DC Love Scratcher: Celebrating Pride in Washington DC

The DC Lottery is rainbow proud this month with the launch of its Pride-inspired DC Love Scratcher - a $5 instant lottery ticket with a top prize of $50,000. This year's Capital Pride welcomed thousands of LGBTQ attendees and their allies to experience all that Washington, DC has to offer. But you don't need a parade to celebrate DC Love.

The DC Love Scratcher embodies the city's year-round, diverse offerings, ranging from Michelin star restaurants and incredible museums to festivals and LGBTQ nightlife. It celebrates and promotes the community and civic pride that is unique to Washington, DC. With more than 400 DC Lottery retail locations throughout the city, make sure to pop in and grab your DC Love Pride scratcher ticket for a chance to win. There's $1.4 million in total prizes available and it may be just the ticket for the ultimate DC experience.

Since its inception in 1982, the DC Lottery has awarded over $3.6 billion in prizes to its lucky winners; transferred more than $2 billion to the District of Columbia General Fund which supports essential city services such as education, public safety, and infrastructure; and helped local nonprofits raise over $125 million in support of social causes.

Whether you're a local or a tourist, this summer sizzles with a host of can't-miss DC experiences. Make sure to check out some of these other "winning" stops while you are in the city:

Washington Union Station - There's no better way to arrive in DC than by train. Union Station celebrates its 110th anniversary and recent gold-gilded Main Hall renovation. Quick-bite highlights include Shake Shack for the ultimate burger and the newly arrived Aloha Poke, along with last-minute essentials from The Art of Shaving, H&M, Moleskin, and a chance to play DC Love Scratcher at DC Lottery's flagship retail store.

Culture
Capital Fringe Festival - The arts come alive in the 13th annual Waterfront SW festival, July 7-29.

"Fun House" - The National Building Museum presents Snarkitecture's first-ever comprehensive museum exhibition (July 4 - September 3, 2018). The interactive rooms present "the studio's peculiar, yet accessible way of reinterpreting the built environment."

"Dave" - Based on the Academy Award-nominated film, this (possibly Broadway-bound) new musical starring Drew Gehling ("Waitress") in the title role tells the story of a high school teacher (and presidential lookalike) who is hired by the Secret Service as a stand-in for the Commander-in-Chief.

Michelin Meals & Nightcaps
Two new restaurants joined the prestigious Michelin star ranks this year, proving that DC continues to cultivate its culinary prowess.

Komi - This Mediterranean tasting menu ($165) is all the rage, featuring a dozen or so courses from chef/owner Johnny Monis and his celebrated team. Summer travelers should note that the restaurant will be closed July 3-4 and August 21-September 4.

M�tier - Ranked as the city's number one restaurant by Washington Magazine, Chef Eric Ziebold and partner C�lia Laurent deliver an intimate dining experience for 36 guests with seasonally evolving dishes such as cumin-spiced spring lamb and key lime meringue.

Washington DC is packed with nightlife options, whether you're looking for craft cocktails, dancing, or frivolous fun. Click here for 15 of the city's LGBTQ-friendly bars, including oversized cocktails at Trade, dancing at the tucked-away Green Lantern, and the upscale Orchid.

Where to Stay
Demonstrating a year-round commitment to the LGBTQ community by earning a perfect score on the Human Right Campaign's Corporate Equality Index, Hilton Hotels & Resorts' DC presence includes its recent national sponsorship of Capital Pride and two noteworthy openings.

Canopy by Hilton Washington DC The Warf celebrates the neighborhood's revitalization with nautical touches, city or marina views, and Whiskey Charlie, a rooftop bar with craft cocktails and gorgeous sunset views.

The Darcy Washington DC, Curio Collection by Hilton is the city's only Curio property and offers a central location. Curio perks include a cocktail butler to create bespoke in-room beverages, a haberdashery (to borrow or purchase) so you look your best around town, and a bike rental program to build your own DC itinerary.

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