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1. Visit the Smithsonian

Smithsonian

Start at the Smithsonian Institution Building where you can pick up a map and information on all of the museums. These national treasures cover a wide range of subjects from art to space exploration. Plan to explore those you are most interested in, but don’t try to see everything at once. Be sure to save time to see an IMAX movie at the Natural History Museum or the National Air and Space Museum.

2. Tour the National Monuments and Memorials

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Washington, DC is a city of monuments and memorials. We honor the generals, politicians, poets and statesmen who helped shape our great nation. Although the most famous monuments and memorials are on the National Mall, you will find statues and plaques on many street corners around the city. Since Washington, DC’s monuments are spread out, it is hard to visit all of them on foot. At busy times, traffic and parking makes it difficult to visit the monuments by car. The best way to see all the monuments is to take a tour. Many of the monuments are open late at night and their illumination makes nighttime a memorable time to visit them.

3. Tour the Three Houses of Government

When sightseeing in Washington, D.C., the White House, the Capitol and the Supreme Court are key places to visit. Touring these impressive buildings will help you understand more about our government and its history. Plan ahead and find out about schedules and special events.

Visiting the White House

The White House is the home and office of the President and is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. To arrange a tour you must make a request through one of your members of Congress. Group tours are held Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30 a. m. through 11:30 a. m. and are scheduled one month in advance.

Without advance planning, you can visit the White House Visitor Center, located at the southeast corner of 15th and E Streets, which is open daily from 7:30 a. m. until 4 p.m. View a short video and learn about the White House architecture, furnishings, and the Presidents and first families. Listen to musical performances featuring the U. S. Air Force Band, the U. S. Army Band, the U. S. Navy Band or other military bands.

Visiting the U. S. Capitol

At the east end of the National Mall stands the majestic U. S. Capitol Building. Because of increased security, the Capitol is open to the public for guided tours only. Tours are conducted from 9 a. m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Visitors must obtain free tickets through a Senator, Representative or online.

Visiting the U. S. Supreme Court

The Supreme Court, our highest judicial authority, is located at One 1st St., NE between E. Capitol Street and Maryland Avenue. Court is in session Monday through Wednesday from 10 a. m. until noon, October though April. You can watch a case being argued but seating is limited. Arrive at least an hour early to wait in line.

When the court is not in session you can tour the building and attend a free lecture about court proceedings and the building’s architecture. Lectures are given from 9:30 a. m. to 3:30 p. m.

4. Take a Walk Through Georgetown

Georgetown, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Washington, DC, served as a major port and commercial center during colonial times because of its prime location on the Potomac River. Today, Georgetown is a vibrant community with upscale shops, bars and restaurants along its cobblestone streets. Many of the homes along the tree-lined streets are 200 year-old restored row houses with beautiful gardens. Georgetown housing is expensive, so most Georgetown University students live on campus or rent apartments uptown or nearby in Virginia.

5. Ride a Bike Along the C & O Canal

Since 1971 the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal (C & O Canal) has been a national park, providing a great place to enjoy the outdoors in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia. The C & O Canal National Historic Park has an interesting history dating back to the 18th century. The C & O Canal starts in Georgetown and stretches for 13 miles to Great Falls Park in Virginia.

At the Georgetown Visitor Center you can get a map and take a tour on foot, by bike or by mule-drawn boat.

Fletcher’s Boat House is a great gathering spot with lots of activities. It is one of the best places in the area to bike, walk, jog or rollerblade. From here you can follow the canal towpath, which is a gravel trail or you can veer off on the paved Capital Crescent Trail. There is a large picnic area with clean bathrooms here. You can rent a rowboat, canoe or a bike.

Chain Bridge was built to let cattle across the Potomac. The Virginia side of the bridge is known for good fishing. You may catch shad, perch, catfish, striped bass or other freshwater fish.

Glen Echo Park was originally an amusement park. Today, the park has a children’s museum, two children’s theatres, art galleries, demonstrations and workshops. You can still take a ride on the 1921 carousel. The park recently restored a ballroom and offers dancing each weekend.

Clara Barton National Historic Site is a memorial to the founder of the American Red Cross. The historic home sits adjacent to Glen Echo Park and has been restored as a museum. Free tours are given daily.

Great Falls Tavern, on the Maryland side of the canal, is no longer an operating restaurant, but displays a pictorial history of the canal. Mule-drawn boat rides begin here.

On the Virginia side of the canal, Great Falls Park is a favorite spot for picnicking, hiking and viewing the beautiful rapids.

6. See a Show or Concert at the Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, officially named the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, is the city’s premier performance venue, providing approximately 3,000 performances per year. The Kennedy Center is the home to the National Symphony Orchestra, Washington Opera, Washington Ballet and American Film Institute. Performances include theatre, musicals, dance, orchestral, chamber, jazz, popular, & folk music; youth and family programs and multi-media shows. Free daily performances are held on the Millennium Stage in the Grand Foyer.

The Kennedy Center has three main theaters: A Concert Hall, an Opera House and the Eisenhower Theater. Other performance venues include the Terrace Theater, the Theater Lab, and the Millennium Stage. Two restaurants are on site: The Roof Terrace Restaurant and the KC Café. The premier performing arts venue is located right along the Potomac River and the terrace provides a great view of the Potomac, Theodore Roosevelt Island and Georgetown.

How to Get to the Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center is located at 2700 F. St. NW, Washington, DC near the Foggy Bottom/George Washington Univ. Metro Station. From there it is a short walk via New Hampshire Ave. OR you may use the FREE Kennedy Center Show Shuttle. On-site parking in the garage is $17 per performance.

Tour the Kennedy Center

You may take a free guided tour of the Kennedy Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Tours depart from the parking plaza on Level A, and feature the Hall of States and Hall of Nations, the Center’s main theaters, and explore the paintings, sculptures, and other artworks throughout the center.

7. Attend a Concert at Wolftrap Farm Park

Filene Center is a 4,000-seat concert pavilion that is ideal for summer concerts. The seating is under cover with open sides that look out onto the rolling hills of the park. Lawn seating provides an area where patrons can relax and enjoy picnics before and during the performance. The Filene Center is a venue for a variety of education programs, artist master classes, special events, and a Holiday Sing-A-Long.

The gates open one and a half hours before all performances. You are allowed to bring in your own food and drink and chairs are allowed on the lawn (though you will be asked to sit in the back, so you will not impair the view of other patrons). Lawn seats are first come first serve and performances are held rain or shine.

The Barns at Wolf Trap

Two 18th century barns serve as a unique venue for year-round indoor concerts with first class acoustics. The larger barn seats 284 people on the main level and 98 in the hayloft. The smaller barn serves as a reception area. The Barns at Wolf Trap is a fabulous place to enjoy jazz, bluegrass, chamber music, folk, comedy, cabaret, and country music. Attend a summer performance of the Wolf Trap Opera Company. The doors open 30 minutes before each performance. The Barns are also rented for meetings, conferences and private parties.

Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods

Special family-friendly performances are held from late June through early August at 10 and 11:15 a.m. on Tuesdays through Saturdays. Music, dance, storytelling, puppetry, and plays are geared towards school aged children. Tickets are $8.00 for ages 3 and up or $10.00 for both shows on the same day. Advance purchase of tickets is recommended since many performances sell out. National Park Service Park Rangers lead nature walks after most Theatre-in-the-Woods performances. See the 2009 performance schedule

Center for Education at Wolf Trap

In 2003, Wolf Trap opened a state-of-the art education facility to accommodate rehearsals, workshops, childrens classes, master classes, meetings, and training sessions.

Location

1624 Trap Road, Vienna, Virginia.
Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is located about 20 minutes from downtown Washington, DC. Shuttle service from the West Falls Church-VT/UVA Metrorail station is available for summer performances only.

8. Take a Hike at Great Falls Park

Great Falls Park, an 800-acre park located along the Potomac River, is one of the most spectacular natural landmarks in the Washington DC metropolitan area. The natural beauty of Great Falls Park and its close proximity to downtown Washington, DC make this park popular with local residents and tourists who are visiting the area.

Great Falls Park offers a variety of activities including hiking, picnicking, kayaking, rock climbing, bicycling, and horseback riding. You can view the falls from several observation areas. The falls cascade into 20 foot waterfalls displaying the steepest fall line rapids of any eastern river. On the Virginia side, Overlook 2 and the Patowmack Canal Trail are wheelchair accessible. Follow the River Trail, beginning just downstream of the falls, and you will see spectacular views of the Mather Gorge. Above the Great Falls Park Visitor Center, you can follow the upper Canal Trail and view the head of the falls and the Aqueduct Dam. See a trail map to help you plan your hike.

See More Photos of Great Falls Park

Great Falls Park is maintained by the National Park Service. Ranger Talks are offered Saturdays and Sundays at 12:30 p. m. and 3:30 p. m. at the Ranger Program Area near Overlook 3.

Location

Great Falls Park is accessible from both sides of the Potomac River. The Virginia park is located at 9200 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, Virginia.

The Maryland side is a part of the C & O Canal National Historic Park and is located off of Falls Road in Potomac. There is not access between the two sides of the Potomac River.

Park Hours

Great Falls Park is open from 7 a.m. until dark every day except December 25th. The Visitor Center is open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily, with extended hours during the spring and summer.

Admission

There is a $5.00 per vehicle entrance fee and a $3.00 fee for visitors entering the park on foot, horseback, bicycle, or motorcycle.

Official Website

www.nps.gov/grfa

9. Explore Mount Vernon

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The recent expansion of Mount Vernon transforms the Estate into a year-round destination. You can easily spend most of the day here, visiting the museum and exploring the mansion, the outbuildings and the estate grounds. During the peak season, there can be a line to get into the Mansion. The approximate waiting time will be listed at the Main Gate. To avoid long lines, visit Mount Vernon on a weekday or November – March.

10. Take a Walking Tour of Old Town, Alexandria

Explore a quaint historic town just over the Potomac River from Washington, DC. Visit colonial houses, churches, and museums and shop for antiques.

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The city’s longest-running outdoor flea has always been a favorite haunt of area collectors, decorators, antiques dealers, tourists and celebrities, including actress Diane Keaton and Pulitzer prize-winning author Larry McMurtry, whose novel, “Cadillac Jack,” a classic tale of the previously-owned, is partly set in Georgetown.

The venerable Georgetown Flea was founded in 1973 by lifelong collector Michael Sussman. “I wanted to create a vibrant marketplace where people could buy, sell and hang out. Today, with the economy and the environment in such trouble, it remains the perfect place to find a bargain and save the planet. Go green! Buy antiques.”

DC City Councilman Jim Graham (Democrat-Ward 1), who fought hard to return the market to Hardy Middle School, said “The Georgetown Flea Market should be in Georgetown. It really contributes to Washington’s vitality. I’m glad the city honored its promise to bring back the market.”

But those of you who have grown to love the Saturday and Sunday markets in Arlington, never fear. There will still be dealers there, too, on Saturdays and Sundays.

Since 1972, the world-famous Georgetown Flea Market has enthralled the D.C. area, attracting bargain lovers and collectors of all kinds, and was immortalized in Larry McMurtry’s Cadillac Jack. With 100+ vendors every weekend, you can find everything from antiques to vintage clothing. Our dedicated vendors are avid and experienced, ready to furbish your home, complete your collection, or provide that perfect gift. Specializing in antiques, collectibles, vintage furnishings, glassware, artwork, and vintage clothing, we’ve got something for everyone!

Sunday is devoted to vintage and antique furnishings. Whether you need antiques, mid-century or shabby chic furniture, vintage clothing, jewelry, or art, we’ve got it all! New vendors are joining weekly, and all vendors are willing to find what you desire. On-site delivery is always available.

Spend the day at the Georgetown Flea Market; you won’t go home empty-handed!

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National Air and Space Museum

In a city where there’s so much to see, you need to plan your visit carefully to make the most of the time you have available.  If you have any interest in flight and/or space travel, then one of the must do items on your Washington DC itinerary is a visit to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.  Even those with little more than a passing interest will find themselves caught up in the magic of space travel when they come face to face with aircraft that have actually been into space or are able to touch a rock that once belonged on the moon.

Many of the exhibits at this museum, which has no obligatory entry fee, are either the real artefacts that went into the air or space, or are the back-up ones which would have went on the missions had the first equipment failed.  There are two main areas to the museum, the National Mall Building, and the newer  Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

In the National Mall Building you can find exhibits as historically diverse as “The Spirit of St Louis” in which Charles Lindbergh made the first transatlantic solo flight, and the Apollo 11 Command module.  The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is home to items such as the Enola Gay, and the space shuttle “Enterprise” (you can find the original filming model of the starship USS Enterprise in the lower level of the museum gift store!).

With hands on teaching exhibits on such subjects as planetary science, as well as the artifacts, the National Air and Museum is not only interesting to adults who have lived through many of the flight achievement firsts noted at the museum, but it’s also educational and fun for kids, making it a perfect family destination.

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