For five decades, Ted Leonsis has helped define culture in Washington, D.C. through sports, art, and education. Since first moving to the city in the 1970s as a student at Georgetown, he has become best known for creating Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Washington Wizards (NBA), Washington Capitals (NHL), WNBA Washington Mystics (WNBA), Capital One Arena, and Monumental Sports Network.
Outside of his primary endeavors, he has created galleries like Harry Benson, built friendships with chefs like José Andrés, and produced films like the Emmy Award-winning Nanking.
Below, Ted shares his favorite places across the nation’s capital.
What makes Washington, D.C. a great place to visit?
We've got a lot of free stuff to draw people in. When I go to London–one of the greatest cities–I'm amazed. We'll go to some of the greatest museums and parks, and they're free to the public.And that's what we have in D.C., the Smithsonian system, the National Mall. It's really spectacular to bring your family to Washington, D.C. They just doubled their prices to go to Disney World [in Florida]. In Washington, D.C., we offer one-of-a-kind quality for free. You can dial up or dial down how much you want to spend on where you stay and eat.
How has dining changed in the five decades since you were a student at Georgetown?
I was on a student's budget.In the 1970s, there was a real desire to have this mixing bowl of different languages, heritages, and tastes. The city had started to have some international cache with chefs wanting to come, mostly to cater to the 200 embassies that are in Washington, D.C.
When Reagan became president in the 80s, he was the first president who wanted to explore eating out.
José Andrés became one of the most important people in our city, reflective of what the city was becoming. He was socially aware. He was a philanthropist. He was pounding out great restaurants, one after another.
Before the pandemic, there was a decade where we were ranked as the foodiest city in America.
Right now, the rebirth is occurring. It's a great time to start to pay attention to D.C. once again, post pandemic.
Which restaurant do you enjoy in D.C.?
I can see it from my office at Capital One Arena! [Bib Gourmand] Zaytinya, Chef José Andrés' love letter to Mediterranean cuisine. Whether for a business lunch or an early dinner before a Washington Capitals or Washington Wizards game, Zaytinya is the perfect spot.
Which hotels stand out in D.C.?
There are so many to choose from, including several downtown like the always wonderful [One MICHELIN Key] Hay-Adams, but I’ll go with the completely re-imagined Salamander DC. Few in the hospitality industry can match the service and ambience offered by my friend and business partner Sheila Johnson. Her Salamander Collection, including her most recent addition right in D.C., is among the best of the best.Favorite hidden gem in the city?
The Kogod Courtyard at the National Historic Landmark building shared by the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. The glass canopy provides a bright and open space for locals and tourists alike. It's a stark contrast to the brutalist architecture throughout the city, and one of my favorite places to visit—and just across the street from my office.
Favorite museum and gallery?
It has to be the newest Smithsonian—The National Museum of African American History & Culture. It's the vision of my friend and the museum’s founding director, Lonnie Bunch. I’m proud to serve on the Council of the museum.I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Harry Benson: Washington, D.C., an exhibit I recently opened with my wife, Lynn, and our friend, Jeff Skoll. The gallery, located in downtown D.C. next door to Capital One Arena features over 160 photos from iconic photojournalist Harry Benson. The gallery is free and open to the public.
He's 95 years old now, and I believe he's the world's most important living photojournalist. He first came to America with The Beatles. He photographed every president from Eisenhower to Biden. The royal family. Martin Luther King.
We have the largest collection of his photos. A global but a D.C. theme, it tells a narrative of Washington, D.C. through the eyes of presidents, their families, political leaders, celebrities, and musicians. All roads lead to D.C.
Only in D.C. could you find a free, world-class gallery of the most important photographer right across the street from the Smithsonian Portrait Gallery, near restaurants, bars, shopping, and the National Mall.
I did it as a love letter to the city.
Favorite parks?
There is simply no other outdoor space in the world like The National Mall. Combining its rich history with unparalleled accessibility, The National Mall is unmatched.We’re fortunate to have several National Parks in our region, and my family and I have long enjoyed taking walks along Great Falls in Great Falls Park on the Virginia side and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park on the Maryland side.
One small caveat, and while I do love our National Parks, my favorite park is usually whichever park in which I get to play with my grandkids!
What else makes Washington, D.C. special?
D.C. is a super city, but small and intimate enough. It feels safe taking public transportation. People come from all over the world to Washington, D.C.We were a little late getting the world's greatest chefs, restaurants, and hotels, but we're there now. We also have ten major research universities, a defining business community, great sports teams, and iconic real estate.
Anything else you would like to add?
When I was a kid, I remember going to Europe with The MICHELIN Guide. I always admire and pay extra attention to when someone does a review, and they don't know who the person is. That's how you're going to get the real objective stuff. That's great that you guys are still doing the work to do it that way.Address Book
Capital One Arena
601 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004
Zaytinya (Bib Gourmand)
701 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
National Museum of African American History & Culture (Smithsonian)
1400 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560
Harry Benson: Washington, DC
707 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Salamander DC
1330 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
The Hay-Adams Hotel (One MICHELIN Key)
800 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20006
Kogod Courtyard
8th Street Northwest &, G St NW, Washington, DC
National Mall
Washington, DC
Great Falls Park
9200 Old Dominion Dr, McLean, VA 22102
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
11710 Macarthur Blvd, Potomac, MD 20854
Hero image: Ted Leonsis
