One of the most important events in the modern history of the town is the opening of The Inn at Little Washington in 1978. This restaurant and inn celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2018 and has gained national and international fame. It is a member of the luxury hotel association, Relais & Châteaux. It is the first inn to receive the Mobil Travel Guide’s 5-Star award, and it has been rated by the American Automobile Association with 5 diamonds for its restaurant and 5 diamonds for its overnight lodging for 28 years. In 2001, the owner and chef of the Inn, Patrick O’Connell, was given the prestigious Outstanding Chef in America Award. La Liste, the French guide to the world’s best restaurants, ranked the Inn as the fifth highest rated restaurant in the world. The Inn attracts a discerning clientele from Washington, D.C., and its suburbs. Largely due to the Inn's influence, the town is also home to several art galleries, unique shops, bed and breakfasts, and restaurants. The town attracts art lovers, history buffs, and hikers that come into the county for day hikes or weekend camping trips.