St. Patrick&rsquo;s Day or Not, Irish Pubs Are Always a Win!
It&rsquo;s that time of year again, when the beer turns green, and clovers are out in full force. With St. Patrick&rsquo;s Day yesterday and the likelihood that every bar in the city was packed so you opted for a burger instead, we decided to share a list of our favorite Irish Pubs in NYC &amp; DC.
Let&rsquo;s start with New York:
Jack Doyle&rsquo;s near Penn Station, on West 35th, is a longtime favorite of our Tripper Bus team. We often dine here for lunch or after work for drinks. Traditional favorites such as fish and chips and their Ruben&rsquo;s always hit the spot. Their Irish sausage is also noteworthy.
The Dead Rabbit, has been a fan favorite in the financial district for over a decade. This bar features a two-story experience. The first floor features a taproom flowing with Irish coffee and Guinness, while the second-floor parlor is home to craft cocktails. Enjoyable bites include Guinness sliders and house made chips.
Molly&rsquo;s Pub and Restaurant Shebeen in Grammercy Park is a one of a kind. This one-time bar turned grocery store, turned restaurant bar again has been a part of the fiber of the city since the early 1900&rsquo;s. From rustic floors to vintage photographs there&rsquo;s no shortage of old world charm. Our favorite menu item is the Irish Spice Bag (fried chicken, fries, peppers, oinions, chile peppers) is our go-to every time.
Here are our favorites in DC:
The Dubliner Restaurant is a traditional Irish pub featuring a mix of Irish and American favorites. There&rsquo;s no shortage of Guinness flowing here, and some locals would say that their fish and chips are the best in DC. Also stellar is their Shepherd&rsquo;s Pie.
In the heart of Shirlington is Arlington&rsquo;s own Samuel Beckett&rsquo;s Irish Gastro Pub. Great food, great drinks and great service are all on tap at this local watering hole. The interior features rich woods, and earthy tones perfect for lunch or dinner.
On the Maryland side of DC, pub goers rave about The Irish Inn at Glenn Echo. Wonderful ambiance and Irish vibes abound. Also named as a top 100 restaurant in the DC Metro, diners nosh on goodies from traditional appetizers and Irish fare to a delish brunch on the weekends.
So even if you missed the opportunity on St. Patrick&rsquo;s Day, Irish pubs are a solid choice 365 days a year. Cheers!

Irish Fare Is Always a Good Idea

While there&rsquo;s never a bad time to visit Washington, DC, the spring is a particular favorite. DC is known for the famed Cherry Blossoms that line the tidal basin and decorate the city in absolute splendor. Peak week varies based on the weather, so be sure to keep a check on-line, but timing your visit with The Cherry Blossom Festival, is key.
This year&rsquo;s Cherry Blossom Festival dates is March, 20th&nbsp;&ndash; April, 14th. From the Blossom Kite Festival to the official Cherry Blossom Parade, there&rsquo;s plenty to see and do. We&rsquo;ll admit, the weather can be &ldquo;wait and see&rdquo; for peak bloom but planning the timing of your visit in the middle of the festival dates is typically your best bet!
While in DC enjoy an array of culinary options with outdoor seating. Longer days prove to be filled with bustling patios filled with the after-work crowd. And of course, walking between the cities museums and monuments in the warm spring air is the best!

The Best Time of Year to Travel to DC for Vacation

The I-95 corridor might be one of the nations most traveled routes. Specifically, between the nation&rsquo;s capital and New York City. With a daytrip being completely feasible, locals have discovered how to work, play and jaunt between the two with ease.
&nbsp;
Of course, we&rsquo;re talking about travel via bus. And yes, we&rsquo;re experts on bus travel so we decided to answer some of the most frequent questions we receive from passengers.
&nbsp;
1. How long is the trip between DC &amp; NYC? A: On average, the trip will be around 4.5 hours. This of course is an estimate and is the typical travel time however, external factors such as traffic and road closures can impact the time. We advise all passengers to schedule accordingly. If you have a time-sensitive event, choose a schedule that will allow you plenty of excess time once you arrive.
&nbsp;
2. Where do you pick-up and drop-off? A: We recently began partnering with Washington Deluxe Bus to add additional locations in both DC and NYC. We&rsquo;ve proudly served the DC Metro area suburbs of Arlington, VA &amp; Bethesda, MD for over a decade and now offer departures from DC&rsquo;s Dupont Circle. In New York City, we depart and arrive in midtown just outside of famed Penn Station, and also in Brooklyn, NY.
&nbsp;
3. Are there restrooms on board? A: Yes, there is a restroom on board every bus. It is cleaned by our crew in-between every trip. Additionally, our driver may stop mid-route at the Delaware house for passengers to be able to have a quick break. This stop typically lasts for 15 minutes. This stop is not a guaranteed part of the route and is up to driver discretion. Often the drivers will poll passengers to see if a quick stop is desired.
&nbsp;
4. Does the wifi on board work? A: It does! We have recently upgraded our routers for greater dependability. Like most public wifi, the strength is dependent on the number of passengers utilizing the service.
&nbsp;
5. How do I make sure I book your ELITE bus? A: Look for the word &ldquo;Elite&rdquo; next to the schedule when booking. Our standard service will also be listed, but our ELITE schedules are specifically marked so be sure to double-check when booking, if you&rsquo;re looking for our luxury bus.
&nbsp;
The above are our most frequently asked questions. If you have additional questions, do check out our FAQ page, or give us a call and speak with a member of our team. &nbsp;We look forward to having you on-board.

The “Hot Route” between Washington, DC & NYC!

Vacationing to the Nation&rsquo;s capital is a great way to maximize a fun family get-away on a budget. Why? With so many free things to do, the pressure is off the budget and your focus can be on having a good time!
&nbsp;
Here&rsquo;s a list of our favorites to explore:
&nbsp;
The Smithsonian Museums. From history, art, science and more, there&rsquo;s something for everyone. There&rsquo;s so much culture to be had year-round. Collectively they are known as the Smithsonian Institute, and make-up a total of 17 museums to include a zoo!
&nbsp;
Get active and explore at Rock Creek Park. Stretching from NW DC into Maryland, this National Park, featuring 1,754 acres of green space and trails, is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
&nbsp;
Visit Gravely Point! Locals know this destination as the perfect place to get and up-close view of planes taking off and landing at Ronald Reagan International Airport in Arlington. Grab a coffee or some lunch and picnic for a unique experience you can&rsquo;t have anywhere else.
&nbsp;
Take in the monuments. From the Lincoln Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to the Washington Monument, visiting them is a must! Particularly of interest is the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. During winter months, the guard changes every hour during daylight hours and every two hours during the evening. Regardless of weather.
&nbsp;
A stroll through Georgetown is fun for all. From the waterfront to hilly streets, the unique architecture is iconic to DC. Thriving, day and night, there&rsquo;s plenty to see and do while exploring all Georgetown has to offer.
&nbsp;
With so much to see and do, Washington, DC makes for the perfect short getaway from New York City. Check out our schedules for the best departure and arrival times to help you maximize your trip.

Earn points towards a free trip.

TRIPPER BLOG

Recent Blog Posts

All Blog Posts