Why DC is The New York Times Top Place to Visit in 2020

• January 9th 2020

by Nena Perry-Brown

The New York Times' takes on Washington, DC have been known to incite hefty criticism from media outlets, so it will be interesting to see the reactions to the latest mention by the paper: The Times just named DC as its top place to visit in 2020.

Here are some of the reasons behind the choice:

• As this year marks the 100th anniversary of women securing the right to vote, several of DC's cultural institutions, such as the Library of Congress and the National Museum of American History, have or are mounting exhibits in commemoration — many with free admission. 
• Areas like U Street exemplify the city's rich cultural intersection, as the article notes U Street's history as "Black Broadway" and how it is interspersed with theaters and venues tied to musical traditions like go-go (the city's likely official music) and jazz.
• The city's dining scene continues to impress with Michelin-starred offerings alongside more ambitious fare, including Ethiopian and Laotian restaurants. 

The District of Columbia won the top spot after several rounds of voting and debate, starting with suggestions from the newspaper's staff and contributors. The staff's selections seemed to share the common themes of environmental sustainability and history, both of which are prevalent features ofDC. Staff also appreciated DC's status as a majority-minority city. 

"Our #1 place, Washington, looks both forward and back," a companion article about the selection process reads. "What better year than 2020, in the middle of what promises to be an extraordinarily contentious election, to visit and remember the ideals on which the United States was founded, and the fact that Washington belongs to everyone."

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/why-dc-is-the-new-york-times-top-place-to-visit-this-year/16317.