNew year , new freshness . Make trusted you prioritize some quality ego - care this class . One of the most restful slipway to do so is to book yourself some clock time at a watering hole . DC has a wealthiness of pick at all cost points , from a student facial at theSalon Professional Academy(NoMa ; $ 30 for a 60 - hour facial ) , toSilver Mirror Facial Bar‘s 30 - bit signature facials ( multiple locations , $ 99 ) , to the deluxe IonixLight facial at theSpa at the Four Seasons($655 ) .
Fhitting Room
Dupont CircleThere ’s no dependable time to adopt a new fittingness modus operandi than in the new twelvemonth . Yes , it ’s easier said than done , but signalize up for a group social class can help oneself nurture your need and make working - out more fun . Fhitting Room , an NYC - based dress shop HIIT and forcefulness training studio , just opened their door on their first frontier settlement in DC and is tempt new participants with two classes for the Mary Leontyne Price of one ( $ 30 ) .
Forest Bathing
Multiple LocationsStudies showthat even just a inadequate walk in nature can reduce focus and anxiousness . If you resolve to take more strolls this year , the city is full of forest bathing chance — the Japanese concept of shinrin yoku , or engage all the senses in a therapeutic connection to nature . Try thread through the sprawlingUnited States National Arboretum , hitting one of the many trails inRock Creek Park , exploring the wintertime gardens ofDumbarton Oaks , or saunter to Great Falls along theC&O Canal .
Biking the Mount Vernon Trail
DC and VirginiaBiking the Mount Vernon Trail is a lot more pleasant without summer humidness , making winter the ideal time to cycle . you could pop out wheel in the capital and make your way to Old Town Alexandria , or channelize all the way to George Washington ’s Mount Vernon . apply your own bike , record hop on aCapital Bikeshare , or fling byrenting a bikefor the day . The ten - mile road is a scenic , paved course that duck the Potomac River . If youdobike all the room to Mount Vernon , note that the historic home is volunteer liberal admission on February 19 and 22 in honor of Presidents ’ Day .
Arts and Culture Activities to Do in DC Instead of Drinking
Museums
Various LocationsCan we correspond that DC has thebest museums ? There ’s nothing like the cold to make wandering a museum more appealing and the city ’s art gallery are really cast on a show this winter . Check out the sculpture bySimone Leighat the Hirshhorn ( through March 3 ) and the work of Black antebellum - era artistsJ. P. Ball and Robert S. Duncansonat the SAAM ( through March 24 ) .
Swingers Mini Golf
Dupont CircleTo have you over until affectionate - weather golf games , the London - based luxe mini golf game experience , Swingers , has a Dupont Circle locale consummate with a nine - kettle of fish course and classical English pub ( try tell some warm English tea ! ) . There are also gourmet pungency from vendors including Mexican street nutrient from Tu Taco , a southern take on burgers from Lil ’ Succotash , oven - terminate pizza from KNEADZA Pizza , and sweet treats from Mah - Ze - Dahr .
Ice Skating
Multiple LocationsIs there anything more nostalgic than meth skating ? Whether you make a stage to dispatch a skating rink every wintertime , or have n’t been on skates in years , there ’s something about skating that just makes you well-chosen . The DMV is home to several skating rink like theWharf Ice Rink(open through February 25 ) which seems to blow over the Potomac ; theWashington Harbour Ice Rinkin Georgetown ( open through February 25 ) ; thePentagon Row Ice Rinkin Arlington ( open through mid - March ) ; and everyone ’s favorite , theSculpture Garden Ice Rinkat the National Gallery of Art ( open through March 3 ) .
Photo courtesy of Pure Sweat + Float Studio
Bistro Du Jour|Photo credit: Rey Lopez
Facials|Photo credit: Hiraman via GettyImages
Photo courtesy of National Gallery of Art
