| Unless you have a few weeks to explore Washington DC, you should start with the highlights and work your way down. Plan ahead and consider transportation to and from each stop to maximize your touring time. Touring the White House is a great place to start but you must have a group of 10 or more and you need to make arrangements through your Member of Congress. If you can put this together, it is well worth your time. The Lincoln Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial, in the green and expansive National Mall, must not be missed. Also showcasing DC's natural beauty are Rock Creek Park and the US Botanic Garden. Often a surprise to visitors, the U.S. Capitol building is open to the public (free tours available) and is well worth a stroll down the commanding halls. You may even want to stop in your State’s representative office to say hello. Historical Georgetown with its lively ambience, wonderful shopping and gourmet dining options will fill half a day planned around lunch or dinner. The National Gallery of Art could take a few hours or all day with the old and new wing as well as the outdoor sculpture garden. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts proudly offers a large variety of performing arts presentations throughout the year in this spectacular venue. Consider planning dinner at the Kennedy Center's Roof Terrace Restaurant before the show. Visit the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, an erie and powerful experience you will always remember. Get a close up view of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights in the National Archives Building. Lastly, take time out of your busy schedule to walk through the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. |
