Washington DC is known for its incredible public buildings and museums, but this vibrant and beautiful city has so much more to offer that Canadians should know about.
On June 28, a representative from the DC Tourism Board visited Toronto and talked about everything the city has to offer, from A-1 cuisine to luxury hotels, spacious parks, and festivals. They also mentioned that DC will be hosting World Pride next year (May 23-June 8), marking the second time World Pride will be held in a US city.
Lindsay Hill, deputy director of visitor experiences and group tours for DC Tourism, manned the city’s tourism booth at Toronto Pride over Canada Day weekend.
“We’re expanding our presence in key international markets like Toronto,” said Kyle Deckelbaum, national media relations manager for Destination DC.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be here,” he said. “More than 250,000 Canadians visited Washington, D.C. last year, a six per cent increase on pre-pandemic figures.”
In addition to offering FAM trips, Destination DC also runs a Special Agent Academy that trains travel advisors.
“The program is designed to train, engage, and turn our agents into influence masters,” the Destination DC website states. “Get trained on what makes Washington DC so attractive to travelers. Master the art of matching travelers’ special interests and travel styles with personalized DC experiences. Gain access to future FAM opportunities and a chance to win exclusive prizes.”
Mayor Deckelbaum told media gathered at the June 28 event that the city’s slogan is “There is only one DC.”
“You can visit the Martin Luther King Memorial in the morning, go kayaking on the Potomac River in the afternoon, and have cocktails at the rooftop bar in the evening.”
The Washington, D.C., zoo is free and is set to welcome two 2-year-old pandas from China later this year.
“Washington is the only place in the world where you can see pandas for free,” Deckelbaum said.
He also said the city has 19 new or renovated hotels – the former Mandarin Oriental has been renovated and is now the Salamander – and the city is also set to see its first boutique hotel, called Arlo.
The Willard InterContinental Washington DC has hosted US presidents since the 1850s and can personally recommend the historic and elegant Hay-Adams Hotel.
Here are some links to some great summer hotel experiences in the city.
World Pride will take place in Washington DC from May 23 to June 8 next year. Around two million visitors are expected, marking the second time World Pride has been held in a US city.
The city will host celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026.
Deckelbaum says there are over 25 free museums in Washington, DC, which is amazing. I’ve been to a few museums, most recently the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which is both solemn and amazing.
The National Gallery of Art has a collection of more than 141,000 pieces of art from various eras and around the world, including the only Leonardo da Vinci work in the Americas. Admission to the museum is free.
The National Museum of Women in the Arts is said to be the world’s first museum solely dedicated to female artists, and houses over 5,500 works by approximately 1,000 artists.
The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington DC is home to the world’s largest Shakespeare collection, and the Tudor Theatre offers drama lovers a chance to see a collection of professional productions among a fantastic lineup of shows.
The city also hosts a number of annual festivals, including the Cherry Blossom Festival and the Jazz Festival.
For foodies, Deckelbaum says Washington DC has the highest concentration of James Beard Award winners of any U.S. city. DC restaurants serve cuisines from around the world: Thai, Italian, Indian, classic French, casual barbecue, Southern soul food. A few years ago, I took a great food tour around Georgetown, which included Korean food and then kayaking on the Potomac River.
Since opening in 1933, Martin’s Tavern has been a local favorite among presidents and diplomats, and has been the scene of major debates, landmark decisions and iconic moments like JFK’s marriage proposal to Jackie Onassis.
Cyclists can enjoy the many bike lanes, and nature lovers can explore the 1,700-acre Rock Creek Park, which Deckelbaum said is larger than New York City’s Central Park.
