Chris Wallace, Host of “Fox News Sunday,” lists his favorite things about Washington.
Chris Wallace
1. SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM I have always been a space nut and have taken all four of my kids over the years to see the exhibits (especially Apollo to the Moon) and the Imax movies. Unfortunately, I think I lost each of them on different visits. Each time I would be searching frantically when a voice came over the PA system: “Mr. Wallace, please come to Lost and Found.”
Bethesda Row Theater
2. AMC LOEW’S GEORGETOWN 14 AND BETHESDA ROW CINEMA Hosting a Sunday show, I get most Mondays and Tuesdays off. One of my favorite pastimes is to spend a couple of hours in the afternoon – either in Georgetown, seeing the latest Hollywood blockbuster, or in Bethesda, watching some small independent film. Sometimes I’m the only person in the theater.
Sullivan's Toy Store
3. SULLIVAN’S TOY STORE I have been going to Sullivan’s, 3412 Wisconsin Ave. NW, for the 32 years I’ve been in Washington –first buying presents for my kids, now for my grandkids. I love small family-owned stores. At Sullivan’s, they still wrap presents free of charge in wonderfully old-fashioned gift paper.
Cactus Cantina
4. CACTUS CANTINA, PINES OF ROME, and AL TIRAMISU These are three of my favorite places to eat. My family was thrilled when Tex/Mex came to Cleveland Park. My eldest son (now 35 and living in New York City) is so obsessed with Cactus Cantina, 3300 Wisconsin Ave. NW, that I sometimes call him to brag that I’m there – and he’s not. I discovered Pines of Rome, 4709 Hampden LN, Bethesda, only a few years ago. But when my wife asked where I wanted to celebrate my last birthday, I found myself saying, “The Pines.” Al Tiramisu, 2014 P St. NW, is near where we live. If you want a bowl of pasta or a simple grilled fish, there is no better place.
5. THE VICE PRESIDENT’S RESIDENCE Everyone knows about the White House, but this is a real home. I arrived late to a Bush 41 Christmas Party, and ended up eating dinner off a plate on my lap with George and Barbara. The Gores’ Halloween parties were a big hit with my young twins. And I was thrilled to be invited by the Cheneys to a small dinner – that included Justice John Roberts and his wife Jane – with drinks on the Victorian front porch.
6. SHANGHAI VILLAGE RESTAURANT 4929 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda. I was fortunate to be part of legendary basketball coach Red Auerbach’s Tuesday lunch group. We would meet at 11 a.m. sharp (he had a gin game at Woodmont Country Club afterwards). Even though Red passed away a few years ago, we still meet each week to talk sports and honor him.
7. OAK HILL CEMETERY, 3001 R St. NW Dating back to before the Civil War, this idyllic spot in Rock Creek Park is a jewel box of our country’s history and of urban planning. We buried my beloved stepfather there in 1994, so Oak Hill has deep meaning to me.
8. THE U.S. CAPITOL DOME This is the backdrop for “Fox News Sunday” but it means much more than that to me. When I arrive at work at 6 a.m. on Sunday mornings, I am always thrilled to see the dome lit up against the dark or dawning sky. It was one of the targets on 9/11. The fact it survived that terrible day is a symbol to me that our nation will prevail against any threat.
