Washington DC Honors Veterans During Memorial Day!
Memorial Day presents many opportunities to be thankful for the freedom through veterans, and Washington DC provides ceremonies at several of their most famous national memorials during this special day on May 30. You can visit areas like the Arlington Cemetery, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Korean Veterans Memorial to visualize the symbolic sacrifice that many military personnel have given for the privileges that Americans share. Look for the Eternal Flame near John F. Kennedy’s grave, or stand by as military bands play heartwarming, patriotic tunes. If you’re interested in booking DC lodging while you’re here, you can browse through our Washington DC hotels.
Once you’ve viewed some of the sobering ceremonies in tribute to Memorial Day, you can find some more lighthearted entertainment at Washington DC’s shows, such as the famous dinner show, Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament in Hanover, MD. Walk into the massive arena and watch as the lights dim and six armored knights ride out with lances in their hands as they compete for the princess. At your table, you can cheer on the knights as you eat a delicious meal of roasted chicken, herb-basted potato, garlic bread and tomato soup. It’s a thrilling experience from the start of the tournament to the finale!
If you enjoy a show that will make you contemplate and decipher riddles, you can try out the Mystery Dinner Playhouse in Arlington, VA. Sit down in a classic setting, bite into an array of entrées like top sirloin of beef or grilled fish, and determine who the culprit is. Once the play begins, it will be up to you and those at your table to find out who’s going to be knocked off next! In addition to your meal, you can earn a special prize if you guess the murderer by the end of the show.
Pay Tribute to Veterans at Washington DC’s National Memorial Day Parade
On May 30, Washington DC will commemorate current and past veterans by hosting the National Memorial Day Parade, which will give US veterans a large tribute to their efforts in fighting for the freedom of Americans. Join the 150,000 spectators that come out to watch this great event, which represent the nation’s 50 states, with marching bands and veterans from all over the country. Be sure to bring your camera to take pictures of the parade as members march down DC’s Constitution Avenue. If you’re planning on coming down for a vacation to see this event and others, be sure to reserve your Washington DC lodging. You can continue your celebration of America’s proud history by viewing many of its monuments and memorials on the DC in a Day Tour. This great tour includes sightseeing some of the most famous national memorials and sites such as the FBI Building, Washington Monument, World War II Memorial, Ford’s Theatre, Grant Memorial and the Library of Congress. Take the comfortable motorcoach across the DC area and participate in this nine hour tour, which will provide you with a comprehensive experience of DC’s landmarks. After you’ve taken a ride on the motorcoach, you can try out a little more unique transportation with the DC Ducks tour, which takes you on both land and water in this World War II vehicle. You’ll hear interesting stories and witty side remarks from your tour guide as you view DC’s historic landmarks. Some of the tour’s highlights will include the legendary Smithsonian Institute, Korean War Memorial and Union Station. The tour is fully narrated, so feel free to ask your guide whatever questions you may have about DC’s sites!
Washington DC Attracts Homemakers with Capital Home and Garden Show!
At the end of the this month, the Washington DC Dulles Expo Center will celebrate its annual Capital Home and Garden Show, giving locals and visitors from across the country a chance to learn about house remodeling, furnishing and landscape improvements they can make to their own homes. The show takes place on February 25-27, and all kinds of home improvement workshops, seminars and presentations will be available for you to attend. This special event provides expert advice on how to improve your property. Book your reservations at a Washington DC hotel today.
After you’ve attended the Capital Home and Garden Show, you can see the rest of Washington DC with the Washington Photo Safari Half Day, which combines many of the best national monuments and landmarks into one picturesque tour. Pack your camera and head out with your guide to explore well-known areas like the U.S. Capitol, Union Station, Lafayette Park, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Albert Einstein Memorial. Your knowledgeable guide has great tips on how to take some of the best shots of these highlights, whether you’re using a point-and-shoot or a more complex camera.
In addition to your explorations around DC, you can feast on a hearty meal inside the castle walls of the Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament – Hanover MD. Sit down at your royal table and dine on four courses while you watch an extraordinary tale of six knights who battle for the heart of the princess. The production reigns down special effects from wizards and spotlights the banner of every knight as they fight with swords and lances around the sandy arena.
First Night of Alexandria Event Celebrates 2011 in Washington DC!
If you can’t make it to Washington DC for Christmas, don’t worry, the city is still packed with celebrations for New Year’s Eve. Take the family to DC this year to see all the festivities on December 31, including the exciting First Night Alexandria, celebrating New Year’s Eve in the Washington DC Metropolitan area. The event packs in fireworks, kids’ activities and delicious cuisine from all kinds of vendors. Dress warm and watch the fireworks as the nation’s capital rings in 2011! Before planning all your activities, be sure to reserve your Washington DC hotel, so that you’ll have a room waiting for you when you get there.
In addition to this stupendous New Year’s event, you can dive into the history of DC with a historic tour of Mount Vernon and Old Alexandria. As you’re traveling along with your motorcoach, you’ll be able to stop at historical places like the Mount Vernon House and the Christ Church. You’ll even be able to tour the inside of the Christ Church as long as a service is not in session. You’ll see other extraordinary pieces of architecture as well from your coach, including Old Town Alexandria, Fort Washington and the Pentagon.
Sign up for another exciting educational journey with the Monticello – Thomas Jefferson Country Tour, which takes you to many of the places where our third president resided. You’ll see sights such as the splendid University of Virginia, Michie Tavern, and Monticello, a house that sits in a scenic area of the mountains. Learn the many skills and talents that former president Thomas Jefferson had, such as architecture, artistry, craftsmanship, music and eloquent writing.
Washington DC Brightens with the National Christmas Tree Lighting!
On December 9th, Washington DC will celebrate its 87th National Christmas Tree Lighting in coordination with the Pageant of Peace. The city’s White House Ellipse Visitor Pavilion will display lit trees from each of America’s states and territories every day after the National Christmas Tree Lighting until New Year’s Day. Visitors are more than welcome to come out and view all of the city’s great holiday displays and festivities during this time. If you’d like to stay for the entire celebration, be sure to book one of the warm and cozy DC hotels.
You can see more of the city as it lights up with Christmas decorations with tours like DC After Dark, which take you to some of the most popular memorials and highlights of the city. The tour lasts approximately three hours, and you’ll be able to stop at famous places such as the Lincoln Memorial, FDR Memorial and Jefferson Memorial. These are just a few of the landmarks you’ll see. There are more than 10 famous other sights you’ll view from up close in your motorcoach.
There’s even more great DC architecture available to see at night, and you can view it by taking the DC The Lights! Tour, which starts out at the Old Post Office, dating back to 1899. From here, you’ll be able to look up at the skyscraping clock tower, reaching up 315 feet. Afterward, you’ll head to the US Capitol Building, where your tour guide will give you an extensive background of the building and people that have served there, as well as answering any questions you may have. As you continue, you’ll see many other famous memorials, including the Vietnam and WWII Memorial. Enjoy the rich history of DC as it’s bathed in city lights!
DC Craftsmen Ready for Sixth Annual Downtown Holiday Market!
Not long after Thanksgiving Washington DC will light up for the Christmas season, and you can be a part of it by visiting the Downtown Holiday Market, which runs from December 3 – 23. Setting up near historic areas like the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the downtown market will be filled with over 150 craftsman and artists. You’re welcome to travel the streets to find the perfect deals and ideal gifts for your loved ones, such as pottery, picture paintings and endless crafts. The area will have stages set up for entertainment as well, and Christmas lights will line almost every artisan’s tents, bringing holiday cheer to DC. You can spend additional time at the festival if you book DC lodging beforehand.
Don’t forget – there are many other venues to see Washington DC as well, and the city offers several quick stop-and-go’s at its historic points with tours like the City Sightseeing Double Decker Hop On/Off Pass. You can spend an entire day touring the city or just a few hours, depending on your schedule. The bus stops at 25 places and you can see memorials like the Arlington Cemetery, National Archives, National Gallery of Art, Fords Theatre and Union Station. The list goes on, and buses depart every 30 minutes from the stops.
If you’d like to explore DC’s attractions in authentic historic transportation, you can travel on the Old Town Trolley Narrated Hop On/Hop Off Tour. The trolley travels around the heart of DC’s memorials, making stops at places like the Washington National Cathedral, White House, Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial and others. Your tour makes 17 stops total and includes unlimited on and off privileges on the trolley. Bring your camera along to snap photos of your family and friends.
You won’t soon forget your experience in Washington DC, especially since the Christmas season is almost here. Bring the family along for a truly memorable time!
Washington DC Commemorates Freedom During Veterans Day
On November 11, Veterans Day, Washington DC will celebrate the lives of veterans all across the country who have fought for the freedom of Americans. To better honor those who served, ceremonies will take place at individual memorials, including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, Vietnam Women’s Memorial and the World War II Memorial. Visitors and DC citizens are welcome to attend any of the ceremonies to pay their respect to veterans both past and present. If you would like to make a trip up to Washington DC during this special event, you can book one of the DC hotels.
You can find other activities to do while you’re in the area as well, including photo tours like the Washington Photo Safari Full Day. Gather your day’s supplies for an exciting walkthrough of places like the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, White House Iwo Jima Memorial and more. Because your guide is a professional photographer, he or she can assist you in answering questions about photography and techniques along the way. No matter what type of camera you have, you’ll be granted plenty of opportunities to take excellent shots.
In addition to taking pictures, you can see where Hollywood pictures were shot with the On Location Tours Featuring Washington DC TV and Movie Sites. Travel on a streamlined coach bus for a trip through DC to explore more than 30 different sites where movies and shows were filmed. The tour explores everything from large budget films like Mission Impossible III to mysterious TV shows like the X-Files. Listen as your guide gives you the rundown of how each movie and show was filmed.
As you can see, Washington DC has attractions fit for the youngest child to the oldest grandparent. Take the entire family with you on your vacation to this fabulous city.
Museums and Shopping Offer the Perfect Getaway in Washington DC
If you’ve ever visited Washington DC, you know that it is a city filled with interesting museums and places to shop. On your next trip to the area, make sure that you don’t miss out on some of the most interesting museums and shopping opportunities the city has to offer. These three options are sure to add something special to your getaway.
National Museum of Crime and Punishment
Your first stop in DC should be the National Museum of Crime and Punishment. This museum has many interactive displays and exhibits that cover the history of crime and punishment dating from medieval period to present law enforcement. Some of the exhibits you will see as you explore the museum include a high speed chase simulator, an FBI shooting range, and even a computer hacking station. This museum also features a life-sized police station, a lie detector, and an electric chair. The Crime and Punishment Museum is something out of the ordinary that fascinates people of all ages.
After you’ve learned all about crime and punishment, head over to one of DC’s other unique museums, Madame Tussauds. This museum gives you the chance to see life-like busts of both historic and present day figures. You may see Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Lopez, George Washington, and other famous faces during your visit. This museum even gives you a behind the scenes to show you how they create such life-like wax figures. It’s a fun experience for pictures and learning.
Make sure you don’t forget to go shopping while you’re in DC. Tyson’s Corner Shopping Tours will give you the chance to browse over 300 specialty shops and stores at your own pace. You will see stores like The Body Shop, Banana Republic, and Shaw Jewelers on this fun shopping tour. Your tour includes a rewards savings book worth $200 in savings, a goodie bag from Sephora, and many other special offers and features. It’s the fun shopping experience you deserve on your vacation!
Screen on the Green Provides a Relaxing Summer Treat in Washington DC
Washington DC has a lot of traditions that draw people to the area each year. One of these traditional activities is Screen on the Green at the National Mall on Monday evenings. The Washington DC community and guests are invited to come and watch an outdoor movie together on the big screen and enjoy the sense of peace and relaxation that only summer can bring. It’s an activity that is free to all who come, and never fails to bring a smile to people’s faces.
While you’re in Washington DC, make sure you don’t forget to visit some of the other great attractions in the city. Washington DC is one of the most historic and progressive cities in the world. See the sights with City Sightseeing Double Decker Hop On and Off Pass. The unique blend of old and new that defines Washington DC can be clearly seen as you visit attractions like Union Station, Ford’s Theatre, FBI Spy Museum, and Arlington Cemetery. The best part about taking this tour is that you get the chance to spend as much or as little time visiting each attraction as you’d like.
Pair your sightseeing tour with the Washington DC Power Pass to make sure you really get the most out of your time in the city. This pass gives you access to many exciting tours and attractions like Woodrow Wilson House, Museum of Crime and Punishment, DC Ducks, and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. You get access to over 20 different attractions. It’s a great pass for families with a wide range of things they want to see.
Adventure Awaits You in Washington DC
Washington DC is known for its incredible sights and historic attractions. Why not experience these in a unique way to make your vacation unforgettable? Make your vacation an adventure with the Bike and Roll Bicycle Rental. Rent a bike and give yourself a tour. Visit sights like the Reflecting Pool and the White House on your own, so you can take your time and really enjoy yourself. Your bike rental includes safety items like a helmet, pump, and lock.
If you like the idea of riding a bicycle but would prefer a guided tour of the city, the Bike the Sites Guided Bike Tour of Washington DC is perfect for you. You will still explore the city by bike, but a guide will be with you to tell you interesting stories and fun facts along the way. There are three different bike tour options. There is the Capital Sights Tour, the Monuments Tour, and Sites at Night for you to choose from. Each offers their own special view of Washington DC. You may even want to do more than one.
For some people, biking long distances isn’t an option. Don’t worry. You can take an exciting segway tour. The Washington DC City Segway Tour will take you on an extensive tour of the city by segway. It’s a unique way to explore the nation’s capitol. A guide will lead the way and tell you anecdotes and fascinating facts about the places you visit.
