One of our travel guides partners, Not For Tourists, has several unique offerings on their website this week. Check out the following highlights from their Washington, DC correspondents this week...

  Great Cakes, By Elisabeth Grant

Georgetown Cupcake

There is a reason that Georgetown Cupcake won the recent Washington Post Cupcake Wars. They won because, quite simply, their cupcakes are awesome. First of all, they're very cute, which is an important feature in a cupcake. Studies have proven* that as a cupcake's cuteness decreases so does the quality of said cupcake experience. Each Georgetown Cupcake is topped with a cute little decoration. Fondant hearts for the red velvet cupcakes, candy limes for the key lime cupcakes, and mini gingerbread men (also fondant) for the--you guessed it--gingerbread cupcakes. But more importantly, these cupcakes are delicious. Moist cake and well flavored icing go together to create a super tasty dessert experience. It's no wonder the line often stretches out the door. They won the Cupcake War in my house as well.

*made-up facts.

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Now I've Seen Everything, By Emily Groves

Comet Ping Pong

When I first heard of Comet Ping Pong, a ping-pong themed pizza and beer joint with actual ping pong tables for people to use in the back, I couldn't get there fast enough. Here was an idea so basic, yet so novel, that I thought the creator couldn't have been less than genius. Well, I was half-right. When I arrived, I was immediately impressed by the cool artsy warehousy decor, and I smiled when I heard the familiar clip clop of ping pong balls over the general chitter chatter of the diners. Even the tables were painted to look like mini ping pong tables: an added tackiness that I found quite awesome. But when I looked at the weak pizza selection and their hefty accompanying prices, reality sunk in a bit: maybe this place wasn't my utopia. And when my limp, lifeless, tiny, tasteless, dull pizza arrived, I knew it. But many rounds of ping pong and a few beers helped kill the disappointment, and made me realize that Comet Ping Pong, despite its terrible food, still has ping pong tables in the back. And that in itself is stellar.

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Wine Snobs Welcome, By Elisabeth Grant

Sonoma

Sometimes you just want to get a little fancy. And if you're on Capitol Hill, Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar is just the place you're looking for. Swanky, upscale, and with lighting low enough to make everyone look just a little more attractive. If you are with a group that just feels like nibbling, create your own cheese and charcuterie boards, mixing and matching meats to compliment your wine selection. Or go crazy and get the "pipe dreams chevre" and the "duck salami" regardless of whether they really go with a fruit forward red. If you're just in the mood for a drink grab a seat at the bar, and try one of wines on tap. With 40 wines by the glass to choose from, you can sample the night away (being a snob about it: optional/recommended).

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Fighting for Tea Club, By Emily Groves

Soho Tea & Coffee

In my constant quest for funky independent coffee shops, I came upon Soho Tea and Coffee. Located in some personality-less building with a personality-less sign, I set myself up for disappointment. Ha! One should never judge on appearances. Soho patron rule #1: byol (laptop). Everyone here is plugged in. Soho patron rule #2: you must have a tolerance for--no, have a very strong liking for 80s music: it is always playing and always extremely loud. Soho patron rule #3: have cash on hand; they don't accept credit cards. Soho patron rule #4: you have to ask the cashier for the bathroom key: it's not a good idea to knock the door down. Also, if you decide you can't hack the funkiness and dance party vibe, but you want to try the (so-so(ho)) coffee: to-go iced coffee comes in red solo cups… which may cause your boss may to raise an eyebrow if you bring it back to the office.

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The Faces of a Nation, by  Rin-rin Yu

Political Americana

Just admit it: you've always been intrigued by this ultra-touristy shop on your way to the Mall, but you're too proud a Washingtonian to go inside. Well, in honor of the upcoming inauguration, in which you've probably listed your home on Craigslist for $1,000 a night during that week, why not decorate it for your guests with some themed items? Everyone needs an Obama made of cardboard--just call the store ahead to reserve your own President-elect, as demand has escalated since his election. McCain items have not hit the sale rack just yet, but there are plenty of Bush, Clinton and Reagan-era items still available. There are also Hillary t-shirts and stickers, White House towels, pens, mugs, toilet paper and golf balls; Washington, DC postcards and souvenirs, and Christmas ornaments. You can even purchase historic, valuable paraphernalia from previous elections and administrations. But let's face it--nobody in DC is ever actually from DC, just long-term tourists.

Check out their website - they have free downloadable guides, maps, gear, and of course, the travel guide books. Not to mention, they are pretty funny people. I am always laughing when I visit their site, or read their newsletter.

Not For Tourists has offered a coupon for Wandering Educators - please use the coupon code: WE for a 10% discount.

To visit Not for Tourists, please see:

https://www.notfortourists.com/