All Articles

SPONSORED

DC Music Venues You Have to Experience

Capitol Riverfront: From Shipyard to Sports & Entertainment Destination

In a city that’s been transformed over the past several decades, the Capitol Riverfront might be the zone that’s seen the most change. From the late 19th century until World War II, the area functioned as a working wharf and naval facility on the Anacostia River. These days, thanks to more than $3 billion in redevelopment, the waterfront neighborhood buzzes with new restaurants, some of the city’s most scenic parks and, perhaps the biggest draw, the Washington Nationals. You can also explore the area’s past as well as U.S. naval history at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy, housed in a onetime ordnance factory. Nationals Park, a 41,000-seat beauty, serves as home field to the popular Nats, DC’s beloved baseball team. Concession stands offer up everything from Maryland crabcakes (a local specialty) to local craft beer – we broke down the park's food options for you. During the fourth inning, six mascots dressed as U.S. presidents like Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt take to the field for a goofy-yet-hotly contested race. And before or after the game, fans celebrate their “Natitude” at The Bullpen, a nearby outdoor beer garden/concert venue that’s made of shipping containers. The outdoor jewel of the area is the Anacostia River, a recently cleaned up ribbon that’s ideal for exploring by boat; just rent a kayak or canoe from the Ballpark Boathouse and get paddling – or sign up for a guided trip at the same place. Views of wildlife – ducks, river otters, lots of blue herons – and the U.S. Capitol come with the ride. Or, just take in the water from The Yards Park, an arty, modern green space with a kid-friendly wading canal, open-air “rooms” and a futuristic footbridge. Dining options have blossomed along with the rest of the neighborhood. You’ll find beer fanatics testing the rotating list of made-on-site suds at Bluejacket, a locally owned brewpub/restaurant in a dazzling converted warehouse. Also on the menu: seafood and a good burger. Other options in the area range from high-end (Osteria Morini for Italian pastas and chops in rustic-cool surrounds) to casual and quirky (TaKorean for East-meets-Southwest chow). Are you ready to dive into other DC neighborhoods? Check out all of the District's neighborhoods to continue your exploration.

Career Ready Internship Employer Training Day

Leena Rahman is a rising senior at Woodrow Wilson Senior High School. She joined the NAF Academy of Hospitality and Tourism in 10th grade and so far, she loves the program. She enjoys getting hands-on experience through field trips and learning about the hospitality industry and its career options. The program has granted her exposure to the professional world and connections for new opportunities. Recently, Leena received an amazing opportunity to interview for an internship position at Destination DC (DDC). When Leena’s hospitality teacher told her about the Career Ready Internship program, she was immediately eager to apply. She was one of the many students who attended the Career Ready Intern Employer Training Day. Her virtual interview went smoothly and she was elated to land the internship with DDC, even without the benefit of a mock interview, which Leena believes would have helped her to be even more prepared. The interviewer gave her a brief description of the process and asked her general questions about herself. As the interviewer was speaking, Leena took notes on the information provided about the six-week program. She believes that the experience felt like a real job interview, even though it was conducted virtually, and Leena now feels very prepared for future interviews held in such a manner. Like many professionals, Leena worked remotely this summer. She had hoped to volunteer at a summer camp as well, and she started her college applications. Leena looks forward to the continued networking opportunities – with DDC employees and other interns.

Cedric Maupillier Dishes on His French-American Mash Up in Shaw

A charming accent reveals Cedric Maupillier’s roots in the South of France. But the ambitious chef (also the force behind Adams Morgan’s Mintwood Place) recently became an American citizen, and the menu at his Shaw bistro borrows liberally from the cuisine of both countries. What’s the secret to his popular Franco-American blend? Why call your restaurant Convivial? CM: The word spelled the same in French and English. And I was thinking of the dictionary definition of convivial – “relating to, occupied with or fond of feasting, drinking and good company.” How would you describe what’s on the plate here? CM: It’s a place that emphasizes the food of both my home country and my new country, the U.S. It’s democratized fine dining, but in a way that’s simplified and from the heart. These are classic recipes with a twist, and we don’t put too many fingers on the plate. We serve French bouillabaisse, but it’s made from Chesapeake blue catfish; our escargots are served in a pastry blanket [think spring rolls]. Convivial’s signature dish has turned out to be fried chicken coq au vin. What’s the scoop with that? CM: I decided to take the best chicken dishes from both France and the U.S. It’s inspired by Korean chicken too. In this country, people need a little bit of whimsy. It gets them talking and keeps them interested. What’s your favorite dish on the menu? CM: I like our potato latke with dried lamb. It’s got layers of textures and flavors, starting with a crunchy potato pancake topped with shaved celery root and finished with a salty lamb prosciutto. The bar is popular here, and well, convivial. What did you have in mind? CM: It’s not mixology craziness, but a place where we are reintroducing classics – good Manhattans, the Grasshoppers Grandma used to love. And with wine, we just serve French and American and try to have them at good price points. Nothing’s over $100 a bottle. What were you going for with the decor? CM: I wanted it to be modern with no artifice. So we used clean-lined wood, comfortable chairs and lots of sound-proofing. The only things that stand out are the light fixtures, which I think look like Christmas lights every day! What do you think about what’s happening in Shaw? CM: I didn’t know it was on fire when I was planning Convivial. It’s such a work in progress, but in a few years, it’s just exploded. There are so many restaurants opening up, and it’s exciting. I feel like I’ve won my bet! You also live in the neighborhood. Where do you go when you aren’t cooking here at Convivial? CM: I get coffee every morning at Compass Coffee. They roast the beans right in front of you. And I love to go have a beer at Dacha Beer Garden. When I feel a little fancy, I’ll go to the bar at Kinship and order a nice glass of wine and a couple of dishes. DC’s hot dining scene boasts many other restaurants, including other exciting eateries in Shaw and around the city.

Celebrate the Lincoln Memorial Centennial This May in Washington, DC

Lincoln Memorial Centennial Family Day: May 14, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Bring the whole family along to a Saturday celebration at the site of the memorial. The National Park Service, Ford’s Theatre Society, the Library of Congress, the National Archives, President Lincoln’s Cottage and Tudor Place have all teamed up to host a fun-filled day. Attendees will have a chance to meet staff from local historic sites and engage in hands-on activities that touch on the history and significance of the monument. Kids will have a chance to earn a special commemorative Junior Ranger badge. Lincoln Memorial, 2 Lincoln Memorial Circle NW, Washington, DC 20002 The Lincoln Memorial in Pop Culture: May 14, 7 p.m. Faith Salie of National Public Radio’s Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me and CBS Sunday Morning will join the National Park Service’s Mike Litterst at Sylvan Theater for an examination of the Lincoln Memorial’s most noteworthy moments in popular culture, from film to television to comic books. The duo will contemplate how these depictions have impacted the cultural understanding and meaning of the memorial. Sylvan Theater, Washington Monument Grounds, Independence Avenue and 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20024 Commemorating Abraham Lincoln Through Oratory: May 17 & 18, 11 a.m. As evidenced by the Lincoln Memorial’s engravings of two of the great orator’s most notable speeches, his Gettysburg Address and Second Inaugural Address, the man knew how to deliver some remarks. On consecutive days, DC Public and Public Charter School classrooms from Ford’s Lincoln Oratory Festival program will perform speeches by President Lincoln, as well as additional speeches by other prominent figures such as Frederick Douglass and Mary McLeod Bethune. Lincoln Memorial, 2 Lincoln Memorial Circle NW, Washington, DC 20002 Words Count: Marian Anderson at the Lincoln Memorial: May 16, 11 a.m. Singer Marian Anderson, after being denied entry to an indoor venue for being Black, took to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for an unforgettable Easter Sunday performance in 1939. With 75,000 spectators on-hand, Anderson gave a stirring concert and turned the memorial into a civil rights landmark overnight. The incident served as inspiration for Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech, given in the same location nearly 30 years later. This special National Park Service program will educate attendees on this momentous occasion and its long-lasting impact. Lincoln Memorial, 2 Lincoln Memorial Circle NW, Washington, DC 20002 Lincoln Memorial Centennial Celebration: May 22, 10 a.m. Discover the mountain of meaning behind the Lincoln Memorial during a ceremony hosted by The Lincoln Group of DC in partnership with the National Park Service. The event will feature a theme of “Building on Lincoln’s Vision of Unity and Equality,” with topics ranging from Lincoln’s background to his contributions as Commander-in-Chief to his leadership during the Civil War. Participants will include Lincoln historian Harold Holzer, Dr. Edna Greene Medford (noted Lincoln scholar from nearby Howard University), Dr. Charlotte Morris (president of Tuskegee University) and actor Steven Lan (featured in Avatar, Gettysburg and Gods and Generals). The United States Marine Quintet and singer/actress Felicia Curry (who recently portrayed Marian Anderson in the Ford’s Theatre production of My Lord, What a Night) will provide musical accompaniment. Lincoln Memorial, 2 Lincoln Memorial Circle NW, Washington, DC 20002 The Lincoln Memorial and Civil Rights: May 28, 11 a.m. Designers of the Lincoln Memorial sought to honor the American icon with a representation of a united nation, the one he fought to preserve. However, the story told on the stone, sculpture and inscriptions of the memorial is incomplete. In the century since the initial dedication, the site has served as a public square, a place where thousands have gathered to demand inclusion and equal rights, adding another layer to the story of Lincoln and the memorial. A park ranger will guide you through the evolution of the Lincoln Memorial and how it has become intertwined with the ongoing struggle for civil rights in the United States. Lincoln Memorial, 2 Lincoln Memorial Circle NW, Washington, DC 20002

Celebrate Women at These Attractions in Washington, DC

Change Preferences

Free Things to Do: Best of Washington, DC

15+ Speakeasy Bars & Hidden Cocktail Lounges in Washington, DC

Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Must-See Concerts to Check Out This Fall

Order Your Free Visitors Guide

Explore the Connected Capital

Exceptional Venus for Your Meeting in Washington, DC

Your Meeting Planner Toolkit

Museums with After-Hours Programming in Washington, DC

Learning on Location

Top Ways Washington, DC is a Sustainable City

Member Testimonials

Learn More About Partnerships