WASHINGTON DC
By Paula Hughes Court
The sights and sounds of our nation's capital, Washington DC
inspires millions of visitors every year. Packed with famous sights,
free attractions, and an endless calendar of special events,
Washington, DC offers year-round inspiring experiences for visitors
of all ages.
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
c/o Karen McFadden
2700 F Street, NW
Washington DC 20566
www.kennedy-center.org
Washington DC's performing arts center, presenting the best music,
dance,theatre, international, and childrens programs in six theatres.
Hours/prices vary. Free performances 6 p.m. daily. Group discounts,
accessibility programs, free tours. Metro: Foggy Bottom-GWU, free
shuttle.
Arlington National Cemetery
Across Memorial Bridge, about
3/4 mile from Lincoln Memorial
Arlington VA 22111
www.arlingtoncemetery.org
Arlington National Cemetery, our nations most treasured burial
ground, is home to more then 285,000 honored dead. Among the
thousands of white headstones are the graves of President John F.
Kennedy, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, world
champion boxer Joe Louis and the Tomb of the Unknowns. Open
daily 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (to 7 p.m. Apr-Sept.). Free Admission.
Capital Children's Museum
800 3rd St., NE
Washington DC 20002
www.ccm.org
Unique educational complex featuring more than 30,000 sq. ft. of
hands-on interactive exhibits focusing on culture, the arts and
sciences. Families can explore the art of animation, drive an
authentic Metro bus, don lab coats to do science experiments in a
real chemistry lab, discover the origins of hot chocolate or climb an
ancient Mayan pyramid - and still be back by dinner time. Ideal for
children ages 2-12. Open Tuesdays-Sundays and holiday/summer
Mondays. Admission: $7 per person, $5 for active military personnel
with i.d., $5 for senior citizens and free for children under 2 and
museum members. Metro: Union Station.
FDR Memorial
1850 West Basin Dr., SW
Washington DC 20024
(202) 376-6704
A 7.5-acre site near the Jefferson Memorial, this memorial depicts
the 12 pivotal years of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidency
through a series of four outdoor gallery rooms. The rooms feature
ten bronze sculptures depicting President Roosevelt, Eleanor
Roosevelt and events from the Great Depression and World War II.
The park-like setting includes waterfalls and quiet pools amidst a
meandering wall of reddish Dakota granite, where Roosevelt's
inspiring words are carved. It is the first memorial in Washington,
DC purposely designed to be totally wheelchair accessible. Open
daily except Christmas. Free. Park Ranger in attendance 8 a.m. -
midnight. Metro: Smithsonian.
Jefferson Memorial
15th St., SW
Tidal Basin, South End
Washington DC
(202) 426-6841
Beneath the marble rotunda, the 19-foot statue of the third U.S.
president is surrounded by passages from the Declaration of
Independence and other famous Jefferson writings. Open daily
except Christmas. Free. Park ranger in attendance 8 a.m.-midnight.
Metro: Smithsonian.
Korean War Veterans Memorial
Independence Ave. at the Lincoln Memorial
Washington DC
www.nps.gov/kwvm
Built by the Korean War Veterans Memorial Advisory at a cost of $18
million in donated funds, this memorial, located on a 2.2-acre site
adjacent to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, features a
sculptured column of 19 foot soldiers arrayed for combat with the
American flag as their symbolic objective. A 164-foot mural wall is
inscribed with the words, Freedom Is Not Free and is etched with
2,500 photographic images of nurses, chaplains, crew chiefs,
mechanics and other support personnel to symbolize the vast effort
that sustained the military operation. Open daily 8 a.m. - midnight.
Free. For details, call the National Park Service at (202) 619-7222.
Metro: Foggy Bottom/GWU.
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave SE
Washington DC 20540-1610
(202) 707-2905
Visit the Thomas Jefferson Building, known for its magnificent 19th
Century architecture and decoration and changing historical
exhibitions. Guided tours at half-past each hour (except noon)
Mon-Fri 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Sat 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Open
Mon.-Sat. 10 to 5. 10 First Street, S.E. (202) 707-8000. Metro: Capitol
South or Union Station. www.loc.gov
Lincoln Memorial
West Potomac Park at 23rd
St., NW
Washington DC
www.nps.gov/linc
This grand monument overlooks the Reflecting Pool, the
Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol. Inside, the 19-foot
marble statue of the 16th president is flanked by inscriptions of his
Second Inaugural Address and the famous Gettysburg Address.
Open daily except Christmas. Free. Park Ranger in attendance 8
a.m. - midnight. Metro: Foggy Bottom/GWU.
National Air and Space Museum
6th & Independence Aves., SW
Washington DC 20013-7012
www.nasm.si.edu
The world's most visited museum houses the Wright Brothers' 1903
Flyer, Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis, Apollo 11 lunar command
module and an incredible collection of aviation and space
technology treasures. Lockheed Martin IMAX theater shows
spectacular films daily (admission). Albert Einstein Planetarium
presents several programs daily (admission). Open daily 10
a.m.-5:30 p.m, except Dec. 25, extended summer hours determined
annually. Free admission. Group tours, tours for visitors with
disabilities and theater/ planetarium booked by appointment; call
(202) 275-2030 or toll-free 1-866-868-7774 (groups in theater or
planetarium) or (202)357-1400 (group tours), (202)357-1505 (TTY).
Metro: L'Enfant Plaza.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Constitution Ave. & Henry
Bacon Dr., NW
Washington DC 20001
www.nps.gov/vive
The black granite walls of this moving V-shaped memorial are
inscribed with the names of the 58,209 Americans missing or killed
in the Vietnam conflict. Frederick Hart's life-size bronze sculpture
depicts three young servicemen. Open 24-hours; Park Ranger on
site 8 a.m. - midnight.
Washington Monument
15th & Constitution Ave., NW
Washington DC 20001
www.nps.gov/wamo
The National Park Service will temporarily close the Washington
Monument for visitation, beginning Tuesday, September 7th. This
planned closure takes place in conjunction with the current security
improvement project, which begin in August 2003. The National Park
Service anticpates the Monument will reopen in early 2005.
White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington DC 20500
www.nps.gov/whho/
The home of every US president except George Washington. Tours
of the White House have been expanded to include parties of ten or
more people, regardless of age or type of group. Tour requests
MUST be made through one's member of Congress (Senator or
Representative) and will be accepted up tp six months in advance;
tours are scheduled approximately one month before the requested
tour date. Tours are scheduled Tues. - Sat. 7:30 am - 11:30 am. The
US Capitol switchboard number is 202/224-3121. Foreign visitors
may contact their respective embassies to inquire about White
House tour opportunities.
White House Visitor Center
1450 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
U.S. Dept. of Commerce Bldg.
Washington DC 20230
202) 208-1643
There are no public tours of the White House. The Center is open
seven days a week, from 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Allow between 20
minutes and 1 1/2 hours to explore the video and exhibits. The
Visitor Center features many aspects of the White House, including
its architecture, furnishings, first families, social events, and
relations with the press and world leaders, as well as a thirty-minute
video. The White House Historical Association sponsors a sale
area. Stop on the Tourmobile route. Restrooms are available, but
food service is not. Metro: Federal Traingle and Metro Center.
National Museum of Natural History
P.O. Box 37012
Natural History 428, MRC 135
Washington DC 20013-7012
www.mnh.si.edu
Houses the 45.5-carat Hope Diamond, dinosaur fossils, Insect Zoo
and the world's largest African bush elephant. The Samuel C.
Johnson IMAX Theater shows spectacular films daily (admission).
For theater group reservations, call (202)275-2371 or toll-free
(866)868-7774 from outside the Washington, DC metro area. Open
daily 10 am-5:30 pm; extended summer hours determined annually.
Closed Dec. 25. Free admission. Metro: Federal Triangle,
Smithsonian.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE
Washington, DC is home to the world's most famous museum
complex. Encompassing more than a dozen different buildings and
the National Zoo, the Smithsonian is a "must-see" on any visit to the
District. The Smithsonian Institution is actually the largest cluster of
museums in the world.
By Paula Hughes Court
The sights and sounds of our nation's capital, Washington DC
inspires millions of visitors every year. Packed with famous sights,
free attractions, and an endless calendar of special events,
Washington, DC offers year-round inspiring experiences for visitors
of all ages.
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
c/o Karen McFadden
2700 F Street, NW
Washington DC 20566
www.kennedy-center.org
Washington DC's performing arts center, presenting the best music,
dance,theatre, international, and childrens programs in six theatres.
Hours/prices vary. Free performances 6 p.m. daily. Group discounts,
accessibility programs, free tours. Metro: Foggy Bottom-GWU, free
shuttle.
Arlington National Cemetery
Across Memorial Bridge, about
3/4 mile from Lincoln Memorial
Arlington VA 22111
www.arlingtoncemetery.org
Arlington National Cemetery, our nations most treasured burial
ground, is home to more then 285,000 honored dead. Among the
thousands of white headstones are the graves of President John F.
Kennedy, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, world
champion boxer Joe Louis and the Tomb of the Unknowns. Open
daily 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (to 7 p.m. Apr-Sept.). Free Admission.
Capital Children's Museum
800 3rd St., NE
Washington DC 20002
www.ccm.org
Unique educational complex featuring more than 30,000 sq. ft. of
hands-on interactive exhibits focusing on culture, the arts and
sciences. Families can explore the art of animation, drive an
authentic Metro bus, don lab coats to do science experiments in a
real chemistry lab, discover the origins of hot chocolate or climb an
ancient Mayan pyramid - and still be back by dinner time. Ideal for
children ages 2-12. Open Tuesdays-Sundays and holiday/summer
Mondays. Admission: $7 per person, $5 for active military personnel
with i.d., $5 for senior citizens and free for children under 2 and
museum members. Metro: Union Station.
FDR Memorial
1850 West Basin Dr., SW
Washington DC 20024
(202) 376-6704
A 7.5-acre site near the Jefferson Memorial, this memorial depicts
the 12 pivotal years of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidency
through a series of four outdoor gallery rooms. The rooms feature
ten bronze sculptures depicting President Roosevelt, Eleanor
Roosevelt and events from the Great Depression and World War II.
The park-like setting includes waterfalls and quiet pools amidst a
meandering wall of reddish Dakota granite, where Roosevelt's
inspiring words are carved. It is the first memorial in Washington,
DC purposely designed to be totally wheelchair accessible. Open
daily except Christmas. Free. Park Ranger in attendance 8 a.m. -
midnight. Metro: Smithsonian.
Jefferson Memorial
15th St., SW
Tidal Basin, South End
Washington DC
(202) 426-6841
Beneath the marble rotunda, the 19-foot statue of the third U.S.
president is surrounded by passages from the Declaration of
Independence and other famous Jefferson writings. Open daily
except Christmas. Free. Park ranger in attendance 8 a.m.-midnight.
Metro: Smithsonian.
Korean War Veterans Memorial
Independence Ave. at the Lincoln Memorial
Washington DC
www.nps.gov/kwvm
Built by the Korean War Veterans Memorial Advisory at a cost of $18
million in donated funds, this memorial, located on a 2.2-acre site
adjacent to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, features a
sculptured column of 19 foot soldiers arrayed for combat with the
American flag as their symbolic objective. A 164-foot mural wall is
inscribed with the words, Freedom Is Not Free and is etched with
2,500 photographic images of nurses, chaplains, crew chiefs,
mechanics and other support personnel to symbolize the vast effort
that sustained the military operation. Open daily 8 a.m. - midnight.
Free. For details, call the National Park Service at (202) 619-7222.
Metro: Foggy Bottom/GWU.
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave SE
Washington DC 20540-1610
(202) 707-2905
Visit the Thomas Jefferson Building, known for its magnificent 19th
Century architecture and decoration and changing historical
exhibitions. Guided tours at half-past each hour (except noon)
Mon-Fri 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Sat 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Open
Mon.-Sat. 10 to 5. 10 First Street, S.E. (202) 707-8000. Metro: Capitol
South or Union Station. www.loc.gov
Lincoln Memorial
West Potomac Park at 23rd
St., NW
Washington DC
www.nps.gov/linc
This grand monument overlooks the Reflecting Pool, the
Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol. Inside, the 19-foot
marble statue of the 16th president is flanked by inscriptions of his
Second Inaugural Address and the famous Gettysburg Address.
Open daily except Christmas. Free. Park Ranger in attendance 8
a.m. - midnight. Metro: Foggy Bottom/GWU.
National Air and Space Museum
6th & Independence Aves., SW
Washington DC 20013-7012
www.nasm.si.edu
The world's most visited museum houses the Wright Brothers' 1903
Flyer, Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis, Apollo 11 lunar command
module and an incredible collection of aviation and space
technology treasures. Lockheed Martin IMAX theater shows
spectacular films daily (admission). Albert Einstein Planetarium
presents several programs daily (admission). Open daily 10
a.m.-5:30 p.m, except Dec. 25, extended summer hours determined
annually. Free admission. Group tours, tours for visitors with
disabilities and theater/ planetarium booked by appointment; call
(202) 275-2030 or toll-free 1-866-868-7774 (groups in theater or
planetarium) or (202)357-1400 (group tours), (202)357-1505 (TTY).
Metro: L'Enfant Plaza.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Constitution Ave. & Henry
Bacon Dr., NW
Washington DC 20001
www.nps.gov/vive
The black granite walls of this moving V-shaped memorial are
inscribed with the names of the 58,209 Americans missing or killed
in the Vietnam conflict. Frederick Hart's life-size bronze sculpture
depicts three young servicemen. Open 24-hours; Park Ranger on
site 8 a.m. - midnight.
Washington Monument
15th & Constitution Ave., NW
Washington DC 20001
www.nps.gov/wamo
The National Park Service will temporarily close the Washington
Monument for visitation, beginning Tuesday, September 7th. This
planned closure takes place in conjunction with the current security
improvement project, which begin in August 2003. The National Park
Service anticpates the Monument will reopen in early 2005.
White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington DC 20500
www.nps.gov/whho/
The home of every US president except George Washington. Tours
of the White House have been expanded to include parties of ten or
more people, regardless of age or type of group. Tour requests
MUST be made through one's member of Congress (Senator or
Representative) and will be accepted up tp six months in advance;
tours are scheduled approximately one month before the requested
tour date. Tours are scheduled Tues. - Sat. 7:30 am - 11:30 am. The
US Capitol switchboard number is 202/224-3121. Foreign visitors
may contact their respective embassies to inquire about White
House tour opportunities.
White House Visitor Center
1450 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
U.S. Dept. of Commerce Bldg.
Washington DC 20230
202) 208-1643
There are no public tours of the White House. The Center is open
seven days a week, from 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Allow between 20
minutes and 1 1/2 hours to explore the video and exhibits. The
Visitor Center features many aspects of the White House, including
its architecture, furnishings, first families, social events, and
relations with the press and world leaders, as well as a thirty-minute
video. The White House Historical Association sponsors a sale
area. Stop on the Tourmobile route. Restrooms are available, but
food service is not. Metro: Federal Traingle and Metro Center.
National Museum of Natural History
P.O. Box 37012
Natural History 428, MRC 135
Washington DC 20013-7012
www.mnh.si.edu
Houses the 45.5-carat Hope Diamond, dinosaur fossils, Insect Zoo
and the world's largest African bush elephant. The Samuel C.
Johnson IMAX Theater shows spectacular films daily (admission).
For theater group reservations, call (202)275-2371 or toll-free
(866)868-7774 from outside the Washington, DC metro area. Open
daily 10 am-5:30 pm; extended summer hours determined annually.
Closed Dec. 25. Free admission. Metro: Federal Triangle,
Smithsonian.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE
Washington, DC is home to the world's most famous museum
complex. Encompassing more than a dozen different buildings and
the National Zoo, the Smithsonian is a "must-see" on any visit to the
District. The Smithsonian Institution is actually the largest cluster of
museums in the world.
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