Greg O’Dell is president and CEO of Events DC, the official convention and sports authority of the District of Columbia, and oversees a broad portion of the city’s travel and tourism industry including the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, the DC Armory and the Historic Carnegie Library. Growing up along the east coast, Greg went on to play basketball for Wofford College, where he was an Academic All-American and inducted into the Wofford Hall of Fame. He now lives in the downtown neighborhood of Shaw, where he enjoys being in close proximity to some of the city’s best amenities and attractions.

Cultural Tourism DC asked some notable Washingtonians to share with us their favorite places or events that are special and unique to DC. 

Greg shares his top 5. 

1. El Centro Restaurant - My new favorite restaurant is El Centro at 1819 14th Street NW, with fresh, authentic Mexican cuisine and a great urban vibe, you can’t go wrong at El Centro.
2. Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park - I occasionally ride with my cyclist-extraordinaire fiancé, and Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park, which is closed to cars on the weekend, is one of my favorites.
3. Ben’s Chili Bowl - Taste DC’s signature food, the half-smoke. No one does a chili half-smoke like Ben’s.
4. Washington Nationals Baseball Club - At one of the best stadiums in the majors, Nats Park.
5. The POV Lounge – It’s on the rooftop of the W Hotel, overlooking the White House with one of the city’s best views of the Washington Monument.

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