Things to Do
Return to "While in DC" page.
Candace's Top Picks
See a Play!
I love going to the theater and DC has so many great ones to choose from. Here are two shows that will be running in August (in addition to "Mary Poppins," below) -- be sure to get your tickets in advance!
- "Avenue Q" - This hit Broadway musical is stopping in DC at the Shakespeare Theatre Company's Landsburgh Theater. For information and tickets visit: http://www.shakespearetheatre.org/plays/details.aspx?id=9785&source=t *Note: This play is NOT suitable for children under 13.*
- "Shear Madness" - This hilarious murder mystery play has been running at the Kennedy Center for over 20 years! I've seen it once in Boston and twice in DC and it gets better every time. For information and tickets visit: http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=showEvent&event=TKMAD
Visit the Newseum!
At this beautiful new museum history literally comes alive, as captured by newsmen and women. You can see the Berlin Wall, the World Trade Center tower antenna, and an amazing collection of Pulitzer Prize winning photographs.
555 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 292-6100
http://www.newseum.org/
Metro Stop: Archives / Navy Memorial (Green and Yellow Lines)*
Nick's Top Picks
Explore the Library of Congress!
Visit the so-called "Library of Last Resort," which houses 32 million cataloged books and other print materials in 470 languages; the largest rare book collection in North America (including the rough draft of the Declaration of Independence); over 1 million US government publications; 1 million issues of world newspapers spanning the past three centuries; and more than 13.7 million prints and photographic images including fine and popular art pieces and architectural drawings.
*Special treat: Sign up for a Researcher's Card (http://www.loc.gov/rr/main/inforeas/register.html -- takes about 20 minutes) and try to find an article written by Nick (hint: it is in the Law Library).
For an updated calendar of Events happening at the Library visit: http://www.loc.gov/loc/events/index.php?mode=detail&date=1280635200
1st Street, SE (Between Independence Avenue and East Capitol Street)
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 707-8000
http://www.loc.gov/index.html
Metro Stop: Capitol South (Orange and Blue Lines)
Go Peddle Boating on the Tidal Basin!
Rent a peddle boat to get a unique view of the Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial (location of a very special engagement <3) while soaking up some sunshine. The dock is located where 15th Street meets the water at the Tidal Basin across from the Jefferson. Get there early to avoid a long wait for a boat.
1501 Maine Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20024
(202) 479-2426
Metro Stop: Smithsonain (Blue and Orange Lines)
http://www.tidalbasinpaddleboats.com/
Visit the so-called "Library of Last Resort," which houses 32 million cataloged books and other print materials in 470 languages; the largest rare book collection in North America (including the rough draft of the Declaration of Independence); over 1 million US government publications; 1 million issues of world newspapers spanning the past three centuries; and more than 13.7 million prints and photographic images including fine and popular art pieces and architectural drawings.
*Special treat: Sign up for a Researcher's Card (http://www.loc.gov/rr/main/inforeas/register.html -- takes about 20 minutes) and try to find an article written by Nick (hint: it is in the Law Library).
For an updated calendar of Events happening at the Library visit: http://www.loc.gov/loc/events/index.php?mode=detail&date=1280635200
1st Street, SE (Between Independence Avenue and East Capitol Street)
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 707-8000
http://www.loc.gov/index.html
Metro Stop: Capitol South (Orange and Blue Lines)
Go Peddle Boating on the Tidal Basin!
Rent a peddle boat to get a unique view of the Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial (location of a very special engagement <3) while soaking up some sunshine. The dock is located where 15th Street meets the water at the Tidal Basin across from the Jefferson. Get there early to avoid a long wait for a boat.
1501 Maine Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20024
(202) 479-2426
Metro Stop: Smithsonain (Blue and Orange Lines)
http://www.tidalbasinpaddleboats.com/
Activities for Kids (and the Young at Heart)
National Zoo
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/default.cfm
3001 Connecticut Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 633-4800
Metro Stop: Woodley Park/Zoo/Adams Morgan
Kids say: “I like the National Zoo because there is a very wide variety of animals. There is guaranteed to be a favorite animal for anyone in the family. This activity is for ALL ages!”
“Mary Poppins” at The Kennedy Center
http://www.kennedy-center.org/
Potomac River at 2700 F St., NW
Washington, D.C. 20566
(202) 467-4600 (Box Office / Ticket Sales)
Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom/George Washington University
Kids say: “I saw The Mary Poppins on Broadway, and was THRILLED to hear it is coming to the Kennedy Center. This show is funny, sweet, and a very memorable production. Any show at the Kennedy Center is promised to be a good one that you will always remember.”
National Air and Space Museum
http://www.nasm.si.edu/
Independence Avenue at 6th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20560
202-633-2214
Metro Stop: Smithsonian (Blue/Orange line) or L’Enfant Plaza (Green/Yellow line)
Kids say: “The Air and Space museum is a very exciting museum! You don't have to be interested in planes, or want to be a pilot! The air and Space museum is interactive and action-filled!”
National Museum of Natural History
http://www.mnh.si.edu/
10th Street NW at Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 633-1000
Metro Stop: Smithsonian
Kids say: “Many people think immediately of the Natural History Museum when someone say's the word: DC! This has everything -- From, the real ruby slippers from ‘The Wizard of Oz’, to the Hope Diamond, known as a bad luck diamond!”
National Mall & Memorial Parks
http://www.nps.gov/nama/index.htm
The National Mall spans 2 miles between the US Capitol Building and the Lincoln Memorial, and encompasses the Washington Monument, Tidal Basin and other sights. For a park map visithttps://ncrcms.nps.gov/nama/planyourvisit/maps.htm A fun thing to do in the summer is take a paddle boat out on the tidal basin. For information visit http://www.tidalbasinpaddleboats.com/
Metro Stop: The Mall area can be accessed from various Metro Stations.
From the East use: Federal Center, L'Enfant Plaza, Archives-Navy Memorial, Smithsonian, or Federal Triangle.
From the West use: Farragut West, Foggy Bottom/George Washington University.
Kids say: “Take a walk through the beautiful nature DC has to offer. Bring a frisbee and games or have a family picnic!”
Old Town Trolley Tour
http://www.trolleytours.com/washington-dc/
(202) 832-9800
The trolleys stop at 19 locations throughout the city along 3 different routes, and your ticket allows you to hop on and off all day. Or, take a “Monuments by Moonlight Tour,” which departs at 7:30pm from Union station.
Metro Stop: Varies, but at Union Station you can buy tickets and hop aboard the trolley.
Kids say: “All aboard the trolley!! Take a sightseeing tour through the Nation's Capital!”
Washington Nationals Baseball Game
Watch DC's baseball team take on the Florida Marlins (Aug. 12) or Arizona Diamondbacks (Aug. 13-15).
For tickets visit: http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/ticketing/index.jsp?c_id=wasth
1500 South Capitol Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
Metro Stop: Navy Yard (Green Line)
Kids say: “Take me out to the ball game!”
Return to "While in DC" page.
