Visit the Smithsonian
Start at the Smithsonian Institution Building where you can pick up a map and information on all of the museums. These national treasures cover a wide range of subjects from art to space exploration. Plan to explore those you are most interested in, but don’t try to see everything at once. Be sure to save time to see an IMAX movie at the Natural History Museum or the National Air and Space Museum.Visit the National Zoo
The National Zoo, Washington DC's 163-acre zoological park set within the Rock Creek National Park, features more than 400 different species of animals. The National Zoo is a part of the Smithsonian Institution and admission is free! (There is a fee however, for parking in Zoo lots.)
Tour the National Monuments and Memorials
Our national monuments are truly spectacular. The best time to see them is at night when they are illuminated, less crowded and parking is easier. During daytime visits, take a tour bus. Listen to informative park ranger talks and you won’t have to negotiate congested city traffic.
Take a Hike at Great Falls Park
Take a picnic and enjoy spectacular views of the Potomac River at this 800 acre park, located just 14 miles from Washington DC.
Explore Mount Vernon
With the recent addition of the new museum and education center, Mount Vernon is now a full day excursion. Explore the state of the art galleries and theaters, visit the 500-acre estate of George Washington and his family, tour the 14-room mansion that is beautifully restored and furnished with original objects dating back to the 1740's. Be sure to plan enough time to tour the outbuildings, including the kitchen, slave quarters, smokehouse, coach house and stables. The estate is located in Northern Virginia, just minutes from Washington, DC.
Visit the International Spy Museum
Washington, DC is the home to the only spy museum in the United States. The International Spy Museum showcases more than 200 gadgets, weapons, bugs, cameras, vehicles, and technologies used for espionage throughout the world. Learn about microdots and invisible ink, buttonhole cameras and submarine recording systems, bugs of all sizes and kinds. Find out why and how these artifacts were developed. Uncover stories of individual spies from Moses to Harriet Tubman, Elizabeth I to George Washington, Cardinal Richelieu to Joseph Stalin.
Arlington National Cemetary
More than 250,000 American servicemen as well as many famous Americans are buried at the 612 acre national cemetery, located just across the Potomac River from the nation's capital. Arlington National Cemetery is Northern Virginia's most popular attraction and one of the area's "must sees." Take a Tourmobile tour or walk the grounds and see the graves of notable Americans such as Presidents William Howard Taft and John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and Robert Kennedy. See the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and visit Arlington House, the former home of Robert E. Lee.
Potomac Mills Mall
Potomac Mills is a bargain hunter's mecca and features over 200 of the best names in retail.
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