Monuments by morning, museum missions by afternoon, and a family feast to top it off—spring break in Washington, D.C. turns learning into an adventure. After exploring the National Mall, celebrate with crab claws and classic favorites at Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab, enjoy elevated Italian fare at RPM Italian, or head to Wildfire for comfort-food crowd-pleasers everyone can agree on.
The Lettuce Guide to Spring Break
All the spring fun, from staycation to destination
Whether you’re loading up the SUV for a local adventure or checking a bag for a cross-country flight, spring break is that much-needed “reset” button. We’ve rounded up the best ways to spend your week off, from neighborhood gems to destination dining.
Sleep In and Brunch Out
The best part of a break is officially retiring your alarm clock. Trade the morning rush for a slow pour of coffee or a spicy bloody mary and a stack of pancakes. It’s pajamas until 10:00 AM and a cup o’ joe by 11:00 AM.
Find a delicious brunch at a Lettuce restaurant near you
Play Tourist in Your Own Backyard
You don’t need a boarding pass to find a new favorite spot. This week, we’re challenging you to explore a neighborhood you usually just drive through. Grab a coffee in Fulton Market, shop your way through Lincoln Park, visit the newest hot spots in River North, or take a scenic stroll through the burbs.
Explore a Chicagoland neighborhood near you: Fulton Market | Lincoln Park | River North | Chicago Suburbs
Turn Lunch Into an Occasion
On a normal Tuesday, lunch is a frantic twenty minutes between meetings. During spring break, lunch is the main event. Trade the “working lunch” for a three-course affair—think Steak Bearnaise and Key Lime Pie at Joe’s Seafood, or prime waterfront views and the daily catch at RPM Seafood. Or escape to the Mediterranean at Ema – Glenview and try the Lunch Kebab Special including your choice of Classic or Spicy Hummus, Chicken Kefta or Grilled Chicken Kebab, cucumber & tomato salad, lemon dill basmati rice and choice of our house bread or crudite for $18.95, plus tax (gratuity not included).
Take Your Taste Buds on a Trip
You might not be hopping a flight this week, but you can still find a total departure. From the tropical vibes of Three Dots and a Dash and Southeast Asian night market energy at Crying Tiger to the Tuscan luxury of Tre Dita and the lively Spanish tapas scene at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!, you can cross continents without ever leaving town.
Take a tour of our guide to restaurants that feel like a vacation oasis
Bring the Whole Fam
Spring break with the kids doesn’t have to mean eating chicken nuggets on your sofa (even though that does sound kind of fun). Parents deserve to enjoy a great cocktail and an even better atmosphere while the little ones stay entertained. From Kids Pizza Making at Summer House to the Kids Bento Meal at Sushi-san, we’ve got all the spots even the pickiest eaters will love.
Get the kid-approved list of Lettuce restaurants
Catch Flights (and Flavors)
Las Vegas, Nevada
For those of you headed toward the neon lights of the Strip, we’ll see you there. We’ve mapped out exactly where to eat, drink, and take in the scene between the slots and the nightlife so your vacation stays delicious from takeoff to touchdown. Indulge in chic Italian at RPM Italian, share a pizza at Happy Camper – Las Vegas, soak up bistro charm at Mon Ami Gabi, treat yourself at Summer House – Las Vegas, have a fiesta at El Segundo Sol, and celebrate with a view at Eiffel Tower Restaurant.
Check out our guide on where to sip and savor on the Las Vegas Strip
Washington, D.C.
Orlando, Florida
For a vacation that’s more theme park than neon lights, treat yourself and the kiddos to a visit to the Magic Kingdom! Summer House on the Lake at Disney Springs® West Side is the perfect place to fuel up for long days at the park with West Coast-inspired sips and bites, plus sweets!
Nashville, Tennessee
Touch down in Music City, where our new Nashville locations have entered the dining scene. Spend your spring break between Broadway and the 12 South murals at Aba, a Mediterranean-inspired al fresco escape, or Sushi-san, our high-energy sushi hotspot. From breezy outdoor hangs to premium hand-rolls and a walk-up soft-serve window, we’ve mapped out the perfect flavors for your Nashville stay.
Austin, Texas
Spring break in Austin comes alive on South Congress, where sunny days roll straight into music-filled nights. Spend the day boutique browsing and mural spotting before posting up on the lush, tree-shaded patio at Aba for mezze and cocktails with your crew, then head up to Domain NORTHSIDE for even more shopping and hitting up Ēma for a vibey dinner that keeps the evening going.
Golden hour just hits different on spring break, especially when there’s a deal involved. Dive into sangria and tapas deals at Lil’ Ba-Ba-Reeba! on their all-season patio, post up with oysters and martinis at happy hour at Shaw’s Crab House, and slide into late-night happy hour from 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM at R.J. Grunts. And that’s just the beginning—let the happy hour hopping begin!
