|
| City Information Special Events Family Fun & Attractions Book a trip! |
| Featured Vacation Spot: Washington DC, Maryland |
 |
 George Washington himself chose the location for the city that bears his name, and which serves as the seat of government for the United States of America. Over the course of 200 years, Washington, D.C. has grown with the nation, and it now represents the very best of America. From its monuments to its incomparable museums, from the Mall to the steps of the Capitol, Washington offers visitors one-of-a-kind attractions.
The majestic Capitol building stands at the center of the city, allowing unobstructed views of the best known attractions and centers of government. The giant open space of the Mall is marked off by the various museums of the Smithsonian Institution, the largest cluster of museums in the world. The National Museum of the American Indian pays tribute to the original American settlers. The National Air and Space Museum celebrates the nation's achievements in flight and space exploration, from the Wright brothers first biplane to the Apollo moon mission and beyond. Visitors line up daily for the Natural History, American History, and Science Museums to explore the wonders of history, science, and technology, and to view the famous Hope Diamond. The Smithsonian Institution also includes the world-famous Sackler, Freer and Hirshhorn galleries. Art lovers appreciate the nearby National Portrait Gallery and National Museum of American Art.
Looking past the mall, the Washington monument stands 505 feet above the city. It was the tallest man made structure in America from its completion until the early 1900's. Behind this monument is the reflecting pool and the memorials dedicated to President Abraham Lincoln and to those whose lives were lost in World War II, the Vietnam War , and the Korean conflict. New to the area of the tidal basin, and facing the Jefferson Memorial, a memorial to Franklin Roosevelt lies on the Potomac River. Not far from there, the National Holocaust Museum hosts millions of visitors each year.
The offices of the various government agencies take up much of the remainder of the city, and most offer free tours to the public. The White House also offers free tours, and the lines can sometimes stretch around the adjoining block to visit "the people's house." Just outside the city, the National Zoo houses thousands of animals on 163 acres of parkland. Across the river in Arlington, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier stands amidst the somber majesty of Arlington National Cemetery, where John and Robert Kennedy are also buried.
Washington has many distractions from politics. Washington's theater life is thriving; it is second only to New York in number of theater seats. The National Symphony and other musical companies play full schedules. As a temporary home to diplomats from around the world, Washington's restaurant offerings are among the finest and most diverse in the country.
The beauty and grandeur of the nation's capital continue to captivate the millions of American and international tourists who visit Washington, D.C. each year. |
|
| City Information: |
|
Population: 572,059
Time Zone:
Eastern Standard Time
Language:
English |
Average
Temperatures:
Month |
High |
Low |
January |
43F |
25F |
February |
47F |
27F |
March |
56F |
35F |
April |
67F |
43F |
May |
76F |
53F |
June |
84F |
63F |
July |
89F |
68F |
August |
87F |
66F |
September |
80F |
59F |
October |
69F |
46F |
November |
58F |
37F |
December |
48F |
29F |
|
Local Seasons:
The most comfortable times to visit Washington DC
are in during the spring and fall. Spring is the time for a visual extravaganza
with cherry blossoms in bloom and all that nature has in store for the season.
Temperatures average in the mid-50s in April and in the mid-60s in May. Fall
brings a whole new look to the city. With the average temperatures dropping to
the 60s in September, the 50s in October, and the 40s in November, visitors get
to experience a wide array of colors as the leaves turn in preparation for
winter. Summer is the most popular time of year when tourists from around the
world visit the city.
National Holidays:
New Year’s Day, January 1, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the third Monday in
January, President’ Day, the third Monday in February, Memorial Day, the last Monday in May, Independence Day, July 4, Labor Day, the first Monday in September, Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in November, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, December 24 and
25, New Year’s Eve, December 31 |
How to Get There
By Car
Washington is circled by the Capital Beltway,
formed by Interstates I-495 and I-95. Interstate 66 leads from Washington west
to Virginia. Interstate 50 heads east to Annapolis, MD, the Chesapeake Bay and
the beaches. Interstate 95 heads north to Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York.
Interstate 270 heads north to Frederick, MD, and beyond.
By Air
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
44 Canal Center Plaza,
Alexandria, VA 22314,
703-417-8000,
Only minutes from downtown and located south of the city along the Potomac
River, the airport is served by a full range of domestic flights on major,
regional and commuter carriers.
Washington Dulles International Airport
45020 Aviation Dr.
Sterling, VA 20166,
703-572-2700,
Located 26 miles west of Washington, DC and offering a full range of domestic
and international flights.
Baltimore/Washington International Airport
301-261-1000 or 800 I FLY-BWI,
Located 30 miles east of Washington, DC and offering a full range of domestic
and international flights.
Ground Transportation
All of the major car rental companies have
locations at the airports as well as throughout the city. Taxis are also
readily available.
By Train:
Amtrak
50 Massachusetts Ave NE,
Union Station,
Washington, DC 20002, 800-USA-RAIL
By Bus:
Greyhound
1005 1ST ST NE,
Washington, DC 20002, 202-289-5160
Getting Around:
Metrorail and Metrobus
202- 637-7000, Metrorail and Metrobus provide the safest,
cleanest and most efficient way of getting around Washington, DC and the
metropolitan suburbs. Five rail lines and an extensive bus system connect the
District with the Maryland and Virginia suburbs. Train lines are named for
colors: Red, yellow, blue, green, and orange. Station entrances are marked by
brown pylons, capped with the letter “M” and colored stripes indicate which
lines are available. Route maps are posted at each station and inside each
subway car. |
|
| Special Events: |
|
January
Chinese New Year Celebration
Held New Years Day,
Chinatown, Washington, DC, 202-789-7000 Admission Free
Annual parade of marching bands, lion and dragon dancers, clowns and other
entertainers.
Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Observance
Held on January 17, Lincoln Memorial, 202-727-6306, Admission Free.
Wreath laying ceremony accompanied by a recorded presentation of King's "I Have
a Dream" speech, local choirs, speakers and military color guard.
February
Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday Observance
Held in mid-February,
Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC, 703-619-7222. Admission Free
Concerts by military bands, wreath laying and a dramatic reading of the
Gettysburg Address.
Washington’s Birthday CeremonyHeld in mid-February
Washington Monument 202-619-7222 ,Admission Free.
Observance with 202 speeches and music.
March
Cherry Blossom Festival
Late March – early April, 1500 Maine Avenue,
Washington, DC 20003,
202-484-0206
Making their appearance in late March or early
April, the beautiful pink and white lacelike flowers surround DC's Tidal Basin.
This yearly sign of spring is one of Washington, DC's natural highlights. The
two-week festival features concerts, special exhibits, a street festival, a
parade, the Smithsonian Kite Festival, performances, athletic competitions and
other events at various DC locations.
Washington Boat Show
Held in mid-March, Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC, 804-425-6556. Admission Charged.
Showcasing sailboats and motorboats.
Washington Flower and Garden Show
Held in mid-March,
Convention Center, Washington, DC,703-569-7141. Admission Charged
Featuring blooming flowers and gardening tips.
April
Earth Da
Held in mid-April
Variety of venues,Admission Free,
Annual event raising environmental awareness.
Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday Observation
Held in mid-April,
Jefferson Memorial, Washington, DC 202-426-6841. Admission Free
A commemoration with military drills and a wreath-laying ceremony.
White House Easter Egg Roll
Held at Easter Time,
White House, Washington DC,202-456-2200.Admission Free
Annual event for children, ages 3 to 6, accompanied by an adult, on the South
Lawn. Eggs and entertainment are provided.
White House Garden Tour
Held in mid-April,
White House, Washington DC, 202-456-2200. Admission Free.
Tour the garden and public rooms of the White House.
May
Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival
Held in early May ,
Venues throughout Washington, DC ,
202-727-3120 ,Admission Free
Georgetown Garden Tour
Held in early May ,
Georgetown, Washington, DC ,202-965-1950,Admission Charged. Tour beautiful public and private historic
gardens.
Goodwill Embassy Tour
Held in early May
Held at the various embassies in and around Washington, Admission Charged. Tour of Washington, DC's embassies.
International Flower Mart
Held in early May ,
National Cathedral, Washington, DC ,202-537-6200 Admission Free
Annual flower market with flower booths and entertainment.
Memorial Day Concert
Held during Memorial Day weekend ,
West Lawn of the Capital Building ,202-225-6827 , Admission Free.
Concert includes the National Symphony Orchestra, actors and various bands.
Filmfest DC
Held in mid-May, 4000 Wisconsin Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20016,
202-244-0882. Tickets, popcorn, and politics: It's all in a
night at the movies at Filmfest DC, where political landscapes and inventive
cinema come together in late April. The international festival offers 12 days of
more than 100 feature, documentary and short films from around the world in
theaters throughout the city.
Taste of DC
Held over Memorial Day Weekend, Pennsylvania Avenue,
Washington, DC 20530. Admission Free. DC's annual culinary celebration is one of the
areas most attended events. Pennsylvania Avenue between Seventh and 14th
streets N.W. is brimming with live music, kids' activities, chef demos and
booths selling food and drinks at the three-day outdoor festival. Take time out
from all the edible entertainment to check out what else is going on, from kids
activities to crafts. The biggest inedible hit is always the multiple stages
that are taken over by loads of musical acts throughout the afternoon.
June
Capital Jazz Fest
Early June, Held in the D.C. suburbs, Jazz lovers get an outdoor treat: The Capital
Jazz Fest, which slants towards contemporary jazz but manages to keep just about
everyone happy. The weekend festival typically includes a headline act with more
than a dozen other musicians jamming throughout the weekend.
Capital Pride
Held sometime in June, DC's Capital Pride, which started in 1975 as a
small block party, is now one of the largest pride festivals in the country.
Highlights of the weeklong event include the street festival, a parade, a
pageant, drag contests, film screenings, panel discussions and parties.
National Capital Barbecue Battle
Pennsylvania Avenueh, Washington, DC 20530. Visitors won't want to miss out on the area's
biggest barbecue event of the year. Every June, the National Capital Barbecue
Battle takes over the streets of DC for one smokin', fun-filled weekend all in
the name of barbecue. Plus, there are tons of other activities for all ages and
interests. And if that's not enough, the Barbecue Battle hosts top national and
regional rock, reggae, R&B, jazz and blues musicians.
Duport-Kalorama Museum Walk
Held in early June,
Washington, DC ,202-667-0441 .
Visit this neighborhood's six museums and enjoy demonstrations, interactive
tours, hands-on workshops and concerts.
Shakespeare Theatre Free For All
Dates vary in June,
Carter Barron Amphitheatre, Washington, DC , 202-547-1122 .Admission Free. Performances of the plays of Shakespeare
featuring the performers and artists of the nation's premiere producer of
classic theatre.
July
Army Blues Jazz Ensemble
Held on July 4, Washington Monument Grounds, Washington, DC.
703-696-3399. Admission Free.
Independence Day Parade
Held on July 4 at 11:45 am .
Parade featuring floats and entertainment, traveling down Constitution Ave. at
7th St.
July 4th along the George Washington
Memorial Parkway
703-289-2500, Admission Free.
Celebrate July 4th along the shoreline of the Potomac River in Virginia,
including fireworks.
U.S. Army Orchestra & the Washington Cathedral
Choral Society
Held in late July,
703-696-3399, Admission Free.
August
Georgia Avenue Day
Held in late August,
Washington, DC ,202-723-5166 ,Admission Free.
Parade, rides and ethnic cuisines highlight this neighborhood festival.
National Frisbee Festival
Held in late August ,
Washington, DC ,
World Frisbee champions and disc-catching dogs take part in this festival on the
grounds of the Washington Monument.
September
Black Family Reunion
Held at the National Mall, 15th Street at Constitution Avenue, NW,
Washington, DC 20001
202-426-6841. A massive gathering that takes place on the
National Mall at summer's end, the Black Family Reunion was conceived of by
legendary civil rights activist Dorothy Height in the early 1980s to show the
world the positive side of black life in America. The two-day reunion is a mix
of informative booths and musical performances.
Adams Morgan Day
Held in early September,
Washington, DC 202-724-4091, Admission Free.
Two-day event celebrating the ethnic diversity of this Northwest neighborhood.
Coming of Age: Elderfest
Held in early September ,
Freedom Plaza, Washington, DC ,202-581-8100, Admission Free.
A celebration of older Americans with food, crafts and entertainment.
Constitution Day Commemoration
Held in mid September ,
National Archives, Washington, DC ,866-272-6272 .Admission Free.
The original US Constitution is displayed with a naturalization ceremony and
concert.
DC Blues Festival
Washington DC,
Held in early September , 202-828-3028, Admission Free.
Annual festival with a variety of blues music.
Fiesta Musical
Held in late September,
Washington's National Zoo, 202-673-4800. Admission Free.
Annual Latin Fiesta celebrating Hispanic culture.
Labor Day Concert with The National Symphony
Held on Labor Day ,
West Lawn of the Capital Building, 202-619-7222 Admission Free
Concert includes the National Symphony Orchestra and various bands.
October
DC 101 Chili Cookoff
Independence Avenue and 12th Street, Admission Charged. Add a little spice to your life: Grab your
favorite spoon and head downtown to DC101's annual Chili Cook-Off. What has
proven to be one of DC's best street parties of the year keeps kicking it up a
notch. Vendors from the city's best restaurants line up to hawk samples of their
zesty recipes. Grab a bowl or two and cruise the streets with fellow revelers to
check out some of today's hottest bands on DC101's main stage.
White House Fall Garden Tours
Held in late October, White House, Washington, DC ,202-208-1631, Admission Free.
Annual tour includes Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, Rose Garden, Children's Garden
and South Lawn of the White House.
November
Annual Seafaring Celebration
Held in early November,
Navy Museum, Washington, DC ,202-433-4882 ,
Annual sea festival, with storytelling and musical performances.
Army Ten Mile Run
Held the second weekend in October.
One of the nation's largest ten-mile road races and rated as one of the Top 100
races in the nation by Runner's World Magazine. Starting in Arlington, VA, the
flat, fast course travels through scenic Washington, DC, passing some the most
famous monuments and memorials in the United States. The field is limited to
16,000 runners.
Theodore Roosevelt Birthday Celebration
Held in late October. Theodore Roosevelt Island, George Washington
Parkway ,703-289-2500. Admission Free.
Celebrate the 26th president's birthday, featuring tours and exhibits.
White House Fall Garden Tours
Held in late October,
White House, Washington, DC ,202-208-1631 ,Admission Free.
Annual tour includes Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, Rose Garden, Children's Garden
and South Lawn of the White House.
December
The National Christmas Tree
Held in early December, 703-237-5993,Admission Free.
Thousands of spirited patriots turn out for the annual lighting ceremony of the
National Christmas Tree in early December, and thousands more make a trip to the
Ellipse to see the tree throughout the rest of the month. The festivities are
all part of the Christmas Pageant of Peace. The National Christmas Tree, with a
large-scale model train running around it, is a must-see for Washingtonians and
tourists alike. Fifty-six smaller trees representing the 50 states, five
territories and DC surround the main tree, each decorated by state-sponsored
organizations. A Yule log burns nightly to keep warm, and local groups put on
shows on a performance stage. It's a fabulous way to celebrate the holidays in
our nation's capital.
Candlelight Tours
Held in late December ,
White House, Washington, DC 202-619-7222 ,Admission Free.Tour the candlelit and decorated White House.
Christmas Poinsettia Show
Held in mid-December,
US Botanic Gardens,
202-226-7674 , Admission Free. |
|
| Family Fun and Attractions: |
|
Union Station
50 Massachusetts Avenue NE,
(202) 371-9441,
Dazzling visitors with its granite walls, marble floors, 96 foot-high gold-leafed ceiling, and bronze grilles, Union Station endures as a classical landmark. As a restored beaux-arts train station, Union Station has been divided up into a series of levels and mezzanines that house 130 shops, restaurants and a movie theater complex.
National Gallery of Art
Constitution Ave, NW ,
Washington,
Phone: (202) 737-4215,
Cost: Free.
Hours: Mon.-Sat 10:00 am - 5:00pm, Sun 11:00 am - 6:00 pm; Closed December 25, January 1.
Floors of green and gray marble, columns of Tuscan, walls of Italian limestone and Italian travertine all make up the West Building of the National Gallery of Art. Designed by John Russel Pope, it contains Western European and American art, spanning between the periods of 13th and 20th century. Highlights include Leonardo da Vinci's Ginevra de' Benci, the only da Vinci painting in the Western hemisphere, collection of Italian paintings and sculptures, French Impressionist, and special exhibitions. Literally thousands of breathtaking canvases and sculptures are housed in this original building. The East building, designed by I.M. Pei, exhibits twentieth -century art within its angular architecture. Designed as a group of triangles, the East Building showcases free films, lectures, and concerts. One of the world's top ten art museums.
Arlington National Cemetery
Virginia side of the Memorial Bridge, Arlington,
Cost: Free.
Once the estate of Robert E. Lee, the beautiful landscape that now comprises Arlington National Cemetery is a testament to the service rendered to our nation by its citizens.
National Air and Space Museum
Sixth Street and Independence Avenue SW,
(202) 357-2700,
As a member of the Smithsonian complex, it houses a wide assortment of aerodynamic treasures. The museum exhibits the history of aviation and the space age; presenting the history of flight from the earliest yearning and attempts to fly, to World War II rockets, to modern space probes. The politics, physics, and art linked to man's dream of flying are explored within the 23 additional galleries. This museum presents visitors with the hands-on opportunities to design aircrafts, and inspect a model of Skylab. For a cosmic experience visit the Albert Einstein's Planetarium located within the museum. Projected onto a towering five-story high screen the Langley Theater features Imax films on air and space travel. Visiting the Langley Theater means gliding through the sky on everything from a hot air balloon to a fighter jet.
National Museum of Natural History
10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW,
Washington,
Phone: (202) 357-2700,
Cost: Free
Hours: Daily 10:00 am- 5:30 pm; Closed December 25.
Get into the spirit of exploration, and take a tour of 575 million years of history! The National Museum of Natural History encompasses everything from dinosaurs, diamonds and dioramas; this massive museum is filled with 118 million items. Exhibits cover the entire spectrum of the life sciences, minerals, botanicals, and zoological and geological materials. The Dinosaur Hall, exhibits on the evolution of human fossils, live Insect Zoo, bird displays, plants, rocks, and gems. The Sea Life Hall contains live marine life, plus a living coral reef. The Discovery Room is a big hit with children, of every age, with its hands-on activities and exhibits. Children can explore everything from the texture of an elephant tusk to an arrowhead. Plus, the Natural History Museum's costume room allows children to try on costumes from around the world. On your visit, remebber to also check out the Johnson IMAX 2D/3D Theater.
National Museum of American History
14th Street and Constitution Avenue ,
Phone: (202) 357-2700,
Cost: Free,
Hours: Daily 10:00 am - 5:30 pm.
For the enjoyment of children, the Museum of American History presents the Hands On History Room, Hands On Science Center, Lemelson Center, and the ABC's of American History. In the Hands On History Room, history is placed directly in the hands of children. At this exhibit they will be able to participate in activities such as sending a message by telegraph, and riding on a highwheel bicycle. Children can unravel some of the mysteries of science in the Hands On Scioence Center. It is here where young "Experimenters" can examine DNA, measure distances with a laser, discover the chemical propertioes of common houshold items, measure radioactive hotspots, explore magnetisism, and much more. The Lemelson Center develops programs targeted to expand the study and exploration of invention and innovation among children. The museum fills its rooms with the affluence of American history; Ranging from George Washington's false teeth to the Star-Spangled Banner, this museum showcaes cultural and technological developments of the US. The machine exhibit, located on the ground floor, showcases such objects as railroad locomotives to atom smashers. In contrast the second floor displays people in their home-life, relationships, and community life. As a whole the museum's various floors and galleries, depicts all aspects of the American history.
Entertainment and the Arts
Ford’s Theatre
511 Tenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20004-1402, 202-347-4833, Hours: Call for performance
schedule. Ford's Theatre is a live,
working theatre located in downtown Washington, DC. As a national historic and
cultural site welcoming visitors from across the nation, Ford's Theatre blends
its rich history with performance excellence in serving as a living tribute to
President Lincoln's love of the performing arts.
Shakespeare Theatre
450 Seventh St., NW, Washington, DC 20004-2207, 202-547-1122 ,Hours: Call for performance
schedule. The theatre endeavors to
strengthen the tradition of classic theatre in America through productions that
reflect its current world.
Studio Theatre
1333 P St., NW, Washington, DC 20004-2207, 202-332-3300,Hours: Call for performance
schedule. The mission of The Studio
Theatre is to produce the best in contemporary theatre and through its
Secondstage and Acting Conservatory, to offer rigorous training and provide
opportunities for emerging artists. The commitment to artistic excellence serves
the diverse communities of the Nation's capital.
Woolly Mammoth Theatre
Company
DCJCC, 1529 16th St., NW, Washington, DC 20004, 202-393-3939,Hours: Call for performance
schedule.The mission of the theater
is to ignite an explosive
engagement between theatre artists and the community by developing, producing
and promoting new plays that explore the edges of theatrical style and human
experience, and by implementing new ways to use the artistry of theatre to serve
the people of Greater Washington, DC.
Kennedy Center Concert
Hall
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,
2700 F Street, NW ,
Washington, DC , 20566 ,
800-444-1324 ,Hours: Call for performance schedule.The Center continues its
efforts to fulfill President Kennedy's vision by producing and presenting an
unmatched variety of theater and musicals, dance and ballet, orchestral,
chamber, jazz, popular, and folk music, and multi-media performances for all
ages. Every year the institution that bears President Kennedy's name brings his
dream to fruition, touching the lives of millions of people through thousands of performances by the greatest artists from across America and around the world.
Dance
The Washington Ballet
Held at a host of venues in
and around Washington DC, 202-362-3606, Hours: Call for performance
schedule and locations. Founded in 1976 by the great
American ballet pioneer Mary Day, the Washington Ballet is an ensemble of
powerfully athletic classical ballet dancers performing a repertory of new work
and creativity. Considered one of the country's finest ballet companies, The
Washington Ballet is recognized nationally and internationally for its high
standards, artistic integrity, and unwavering commitment to presenting the very
best in ballet.
Opera
Washington National Opera
Kennedy Center Opera House, 202-467-4600, Hours: Call for performance
schedule. Washington National Opera continues to move confidently forward on a great
adventure that began when the company was founded in 1956. Four and a half
decades and countless artistic leaps later, the Opera has achieved the stature
of a world class company and plays to standing-room-only audiences at the
Kennedy Center Opera House.
Washington National
Cathedral
Wisconsin and Massachusetts Aves., N, Washington DC 20004; 202-364-6616 ,Hours: Call for performance
Schedule.
Symphony
The National Symphony
Orchestra
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,
2700 F Street, NW ,
Washington, DC ,0566
800-444-1324 ,Hours: Call for performance schedule. The symphony performs 175 concerts each year in, comprised of a variety of
styles.
Sports
Washington Redskins
Professional Football, Games played at the FedEx Field,
1600 FedEx Way,
Landover, MD 20785, 301-276-6248, Season runs August – January, Call for schedule of games
and ticket information.
Washington Wizards
Professional Basketball, Games played at MCI Center, 601 F Street N.W. Washington D.C 20004, 202-661-5100 Season runs April – October, Call for schedule of games
and ticket information. |
|
| Book Your Trip Today Fast and Easy: |
|
|
| |
|
More Exciting Features:
>>>HOT Hotel Deals in Destinations Worldwide |
|
