Lauren DeSantis is a lawyer by day and weekend host/producer of Capital Cooking, a television series highlighting the culinary and cultural riches of our nation’s capital.  By incorporating dishes from the many ethnic cuisines represented in Washington, D.C., Lauren's cooking style is continually evolving. She is also the author of the Capital Cooking Cookbook. 

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

Lauren shares her top 5

1. Meridian Hill Park: Not a lot of people know about the drum circle in the park on Sundays. I live down the street so whenever we have visitors in town we walk over to enjoy the fun.

2. National's Stadium: Get the cheap seats and watch the game from the bar. Visitors love the President's Race.

3. Winery Excursion: Most visitors don't realize that although we're in a city, we have beautiful farms and wineries less than an hour away. I alwasy try to take my friends on a mini-wine tour to Leesburg, VA or even up to Sugarloaf Mountain in Maryland.

4. Explore the neighborhoods through Eating: RedRocks in Columbia Heights, Bistrot du Coin in Dupont Circle, Cava in Barracks Row, Mandu in Chinatown, Smith Commons on H Street, are just a few of my favorites.

5. Georgetown: Everyone loves the bright colors and shopping. It is also a great place to catch a movie or walk along the water. You can even take a boat cruise.  

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