Discover the District
Excerpted from page 34 of the May/June 2023 edition of AOA Focus
Optometry’s Meeting® is your meeting—a premier conference experience crafted by members and for members to deliver four days of unparalleled opportunities that engage the profession in the nation’s capital. And with the meeting happening at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center—conveniently located only steps away from some of the most iconic spots in Washington, D.C.—attendees are encouraged to enjoy all that the District has to offer while at Optometry’s Meeting.
Looking to take your networking outside of the convention center and into the city? Members of the AOA’s Washington, D.C., staff have got you covered. Here are their recommendations of where to dine, relax and soak up the Optometry’s Meeting host city.
What to eat
425 I St. NW
“Get the Tom Yum soup and the fried pumpkin appetizer. Just make sure not to add any chilies to the soup—it’s already perfectly spicy.” —Matt Willette
791 Wharf St. SW
“Seafood tower! The seafood paella is also a favorite, as is the creamy fritter, Iberico ham and black truffle appetizer.” —Matt Willette
1601 14th St. NW
“French café style restaurant that is a D.C. staple! Grab a seat at the bar and order their famous Burger Américain and French fries!” —Ruth Hazdovac
914 14th St. SE
“Italian spot minutes from Capitol Hill up Pennsylvania Avenue. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but the Caruso’s Alfredo and tiramisu will not disappoint!” —Ruth Hazdovac
1052 Thomas Jefferson Street NW
“Have a sweet tooth? Skip the long line of tourists visiting Georgetown Cupcake and follow the locals to Baked & Wired for the best cupcakes and baked goods the city has to offer!” —Yakesha Cooper
“Washington’s most famous chef, José Andrés—when he isn’t providing food and other relief at humanitarian, climate and community crises—has a variety of popular restaurants in town, from the original Jaleo (Spanish) and Zaytinya (Mediterranean), tomato-focused Beefsteak and avant-garde Minibar, to the newest—the Bazaar—located at the famous former Old Post Office pavilion.” —Rodney Peele
1309 5th Street NE
“Visit Union Market District for a one-stop shop for dining, arts and entertainment. Try one of the delicious food vendors inside the Market featuring an array of restaurant stands, visit La Cosecha to experience art, food and culture from Latin America, or have a drink at Cotton & Reed rum distillery. If you’re a music lover, peek inside Byrdland Records for a bit of nostalgia and all your vinyl needs or check out a live show at Songbyrd. You can also check out Hi-Lawn, the rooftop at the Market, for creative draft and juice box cocktails, hosted picnics, lawn games and outdoor music, all with stunning 360-degree city views.” —Yakesha Cooper
515 15th St. NW
“The VUE is a can’t-miss if you want to feel like you’re in the center of it all. Their rooftop offers views of the White House, the Washington monument and more.” —Madison Lamp
675 15th St. NW
“Old Ebbitt Grill is a place that has been loved by locals and visitors since 1856. The service is phenomenal, the atmosphere is lively, the location is conveniently one block from the White House and the food is consistently 10/10. I recommend ordering any seafood you normally like, and if it happens to be oysters, you’re in for a treat.” —Madison Lamp
What to see
3001 Connecticut Ave. NW
“For the family, the National Zoo is known for adorable pandas, easy access from the Washington Metro subway (red line) and improved exhibits. But beware of free (timed) advance passes now required for entrance, unlike the walk-up entry in the past. On hot summer days, the outdoor animals are more active early in the morning or late in the afternoon.” —Rodney Peele
Audi Field
100 Potomac Ave. SW
“For sports, Audi Field hosts Major League Soccer on Saturday, June 24, when D.C. United hosts FC Cincinnati.” —Rodney Peele
Nationals Park
1500 S Capitol St. SE
“Across the street from Audi Field at Nationals Park, the Washington Nationals host the St. Louis Cardinals, June 19-21. Both Nationals Park and Audi Field are Metro-accessible with lots of dining and drink options outside and inside the stadiums, such as Bluejacket, one of D.C.’s biggest and best brewpubs.” —Rodney Peele
105 N. Union Street
Alexandria, Virginia
“On the waterfront in Old Town Alexandria, a 100-year-old munitions plant was converted into an art center. Stop by to stroll the building and admire the art at the nation’s largest collection of working artists under one roof.” —Julia Moore
Museums
“DC is known for its (mostly) free museums; a couple of the newest ones are the Museum of Illusions and Planet Word, while the Smithsonian museums and the Holocaust Memorial Museum remain some of the most popular free destinations in town but require advance passes.” —Rodney Peele
“Love seeing what is happening at the Smithsonian. There are so many exhibits to see (free) and they have lots of events that the family can enjoy while doctors, students and paraoptometrics are participating at the meeting.” —Deirdre Middleton
“Walking the National Mall at night is the best way to see monuments, from the Lincoln Memorial all the way to the Capitol. It is just a different way to walk through these historic monuments.” —Deirdre Middleton
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