Countdown to the Champion Summit: Mozzie's Guide to DC!

DC is way more than a political hub– it’s a melting pot of cultures with diverse food, art, and social scenes – not to mention its location on the bank of the beautiful Potomac River. I thought you might want to know a little bit more about your destination for February’s Champion Summit and as always, Mozzie’s got your back. I buzzed around town and got the hottest tips and tricks for making the most of your time in DC.

For the Sight-Seers  

Best tourist tip?
Visit the Lincoln Memorial at night. The free attraction stays open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and at night, the columns, statue, and lighting wield their most dramatic impact.

Favorite museum?
Stop by one of DC’s 15 (free!) Smithsonian museums, many of which are located along the National Mall. Favorites include the Air and Space Museum– the most popular museum in the world–and the Natural History Museum.

Most under-rated DC tourist attraction?
If you aren’t deterred by the cold, take a trip to the U.S. National Arboretum and walk around the 446 acres of trees, plants, and flowers. This natural wonder hosts guided hikes, but book early as they often fill up a month or more in advance.

For the Culturally-Inclined

Best cultural activity?
Go see a show at the Kennedy Center. The venue– a living memorial to JFK– hosts a new, free performance on the Millennium Stage at 6pm every day of the year.

Tip for art lovers?

Visit the National Gallery of Art, celebrating its 75^th Anniversary this year. Marvel at modern surrealist works in Louise Bourgeois: No Exit or see 50 first-century Hellenic bronze sculptures on display in Power and Pathos.

Feeling wintery?
For a more seasonal activity, take a spin on the Washington Harbor’s outdoor ice rink. Skate alongside the Potomac River and enjoy a hot beverage from one of the rink-side restaurants.

Best child-friendly activity?
Come and see DC’s pride and joy, baby panda Bei Bei in person (and up close via the Giant Panda Cam) at the National Zoo. The best part? It’s totally free!

For Foodies

Best cafe?
Georgetown’s Peacock Cafe is always bustling with visitors and locals alike, for its eclectic menu and sleek cosmopolitan feel. Meals are prepared farm-to-table and brunch here is a highlight.

Best cupcakes?
“Chocolate Cupcake of Doom,” “The Unporked Elvis,” and “Unicorns & Rainbows” are just a few of the tantalizing treats on offer at Baked and Wired’s cupcake emporium. Skip the crowds at Georgetown Cupcake and join the locals at B&W – the coffee is some of the best in DC too. 

Best market?
Bundle up and take a walk through the Dupont Circle Farmer’s Market.  “Promoting local food with a face, a place, and a taste in the Chesapeake Bay Region,” the weekend farmers market is DC’s destination for farm-fresh goodies and artisanal products.

Special lunch spot?
Grab lunch at Orange Anchor DC, a Georgetown water-front restaurant that opened up last spring and has been described as “a well-appointed, sailing-themed locale with a seafood-centric American menu & rum cocktails.”

Best after-dinner treat?
The jury is split on this one – Capitol Hill’s Pitango Gelato’s traditional classic Italian-style gelato is worth crossing town for with choices such as bacio, stracciatella, and pistachio, while Dolcezza – closer to home in Georgetown and DuPont Circle - is famed for its interesting and seasonal concoctions, such as lemon ricotta cardamom.

For those who want to live as the locals do

Best neighborhood to wander around?
Stroll along the historic streets of Georgetown, which are lined with stellar restaurants, historical attractions, high-fashion retailers and art galleries. If you don’t mind waiting in long lines, visit Georgetown Cupcake, the cupcake shop popularized on TLC’s hit series DC Cupcakes.

Best book shop?
DuPont Circle’s Kramerbooks is a DC institution for book-lovers. With an unrivaled selection of books, passionate staff, and a fantastic café/bar tucked in the back, you’ll be hard pressed to find a reason to leave.

Best park for an early morning run?
Rock Creek Park is a local and historic favorite. Celebrating their 125^th anniversary this year, experience the fresh air, peaceful landscape, and local wildlife as you get your morning cardio on.

Best live music venues?
DC’s U Street corridor is the place to be if you’re in search of live music. Amongst the dive bars and restaurants sits U Street Music Hall, a small dance club and music venue which regularly hosts DJs and indie groups. A few blocks away, you can check out the 9:30 Club or the Howard Theater, which host bigger acts and offer a larger space and a tantalizing selection of drinks.