Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Ready for Visitors

Last Saturday was a rainy day, so we pretty much stayed in all day. I decided to start looking for things for us to do in the upcoming week, and it turned into me basically composing a DC visitor's guide. So, I am posting my findings here, so you all can see, in case you want to plan a visit. This is a long post, no need to read beyond here unless you want to know what to do in and around DC.

DC Visitor’s Guide

Washington Walks…

$10 Walking Tours

5 for the price of 4 with a walking card

http://www.washingtonwalks.com/index.shtml

Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center

Free concerts nightly at 6pm every day of the year

Metro to Foggy Bottom (2 stops from the house ) and take Free shuttle

http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium/

Attend

Discounted tickets to a multitude of performances at the Kennedy Center

For persons aged 17-25

Register on the Kennedy Center website and you will be emailed offers

http://www.kennedy-center.org/tickets/attend/

The National Theatre

Offers a program called SPT or the Special Patron Ticket Program

For full time students, military personnel, and senior citizens.

You can purchase ½ price tickets at the box office for Tuesday or Wednesday evening or Sunday matinee performances.

http://www.nationaltheatre.org/tickets/halfprice.htm

Summer Concerts at the Capitol

The various service bands perform on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday nights on the west steps of the capitol. Each night a different service group performs Navy, Army, Marine and Air Force. Each night at 8pm

http://www.nps.gov/ncro/PublicAffairs/SummerintheCity.htm

JR’s Bar and Grill

1519 17th Street NW

Monday night Showtunes Sing-a-long with $3 pints from 9pm-close

http://www.jrswdc.com/specials.asp

Jazz at the National Gallery of Art

Fridays through September 11 5pm-8:30pm

http://www.nga.gov/programs/jazz/

Shakespeare Theatre Company Free For All

The Taming of the Shrew

August 27, 2009- September 12

http://www.shakespearetheatre.org/about/ffa/

Arena Stage Discounts

$10 tickets for 30-and-under
This program is designated for patrons ages 30 and under. $10 tickets go on sale beginning on Monday for the following week of performances (Tuesday through Sunday) until all available $10 tickets sell out. Patrons may purchase $10 tickets by phone, online or in person. Limit of four per patron (all patrons using $10 tickets must be 30 or younger). Patrons will be required to present valid ID for age verification.

Student Discounts
Full-time students (one student ticket per valid ID) may receive 35% off regular ticket prices. This discount is offered by phone or in person for every performance and is subject to availability.

http://www.arenastage.org/tickets/single-tickets/savings.shtml

Ticketplace

This service of the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington provides discount tickets to arts, theater and cultural events in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia.

www.TICKETPLACE.org

Rock Creek Park Planetarium-Free Admission

Nature Center and Planetarium

5200 Glover Road, NW

Open 9:00 am. - 5.00 pm Wednesday-Sunday.
Closed on New Years Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Shows held Saturday and Sunday at 1pm and 4pm

Open Top Sight-Seeing Tour Washington DC

Hop-On-Hop-Off 2 day consecutive pass, travels to all the main attractions in the city, and to Arlington National Cemetery

$31 online or $35 on the bus

Add on tours available as well, see website.

http://www.opentopsightseeing-dc.com/

Historic Jamestown and Yorktown Battlefield

About 2-2.5 hour drive from DC

$10 Admittance for both locations, provides a full day of entertainment (can definitely be done as a day trip, need a car to see the battlefield)

Both locations have museums.

If you want to spend more, there are multiple living history museums close by including colonial Williamsburg, and Jamestown Settlement.

http://www.yorkcounty.gov/tourism/PDFs/YrktwnJmstwn.pdf

Washington DC Segway Tours

Various routes at Various times

$70 per person (I have never been personally, but hear it is a fabulous way to see the city)

http://citysegwaytours.com/washington-dc/tours/washington-dc-segway-tour

Washington Monument

Reserve tickets for a specific time online for $1.50 or get in free by obtaining tickets at the ticket kiosk (warning: tickets are same day timed and distributed on a first come first serve basis), Tickets are to ride the elevator to the top for panoramic views of DC

http://www.nps.gov/wamo/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm

The Capitol

Guided tours of the Capitol begin at the Orientation Theaters on the lower level of the Capitol Visitor Center. “Out of Many, One,” a 13-minute film, illustrates how this country established a new form of government, highlights the vital role that Congress plays in the daily lives of Americans, and introduces you to the building that houses the U.S. Congress.Tours are free, but tour passes are required. Advance Passes: Tours may be booked in advance online at www.visitthecapitol.gov, through the office of your Senators or Representative, or through the Office of Visitor Services by calling (202) 226-8000. Same-Day Passes: A limited number of passes are available each day at the tour kiosks on the East and West Fronts of the Capitol or at the Information Desks in Emancipation Hall on the lower level of the Visitor Center.

http://www.aoc.gov/cc/visit/

The White House

Public tours of the White House are available. Requests must be submitted through one's Member of Congress and are accepted up to six months in advance. These self-guided tours are available from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Fridays, and 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturdays (excluding federal holidays). Tour hours will be extended when possible based on the official White House schedule. Tours are scheduled on a first come, first served basis. Requests can be submitted up to six months in advance and no less than 30 days in advance. You are encouraged to submit your request as early as possible since a limited number of tours are available. All White House tours are free of charge. For the most current tour information, please call the 24-hour line at 202-456-7041. Please note that White House tours may be subject to last minute cancellation.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/tours_and_events/

The Holocaust Museum

PASSES ARE REQUIRED for visiting the Permanent Exhibition — The HolocaustMarch through August, during our busy season. These passes, which are issued for a specific time during the day, can be obtained at the museum on a first-come first-served basis on the day of your visit. For your convenience and assurance, the passes may also be obtained online in advance of your visit from tickets.com for a small service charge ($3.50), otherwise admission is FREE.

http://www.ushmm.org/visit/

Ford Theatre

Free Admission but requires a ticket, can be reserved in advance at ticketmaster.com for a fee of $2.50 per ticket.

http://www.fordstheatre.org/?q=home/plan-your-visit/daytime-visits-fords-theatre

Special Events

Check out the Washington Post Going Out Guide.

For weekly updates and events follow the Going Out Gurus link.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/

Mount Vernon

Washington’s home and estates, $15 entry fee.

They have occasional wine festivals here for around $30, way more worth the price, a lot of fun, and a great atmosphere. Take a blanket and sprawl out on the lawn and enjoy the festive environment, and a good bottle of wine.

http://www.mountvernon.org/

Tidal Basin Paddle Boats

This is a great experience, lots of fun, and with beautiful views.

$10 per hour for a 2 person boat (in my opinion you wouldn’t need more than this)

$18 per hour for a 4 person boat

Open March 15 through Columbus day, hours vary.

http://www.tidalbasinpaddleboats.com/

DC by Foot

FREE walking Tour of the monuments and Arlington Cemetery

They also have a ghost tour of Georgetown for $12

Where:

We meet at the corner of 15th and Constitution Ave. NW. Right next to the Department of Commerce (See MAP below). Look for your guide in the baby blue shirt.

Duration:

Only two tours a day (times listed below). Approximately 1 hour 30 min. Total walking is just over one mile. This tour is suitable for all ages.

Cost:

Free - Guides work exclusively for tips! No RSVP necessary for groups of under 10 people.

http://www.dcbyfoot.com/

The National Zoo

Fabulous, FREE Family fun, it is part of the Smithsonian Institute.

Serviced by Redline Metro, they allow you to bring your own food and drink, and it is the most beautiful zoo I have ever seen.

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/default.cfm

The National Cathedral

Off the beaten path, and not serviced by Metro rail

Definitely worth a visit! I have seen a lot of churches/cathedrals (Notre Dame, St. Peter’s, Westminster Abbey) , and this is one of the most beautiful.

They request a contribution of $5 per adult, but do not require it, totally worth every cent!

http://www.nationalcathedral.org/visit/

WolfTrap

This is the National Park for Performing Arts

A typical season at Wolf Trap includes something for everyone with performances ranging from pop, country, folk, and blues to orchestra, dance, theater, and opera, as well as innovative performance art and multimedia presentations.

http://www.wolftrap.org/Find_Performances_and_Events.aspx

The National Archives

Home to the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights

Free of charge, a great experience.

http://www.archives.gov/nae/visit/reserved-visits.html

The National Aquarium, DC

$7 admission to a very small, unimpressive exhibit

Save your money for something else…

http://www.nationalaquarium.com/hours.html

All Smithsonian Museums

All are free, and my favs are Natural History (dinosaurs and jewels like the Hope diamond), Udvar-Hazy Center (large Hangar at Dulles Airport full of aircraft), and American History (Star Spangled banner, and the Gettysburg address live here).

Check out the website for full list and more info about visiting.

http://www.si.edu/

Arlington National Cemetary

There is a metro stop along the blue line located here.

Big attractions are the Tomb of the Unknowns to see the changing of the guard, and JFK and Jackie O’s burial site and the eternal flame.

Wear your walking shoes, it’s a lot of walking and hills or you can purchase a shuttle ticket inside the visitor’s center $7.50 for adults

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/visitor_information/hours-parking.html

http://www.tourmobile.com/tours_arlington.php

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