I wanted to take a moment to update everyone on Leaguefest.
As a reminder, Leaguefest will be happening in Washington DC this year, the weekend after Memorial Day May 30-31.
Hotel Update:
Last year Mark reserved a bunch of rooms in Chicago only to discover that almost no one decided to stay there. And I believe that many who are coming have already said they will be staying with friends or family. Because of this, we’re not going to reserve a bunch of rooms this year. However, we will have an official hotel recommendation:
The Liaison Capital Hill, an Affina Hotel
I’m choosing this hotel for three reasons:
- It’s centrally located on Capital Hill, and if you make your reservation late and they are booked up — or if you decide you would prefer a luxury, high-end hotel — there are a bunch of other hotels within a few blocks.
- It seems quite nice, and has a pool.
- It’s incredibly affordable by DC standards, and budget was they biggest potential hurdle most people who said they were on the fence about coming gave for being on said fence. Right now, you can go here and book rooms for between $119-129 per night.
Events Update:
Historically, we gather for drinks on Friday evening, a dinner on Saturday evening, and there are multiple events going on during the days.
I would like to reserve spots in a nice bar and restaurant by April 30. Before I do, however, I need to get some feedback from you all. So if you are considering coming, please answer these questions in the comments section below, or email directly.
- Any dietary restrictions, or foods you simply cannot tolerate? (I don’t want to do, say, a steakhouse if we have vegetarians.)
- Assuming we can share cab costs, is everyone okay venturing away from Capitol Hill to hip, hep, happenin’ neighborhoods such as Adams Morgan for either night?
- Regarding dinner: will you have a kid-let in tow, and if so approx age so we can pick an appropriate place?
In addition to all of the touristy things people can do in the day time, Boegiboe has informed me that NASA will be having a Friends & Family Day on Sunday, June 1st from 1-3pm. He might be able to take a few Leaguefesters. There will be spacecraft, speakers and videos, plus NASA engineers there with their own families.
If this sounds like something you might want to do, please let me know soon and I’ll pass that on to Scott. Be aware that because this is at a NASA facility, those who are not US citizens might need special approval in advance.
As for Saturday activities, I have had multiple requests for three activities: Going to see a the Washington Nationals play the Texas Rangers, going to the Smithsonian, and a walking tour of DC.
Do people have a preference, or is there something you’d like to do that you’d like to throw out as a possibility?
Thanks in advance to everyone for their answers.
Boegiboe and I are in for all the events. We will have our little one stay with grandma for the weekend.
We will also have at least two, maybe three bedrooms we can offer to people who are coming up for the event. Possibly four, depending on how friendly you are willing to be with cats.
We are very happy to venture out into the city. As parents of a young child, we hardly ever get into town anymore, so it will be great to have that chance again. No dietary problems from us, as long as you don’t book an all-cheese restaurant.Report
I can be counted in for all Saturday afternoon and evening events. There is suddenly also a strong likelihood I’ll be in town on Friday as well. I’m trying to figure out if I’ll be staying with friends in NoVa, and whether the kid and/or wife will be in tow (if the kid is in tow, my assumption is that she wouldn’t be going to dinner).Report
Wahoo!Report
We’re in. Just gotta figure out if we will be staying at the hotel or commuting. And what to do about the little one.Report
I’d also like to point out that Great Falls, in Northern VA, is close by, so folks wanting to get out and see the Potomac falling over some rocks, and or hiking, might enjoy that.Report
Since I live here, I’m in as well – if commenters are welcome. I can easily be persuaded to go see a Nationals game, and if anyone wants an ocean sciences guy to walk with them through the Ocean Hall at the Smithsonian I can probably do that too.
As to Saturday night drinking – there are lots of up and coming neighborhoods in the DC area that aren’t Adams Morgan . . . The U Street corridor (which intersects Adams Morgan) has some good drinkeries, as does the Penn Quarter. There might be an untapped gem in Georgetown, but honestly I haven’t been there in years.
Slightly farther out in Hyattsville (MD), there’s a brew pub called Franklin’s that does really well. There’s also Scion, McGinty’s and 8401 Kitchen Bar in Silver Spring (MD); Ballston has some good spots on the Virginia side. All are cab accessible from a Metro StationReport
8401 Kitchen Bar in Silver Spring is a nice place.Report
@philip-h “Since I live here, I’m in as well – if commenters are welcome.”
Dude! You are SO welcome! I would love to meet you, and @damon as well.Report
Okay, then I shall consider myself invited. I’ll be sure to wear my Flaming Pinky Commie Liberal underwear!Report