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August 2 - 5
Renaissance Hotel - Dupont Circle - Washington, DC
Renaissance Hotel - Dupont Circle - Washington, DC
Touring and Sites to See
Sights to See in DC
Just the tip of the proverbial iceberg of things to see and do in DC!
General Notes:
• All government buildings require security screening before entering. Carry as little as possible with you to speed up this process. Always have an ID with you.
• Almost all museums have cafés; some have better offerings than others, as you would expect.
• Almost all museums have special exhibits and special events. These are too numerous and change too frequently to list here.
• Websites are listed so you can check details about days/hours of operation and other admission particulars (such as group/senior/child discounts). Please double-check before planning your outings to ensure there are no unscheduled closings.
• If traveling by Metro, visit www.wmata.com to use the route planner which is a great tool. Plug in the starting station, the ending station and the desired arrival time and it provides the best route, the time the trains are departing and arriving, and any outages.
• Cabs in DC are now metered (you should be happy – the old system was cryptic involving zones and maps that in no way resembled DC – even native Washingtonians couldn’t decipher these). There will always be cabs available outside hotels, major museums and most restaurants. If you are off the beaten path at museums such as Hillwood or the Kreeger, you may need to ask the staff to call a cab for you.
• If you are driving, parking is an issue all over downtown. It’s limited, generally metered (pay and display systems) and you must read all signs carefully. Cars that are parked illegally are TOWED on major roads along the Mall. And remember, your car may be parked legally at 3:59 pm but at 4:00 pm tow trucks are waiting to remove your vehicle. You really don’t want your car sitting in a DC impound lot – trust us on this one!
• Parking lots are available but fill up early. It’s a city so expect to pay fairly high parking fees.
• Another detail about driving is that there are many red light and speed cameras throughout the city – it’s a major revenue source – consider yourself forewarned.
• DC’s a great walking town so don’t forget that as a mode of transportation. You can generally hail a cab or find a Metro stop if you get tired.
1 - The White House
Tours are available (and free). They must be arranged NO LESS than 21 days in advance and UP TO 6 months in advance. You need to request a tour through your member of Congress so write ahead early. Keep in mind this is an election year and so life will be more hectic than usual in Washington. Check out the above website for all the details.
There is a White House Visitors Center located nearby which will give more detail about the White House and so you are encouraged to build in some time for this as well.
Lastly, the White House Historical Association is located across the street from the White House. They help support renovations and refurbishments to the White House through the sale of items such as the annual White House ornament and other memorabilia. The ornament is typically on sale by August. It might make a nice souvenir or client gift and is now about $17.
2 - The Capitol
A much-overlooked tourist attraction, the Library of Congress sits just east of the Capitol. It is free to visit and a quick look at current exhibits shows a wide range from “I Love Lucy: An American Legend” to “Exploring the Early Americas,” a look at the indigenous American cultures and the resulting clash as the European explorers arrived. I hear there is also a huge collection of cookbooks housed here.
The Library of Congress Experience is an interactive exploration (digital) of some of the most famous items in the collection such as turning the pages of the Guttenberg Bible and exploring books from Thomas Jefferson’s library.
Guided tours are available (and free!) and there is a public tour schedule on the website. There is also an app you can download for a virtual tour.
3 - The Pentagon
Unless you know someone who works at the Pentagon, the only way to see the inside of the largest office building on earth is to take a tour. These are led by Marines in full-dress uniform – very impressive – the Marines & the tours. You do have to plan ahead – no more than 90 days before your desired tour date and not less than 7 days. The website above explains the details. Not surprisingly, you must provide personal information ahead of time for security reasons. You can also request a tour through your Congressional representatives.
4 - Mt Vernon
George Washington’s home for over 40 years is just 16 miles south of Washington on the Potomac River (magnificent view!). The estate consists of the mansion, a visitor center, gardens and fully functioning distillery (newest restoration which produces a limited number of bottles of whiskey annually). Mt. Vernon is not a government attraction and relies on ticket sales/donations for its support. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online. The website suggests allowing at least 3 hours for a visit.
5 - US Botanical Gardens
One of the oldest botanical gardens in the US, this complex sits near the Capitol and consists of the Conservatory housing many species of plants, Bartholdi Park (whose centerpiece is a large fountain designed by the one-and-same Bartholdi of Statue of Liberty fame) and the National Gardens. The Conservatory was renovated from 1997-2001 and the National Gardens opened in 2006. These feature a Rose Garden, a Butterfly Garden, and the First Ladies’ Water Garden. If you are a serious gardener or have time while you’re near the Capitol, it’s worth a detour. It’s free but offers no dining options.
6 - Smithsonian Museums
The Smithsonian is a collection of museums, not one single building. Here’s the list!
African American History & Culture Museum (official name is National Museum of African American History & Culture)
www.nmaahc.si.edu
This museum is currently housed in the National Museum of American History, second floor. Construction of its permanent home begins this year and is estimated to be completed by 2015.
National Air & Space Museum (located downtown)
www.nasm.si.edu
One of the city’s most popular museums since its opening in the mid-1970s, the Air & Space museum houses the Wright Brothers 1903 Flyer, the Gemini IV space capsule, a model of the Star Trek Starship Enterprise (not to be confused with the Space Shuttle Enterprise – a real vehicle that is housed at the Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles Airport), and just about everything in between that has flown.
The movie theater was the first in the area to run films in IMAX. Though entrance to the museum is free, movies shown in the IMAX theater do have a fee. It’s best to purchase in advance if possible (you can buy on the website).
American History (National Museum of American History)
www.americanhistory.si.edu
This is where the collection of First Ladies’ gowns lives along with Dorothy’s ruby slippers, Julia Child’s Kitchen, and the flag that flew over Ft. McHenry on Sept 14, 1814 which inspired Francis Scott key to write the Star Spangled Banner. Those are but a few of the iconic American items on exhibit. What a collection!
Arts & Industry www.si.edu/Museums/arts-and-industries-building
Currently closed for renovation but worth mentioning for your next trip to DC. This building was the home of the original Smithsonian collection which opened in 1881 and was the site of President Garfield’s inaugural ball. There is a working carousel in front of the building.
Freer/Sackler Galleries
www.asia.si.edu
These galleries house the Smithsonian’s Asian art collection and are a magnificent place to spend a few hours. Not at the top of most visitors’ lists, these galleries are generally less crowded than say, Air & Space or American History. Whistler’s Peacock Room is worth the trip alone – you should read its history on the website listed above.
Hirschorn Museum & Sculpture Garden
www.hirschorn.si.edu
The 12th of 13 children who emigrated to America (from Latvia) in 1907 with their widowed mother, Joseph Hirschorn became a financier, philanthropist and major collector of modern art. After being wooed by major museums around the world, Mr. Hirschorn ultimately bequeathed his massive 6,000 piece collection of modern art to the Smithsonian after great efforts by Lady Bird Johnson. The collection has grown to over 12,000 pieces. Don’t miss the fabulous sculpture garden with works by Rodin, Matisse, Coons and Calder.
Museum of the American Indian
www.nmai.si.edu
This is one of the newer Smithsonian museums. The building itself is quite beautiful and architecturally different than the other museums lining the Mall. The restaurant here is reported to have very good food so if you go, plan to be there for lunch. There are ongoing exhibits on the Native Americans of the Chesapeake region and a temporary exhibit called Song of the Horse will still be showing in August during our conference. This is a widely acclaimed exhibit regarding the long relationship of Native Americans and their horses.
National Zoo
www.nationalzoo.si.edu
Yep, the Zoo is part of the Smithsonian – and so admission is free, but if you drive, parking is not. It’s 163 acres and sits on a hill in Rock Creek Park – be warned – the DC summer weather and hills make for an arduous (and sweaty) trek at times, but it’s well worth the effort. Some sections (Elephant trail) are currently under construction but the fairly recently renovated Asia Trail leading up to the Giant Panda exhibit is nicely done.
If ever you are here in December be sure to go at night for Zoo Lights which is spectacular!
Natural History Museum
www.mnh.si.edu
Situated on the Mall, the Natural History Museum has a wide array of exhibits, some ongoing and some temporary. Currently there’s an exhibit on X-Ray Visions of Fish (x-rays and photos of fish) that runs through Aug 5 as well as an exhibit on Eternal Life in Ancient Egypt focusing on burial practices and mummies. This is the museum with the elephant in the lobby – seriously (stuffed, but nonetheless a huge presence).
National Portrait Gallery
www.npg.si.edu
The Portrait Gallery has been recently renovated. This is a lesser known/visited museum but really is a gem. Poets, presidents, villains, actors, activists, and visionaries grace the walls of the museum. There are storytelling sessions, concerts, and recitals held here periodically. There are self-guided ‘scavenger’ hunts for kids to locate particular portraits or details in the portraits. And I have it on good authority (a 9-year old) that the grilled cheese in the café is ‘really good.’
Postal Museum
www.postalmuseum.si.edu
Did you know Amelia Earhart was stamp collector? Well, she was and this museum houses her collection along with exhibits on the Pony Express, Military Mail Call, and Systems That Work (demonstrating what happens to that letter once you drop it in a mailbox). Located near Union Station.
Renwick Gallery
www.americanart.si.edu/renwick/
This is a branch of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and is located close to the White House in an historic building designed by architect James Renwick in the 1850s. The Renwick houses an extensive collection of craft and decorative arts from the 19th century to the present. The permanent collection is housed on the second floor while rotating exhibits are displayed on the first floor. The Grand Salon is densely hung with American paintings one above the other and side by side.
The Castle
www.si.edu/Museums/smithsonian-institution-building
The iconic Smithsonian building, the Castle houses a permanent exhibit called America’s Treasure Chest. This is also the home of the administrative offices of the Smithsonian Institution.
Udvar-Hazy Center (Air & Space Museum near Dulles Airport)
www.nasm.si.edu/udvarhazy
This is the companion museum to the downtown Air & Space Museum. BTW, the second word is pronounced “haah-zy” vs. hāzy – just don’t want you to sound like a tourist! The facility is huge and houses the larger aircraft that obviously won’t fit downtown. Very much worth a trip to Chantilly, VA near Dulles if you have the time and interest.
7 - Non-Smithsonian Museums
(entrance fees may apply)
Holocaust Museum (United State Holocaust Memorial Museum)
www.ushmm.org
Though not part of the Smithsonian, the Holocaust Museum is free. However during the busy season (March through August) you must obtain a pass. This can be done the day of your visit at the museum, but you risk the chance of not getting a pass OR you can book in advance online ($1 fee to do so).
This is a moving and somber museum focusing on education as well as remembrance. There is an exhibit called Remember the Children: Daniel’s Story which tells the story of the Holocaust as witnessed by a Jewish boy in Germany.
National Gallery of Art
www.nga.gov
The National Gallery of Art was created in 1937 by a donation from Andrew Mellon. This collection formed the nucleus of the museum which has grown considerably through major art donations from others including Mellon family members, Samuel Kress and Joseph Widener. The original museum is the west wing. The East wing was completed in 1978, houses contemporary art (early 20th century to the present) and is the more modern looking of the two wings.
It is the home of a fabulous Alexander Calder mobile among other pieces of modern art. The west wing includes paintings by Winslow Homer, Thomas Eakins, Peter Paul Rubens, and Johan Vemeer to name but a few.
Newseum - Pennsylvania Ave & 6th Street (next to Canadian Embassy)
www.newseum.org
Some find the news depressing; others find it exhilarating. If you fall in the latter camp, this is the museum for you. One of DC proper’s newest museums, the Newseum relocated from just over the river in Rosslyn, VA in 2008. You can pay the $21.95+tax fee which gives you admission on 2 consecutive days and view all the exhibits – there are generally several temporary exhibits along with the permanent collection – or if you find yourself in that part of town and want to know what’s making news the world over, you can stroll along the building front and read the day’s front pages from around the world.
Philips Collection
www.phillipscollection.org
Duncan Phillips and his mother founded this museum in the early 20th century as they mourned the loss of two family members – Duncan’s father, a Civil War veteran who died in 1917 and Duncan’s older brother who died of influenza in 1918. Duncan Phillips was involved with the museum and its growing and eclectic collection until his death in 1966 at the age of 80.
This is a museum slightly off the beaten path but still in downtown that’s a real gem, generally overlooked by the tourists. On the first Thursday of every month, there’s a jazz program with refreshments. The admission fee varies depending upon special exhibits - $10 if there is no special exhibit and those under 18 are free.
Hillwood Museum & Gardens
www.hillwoodmuseum.org
This is a personal favorite of ours which was once the home of Marjorie Merriweather-Post. She left this property as a museum upon her death in 1973. Not huge, but worthy of at least 2-3 hours to see the home, the unbelievable art collection and the incredible gardens.
Mrs. Post was born the only child of CW Post whose wealth came from Postum, Grape-Nuts, and Post-Toasties! Mrs. Post inherited this company when she was 27 and with her second husband, EF Hutton, grew the company to become General Foods. Her third husband was Joseph Davies, US Ambassador to Russia in the late 1930s right on the eve of WWII. There the couple lived on a yacht to avoid listening devices in the Embassy and amassed a huge collection of Russian art including Faberge Eggs, icons, textiles, and porcelains during this tumultuous time. Much of this collection is housed at Hillwood.
A recent exhibit at Hillwood featured family wedding gowns including hers (she had a few!), her daughter, actress Dina Merrill’s (she also had a few) along with bridesmaid gowns and flower girl dresses worn by family members.
International Spy Museum near Chinatown
www.spymuseum.org
Quirky. This fairly new museum focuses on 20th century spying though it runs the gamut of intriguing undercover and sometime nefarious activities from ancient Egyptian spying through the American Revolution.
Kreeger Museum - Foxhall Road, NW
www.kreegermuseum.org
This was the private residence of the founder of Geico, David Kreeger & his wife Carmen, who amassed a large collection of 19th & 20th century art. The home was turned into a museum in 1994. There are 9 Monets in the dining room. Throughout the house there are pieces by Picasso, Chagall, Matisse, Mondrian and Renoir, to name but a few. It’s a small museum and one can see entire 200 piece collection in about 2 hours. There is an entrance fee.
Textile Museum
www.textilemuseum.org
Founded by George Hewitt Myers in 1925, this museum is housed in his former home and the next-door residence. Gardens behind the home are open to public during museum hours. Some exhibits include: woven arts of central Africa; dragons in textiles; the art of recycling old textiles; and classical Persian carpet fragments. Not a typical museum! $8 suggested fee.
National Building Museum
www.nbm.org
To quote their website, this museum is “one of the most family-friendly, awe-inspiring spots in Washington, DC.” It really is a gorgeous place! You can tour the grand hall (site of many charitable events such as Taste of the Nation and local graduations), the gift shop (of course!), and the café for free. There is an admission to the exhibits. The gift shop is said to be "very cool".
National Museum of Crime & Punishment
www.crimemuseum.org/
Law enforcement, forensic science and the history of crime – this is the tag line for the museum. I have heard good things about this new museum but I’ve yet to visit. The tickets run about $20 (cheaper to buy online) for basic admission plus you can add on items such as the audio tour guide, the CSI Workshop, and America’s Most Wanted behind the scenes studio tour when available. Sounds fascinating, no?
National Museum of Women in the Arts
www.nmwa.org
This museum lives in a restored former Masonic Temple and houses 250 pieces of art by women of all nationalities and periods such as Mary Cassat , Camille Claudel, Frida Kahlo, and Georgia O’Keefe. Admission is $10.