Destination DCWhat’s New?
• A First Lady’s Debut, National Museum of American History: New gallery features Michelle Obama’s inaugural gown plus 10 other gowns worn by first ladies starting from Mamie Eisenhower, focusing on the public interest and media coverage of the first ladies’ “debut” during her husband’s inauguration.
Attractions
• Smithsonian Institution: World’s largest museum complex includes National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian American Art Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, National Postal Museum, National Museum of American History, National Museum of African Art, the National Zoo, National Museum of Natural History and National Museum of the American Indian.
• National World War II Memorial: Honours America’s “Greatest Generation” – those who served in battle and on the homefront.
• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: Story of the Holocaust told through artifacts, films, photos, oral histories.
• Operation Spy: Interactive experience at the International Spy Museum, allows participants to think, feel and act as real operatives.
• National Museum of Crime & Punishment: Interactive museum explores the history of crime, crime fighting and the consequences of committing a crime in the U.S.
• Newseum: Features galleries examining the history of news; an interactive newsroom; a broadcast studio; and a Journalists Memorial.
• Library of Congress: The oldest federal cultural institution in the U.S. and the largest library in the world. Interactive exhibit enables users to find just about any book or volume produced.
• The Phillips Collection: America’s first museum of modern art. Features special exhibits and frequent changes in the arrangement of the permanent collection.
• Corcoran Gallery of Art: Features past and present great artworks.
• National Geographic Museum: High-tech exhibit hall situated on the first floor of the National Geographic Society’s HQ. Temporary photography and interactive displays explore nature and human cultures worldwide.
Events
• National Cherry Blossom Festival (March/April).
• Smithsonian Kite Festival (March).
• Passport DC (May).
• DC Caribbean Carnival (June).
• DC Jazz Festival (June).
• Smithsonian Folklife Festival (June/July).
• Capital Fringe Festival (July).
• Labor Day Concert (September).
• Pageant of Peace (December).
Places
• Women in Military Service Memorial: America’s first major national memorial to honour military women. Arlington National Cemetery.
• Hillwood Museum and Gardens: One of the most comprehensive collections of Russian imperial art outside Russia and a world-renowned collection of 18th-century French decorative arts.
• The Kennedy Center: Home to the National Opera, National Symphony, countless other plays and performances
Hidden Gems
Destination DC• Georgetown Waterfront: Four hectares of green space along the Potomac waterfront between the Washington Harbour complex and Key Bridge. Offers shops, restaurants, parks and river tours. • Rock Creek Park: More than 728 hectares that stretches from the Potomac to the Maryland state border. Filled with hiking, biking and walking trails, a tennis centre, horseback riding stables, wildlife and the Carter Barron Amphitheatre.
• Dumbarton Oaks: Dedicated to supporting international scholars in Byzantine, Garden and Landscape and Pre-Columbian studies.Visit its garden, museum, and music room for lectures and concerts.
Did You Know?
Official Motto: Justitia omnibus (Justice to All)
Official Flower: American Beauty Rose
Official Bird: Wood Thrush
Fast Facts
Region: MID-ATLANTIC
Direct Flights: Air Canada, United Airlines, US Airways
Sales Tools: Official Visitors Guide, Destination Guide, Unique Spaces Guide, Pride in DC – Official GLBT Travelers Guide, Accessibility Guide, Meeting and Conventions Calendar., and Destination Maps (English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Japanese).
Info: Destination DC
(202) 789-7000
www.destinationdc.com