PAUL Bakery is slated to open on Pennsylvania Ave. in February.

6 Ways to Jump-Start Winter Weekends in Washington

Don't let a little winter weather keep you from enjoying Washington in the weeks ahead. We give you some of our favorites for whiling away 48 hours in a town that actually does put on the brakes during weekends.

Perfect Treat. If a bon voyage to Paris isn’t an option, D.C. has a fresh alternative: PAUL Bakery (801 Pennsylvania Ave., NW) slated to open in Feb. in the Penn Quarter, offering tasty, authentic French breads—it takes seven hours to create the perfect dough—plus croissants, macarons and seasonal fruit tarts. Don’t miss the wide selection of beverages at the coffee bar.

Perfect Diversion. A great find away from the National Mall is the Kreeger Museum (2401 Foxhall Rd., NW), with Impressionist works (think Monet, Renoir and Picasso) in its vast collection. From Jan. 15 to Feb. 26, find local masterpieces in the new exhibit, “In Unison: 20 Washington, D.C. Artists.” The bright, abstract monoprints will amaze and inspire.

Perfect Escape. Trek outside, despite the chill. It’ll be a walk to remember at the Elizabethan Garden on the grounds of the Folger Shakespeare Library (201 E. Capitol St., SE). Catch glimpses of hellebore blossoms and dandelion shoots among the knot garden. Venture inside after Jan. 21 for the new exhibit, “Beyond Home Remedy: Women, Medicine and Science.”

Perfect Buy. International maven of outerwear, Barbour (3221 M St., NW) opened its fourth U.S. store last fall in Georgetown. Check out the To Ki To collection—Barbour’s D.C. location is one of the only stores in the U.S. selling it—to stay extra cozy this winter, and don’t forget to top it off with a moleskin chapeau.

Perfect Stay. Need something that will impress for a certain romantic weekend? Level Nine at the Dupont Hotel (1500 New Hampshire Ave., NW) delivers with personalized complimentary sips, lush Sferra robes, floor-to-ceiling views and daily breakfast wherever and whenever you want it at this “hotel within a hotel.” This trumps the box of chocolates every time.

Perfect Sips. If you need an extra edge for the new year, consider sipping aphrodisiac cocktails, such as The Fraise (strawberries, sage and cherry vodka), served throughout February at Georgetown’s Mediterranean gem, Neyla (3206 N St., NW). Add finger foods to savor the experience—try the shrimp and squash dumplings for starters.