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​Wondering where to stay with your pet when you visit Washington, DC? The Wink is wild about dogs, and we welcome all to join their owners in one of our pet-friendly rooms – at no added charge. We even welcome your pet with treats from the popular, local dog bakery, and special brews direct from Bowser Dog Beer also available. Best of all, our convenient location near Dupont Circle near Foggy Bottom makes it easy for you and your pet to enjoy your time with us in the Nation’s Capital. Here are a few places nearby that you’ll both enjoy!

Doggy Style Barkery                                              
More than just a delicious specialty doggy bakery, this fabulous place offers a full range of pet services and products. They also feature a full-service dog pet spa using only gentle, soap-free shampoos, a large dog and cat boutique, and even offer cat boarding for those traveling with their other best friend. Your dog will also get to sample their wares when they arrive at The Wink and receive their welcome to The Wink dog bone treats.
 
Washington Circle
Nearby Washington Circle offers dog-friendly space to walk your pet, and lovely flowers to greet you each Spring. Less than half a mile away from the hotel, the circle’s centerpiece is a beautiful bronze sculpture depicting George Washington riding his horse in the Battle of Princeton. The five-minute walk there and back makes this a great place to introduce your pet to the noise and joys of DC.
 
Francis Dog Park
Situated just half a mile from The Wink, this beautiful, brand new 6,000 square foot public dog park features off-leash fun with ornamental fencing, a concrete pad area designed for easy leashing and unleashing, a doggy watering station, on-hand waste bag dispensers, and accessible litter bins. You and your four-legged friend will also enjoy the beautiful ten-minute walk through the Chevy Chase area of DC on your way here and back.
 
Glen’s Garden Market
This fabulous local café and market offers a lovely patio that is dog-friendly and welcomes canine companions. They proudly feature lots of locally grown produce, freshly prepared foods, and a wide variety of craft beers. In the summer, they also have cookouts every Thursday night, and they always have a variety of sandwiches and pizzas on hand to enjoy.
 
The National Mall
If your plans include a visit to The National Mall, you’ll be pleased to know that dogs are all welcome in the nation’s most-visited park. Filled with breathtaking monuments and memorials, The Mall also offers long stretches of open space to enjoy with your pet. You may even want to bring a picnic for the two of you!
 
We invite you to bring your dog with you to our pet-friendly accommodations with unique boutique amenities at The Wink. You and your pet will be so glad you did!

​Jazz in the Garden
This is a one-of-a-kind event that can only be found here in DC. The National Gallery of Art's free Jazz in the Garden concert series runs every Friday evening from May 17th through August 23rd, 2019. Held amid the famed Sculpture Garden's iconic works of art, you can enjoy musical performances ranging from African fusion to energetic go-go, and classic New Orleans Dixieland to salsa. This beloved DC summer festival features fan favorites like Black Masala, Son del Caribe, and the Funky Digs Brass Band, along with new (to the festival) artists including Rob Curto's Forró for All, Adwela & the Uprising, The Bailsmen, and Shannon Gunn. Running from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the event is accompanied by a fabulous outdoor grill menu and the ever-popular Pavilion Café's indoor menu.

Capital Pride Celebration
Let your personality shine through as you surround yourself with celebration! Join the LGBTQ+ community on historic Pennsylvania Avenue for the Capital Pride Festival. This annual DC concert and jubilee includes a fun-filled day jam-packed with an array of music, entertainment, food, drink, education, celebration – and, of course, incredible PRIDE. Enjoy three full stages of national, international, and local artists, along with four distinct beverage gardens and over 300 unique organizations and businesses offering booths with information, services, job openings, volunteer opportunities, and much, much more. The Capital Pride Celebration ends with the Capitol Sunset Dance Party, where you can show your moves on America’s Main Street with the US Capitol itself as your backdrop. This is a free, family-friendly event open to the public.

​JazzFest
No place does Jazz quite like DC. Enjoy an impressive lineup of celebrated masters and new artists with various performances located in neighborhoods across the city starting on June 6th, and the main event, DC JazzFest at The Wharf, held June 14th -16th on four fabulous stages. A variety of free events will be presented on the District and Transit Piers, including a marketplace and Education Village, where the acclaimed Meet the Artist series will be held. There are a variety of ticket packages available for events at The Anthem and The Wharf, with VIP options including buffet and drink tickets accompanied by incredible views and even celebrity meet and greets to complement your musical entertainment experience.

​To make the most of these incredible events, stay with us at The Wink to discover Washington, DC like a local! Our JAZZ IN THE PARK PACKAGE includes sophisticated accommodations, complimentary valet parking, a comfy blanket and a picnic basket filled with special goodies including sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottles, and snacks. Our PRIDE AT THE WINK PACKAGE features deluxe accommodations, welcome cocktails, a DC Out and About Guide, late checkout, and a handy hangover cure kit. Make your reservations today for your memorable stay with us this summer!

Wondering which museums to visit during your next stay in Washington, D.C.? The Wink places you near a number of the capitol city’s best. To help you with your itinerary, here’s our take on four of our favorites – with something to interest everyone on our list. While many people think of the Smithsonian Museum museums when they think of D.C., the Smithsonian is actually a collection of eleven different galleries and museums and located on the National Mall, along with six other museums and the National Zoo situated in other locations within the National Capital Area. Here are our top picks.

Air & Space Museum
A popular favorite for all ages, this iconic museum follows the history of flight within twenty-three distinct galleries that exhibit hundreds of impressive aircraft, rockets, missiles, spacecraft, and other objects related to art of flight. The museum even has an onsite planetarium and IMAX theater for incredible flight-related experiences. And if you don’t get enough of air and space during your visit here, a short drive to Chantilly, VA, will bring you to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, which showcases additional flight-related artifacts from the museum, including a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird and the space shuttle Discovery, all in an open setting that also features lots of interactive and virtual reality experiences where you can truly discover the joy of flight for yourself.

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
​If you haven’t visited this moving memorial to the horrific Holocaust of World War II, you should. Situated adjacent to the iconic National Mall, this epic museum is dedicated to making sure that we remember those heart wrenching events – and never let such a thing happen again. The museum’s ongoing mission is to help citizens and leaders alike remember the survivors and victims, confront hatred in all its faces, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity by strengthening democracy worldwide. With a full program of events and activities, permanent and special museum exhibitions, and an incredible view into history, no one will leave this museum untouched by its message.

African American Museum
Not to be confused with the National Museum of African Art, which is another fabulous museum to see, the National Museum of African American History and Culture focuses on the rich diversity of the complete African-American experience. Exhibits include photos and film documenting everyday Black life through the years, Nat Turner’s Bible, a Southern Railway car from the time of segregation, records of the Double Victory Military Experience, Michael Jackson’s famous fedora, and extensive works by various African-American artists.

National Museum of Natural History
The museum dedicated to recording and understanding the natural world truly has something for every interest. Presenting the complete story of our planet and all the life that has inhabited it throughout the ages, the huge edifice is home to the largest collection of natural history items in the entire world. Must-see highlights include the fascinating Hall of Human Origins, the ever-popular Last American Dinosaurs, the Hope Diamond in the Mineral Sciences exhibit, a full display of Egyptian mummies, the skeletons of Bone Hall, approximately 590,000 preserved specimens of Mammals, the changing tides of life in Ocean Hall, the skeletons of Bone Hall, the beautiful Butterfly Pavilion, daily tarantula feedings at the O. Orkin Insect Zoo, and other interactive experiences. Everyone will find something jaw-dropping to see here.
 
Whichever Washington DC museums you choose to visit – whether one or more of the Smithsonian Museums, the Holocaust Museum, or one of the many others in the area – our hotel places you conveniently close by. Make your reservations for the The Wink’s distinctive accommodations today!

​Ah, spring! What a glorious time of year. Flowers start to bloom – and so do many trees. Here in Washington, DC, the cherry blossoms take center stage with the world-famous cherry trees of the tidal basin, and the staff at The Wink has a few special spring events that are among our favorite highlights.

1. Official Cherry Blossom Festival
Nothing says spring in DC like the official Cherry Blossom Festival. Spanning several weeks from March 20 through April 14, this annual commemoration of the original gift of 3,000 cherry tress from the Mayor of Tokyo in 1912 has become an important DC tradition. With incredibly diverse, creative events celebrating arts, culture, nature, and the city’s multicultural community, most events are free. The hardest part will be deciding when to attend and what to see and do from the inspiring list of celebrations!

2. ​Cherry Blossom Parade
Everyone loves a parade, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade® is one of the most popular springtime traditions in DC – and the highlight of the Cherry Blossom Festival itself. Enjoy a vantage point along Constitution Avenue between 9th and 15th St NW for free – but plan to arrive early to ensure a good view of the huge, multicolored balloons,extravagant floats, marching bands gathered from all over the US, celebrity entertainers such as Honorary Grand Marshal Anthony Anderson of ABC’s hit show “black-ish,” and performers including the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders. It’s a one-of-a-kind, not-to-be missed event! Taking place on Saturday, April 13, the parade runs from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.

3. Bloom Watch 
​While most people know about the Cherry Blossom Festival and Parade, what a lot of folks don’t realize is that not only can you come when there isn’t a planned festival event to enjoy these glorious blooms – but you may actually get better views with fewer crowds! The best places to see the beautiful cherry blossoms include behind the Capitol Building, on the grounds of the Washington Monument, at the United States National Arboretum, in Stanton Park, and along the tidal basin. Not surprisingly, the best times to visit are during the week, when there are fewer people flocking to the area. Check in on the bloom watch to find out if there will still be beautiful blooms to see outside of the official festival season – and when the peak blooming is predicted to occur this year. 

4. Anacostia River Festival
The official closing event of the Cherry Blossom Festival, the Anacostia River Festival offers a unique taste of local Washington, DC culture on Sunday, April 14th. This free celebration includes a lineup of live music and arts, while impressive activities include the chance to canoe along the River, ride in the bike parade, and play family-oriented lawn games. Explore and discover Southeast DC’s impressive offerings at this fun event for all ages!

5. Passport DC
Not going to make it to DC in time for the cherry blossoms this year? Never fear – there are still plenty of spring events here to enjoy. One of our favorites is Passport DC, where Washington DC’s many embassies and cultural organizations take part in exceptional events throughout the entire month of May, offering open houses and exclusive programs that showcase the international culture of this incredible city with a variety of exhibits, performances, and more. Running throughout the entire month of May, you’ll find everything from embassy tours and flower shows to European cultural celebrations and the National Asian Heritage Festival on Saturday, May 18.

​Enjoy spring in DC with just a little bit extra at The Wink from March 14th to April 21st!

​Cherry O-Donuts Packages ​helps you to enjoy Washington like a local, with two $8 metro passes to get you to your destination, a to-go breakfast of cherry blossom themed donuts and freshly brewed Illy Coffee, and a donation to support the Cherry Blossom Festival itself, helping to preserve and protect these iconic trees. Even if you miss the festival and plan to visit in May, our friendly and knowledgeable staff can provide you with the best insider tips for getting the most out of your time with us in DC.

​Artistic connoisseurs and cultural enthusiasts from around the globe visit Washington DC for good reason. A walk through the city’s arts and culture scene is a trip around the world and throughout history, offering up the best modern shows and art alongside longtime classics and historic masterpieces. Washington offers such an incredible range of international collections, shows and exhibitions that it may seem overwhelming. To make creating your itinerary and deciding which things to do in DC just a bit easier, we’ve compiled a list of four of our favorites for you.

1. ​Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden 
​Offering breathtaking contemporary architecture accompanied by jaw-dropping art displays, the Hirshhorn is known for showcasing alternative forms and perspectives of contemporary and modern art. The third-floor Lerner Room offers incredible views of the city’s skyline, and the spectacular Sculpture Garden is simply a must-see. From Auguste Rodin’s The Burghers of Calais to David Smith’s Cubi XII and Yoko Ono’s Wish Tree, there are plenty of works to enthrall and stir visitors of all ages. It’s even worth braving the cold to see!

2. National Gallery of Art
Offering two buildings of extensive collections, the National Gallery of Art also features the breathtaking and dynamic light sculpture experience, Multiverse by Leo Villareal. Enjoy it while taking the moving walkway from the East to the West Building. The West Building was created with a rotunda modeled on the ancient Roman Pantheon and offers works displayed by period and nation of origin within galleries decorated to reflect each country and era. The modernist East Building exhibits more contemporary art within a spellbinding setting of spare lines and soaring shapes. And don’t miss the gallery’s impressive outdoor sculpture garden, featuring a fabulous fountain in warm weather that becomes an ice rink during the winter months. It’s a work of art in itself!

3. Freer Gallery of Art & Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
For those fascinated by Asian art and opulence, these two neighboring museums offer vibrant, colorful collections to meander through, showcasing over 40,000 objects dating from the Neolithic period through modern times – complemented by an impressive selection of American artworks of the aesthetic movement, including the celebrated Peacock Room. From America to Asia, the exquisite artwork, impressive research and dynamic programs at this lesser-known cultural gem offer a world of their own. We can’t get enough of the Chinese jades and ancient bronzes displayed in the Sackler Gallery!

4. The Kennedy Center  From concerts and ballets to Broadway shows and musicals, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is a spellbinding memorial venue that pays living tribute to JFK’s passion for all things creative. Step inside the Hall of States to be greeted by flags from each of the 50 states. Take a trip to the Terrace Level Theatre Lab to see Shear Madness, a record-breaking comedy whodunit with more than 13,200 performances under its belt. Don’t worry if you aren’t able to get (or afford!) tickets in advance; the Millennium Stage here offers free performances with no ticket required virtually every day. Genres celebrated at the Kennedy Center include chamber and classical music, dance in all its forms, opera, vocal concerts, choirs, orchestras, musicians and more. There’s always something wonderful playing here!
 
If none of these incredible establishments strikes the right cultural chord for you, we can easily suggest many more unique and wonderful theater venues and museums to enjoy. And don’t forget to check out our own list of local attractions for more information on things to see and do, places to eat and drink, and shopping galore in Washington, DC.