Destination DC

05/20/2026

Join us in congratulating ’s Employee of the Quarter, Grace Leahy! 👏

Grace is known for her creativity, reliability and willingness to step up wherever needed. From supporting teams during times of transition to bringing innovative ideas and positive energy to every project, she consistently goes above and beyond for her colleagues and the organization.

Thank you, Grace, for your hard work, leadership and dedication to ! 🎉

05/18/2026

🏛️ It's International Museum Day and there’s no better place to celebrate than — home to world-class museums and one of the largest collections of free museum experiences anywhere in the world. From iconic Smithsonian museums to unique independent institutions, DC offers endless ways to explore art, history, culture, science and innovation.

05/14/2026

🚌 DC loves buses – and the people who keep them moving!

Today we joined District Department of Transportation, American Bus Association, National Park Service National Mall and Memorial Parks, United Motorcoach Association, SYTA: Student and Youth Travel Association, USPG LLC Union Station Parking Garage and DC’s hospitality community to celebrate the drivers and operators who make our city one of the top group tour destinations in the country.

Now in its 15th year, DC Loves Buses Day honors the motorcoach professionals whose hard work fuels local tourism and connects visitors to only-in-DC experiences. This year, 200 drivers received a themed gift bag and a delicious lunch generously donated by Ben's Chili Bowl, Pinstripes in Georgetown, Chopt Creative Salad Co. and Dos Toros Taqueria as a token of appreciation.

Special thanks to our incredible partners for helping bring this day to life:
AC Hotel Washington DC Capitol Hill • AC Hotel by Marriott Washington DC Convention Center • Cambria Hotel Washington D.C. Navy Yard Riverfront • Carmine's Italian Restaurant - Washington DC • Courtyard by Marriott Washington Capitol Hill/Navy Yard • DowntownDC Business Improvement District • Hampton Inn Washington Downtown Convention Center • Hampton Inn & Suites Washington DC - Navy Yard • Holiday Inn Express Washington DC Downtown, an IHG Hotel • Museum of the Bible • National Geographic Museum • The Mansion on O & O Street Museum • The Puttery • Raising Cane's • Transportation Management Services (TMS) • Visit Alexandria VA

05/13/2026

Summer is almost here and DC is gearing up for once-in-a-generation exhibitions, free festivals and only-in-DC experiences, there’s no better place to make history. ☀️ 🌴

🔗 to learn more: https://bit.ly/4dHz1Fq

WASHINGTON, DC – Momentum is building for what promises to be an epic summer in the nation’s capital. Over the coming months, Washington, DC will debut major new attractions, including the National Geographic Museum of Exploration, an innovative museum beneath the Lincoln Memorial and an expansi...

05/12/2026

Is your team ready for ? 🇺🇸

Get up to speed with our new DC250 training module, now part of the Washington, DC Special Agent Academy on LearnUpon. Designed for frontline staff and industry partners, this quick, free course covers key events, exhibitions and updates tied to America’s 250th anniversary, so you can confidently answer the question: “What’s happening for 250?”

Start the training: destinationdc.learnupon.com

05/06/2026

📣 Washington, DC welcomed more than 27.2 million visitors in 2025 — a slight increase over 2024. 📣

Business and leisure tourism remain bright spots for DC’s economy, supporting local jobs, businesses and essential city services. Travel Rally 2026 highlighted the power of visitation in , and was a fitting way to celebrate .

The 2025 breakdown:
👥 27.2 million total visitors
💲 $11.9 billion in visitor spending, up 4% YoY
💼 114,013 jobs supported, up 2% YoY
🏡 $2.4 billion in tax revenue, up 4% YoY

🔗 Find more: https://bit.ly/4tQZg1X

🤝 Thank you to our incredible partners who helped make today possible: Lincoln Theatre, Ben's Chili Bowl, Muriel Bowser, U.S. Travel Association, Brand USA, Encore, La Prima Catering, Pelonkey, Creative Agency, Chip Dizard Studios and The Kyle Duarte Company.

05/04/2026

A DC icon is back! 🌭

Ben's Chili Bowl reopened its historic U Street location last week, welcoming guests back to one of 's most beloved gathering places.

For generations, Ben’s has been more than a restaurant, it’s a symbol of community, culture and the enduring spirit of . Welcome back to U Street. ❤️

05/04/2026

National Travel and Tourism Week starts now! ❤️🧳

This week, we celebrate the power of travel to drive jobs, fuel local businesses and create opportunity across . From hotels and restaurants to attractions, transportation and events, tourism supports communities across all eight wards and helps our city thrive.

We’re proud to champion an industry that connects people and powers progress, and we look forward to celebrating together at Travel Rally this week. 🎉

05/01/2026

Washington, DC continues to show up as a truly global destination. 🌎

Passport DC, presented by Events DC, is one of the strongest examples of what makes the city an experience. With more than 170 embassies across the District, the month-long program opens doors to international culture, cuisine and connection in a way few cities can replicate.

From the Around the World Embassy Tour to the EU Open House and Fiesta Asia Street Festival, these moments showcase DC’s global reach and its ability to turn cultural access into meaningful visitor experiences. Check out our guide to Passport DC: https://washington.org/visit-dc/reasons-to-tour-an-embassy-in-dc-during-passport-dc

04/30/2026

We had a blast at Member Speed Networking! More than 240 members joined us at Nationals Park for an energizing morning of conversations, introductions and new opportunities across DC’s tourism and hospitality community. 🤝

Events like this are one of the many ways Destination DC helps members build relationships, grow business and stay connected to what’s happening across . Interested in joining our network? Learn more about membership: https://bit.ly/4uERt7B

📸: Jon Armstrong Photo