I visited this convention center to attend the National Book Festival. I had an amazing experience…read more There were panels and book signings. I got my copy of the book Kin signed by the author Tayari Jones. I was very glad that I traveled to attend this event with my book club. This festival has been happening for years and I'm glad that I was able to attend this year. Looking forward to visiting DC again soon.

I guess you expect a Convention Center in the nation's capital. The good news is that you can…read moreaccess it via the Metro (Yellow line). There are also many hotels and some good restaurants nearby. The convention center has many windows which bring in some good light. Decent place.

This was an amazing experience from start to finish. Well, outside of finding parking the entire…read morefam enjoyed it! The creativity is on 100 even the temps was rather cold. We also enjoyed pizza. The bathrooms weren't that bad. I definitely will consider come back

The lanterns and lights are beautiful!!! They really make the experience worth it…read more It did feel slightly disorganized in certain parts. Entry went very smoothly (although I was surprised they didn't have any security or bag checks). But the line to get tickets for the carousel, maze, and train was all one line with one cashier and snaked around so much that it really impacted the crowds just walking past. It was busy, but generally not overly so. However, they did sell out of tickets and weren't selling any at the entrance so make sure to buy them online ahead of time! The one big disappointment for me was the food. There were a lot of stalls open which helped with the lines, but they weren't staffed well enough to handle the influx of people, leading to longer wait times. The food was also really expensive, and didn't have the quality to match it. I got a plain hot chocolate for $8 and it tasted like it was just a swiss miss powder.... I think the lanterns and lights are worth the $9 entry fee, but plan on skipping the food/drinks or bringing your own. I wish I'd just brought an insulated tumbler with hot chocolate from home.

An odd place. I've walked by several times a week over the last two years (it's near my work), and…read moreonly recently realized that it is listed as an art gallery. I've never, ever seen it open. When I've peered through the windows it tends to look abandoned, with art hanging crooked and furniture strewn about. The same art is there for months, but there is never anyone around? On their website it says that it is apparently DC's "largest contemporary art gallery", but it appears to be more of a rarely used wedding and corporate event venue.

I came here for Washingtonian's Rose Soirée (on 5/16/2019 and thanks to Yelp!). The venue is really…read morenice inside very open and interesting art on the walls. This event was a wine tasting/party where local vineyards and wineries had tables/stands and offered samples of their rosé. City winery DC, district winery and Barboursville vineyards were there, among others. It seems like Longview is a pretty versatile space. I've seen weddings take place here too--would consider having mine here if I weren't poor. But, I can't comment on the pricing or service for Longview because I haven't been involved in organizing/hosting an event here. However, I can say that it's fun to ATTEND events here. Blagden alley is also behind it so you can have Tiger Fork, The Dabney, and a bunch of other places right there. Espita Mezcaleria is basically next door.

The Spire is a modern corporate event and meeting space that has great rooftop terraces, offering a…read morepanoramic view of the Capitol! The space is beautiful, and during the nice weather, you can enjoy drinks on the terrace. I came here for an event, and the staff were pretty friendly, guiding you in where to go. A great spot to host events or to hold special or private meetings. Limited metered and garage parking available in the area. +event space +rooftop views +friendly staff & service

This was my first time coming to the Capital Pride Celebration. I was invited by a few friends so…read moreI decided to go and show my support. The vibes were festive, celebratory, and expressive. There were vendors, free giveaways, DJs, food, young adults, seniors, people in wheel chairs, people of every age, race, color, creed were there. What stood out to me were the Drag Queens completely decked out, approachable and available for photo-ops. The weather was hot. It's a good idea to come with an Iced water bottle to stay hydrated. The event was well organized. There were scheduled events all over the city. The website described what was going on from free to ticketed events.

I've attended a few times and can't believe that I have never reviewed Capital Pride. Granted, most…read moretimes I am here to work at a booth for my place of work, but every so often I get to be out and explore. (Apologies for such a late post for this review, I'm just that backed up on reviews). Like I said, when I am usually here, it is t be working a booth during the festival day...or, come to think of it, marching in the parade. Being on the side of things where you are participating in the events and having to deal with the organization is a a bit eye opening. Participating usually starts rather early and towards the last three months of the year prior. It moves rather quickly and you have to have all your ducks in a row. However, if you do, it goes rather smoothly. Especially if you already have an account and know what you are doing. Steps progress rather quickly and you will be uploading documents, attending mandatory meetings, and be upon your way to the day. The only downside here is that they seem to make the meeting (that could be an email) for participants mandatory. It's not easy to work that into your schedule, last minute I might add, when you are travelling for work. Come the day of the events and they run rather smoothly. The festival day is packed full of people and it is crazy how everything goes off without a hitch. Music is everywhere, people are having a good time, and the smells are wonderful. All the vendors offering food make it feel like you are at a state fair. Hopefully one of these years I'll have time to explore more and just be here on my own time. Wish it would be next year as DC will be hosting World Pride.

Really love these community centers. I went here for the Spit Dat Open Mic (Every Thursday at 9pm)…read moreand was really impressed by the talent of the performers who went up there. People really react and get into performances and that's what I love to see when I perform. I haven't checked out any of the other events, but I like the vibe of the space.

When I first went, it threw me off, because I definitely wasn't expecting a house. But there's a…read moresign in the front, so you can't miss it. Unless you forget to look for a house, not a fancy building. I remember just walking in, and thinking, "am I lost (again)?" They only ask for $1 donation- super cheap if you think about buying a drink at Busboys and Poets and then listening to the poetry readings that don't stir your social justice/racial justice blood, where you walk out feeling like you missed something. So I sat there, thinking, this is kind of a random place for a spoken word show- I mean, we're talking minimal (no) technology, some hot lights, rows of fold-up chairs, and natural voice projection (aka no mic). But the spoken word? Well.....DAMN. Quality. The people were great, the host/organizer was funny and great, and even the people reading their material were awesome. There's some mad talent there. This is the spoken word that's maybe like Def Jam without Mos Def and without the fancy stage setup. It's a little bit late- 9pm on a Thursday night (I have to be in bed by 10 if I want a full 8 hrs of sleep before work the next day), and it goes until 11 or so. They have guest features too. This is the kind of atmosphere I was looking for in a spoken word venue, though I'm no expert- talent, laughter, soul, music, and some deep shiznit. The performers sound like people who live and breathe spoken word- and if it's not their work, it's their soul food. Busboys and Poets can't live up to the quality here, I think- at least not based on my last poetry night experience. Maybe I need to get myself to one of their open mics, but their poetry night on Sunday kinda depressed me.

This place is cool. Just cool…read more I was overexcited to stay here and was uber happy when the opportunity presented itself. ... everything that glitters ain't gold !! Location/ Parking - Great location near all the embassies. Walking distance to local attractions. Street and Garage Parking. Lobby Interior - Chic and modern. Nice spacious lobby/ seating area. Well decorated environment and has a spacious Cafe. Rooms - Aside from the beautiful headboard which brought me to this place, the room is basic and would benefit from a detailed cleaning. Rooftop - Fantastic lively rooftop pool w bar! Great libations and good vibes.

Embassy Row had surpassed my expectations right when we walked through the doors. The décor is…read moresuper chic and elegant making this a warm and a lovely boutique hotel, my kind of style. Being an Expedia Gold Member, I was able to take advantage of the VIP rewards and the manager Lyle generously upgraded our room. Our room was gorgeous with a city view, I loved everything about it, the color scheme, the bed, the bathroom, all of it. Our stay was very comfortable, they made us feel completely at home and we even took advantage of their happy hour before we headed for the rest of our day. To top it off, right as we're leaving the lobby, we noticed an employee making fresh popcorn in one of those old school popcorn stands. We immediately grabbed a cute little bag and got a huge scoop of popcorn for our train ride. Score! Aside from the inside of the hotel, it is conveniently located in Dupont Circle, so close to the metro station, down the street from a CVS and restaurants. They even had a farmers market going on right next to the hotel on Sunday morning. Beautiful hotel, friendly staff, a very comfortable stay in my books. I love boutique hotels and this one is off the charts!

I came to see what other clubs affiliated were outside of Baltimore, Md., while intown. Initially…read morecome into the building security ladies look you up and down. Then are directed to the 13th fl. I meet Ms.Theresa security reception (pleasent, polite, and upbeat) operations who walks me to elevator, then through the club and hands me off to, Mesfin- Food & Beverage manager, nice fellow who then directs me to the bar for a seat. My bar staff is preoccuppied with his phone to be engaging. The lunch wait staff is older and very inclusive, not hospitable nor engaging with even simple cordiality. One of the reasons, when not a regular in DC cliques, your presumed as an outsider. Food was a salad bar, that was fresh, clean, and had a great chickpea salad w feta and pickled onion. Cheat day was dessert- mini rasbery cheescake shot and a strawberry slice of roll cheesecake. Main course was potatoe gnocchi, fresh burrata,in red sauce. Wanted to see the layout for potential youth dining, when off the boat or taking youth visiting musuems, might have to seek accomodations more hospitable

The National Press Club is a venerable DC institution, rich with journalistic, DC and American…read morehistory and located at the top of Columbia Square. I could spend a couple hours looking at the all the wall artifacts which includes many autographed photos of important past visitors. I loved seeing the piano that President Harry S Truman used to play. Until today I never knew Truman tickled the ivories. An integral part of the NPC is dining at the Reliable Source. My dining experience was absolutely fabulous. Service was exceptional and I liked how the head chef came out to check on us. On this particular day (Wednesday), a salad and prime rib buffet was available, as well as a regular menu. We opted for the buffet, which also came with an absolutely delicious cream of chicken soup. I loved all the flavorful salad condiment options, including pickled onions and multiple types of nuts. The prime rib was tender and delicious. They had cheesecake as a dessert. At the end of lunch, they served a most excellent coffee. I loved how they did it the British way, pouring cream in the cup before pouring in the coffee. Coffee is provided in a li'l coffee pot for each person, with plenty of coffee for refills. On special occasions, such as Chinese (Lunar) New Year, they have more elaborate meals. Frequently, the NPC has pressers where people in the news come and talk and answer questions from the audience. The day I was here, Robert Rand, author of The Menendez Murders and Anamaria Baralt, a cousin of the Menendez brothers came and spoke about the case. You do have to be a member or be escorted by a member to enter the NPC.