MyLife in Metro DC: Bolt Bus or Bust

Living in the metro DC area, we are pretty spoiled when it comes to travel options.

We can jet off on bargain flights from Reagan National or Dulles Airport, avoid the endless hours of commuting traffic using the Metro or Amtrak, or just sit back, relax and let someone else do the driving on a bus.

Last week, I attended the Inman Connect conference in New York City and while I was preparing for my trip I had to decide the best way to get there.

Do I drive? Fly? Take the train? Or take a bus?

Driving would include lots of tolls, traffic, and a hotel charge of $50 dollars per night for parking – ouch!  Flying would be the quickest, but landing at JFK adds around a $60 cab ride to get into the city.  For this trip, I was working on a budget, so these two choices were definitely out.

To help make my decision, I went to Facebook – asking my friends their preferred method of travel to NYC and had an overwhelming response of suggestions.  Many said they swear by the train, but another offered an option I hadn’t heard of before.  The Bolt Bus.

I went to the Bolt Bus website and found that for about $15 dollars each direction (compared to $49-$79 for Amtrak), I could hop on a bus that in a mere 4.5 hours would provide me with a non-stop trip to NYC.  Not only was it cheap and efficient, it also had free Wi-Fi and electrical outlets on the bus.   I was sold. (be sure to book online in advance, if possible, to get best prices and time options)

The Bolt Bus departs from Union Station and arrives at varying locations in NYC, depending on which destination you chose when booking your ticket. When you arrive at Union Station, the bus port is on the Mezzanine level. You will actually exit the back of the building and wait outside in a covered garage area for the bus.

My three Bolt Bus tips–

1) Arrive at least 30 minutes early – they start boarding 15 minutes before departure and the “first come first serve line” can fill up quickly.

2) If it’s cold out, bring your jacket, it’s chilly in the outdoor waiting area.

3) Try your best to snag a seat with an electrical outlet so you don’t have to worry about your electronics running out of juice during the ride.

The trip was quick and easy.  On the way up, we made one “rest stop” to stretch our legs and get food and still arrived on time.  My bus dropped off at Port Authority making it a breeze to grab a subway train or cab and make it to my business dinner in Times Square with time to spare. I had arrived!

On the way home, the bus made no stops and we arrived back to Union Station almost 20 minutes early – an unfamiliar feeling compared to the flights I’ve taken recently where I’m consistently LATE.

Overall, the Bolt Bus experience was easy, enjoyable, and I would have no problem recommending it to my friends looking for an inexpensive way to get up to NYC – save the extra cash for an “I LOVE NY” t-shirt souvenir!

To share your DC travel tips, learn more about MyLife, view pictures, videos, post comments, and suggest adventures please “like” MyLife in Metro DC on Facebook!

- Kristin

MyLife in Metro DC: An Old Town Theater Treat

Thanksgiving week has arrived and most of us are ready to wrap up our short workweek and enjoy a long weekend filled with turkey feasts, football and family.

If the tryptophan doesn’t leave you in a lazy nap filled coma, and you’re looking for an excuse to get out of the house this weekend (besides Black Friday deals of course), I’ve discovered a hidden gem in Old Town Alexandria.

The Old Town Theater was originally built in 1914 as the Richmond Theater and was the first permanent theater constructed in Alexandria. Over the years the theater was opened and closed a number of times for renovations and various changes. The last renovations took place in December of 2002, when the second screen was added to allow an additional movie to be seen in the theater.

I recently ventured to Old Town Theater with three friends for a “girls night out.”  Located at 815 ½  King Street, the theater is nestled between shops and restaurants, which made it easy for us to catch a bite to eat at Red Rocks before the show.

We found driving to the theater to be our best option. There is street parking all long King Street as well as the surrounding blocks that is free after 7pm.  Or if you’re up for a walk, the closest Metro stop is the Alexandria King Street Stop (Blue or Yellow Line) and is about eight blocks away from the theater.

When we visited, two first run major motion pictures were playing, one of which grossed $139.5 million this weekend alone. But don’t let this blockbuster’s presence fool you, this is not your typical AMC or Regal cinema. Old Town Theater channels a much more vintage feel, similar to the Byrd Theater in Richmond or the Lyric in Blacksburg – two of my all time favorite local theaters.

The lobby is small and the last design renovations appear to have occurred sometime in the late 1980s, but don’t let this discourage you. The snack bar is equally understated but provides the usual expected snacks as well as a small panini selection. When we arrived, we were actually directed there to purchase our tickets as that was the only cash register – a far cry from the wall of kiosks at most chain theaters.

Tickets cost a mere $9, but there is a catch.  A recent theater policy change states that you must purchase at least one beverage to accompany your ticket.  A soda is $5, beer is $6-$7 dollars and wine runs $8 a glass or $28 for a bottle.  That’s right, they serve alcohol in the theater – a pleasant surprise added to a fun and relaxing girls night out and not your usual find at the movies!

You do have the ability to purchase tickets on the Old Town Theater website, however I advise against this.  There is a $5 dollar service charge PER TICKET on the website and for that added cost you might as well at least get a soda with your ticket for the same price in the theater!

Once we entered the actual theater, we were pleasantly surprised that while the movie was selling out at many locations (Yes, if you haven’t figured me out yet, we saw Twilight – don’t judge!) there were ample seats to choose from here.  We sat near the back and even there the picture quality and sound were great.

At the end of the movie, there was no mass of people to funnel through or confusing hallways to navigate; we simply walked right out of the theater, were thanked by the two kind employees for our visit, and got in our car.  It was a welcomed change from the large theaters we usually visit and all of us agreed we’d be back for another visit to the Old Town Theater soon!

To share your favorite Old Town or Old Town Theater stories, learn more about MyLife, view pictures, videos, post comments, and suggest adventures please “like” MyLife in Metro DC on Facebook!

- Kristin

MyLife in Metro DC: Merriweather’s Musical Merriment

As summer quickly flies by, it’s important to make sure you check off all the “must do’s” on your warm weather list.   And while vacations and beach trips top of most of our lists, outdoor concerts are usually a close second.

This summer, I was fortunate enough, in the span of just one week, to visit an outdoor concert venue not just once, but twice.

My first show was a melodic low-key evening with one of my favorite London based alternative rock/folk bands, Mumford and Sons, while the other was an over-the-top pop spectacular — complete with enough glitter and sweets to make even a resident of Candyland jealous.

That’s right, thanks to my very gracious rockstar friend Amie, not only did I get to attend my first ever “teeny bopper” pop concert this summer, I also got to work her I Love All Access event with Katy Perry – eeek!

Working the I Love All Access VIP Event Before the Show!

While the shows attracted VERY different crowds, both were highly anticipated sold out shows that had fans from all over the area flocking to Merriweather Post Pavilion.

Merriweather Post Pavilion is located at 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia, MD. The venue is smaller than most of the area’s bigger outdoor pavilions and is hidden in the woods, surrounded by trees, giving you the feeling of seclusion from the city — creating a unique concert experience.

If you live in the Metro DC area, the venue is around 30-40 miles away.  While an ideal traffic-free drive would take around 45 minutes, during weekday traffic, this trek can take up to 2 hours.

Merriweather's Distance from Arlington, VA

We left Arlington around 3:45pm trying to beat rush hour and sat in about two hours of traffic while heading to Mumford and Sons (there were also storms in the area slowing traffic). When I went to work the Katy Perry show, it took only a little over an hour – but I was also arriving at 11am !

When you get to the venue, you’ll be directed to park in one of the large grass lots (unless you are going to VIP Parking). If you arrive early to tailgate, be aware that alcohol, grills and glass containers are not permitted in the parking areas.  One thing that is permitted and I’d highly encourage is bug spray. The grass in the lots is pretty tall and it can be quite buggy.

As with any outdoor venue, the best tip I can give is to be prepared!  If there is even a CHANCE of rain, I suggest bringing a rain poncho; we were some of the lucky few that stayed dry before the Mumford & Sons show by having them. And if the show starts early, or is during the day, be sure to pack sunscreen; there are very few shaded areas and no shade on the lawn.

The venue allows you to bring in blankets to sit on and even permits you to bring in one sealed water bottle per person.

Priceless Ponchos and a View of the Lawn at the Mumford & Sons Show

If your tickets are for the lawn, try to arrive early to snag a good spot, sold out shows get packed quickly and visibility is limited from the top of the lawn.

Once the concert starts, sit back (or stand) and enjoy the fun!  The acoustics are incredible for being outside and even if you end up with one of the last spots on the lawn, large TV monitors help you see what you are missing on the stage below.

At the Mumford & Sons show, we ended up coming into the venue late, due to the downpour and crazy lighting that just wouldn’t stop, so we stood to the side of the lawn. We were able to see a tiny bit of the stage from where we were standing but had to rely for the most part on the TV screens.

For Katy Perry, we lucked out (again, thanks to Amie) and snagged second row center seats.  The view from here was unbelievable and we were even able to help a fan next to us get called on stage to be KISSED by his celebrity crush!

Katy's Fan Post Cheek Kiss and Views From Our Seats

During the show, if you are going to grab a snack or visit the bathrooms, be sure to plan ahead. There is usually a long line for both and the facilities are limited –many of which are porta-potties.  So wait until the end of your favorite song or you might miss it!

Both shows were incredible and perfect additions to my summer — I was very happy to check them off my summer “to do” list.

And I have to admit, while skeptical at first, after working for and seeing Kathy Perry live, I might even go to the next NKOTBSB or one of the other over the top Pop concerts in DC this summer.   I think my inner teeny bopper might be here to stay.  But shhh….don’t tell anyone.

-Kristin

To share your favorite outdoor concert stories, learn more about MyLife, view pictures, videos, post comments, and suggest adventures please “like” MyLife in Metro DC on Facebook!

Mylife in Metro DC: Destination Dewey

I feel like it is an unofficial rite of passage that every true DC’er, at some point during the summer, takes a long weekend trip to Dewey Beach before they are dubbed the honor of being a REAL DC resident.

Each year, come Memorial Day weekend, Facebook is a flutter with endless photos tags and check-ins to all the local Dewey bars and filled with status updates like “Monday, Tuesday, Dewey!!!!!!”

And I’ve found that until you’ve been there yourself — you feel like a DC outsider.

With one year of city living under my belt and no beach trips on the record, it was time for me to take the plunge.

So when a friend invited me to join her and 6 of our other friends for a long weekend at her parent’s gorgeous beach house (read: FREE place to stay!!) in Bethany, I jumped at the invitation.

True, Bethany Beach wasn’t located right IN Dewey (it’s less than 10 miles away), but the beaches were equally as beautiful and it was just a short jaunt away to the local nightlife that attracts all the young vacationers to Dewey Beach.

We planned our trip for the weekend AFTER Memorial Day.  Yes, I know, everyone loves Memorial Day Weekend in Dewey, but her parents were using the house and the 6+ hours in traffic both ways was less than desirable for my “weekend getaway.”  So we set out on our adventure after work on Thursday.

If you are planning your trip for a non-holiday weekend, I would highly recommend this – we hit zero traffic and were there and ready to hit the beach first thing Friday morning to make the most of the day.

The beaches were much nicer than other local spots I’ve visited, and not long after we picked out our sandy spot, we had some pretty intense games of bocce ball and tag football going on.  The weather was perfect for a long day at the beach, not too hot with a welcoming breeze.

Personally, the water was way too cold for my liking, but we did catch a curious pod of dolphins playing right in the wake by the shore (closer than I’ve ever seen), which more than made up the chilly water!

That night we headed in to Dewey to check out the bar scene.  If you are staying Bethany I HIGHLY recommend you check out the local bus schedule and take the bus into Dewey.

The bus cost us a skimpy buck each, whereas the short cab ride was rumored to cost over FIFTY dollars– yikes.  Do take note that even though last call at the bars is at 12:45am, the last bus back to Bethany picks up at 12:40am in front of the Lighthouse Restaurant, and you don’t want to miss it!

The group decided on Rusty Rudder as the first stop for the evening.  That night a cover band, “Kristen and the Noise” was playing and the bar cover was seven dollars per person.  Drinks were reasonably priced (drafts are your most cost conscious drinks) and the bar was HUGE with multiple options for music and “bar scenes.” The inside is more club-like, while the outside deck feels more like your typical beach bar.

After a few hours of enjoying the patio and the band, we decided before heading to the bus stop, we’d cap off our night with a trip to Nalu Hawaiian Surf Bar & Grill to snag a bite to eat.  If you are looking for delicious late night food, give Nalu’s a try, we had the most delicious and large serving of nachos I’ve had in years!  Yum.

The rest of our long weekend was filled with more beaching and trips to some of the other local attractions.

The Bethany Boardwalk was adorable filled with local shops, ice cream parlors, restaurants and on this particular Saturday, a local craft fair.

We also took a trip down to Rehoboth to find some bargains at the shopping outlets.   As a self-proclaimed outlet shopping expert, I must say these are some of my new favorites – I will most certainly be taking a trip back just for shopping!

With the long weekend in Delaware now behind me, I feel that I’ve truly embraced my inner DC persona and can now confidently join in with others as they talk about their beach weekends and which local Dewey watering hole is their favorite.  An outsider no more.

And maybe, just maybe, next year I’ll even go down for the infamous Memorial Day weekend.

- Kristin

To share your favorite Dewey stories, learn more about MyLife, view pictures, videos, post comments, and suggest adventures please “like” MyLife in Metro DC on Facebook!

MyLife in Metro DC: Yogato Have Some!

As promised in the last MyLife in Metro DC post, I’ve started to include “guest” writers as part of this blog to help keep you informed of ALL the fun things to do around our city.  So while I was at Gold Cup this weekend watching the races and sipping on mint juleps, Avery-Hess’s very own Stephanie Weaver got the scoop on one of the most unique yogurt shops in town.  Sounds delicious and I can’t wait to give it a try!  Thanks Stephanie!

The temperature is rising, the birds are chirping and the yogurt is churning. That’s right, springtime is here and that means ice cream and specialty yogurt stores are bustling with patrons waiting for their favorite flavors.

If you are one of those that loves to get real frozen yogurt on warm spring day, Mr. Yogato is a place worthy of a visit.

The yogurt shop is a small, narrow space located on 17th Street NW, between Q and Church Street, a few blocks from the Dupont metro station. The exterior is simple, but the sign is bright so you can’t miss it while walking down 17^th Street.

When you walk in, you’ll first notice a large billboard covered with various ways to get discounts on your yogurt purchase. One way to get a discount is to correctly answer one of the posted trivia questions, while other ways are a bit more comical.

Some examples of what you might find on the board:

“What are 7 body parts that have only three letters…5% off”

or

“Order like Edith Bunker…5% off”

The board changes often so you don’t have time to go to the library, research the answer and come back for your discount, because chances are they have already moved on to other trivia.

Feeling daring?  To get a 10% discount on your purchase, you can have your forehead branded with a stamp that reads, “Mr Yogato Stamped Me.”  But beware, while the discount is tempting, it’s real ink and will take some time to scrub off!

While there are many discount options, even if choose not to participate the prices are moderate and reasonable.  They vary depending on the size of your yogurt and how many toppings you choose.

When you are ready to order, simply choose a small, medium, or large from the Flavors of the Day (the flavors available when I went were Original Soft, Original Tangy and White Choco-Keem) and your toppings. There are an array of toppings to choose from such as strawberries, mangoes, Oreos, and Reese’s cups. There are even free toppings that include sprinkles, honey, cinnamon, sea salt, balsamic vinaigrette and olive oil.

After you grab your cup of frozen yogurt, turn to one of the three small tables they have for people to enjoy their yogurt, relax and play games. One table is dedicated to the original (1990’s) Nintendo with several games to choose from and another has karaoke if you dare. You’ll also find several board games stacked by the window sit to play if those are more to your liking.

After you finish, if you decide you are truly in love with Mr Yogato, go there for 30 days in a row and they will name a flavor after you.

After all, wouldn’t you like to go where everybody knows your name?

- Stephanie

To share your favorite frozen yogurt shop, learn more about MyLife, view pictures, videos, post comments, and suggest adventures please “like” MyLife in Metro DC on Facebook!

MyLife in Metro DC – Movin’ On Up!

April 26, 2011 will mark my official one-year anniversary of living in Metro DC.  And after one year, it is once again time for me to sign a lease or look for a place to buy.

While both my roommate and I absolutely love our condo, David has started to consider the idea of purchasing his first home and I’ve realized that if I want to start saving for my first home, I needed to find a place to rent priced closer to my realistic “housing budget.”

And so the search began…again.

I came into work and talked with a few of our agents, asking what prices they were seeing for rentals in the Arlington area. They gave me the overwhelming response of, “Oh Arlington, yeahhhhh, {insert high rent price here} that’s what you are going to pay to live there.  If you are looking to save, you should try Falls Church.”

Move out of Arlington?!  The idea was hard to process. No metro outside my door? No walking to my favorite stores and bars?  Could I do it? All hesitations aside though, “responsible Kristin” told me to give it a chance and take a look.  So just like last year, I started with Craigslist…

This time, instead of only looking for apartments and condos for rent, I expanded my search to include rooms for rent.  I had been looking for a place to rent on my own but was open to the idea of moving in a house with roommates already there.  If you are new to the area or looking to have one or more roommates I recommend this as a great place to start.

A few days and a few hundred posts later, I found something.

A mid-twenties female was looking for a roommate to live in her 3 bed 3.5 bath townhouse. It was located just minutes from where I live now, offered the entire first floor to the renter (room, bathroom and own living room), and was over $400 less than my current rent!

While it wasn’t right IN Arlington, it did happen to be on the same street as some of my friends!  It seemed too good to be true, so I contacted the owner right away to find out more.

I’d compare the process of finding a good fit with a “random roommate” online to that of someone seeking a relationship from an online dating site.   It’s important to make sure that your personalities complement each other, you have some interests in common and that you have similar views on living etiquette (such as paying rent on time, who takes out the trash, house guests, and so on) before you commit to anything.  Knowing this, when I emailed the owner, I included a bit about myself.  I told her about my career, interests and what I expect when living with someone.  Then I sat back and waited.

She contacted me less than an hour later (Phew! Craigslist rejection can happen frequently and make you start to question if you really ARE that good of a roommate) and was excited to meet up.  We scheduled a meeting for her to show me the townhouse and to see if we would be a good match.

A few more emails and two visits later, I was convinced this was the place for me.  The owner couldn’t be nicer, and her home (complete with an adorable backyard/patio area) was perfect.  Yes, I’ll be living outside of Arlington, but the additional space and added savings are worth it.

Success.

So here I am, one year later, moving again. But this time I’m feeling much more confident in my knowledge of Metro DC, and that my decision to move out of Arlington will put me one step closer to one day being a home owner.

My first year in Metro DC has been a whirlwind of visitors, vacations, new experiences (I finally made it to the Cherry Blossom Festival this year –See below!), new friends and… good news. I am excited to share that I have recently been promoted and am now Avery-Hess, Realtors Marketing Manager.  It’s a great honor to be moving forward with a company I love and I can’t wait to see what opportunities the new position will bring.

I thank you for reading along this year, it’s been an incredible opportunity to learn my new city and share what I’ve found. Though my duties with this new position will increase, fear not, you’ll still be hearing from MyLife in Metro DC.  I’m even going to start including some “guest” spots from other young professionals in the area to make sure you stay informed on ALL the fun things to do around our city.

With my "Maine" Family at this year's Cherry Blossom Festival

-Kristin