On The Road: Washington D.C., June 13, 2017

From towering monuments celebrating our nation’s heritage to incredible museums and decadent cuisine, Washington, D.C., offers something for everybody in a compact 68-sq.-mi. city. With my travel schedule typically seeing me fly in and out with little time to spare, it was nice to arrive a couple days early after a show in New York. I’ve been to D.C. many times, but haven’t had a chance to explore it for nearly two decades.

Hotel Recommendation, The Westin City Center

Located on M Street, you’re within walking distance of the National Mall. I didn’t eat at the hotel, but the restaurants looked like they served good quality food, and 24-hour room service was available. The gym was better than many, and you’re very close to a CVS and coffee shops for a morning pick-me-up!

What To Explore

Because I’m often in a city only briefly, I’ve learned to maximize sightseeing in a tight time span. Fortunately, many of the best things to see in D.C. are within the approximately two square miles of the National Mall. From the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol Building and White House, the nation’s history is vibrantly displayed for free public consumption.

One of the crown jewels of the city is the diverse Smithsonian Institute, also free for everybody. There was no way to explore all 19 museums, but I was able to enjoy the American History Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Air & Space Museum and the Hirshhorn. Collectively, it was an experience as interesting as it is controversial, from Abraham Lincoln’s hat to the Wright Brothers plane, as well as the Fénykövi Elephant that was killed in the 1950s for display in the Natural History Museum’s famous rotunda.

Where To Dine

I had the pleasure of dining at Fiola, one of D.C.’s finest restaurants. And the meal, while expensive, did not disappoint. In fact, it was one of the best restaurants that I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying. From poached halibut in a sea foam to a delicious squab, the meals were sourced from some of the best locations in the nation and brought to life by chef Fabio Trabocchi.

Another restaurant receiving my highest recommendation is Fish by Jose Andres, located in the MGM National Harbor. Like Fiola, Fish sources its ingredients from the best farms and fish markets in the country. The calamari was the best I’ve ever had, and their crab mac n’ cheese is to die for.

The Show

As one of the world’s leading cybersecurity firms, iboss has offices in Boston and San Diego. At the annual Gartner Security & Risk Management Summit, I put together a customized program that combines mind reading, illusion and technology. We had a hospitality suite at the Gaylord Hotel & Convention Center, where my job was to entertain with close-up mind reading during the three-hour program, as well as to include two completely different shows for the attendees that would draw in new prospects as well as entertain existing clientele. The show was a huge success. Thank you to iboss for the great opportunity to collaborate and create an immersive experience for your guests!