For this week’s spread, I knew that I was supposed to write something patriotic. It sounded pretty easy: This week is Memorial Day weekend and America is always obnoxiously patriotic (Have you ever considered that it is kind of weird that we play the national anthem at all sporting events? What does The Star Spangled Banner have to do with the New York Yankees playing the Boston Red Sox?). However, coming up with patriotism in 1,000 words suddenly sounded like one of those speech contests from middle school.

So I decided to write about the most patriotic thing I could think of: Washington, D.C. Not only is D.C. my current hometown, it is also the place where I know many of you look forward to spending your summer (mine, too!) This list is merely a primer: in fact, I had to delete some from my original list. I guess if you want more, you’ll have to hang out with me this summer in D.C.

Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries

Started by the Murrell family in 1986 in Arlington, Va., these burger joints are now all over the East Coast. Five Guys has been rated “Number 1 Burger in Washington” by Washingtonian Magazine for the last six years and it really lives up to its rating. They are spread out over D.C., so find the one closest to you, but I am partial to the one in Georgetown. It is open until 4 a.m. on weekends and there is a bar with wine and beer. Does your burger place have that?

1335 Wisconsin Ave. NW

Also, other locations around DC

Moby Dick House of Kabob

I know that this sounds cheesy but my parents rave about this place. Open until 4 a.m. on weekends, hospital workers, cab drivers, government workers and Georgetown students can all be found in this hole in the wall devouring Iranian fast food. Grab a kebab and take it down to the C&O canal (just down the street!) for a great outdoor snack. Whether you are a Persian food lover or an adventurous foodie looking for a new taste, this is the place for you.

1070 31st St. NW

Kramerbooks & Afterwords Café & Grill

Bookstore, bar, restaurant and live music café all in one place across from the north exit of the Dupont Metro Station. Go in the morning for breakfast and locals taking in that day’s newspaper; go in the evening for the dinner and bar scene (18 draft beers and and full wine bar); and go in the early a.m. for food after a night out. It is open until 1 a.m. all week and all 24 hours on Friday and Saturday. Sometimes it is hard to remember that it is a bookstore. I’ll meet you at Kramers!

1517 Connecticut Ave NW

Einstein Memorial

Most people go to the Mall (the national one, read: no stores, just grass, memorials and buildings) to hit the big ones: Lincoln, Washington, walk a little and visit F.D.R. However, some of the best memorials are just overlooked. The Albert Einstein Memorial sits outside of the National Academy of Sciences on a dais containing markers indicating the position when the memorial was dedicated of just less than 3,000 astronomical objects. Go climb up on Einstein’s lap and take a group picture (he is huge: if standing he would be 21 feet tall) or just read in the afternoon. If you’re just looking for a new twist on walking the monuments, try a midnight walk of them on a clear night.

On Constitution in front of the National Academy of Sciences

Social Safeway/Watergate Safeway

Stanford has Secret Safeway and D.C. has Social Safeway. Termed by locals and used in local newspapers to identify it, Social Safeway got its name because apparently it is the place to go on a Friday night if you are looking for a date. What better place to pick up your future spouse than a supermarket? The Watergate (also “Senior”) Safeway, as in the Safeway underneath the famous Watergate, isn’t as socially adept (nor have as big a selection) but it is known as the place to see your favorite political all-stars shopping for their groceries. If you want to actually treat yourself there is a new Trader Joe’s just down the street. But who goes grocery shopping just for the food?

Social: 1850 Wisconsin Ave NW

Watergate: Virginia Ave at New Hampshire Ave NW

Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore

While not actually in D.C., Camden Yards is worth the trip for any baseball fan who finds themselves in the D.C. area. It is one of the prettiest baseball parks I have ever been in and it has a great atmosphere. Too bad there is no good way to get there on public transportation — no parking anywhere near anywhere if you drive and nothing except the Waterfront around it. If you want to drive, take the afternoon off and go early. Park close and enjoy the extra hours watching B.P. or on the Waterfront. No car? You can take a mix of the MARC and a bus and a metro.

333 West Camden St., Baltimore MD

Gravelly Point

Off the end of the runway at Ronald Reagan National Airport, there is only one way to describe this park: ridiculously cool. You can take in a picnic or play Frisbee while watching the planes land right over your head. On a windy day, you can feel the vortices off the wing tips of low-flying aircraft. There are also bike and jogging paths that run through it.

Off GW Parkway near Reagan Airport, Virginia

Cosi People Watching

Cosi is a restaurant with gourmet sandwiches and salads (think Au Bon Pain or Panera Bread) which has locations throughout the United States. Personally, I’m not a big fan of the food in general. However, the best things about Cosi are their s’more platters and coffee drinks. In Dupont Circle, on a nice night in the summer, enjoy making your own s’mores at your table while watching the night flow by.

1647 20th St. NW