Honor Veterans with a Visit to Mount Vernon

October 18, 2010 by  
Filed under VME

Celebrate Veteran’s Day in a special way this year by visiting George Washington’s Estate in Mount Vernon. This November 11th event features a performance by an all-veteran’s barbershop chorus known as the Harmony Heritage Singers and a ceremonial wreath laying at the tomb of George Washington. As the first commander-in-chief of this country, George Washington commands a great deal of respect even after his passing. There is no better way to celebrate Veteran’s Day than to be at a ceremony honoring one of America’s first veterans.

Continue your own private remembrance of George Washington and other veterans with the Mount Vernon by Candlelight Tour while you’re in the area. During your guided candlelight tour you will learn about Washington’s family celebrations and how family and friends were entertained at the mansion while you enjoy the ambiance of the candlelight. Later, you will be entertained outside by an open fire. Handmade chocolate, hot apple cider, and freshly baked cookies will be provided as refreshment while everyone is invited to join in learning how to dance the Virginia Reel. Costumed actors will demonstrate, so you can just follow their lead. At the end of the tour, you will be presented with a complimentary copy of Martha Washington’s Great Cake recipe.

Don’t forget to enjoy the many attractions of DC while you’re visiting. The Washington DC Power Pass will give you access to multiple popular attractions in the area like the Museum of Crime and Punishment, Old Town Trolley, and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. In total, there are over 15 different activities, tours, and attractions available to you with this pass. You can customize your pass to fit your time in Washington DC by choosing the 1, 2, 3, or 5 day pass.

Visit the Nation’s Monuments for Veterans Day

October 19, 2009 by  
Filed under VME

Arlington National CemetaryEach city in the United States has its own special way to honor Veterans Day, which is on November 11 each year, but if you are looking for the ultimate destination to honor the United States’ veterans, Washington, DC is the perfect place to do so. With monuments that honor the veterans of the Korean, Vietnam, and Second World Wars, visitors have many options for honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. One of the easiest ways to see all of the monuments is by taking a guided monument tour.

Mt. Vernon and Arlington Tour

Arlington National Cemetery is one of the most powerful landmarks in the Washington, DC area and is a must-see for any visit to the Nation’s capital. From the changing of the guards to the acres of plain white grave markers, Arlington National Cemetery is a sobering experience. The Mt. Vernon and Arlington Tour is a guided tour that features a stop at the Arlington Cemetery as well as other sites in Arlington, including Christ Church. This activity also includes a visit to Mount Vernon, George Washington’s estate. On Veterans Day, Mount Vernon hosts a wreathlaying ceremony as well as other special events for the day.

Monuments by Moonlight Tour

For a tour that centers on the monuments in Washington, DC proper, the Monuments by Moonlight Trolley Tour offers a tour that goes through all of the monuments as they are lit up for the evening. In total, the tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours. This tour stops at the FDR Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and Iwo Jima. Accompanied by a guide who narrates the tour, the Monuments by Moonlight Trolley Tour offers the total experience of Washington, DC at night.

DC It All!

If you want to combine a tour of the monuments with stops at all of the other fascinating landmarks in the capital, the DC It All! Tour is an excellent choice. This tour features many historic buildings in the city, including the Old Post Office, the U.S. Capitol, the Pentagon, and more. This tour also stops at the Washington Monument, World War II Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean Memorial, and Iwo Jima. The tour also drives by many more Washington, DC sights, including Arlington National Cemetery, the World War I Memorial, and the National Archives.

Fourth of July in Washington, DC: Fireworks, Monuments, and Mount Vernon

June 26, 2009 by  
Filed under VME

Washington MonumentIndependence Day is almost upon us! What better location to celebrate America than in its beautiful capitol city? Washington, DC is the perfect place to make your July 4th celebration special. With a variety of celebrations taking place throughout the area, you have plenty of options for your holiday.

George Washington’s manor, Mount Vernon, is an ideal location at which to celebrate America’s independence, and the Red, White, and Blue Celebration is the perfect party to allow you to do so! This event celebrates the birth of America, complete with a birthday cake and party festivities. Other features of this day-long event include a reading of the Declaration of Independence by a George Washington impersonator and a concert featuring 18th century patriotic tunes performed by the National Concert Band of America. Other fun activities and games will also be going on throughout the day. While at Mount Vernon, you will have the chance to explore the estate and the famed gardens and see many artifacts from Washington’s life.

If you want to stay in the capitol and celebrate with thousands of visitors and locals, make plans to join the Fourth of July Independence Day Celebration at the Capitol. This event has everything you need for a spectacular Fourth: a parade, fireworks show, and music! The parade starts in the early afternoon and features over 100 units and organizations marching to the Capitol building. After the parade, you can enjoy the live music from a variety of performers and groups. The evening finishes with a dazzling display of fireworks over the Washington Monument. With everything you need for a great day of celebrating, this event will certainly make your holiday memorable.

While in the nation’s capital, you should take the time to explore the monuments honoring the founding fathers and important presidents. These men played vital roles in gaining and keeping America’s freedom, and you can learn more about them and honor their memory by visiting their monuments with the Monuments by Moonlight Trolley Tour. This tour features a knowledgeable guide that takes you to all of the major monuments in DC, including the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. These monuments are lit up beautifully at night, making this experience one you are sure to remember.

Hotels for the July 4th weekend are sure to be filling up fast, so make sure that you get your desired lodging by booking early! We offer hotels right in downtown and throughout the city and surrounding areas.

Outdoor Activities for Your Summer Vacation in Washington, D.C.

May 29, 2009 by  
Filed under VME

Washington, D.C. is often associated wtih historic sites, world-famous monuments, and cultural museums. This summer, however, is a great time to experience some of the outdoor entertainment options our nation’s capital has to offer. Listed below are just a few of the outdoor opportunities to make the most of your stay in Washington, D.C.

Six Flags America

Whether you’re traveling with a group of adults or young children in your family, Six Flags has something for everyone. Featuring thrill rides (such as Batwing and the Tower of Doom), family rides (such as the Flying Carousel and Shipwreck Falls), and kids rides (such as Taz’s Film Works and Looney Tunes Prop Warehouse), you have enough options to keep everyone in your party happy. And if the weather gets really hot, cool off at Hurricane Harbor located right inside the theme park itself. The water park has more than enough slides and pools to keep you busy for the duration of your stay.

Bike the Sites Guided Bike Tour

For the best in recreational activities in the Washington, D.C. area, consider the Bike the Sites Guided Bike Tour your ideal activity. The tour allows you to experience the beauty of the great outdoors while taking in knowledge about some of the city’s most legendary landmarks. Over the course of several miles, a guided tour will fill your brain with interesting facts and tidbits about the D.C. area monuments, including the White House, the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial. And with three different biking options to choose from, there is no better way to explore capital of the United States.

Spirit of Washington II – Mount Vernon Sightseeing Excursion Cruise

Combining sightseeing and fun on the water, the Spirit of Washington II – Mount Vernon Sight Excursion Cruise takes you down the Potomac River for a unique view of some of the best sites in the D.C. area. You will then spend up to three hours at your leisure at Mount Vernon, the plantation home of President George Washington, before beginning the trip back to Washington, D.C. Onboard the cruise ship, you will enjoy snacks, drinks, and informative stories given by a knowledgeable tour guide.

If you’re looking for fun outdoor vacation options this summer, don’t overlook our nation’s capital as a possible spot.