Exploring Eastern Market
A colorful photo spot just outside my favorite DC bookshop - East City Bookshop
When I briefly moved to Washington D.C. for work in 2021, I had the opportunity to explore the area like I never had before. Don’t get me wrong, I had done many of the tourist things in the past while I was living on the East Coast and still in the Navy. But I had never really gotten to see the other experiences that the city had to offer
One place I returned to often while I was living nearby, was the Eastern Market. It is colorful, ever-changing and a good place to get some fresh air after a week of late nights spent writing up briefs and early mornings draining coffee while rushing to meeting after meeting.
When my lovely friend came to visit me one weekend, I was delighted to be able to share it with her. We made the walk to the metro and we were off on the short trip to Eastern Market.
The sun was shining on a beautifully bustling marketplace, and we perused paintings and knitting and ceramics and all other kinds of bits and bobs. My first purchase was of the practical kind - sunny does not mean warm in DC and I was compelled to buy a scarf to stave off the chill in the air.
Truly, I would much rather have bought myself some beautiful gold earrings of Alexander the Great but practicality won the day (I did however go back just before Christmas and by them for myself in the end!).
There is far more to Eastern Market than just shopping trinkets though. There are inevitably many many dogs to pet and squeal in delight at. And then there is the produce and food sections - it makes my heart happy to see fresh, beautiful veggies in the midst of the city.
After making our way through the market for most of the morning, it was time for two of may very favorite things - coffee and books.
Capitol Hill Books is a used book store with three winding levels of every imaginable typee of book. If your idea of a perfect Saturday is getting lost in the towering stacks of aged books - this is the right place for you (and for me)!
After a lovely cold and meandering morning, a cozy cafe is always welcome in my book. Le Pain Quotidien is only one of many wonderful options along Eastern Market for filling bellies and warming limbs - but it is one of my go-tos for its’ cozy interior and simple foods.
Thanks for coming along with me on a little tour of Eastern Market in Washington DC, if you happen upon a time to visit yourself - leave me a comment below! I love to hear all of your thoughts and discoveries.
-The Winter Traveler
