Showing posts with label vacation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vacation. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Start making your Labor Day weekend plans!



Celebrate summer’s last big weekend with music, food, outdoor activities and baseball.

Come to Washington, DC and your summer is guaranteed to end with a bang!



Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Free Things to Do: Fall in DC

National Zoo

Celebrate fall’s crisp “tempurrratures” by spending the day watching animals at theNational Zoo. From big cats, to giant pandas (and red ones, too), Asian elephants, apes and exotic birds, you can explore animals from all walks of life in one afternoon. Admission to the zoo is free, but for an additional cost you can enjoy special fall events there: Autumn Conservation Festival, Boo at the Zoo and Night of the Living Zoo.

Rock Creek Park

Become one with nature this fall with a visit to the 2,100 acres that call Rock Creek Park home. Let the kiddos release some pent up energy at one of the many playgrounds found throughout the park, followed up by a refuel with lunch at one of 30 picnic locations. Make sure to snap photos of the color-changing leaves blanketing the area this time of year. For an additional fee, enjoy a horseback ride, rent a bicycle and feel the crisp breeze take over as you coast down one of the paved bike paths or spend an afternoon playing 18 holes at the public golf course.

National Mall

See the National Mall in all of its fall beauty with DC by Foot, a walking tour company that hosts free, kid-friendly tours (gratuity recommended). You’ll enjoy taking in the sights, while learning monument-themed fun facts and trivia. Tours include the Arlington Cemetery Walking Tour, the Lincoln Assassination Walking Tour and the Twilight Washington Bus Tour.

C&O Canal

Fall is the perfect time to lace up your hiking boots and trek down the C&O Canal, which traces the Potomac from Georgetown to Cumberland, Md. The serene trek includes plenty of fall foliage around October and the soothing sounds of nature amidst the beauty of Georgetown.

U.S. National Arboretum

Let DC's fall foliage surprise you with a visit to the U.S. National Arboretum. Take in the harvest hues on one of the many trails and see the majestic pillars from the original U.S. Capitol. A common misconception many hold is that the pillars were removed in 1814, when the building was burned by the British troops in the War of 1812. In fact, the Corinthian columns were removed in 1958 after a renovation to the U.S. Capitol Building.

Ben’s Chili Bowl

Nothing says fall comfort food like chili – and nothing says chili like Ben’s Chili Bowl. While we can’t promise a free meal, the famous chili half-smoke is happiness for your wallet and your taste buds.

Kennedy Center

When the fall evenings become too cool for late-night outdoor fun, take in a free performance at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage. Showtime is 6 p.m. nightly and includes everything from performances by the National Symphony Orchestra to poetry slams.

Eastern Market

Enjoy live music, local farm-fresh produce, handmade arts, jewelry, crafts and more than 100 merchants on weekend mornings at Eastern Market. While taking in the beautiful fall surroundings, warm up with locally made, toasty beverages and baked goods.

Old Stone House

Journey through time at the Old Stone House in Georgetown is the oldest unchanged building in the District. Why it’s still here: In 1791 George Washington met with Pierre L'Enfant to discuss the plans for the new federal city. For decades it was thought that the meeting took place at the Old Stone House, leading to its preservation. However the National Park Service discovered in the 20th century that the meeting actually took place at a tavern at K and 31st. Stroll through Georgetown and consider a stop at cafe Baked & Wired for nibbles and its fall specialty drink: Chaider.

National Gallery of Art

As days get shorter, entertainment becomes more important. Get swept away by live music with the National Gallery of Art’s free Sunday concerts. The concert usually takes place in the West Garden Court, but may also occur in the Sculpture Garden or West Building Rotunda.

Looking for more free (and almost free) things to do in DC? Find them here.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Top 5 Reasons To Visit Washington DC

One of the most visited cities in the USA, Washington, DC offers a variety of interesting experiences, from learning about American history and government to seeing many of the most iconic sights in the country. This vibrant city is also home to great food, art, cultural attractions and much more. Read on for the top reasons to visit Washington, DC.

Museums

air and space museumDC is not only home to some of the most notable museums in the world, but most of them are also free to the public. All 19 of the Smithsonian Museums offer adults and children of all ages an unforgettable experience. From the Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of American History to the Natural History Museum and the American Indian Museum, you could spend hours at each and still not see it all. A visit to Washington, DC isn’t complete without a stop in to these renowned institutions.

American History

When it comes to American History, this is where it all comes together. America’s capital is rich with history and incredible sights to see. From the monuments and memorials to the many significant buildings and points of interest.

The National Zoo

national zoo entranceA part of the Smithsonian Institution, the National Zoo is also free to the public. It has also earned a reputation as one of the world’s best zoos with more than 2,000 different animals of 400 species. Adults and children are enthralled by a visit here where you can see Giant Pandas, Great Apes, Lions, Cheetahs, Tigers, Asian Elephants, gray wolves, California sea lions, Bald eagles, sloth bears, giraffes and many more. There are 163 acres to explore and enjoy at the National Zoo, located in the heart of Washington, DC. Plan on spending 2-3 hours to see as many of the fascinating animals that make the zoo their home.

The White House

white houseTaking a tour of the White House is one of the most popular things to do when visiting Washington, DC. To get tickets, you do need to start planning and making requests in advance. It has been known to take a month or a few months to get a reservation; but it’s totally worth it to see the White House up close. If you can’t get a reservation to take a tour, just seeing it from the outside, viewing the grounds and stopping in at the White House Visitor Center is an experience you won’t forget. Inside the visitor center you can learn all about the history of the White House, the first families who have lived there, the furnishings, the architecture and much more. There’s also a gift shop where you can pick up souvenirs.

Arlington National Cemetery

arlington national cemeteryPerhaps one of the most awe-inspiring sights you’ll witness in DC, besides the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, is Arlington National Cemetery. It’s here that more than 250,000 men and women who’ve served in the United States Military have been laid to rest. This is also home to the Tomb of the Unknowns, or the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is where an unknown American soldier from World War I and unknowns from World War II, Korea and Vietnam are buried. The area is guarded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Make sure to also view the Eternal Flame, which marks the grave of President John F. Kennedy, and the Arlington House, a tribute to Robert E. Lee.