Our post-summer plan was supposed to be to “take it easy” until our Christmas plans, but that’s not exactly what happened. In late August, I was invited to speak at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s yearly conference in DC. On top of it being an amazing professional opportunity, I was thrilled to visit DC for the first time. This itinerary was definitely different from my usual ones, as I had to squeeze in sightseeing between a tight conference schedule. However, I still think I made the most of my time there, and it felt like I picked the perfect places for a short stay.
For this trip, I subscribed to Rent the Runway for the first time, and it was honestly a great choice. I rented two dresses for the conference, a slacks-and-shirt combo, and a dress for the closing gala—all at a great price thanks to a referral code. Here’s mine in case anyone wants to try it: https://rtr.app.link/e/beYeFqXY7Qb. I ended up continuing the subscription for the rest of 2024 due to various work engagements, and I’ve kept at least one piece each time.
Ricky was unfortunately tied up with work and couldn’t take time off, which I completely understood given how long we had been away over the summer. Luckily, my friend Sundie accepted my invite to join, which was a lifesaver since I needed someone to zip up my fancy Rent the Runway dresses in the morning!
I flew Delta out of XNA straight into DCA. Originally, I had booked a cheaper flight to Baltimore (outside the DC area), but a few days before the trip, I checked prices for DCA, which was much closer to our hotel, and miraculously, they had gone down. I changed my flight for a small fee. We stayed at Hotel Washington, an amazing and upscale boutique-style hotel in the heart of DC, just minutes from the White House and most landmarks.
On our first night in town, we had dinner at The VUE Rooftop at Hotel Washington. The rooftop has magnificent views of the White House and Washington Monument. I had the rack of lamb and a cocktail while taking in the breathtaking views. The food was delicious, and the ambiance was fantastic. We called it an early night since I had to be up first thing in the morning for CHCI.
Hotel Washington’s location was unbeatable, so my morning walk to the conference venue was only about five minutes. It was pretty humid in DC, and I’m already terrible at keeping makeup intact, so it’s safe to say it didn’t last long! I spent the morning registering for the conference and attending a few sessions. The highlight was one featuring former U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. During a break between keynotes, I quickly swapped my heels for tennis shoes and met Sundie outside the conference. We walked to the National Museum of Natural History, and honestly, I’ve never been to a natural history museum I didn’t love. Their crystal collection was stunning, and they even had some incredible Arkansas pieces. The dinosaur exhibits were fascinating, and we got to watch archaeologists working with fossils in a special viewing area.
After the museum, we walked towards the National Mall and had perfect views of the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument, so we took some pictures before heading to the Smithsonian Institution Building. It was a stunning structure, and we continued our walk closer to the Washington Monument before I had to return to the conference. That afternoon, I spoke at my session, so I wanted to arrive early. To celebrate, we went to an Italian restaurant for dinner—unfortunately, I misplaced the name, but it was amazing!
The next day, I was lucky enough to attend a session with then-Vice President Harris. Only about 300 people fit in the main theater, and I was incredibly fortunate to be one of them. I did stand in line for a few hours to secure my spot, but it was totally worth it. After the morning sessions, Sundie and I took another museum break and headed to the National Gallery of Art. The building itself was stunning, and the art displays were truly world-class.
After the museum, we took in more breathtaking views of the Capitol before making our way to the Lincoln Memorial. Although part of it was undergoing repairs, we were still able to climb the stairs to the main structure. It’s such an impressive monument with profound historical significance. By the end of the day, I was completely exhausted, so we ordered room service and turned in early.
Before flying to DC, I had arranged a Capitol tour for Sundie and me through a colleague. I was beyond grateful for the opportunity because the tour was incredibly thorough and well done. We got to visit both the House of Representatives and the Senate chambers. The Capitol is filled with intricate history, art, and culture—it felt surreal to be there. After the tour, we walked to the White House for some pictures. Standing there made me reflect on all the families and historic events that have taken place within those walls.
Sundie was kind enough to book us a massage at the hotel spa that afternoon, which was the perfect way to unwind after two packed days of work and sightseeing. That night was the conference gala, and I absolutely loved dressing up for the occasion. I don’t often get chances to wear gala attire, so it was such a fun experience. Former President Joe Biden was the keynote speaker, and the event as a whole was inspiring and uplifting.
We flew out early the next morning—around 5 AM—so we were at the airport before sunrise. I definitely got a great taste of DC, hitting most of the major landmarks and a couple of fantastic museums. This itinerary was perfect for a short visit, especially if you’re balancing work and sightseeing!
