Located in D.C.’s historic Penn Quarter neighborhood, this unique hotel is housed in a former 19th-century bank building known for such illustrious clients as Abraham Lincoln and Richard Nixon. Want to enjoy a night on the town without the kids? Riggs partners with White House nannies for painstakingly vetted childcare. Four-legged friends get food, water bowls and bespoke dog beds. Don’t miss weekend brunch at Café Riggs, with its French-accented menu and limitless champagne. The Silver Lyan bar serves creative cocktails, wine and beer in a converted underground bank vault.
Pandas and Figure 8S: China’s animal ambassadors, Bao Li and Qing Bao, make their public debut on Jan. 24 at the Smithsonian National Zoo, where you can see the panda pair for free. Get in some free skating at the National Building Museum’s new indoor rink. Or hit the ice at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink ($10-$12).
January Rates: $239-$889.
Travel Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.
900 F. St. NW, Washington, D.C., (202) 638-1800
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