Things to Do in D.C.
Below are some links and information on events and attractions around Washington, DC that are available to you during the week of the conference. We hope these will be helpful in planning your itinerary and enjoying our nations’ capital.
Theater Events
Sporting Events
Art Exhibits
Tours
Memorials and Monuments
Museums
Washington Landmarks
Theaters and Galleries
Neighborhoods
Additional Links
Maps
Theater
The National Theatre
The National Theatre in DC brings a variety of shows to the area. It also features free performances on Monday nights, and a free family show on Saturday Mornings.
The Capitol Steps
The Capitol Steps began as a group of Senate staffers who set out to satirize the very people and places that employed them. The Capitol Steps perform every Friday and Saturday at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in D.C.
The John F. Kennedy Center
Sporting Event
The Washington
Nationals
The Nationals play at RFK Stadium, conveniently located off the Blue and Orange Metrorail Lines (Stadium-Amory Station).
Art Exhibits
Please Note: The National Museum of American History will be closed for renovations until 2008.
The National Portrait Gallery
Exhibits at the NPG will include: Portraits of Sandra Day O’Connor; Great Britons: Treasures from the NPG, London; Portraits by Alexander Talbot Rice; Harry Benson’s Fifty Years of Photojournalism; and Portraiture Now: Framing Memory. For more information on these exhibits, see Upcoming Exhibits.
American Art Museum
Exhibits at the AAM will include: Variations on America: Masterworks from American Art Forum Collections; The Prints of Sean Scully. For more information on these exhibits, see Upcoming Exhibits.
Tours
Monuments by Moonlight
Go on a guided tour of DC by night for the most spectacular views of all the monuments. Just be sure that you have a good night-time camera! Click on the link above for more tour and ticket information.
Segway Tour
Segways are the hottest new trend in city sight-seeing. Walking is the best way to get your feel for a city, but buses allow you to cover more ground; the Segway is the best of both worlds! Ride your motorized two-wheel vehicle all over the city… Just try to avoid the old-fashioned pedestrians!
Duck Tours
Climb aboard a land & sea vehicle, and you’ll get to Washington D.C. from all sides!
Memorials and Monuments
Jefferson Memorial
A tribute to our third president sits beneath the picturesque marble rotunda. Inside you’ll find some of his influential words that helped shape our nation. The memorial is located near the National Mall.
Lincoln Memorial
A statue of our 16th president sits on the west end of the reflecting pool. Engraved on the interior of the memorial are his words from the Gettysburg Address and his Second Inaugural Address. The memorial is located at one end of the National Mall.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
The museum commemorates the millions of lives that were lost during the holocaust. Exhibitions, art, and artifacts convey the stories of lives lost, and encourage viewers to reflect on lessons learned from the tragic event. The museum is located near the National Mall.
Washington Monument
Until the Eifel Tower was built, the Washington Monument (at 169 meters) was the tallest structure in the world. Today, tourists can visit the observation deck, free of charge, and enjoy the spectacular view of our nation’s capitol and – on a clear day – the reflection of the monument itself in the reflecting pool. The memorial is located on the National Mall.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
Four outdoor galleries, over a 7.5 acre site, illustrate the 12 years of FDR’s presidency. The memorial depicts the president and his wife and the depression era of his presidency, and was the first memorial in DC designed to be entirely wheelchair accessible. The memorial is located near the National Mall.
Arlington National Cemetery
Our nation's treasured burial ground is home to more than 85,000 honored dead. Home to The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the eternal flame adorning John F. Kennedy’s grave.
Korean War Veterans Memorial
Adjacent to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, this memorial commemorates the lives lost in the Korean War. The memorial is located on the National Mall.
National World War II Memorial
Between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, this memorial honors the lives lost in the Second World War. Fifty-six pillars represent the states and territories that supported war efforts, two arches depict the Atlantic and Pacific, and a Freedom Wall features one gold star for every 100 American deaths incurred during the war. The memorial is located on the National Mall.
Museums
Smithsonian Information Center
The first Smithsonian building, known as the castle, houses administrative offices as well as a Smithsonian information center. The memorial is located on the National Mall.
Smithsonian National Zoological Park
Just blocks away from the Marriott Wardman Park, the national zoo is definitely a DC attraction to add to your itinerary. The zoo features all the usual animals, and is famous for the pandas, elephants and tigers. As a Smithsonian, entrance to the zoo is free!
National Air and Space Museum
The National Air and Space Museum contains the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world. This Smithsonian is the most visited museum in the world, attracting over 9 million people each year. The memorial is located on the National Mall.
International Spy Museum
This museum features exciting tools and information on international espionage, many of which have never before been shown outside of the intelligence community. Opened in 2002, the museum is quickly becoming a DC favorite. However, since it is not a Smithsonian, there is an admissions fee. (See the website for more information.)
National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery presents a wonderful collection illustrating the many, many individuals that have shaped or are shaping our lives and culture. It shares a noteworthy building with the National Museum of American Art, formerly the U.S. Patent Office.
National Museum of African Art
Adjacent to the Smithsonian Castle, this recent addition to the National Mall features a collection and celebration of African Art and Culture.
National Museum of the American Indian
The newest of the Smithsonian’s, the unique building was designed by Douglas Cardinal (Blackfoot) and a team of Native architects and consultants. On display is a collection of artifacts and photography which was started by George Gustav Heye. The museum is located on the National Mall.
National Museum of Health & Medicine
The museum examines the practice of medicine throughout America’s history. Special focus on military health and medicine and modern medical issues.
Washington Landmarks
National Archives
This building is home to the original copies of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights and other important governmental documents.
The Pentagon
Headquarters of the United States Department of Defense and its approximate 26,000 employees, the Pentagon is one of the largest office buildings in the world in terms of floor space.
Washington National Cathedral
The second largest cathedral in the US, sixth largest in the world, sits at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue in the Northwest quadrant. Visitors enjoy the impressive gothic architecture, beautifully stained glass windows, and lovely gardens surrounding the cathedral.
White House
The First Family’s house; tours are available for parties of 10 or more, and should be arranged through your Member of Congress. Visitors should also stop by the White House Visitors Center, at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue, for more information on the building.
Theaters and Galleries
Corcoran Gallery of Art
The Corcoran Gallery of Art is the largest non-Federal museum in DC. Over 16,000 pieces of art are on display, spanning over 100 years of production with a special focus on American art. The Corcoran also houses a well-regarded art school.
Ford's Theatre
The site of President Lincoln’s assassination, Ford’s Theatre continues to be used for plays and musicals that honor the former President and the American values that he conveyed.
Freer Gallery of Art
The Freer Gallery of Art, a Smithsonian museum, features Asian and American art from the 19th and 20th centuries. Of special interest is Whistler’s interior design on display in the Peacock Room. The museum is located on the National Mall.
National Gallery of Art and Sculpture Museum
The museum is comprised of two East and West buildings, which are adjoined by an underground passage. On display are over 110,000 objects which demonstrate the major achievements in all types of art throughout the years. The museum is located on the National Mall.
The Phillips Collection
When Duncan Phillip’s collection opened as a museum in 1921, it became America’s first Modern Art Museum. Today, the collection is world renowned for its extraordinary artwork and intimate atmosphere. The museum is located on the National Mall.
Neighborhoods
Adams Morgan
Adams Morgan is Washington DC’s hub for nightlife. Lively bars, clubs and restaurants line 18th Street. Restaurants offer cuisines from around the world, giving the area a very international feel. Neighborhoods feature the famous row house designs and colorful murals along the streets portray the vibrant attitude of the area. The neighborhood is located just half a mile from the conference hotel, the Woodley Park Marriott.
Capitol Hill
Many visitors make it to Capitol Hill to see the Capitol Building itself, the Supreme Court, or the Library of Congress. While these are certainly places worth exploring, many miss out on the lovely residential area beyond these attractions. One of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, the area features a charming display of row houses, each with their own unique architecture and color palate. The area also houses Eastern Market, where local farmers and artisans gather to sell their goods. The Market itself is a charming brick building, which on Saturdays and Sundays is surrounded by farmers’ stands, arts & crafts tables, and a flea market.
Dupont Circle
At the intersection of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire Avenues, Dupont Circle is a metropolitan gem in the nation’s capital. Trendy bars and restaurants, unusual book and coffee shops, historic museums and galleries, and majestic embassy buildings are all intermixed to form a unique cosmopolitan blend. At the center of the circle is a marble fountain, designed by the sculptors of the Lincoln Memorial, Daniel Chester French and Henry Bacon. Located on Metro’s Red Line – Dupont Circle.
Georgetown
Declared a historic district in 1950, Georgetown is known for its beauty and elegance. The entire area exudes a classic charm. Stroll along M Street and Wisconsin Avenue to find countless upscale shops and boutiques; or wander around the side streets to explore neighborhoods and admire the architecture. Visitors also enjoy strolling along the C&O Canal, which runs from Ohio to the Chesapeake Bay, or along the waterfront of the Potomac River.
Woodley Park
Woodley Park is a charming residential neighborhood of early century row houses. The elegantly designed houses have been well kept throughout the years, maintaining all of the original charm. Stepping off busy Connecticut Avenue, the streets are a pleasant escape from the busier big-city areas of DC. Extending from Rock Creek Park to the east and the Washington National Cathedral to the west, Woodley Park is also where you’ll find the popular Smithsonian National Zoo. The conference hotel is located in the heart of Woodley Park on busy Connecticut Avenue; please see the hotel concierge for local area maps.
For information about additional neighborhoods around DC, visit ExploreDC.org or the Official Tourism Site of Washington DC’s neighborhood page.
Additional Links
The following links offer additional information on the various attractions throughout our nation’s capital.
- Official Tourism Site of Washington DC – Information on attractions, events, and navigating the city.
- Kitty Tours – Before your trip, take a virtual tour of DC’s statues, memorials and monuments!
- Cultural Tourism DC – A nonprofit Coalition linking you to Washington’s heritage and arts.
- Frommer’s Washington DC Guide – Information on attractions, events, and getting around the city. Also offers suggested trip itineraries for one, two, or three day visits.
- Lonely Planet Washington DC Guide – Information on attractions, events, and getting around DC.
Maps
The following links lead to maps that we hope will help you plan your trip to DC. Additional maps will be available at the conference registration desk and from the hotel concierge.
- Official Tourism Site of Washington DC – Provides interactive maps for trip planning, as well as maps that can be printed.
- Map Network – Contains links to various online and print maps featuring either the entire DC Metro area the downtown area & major monuments.
- Google Maps – Search for a particular address or type in Washington, DC for an area map. Use zoom and drag tools to explore the city.
