Washington, D.C., the host city for the 2018 Annual Session, is well-known for its historic and iconic monuments and historical attractions, as well as for its wealth of free museums and fine dining. Visitors will now have a large new variety of entertainment options following the city’s recent debut of “District Wharf.”

The $2.5 billion, 3.2 million square-foot waterfront neighborhood features trendy restaurants, local boutiques, indie music halls, upscale hotels and 10 acres of public waterfront parks along Washington’s historic Southwest Waterfront.

Billed as the largest waterfront development in the United States, District Wharf’s development was inspired by waterfronts around the world with promenades, piers, and docks designed by prominent architects. Located just south of the National Mall, District Wharf is thus a short distance from many better-known attractions on the mall including the Smithsonian Institution, the National Gallery of Art, the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.

With nearly 19 million visitors per year, according to Wikipedia, our nation’s capital offers a wealth of entertainment options to suit many tastes and interests. Other neighborhoods of interest to many visitors include Penn Quarter & Chinatown, known for diverse culture and dining experiences as well as for the International Spy Museum and the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum.

The U Street Corridor in Northwest D.C., known as “Washington’s Black Broadway,” offers the Howard Theatre, Bohemian Caverns, and the Lincoln Theatre. The latter venue hosted music legends such as Washington-native Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis.

AAO Tours Registration is Open

In conjunction with the 2018 Annual Session, the AAO will offer tours of many popular Washington, D.C. attractions. The 14 tour options range from traditional monument visits to walking, biking and Potomac yacht tours.
Learn about AAO Tours

From a da Vinci Painting to Unique Dining Experiences, Washington Offers Something for Everyone

Dr. Nahid Maleki, president of the AAO, has spent most of her adult life studying and working in Washington. She completed her orthodontic residency at Georgetown University, then became a tenured associate professor at her alma mater and has been in private orthodontic practice in the heart of the city since 1982.

An art lover, Dr. Maleki recommends a variety of cultural experiences in Washington to many orthodontic friends and colleagues who share her interests.

“The National Gallery of Art has a wonderful collection and is a must-see,” says Dr. Maleki. ‘Many people do not know the gallery houses a painting by Leonardo da Vinci, the great Italian painter – a portrait of Ginevra de’ Benci. When the National Gallery announced the acquisition of this painting in 1967, it made front-page news around the world because it is the only da Vinci painting outside Europe. You can visit Ginevra in Gallery 6 on the main floor of the West building. Like all museums in Washington, the National Gallery has free admission, so it won’t cost you a penny.”

Many visitors to Washington, including AAO members, are eager to partake of the city’s many fine dining options. For a quick introduction to the top-rated restaurants, Dr. Maleki recommends reviewing the Washington Post 2017 Fall Dining Guide.

Topping the list of restaurants is the revered Inn at Little Washington. Located in Washington, Virginia about 90 miles from the nation’s capital, the restaurant features gourmet cuisine. Other restaurants on the Top 10 list are located in or near Washington, D.C., including some near the Convention Center. In addition, the Post offers a Top 10 List of “Cheap Eats” restaurants for those seeking fare that is simpler, but still of high quality.

Catch a Washington Nationals Game During Annual Session

The Washington Nationals Major League Baseball team will have home games (vs. Philadelphia Phillies) on May 4, 5 and 6 during the 2018 Annual Session. Annual Session registrants will have access to tickets at discounts of 17 to 20 percent, depending on the game. Watch the eBulletin in February for a link and code to purchase discounted tickets.