Going to Washington DC feels like a trip to a Communist Country before the Berlin Wall fell. There are so many barricades and security checks that you feel like you live in a police state. As beautiful as the city looks these days, I feel sorry for its citizens that not only have been victims of a terrorist attack, but also must tolerate the constant police scrutiny.

Time Zone

Washington DC is on Eastern Standard Time zone. They adopt Eastern Daylight Savings time on the first Sunday in April and revert to Standard Time on the last Sunday in October.

Language

The Queen's language is spoken, or some dialect of it depending on where you are in the city.

Currency

U. S. Dollar

Weather

Average Temperatures Month Fahrenheit Celsius High Low High Low January 45 30 5 -1 February 46 29 8 -1 March 54 36 12 2 April 66 46 19 8 May 76 56 25 14 June 83 65 29 19 July 87 69 31 20 August 85 68 30 20 September 76 61 26 16 October 68 50 20 10 November 57 39 15 4 December 46 32 8 0

Airports

Three airports serve the DC area. Where you arrive will depend mostly on the airline you fly there.

Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) TEL: 1-800-I FLY-BWI. Located 30 miles east of Washington and offering a full range of domestic and international flights. More than 50 Amtrak and commuter trains travel between Washington's Union Station and the BWI rail station Monday-Friday. Super Shuttle (1-800-258-3826) offers door-to-door service between BWI and your Washington or suburban hotel, office or home. Taxi fare to downtown Washington is approximately $45.

Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) TEL: (703) 417-8000. Located south of the city along the Potomac River and offering a full range of domestic flights on major, regional and commuter carriers. Shuttle bus service to downtown (1517 K St. NW) available. Also accessible on Metrorail's yellow and blue lines. Taxi fare to downtown is approximately $12-$15, and both Washington Flyer and Super Shuttle now offer service from the airport to downtown hotels. This is obviously my choice, since you may just ride the subway into town.

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) Tel: (703) 572-2700. Located 26 miles west of Washington and offering a full range of domestic and international flights. Taxi fare to downtown is approximately $40. Washington Flyer provides bus service to downtown hotels, with departures every 45 minutes, and Super Shuttle offers door to door service./

Tipping

Holidays

2007 Federal Legal Holidays

• January 1, 2007: New Year's Day [Jan. 1 every year]
• January 15, 2007: Martin Luther King Day [3rd monday in Jan]
• February 19, 2007: Presidents Day [Washington's Birthday] (observed) [3rd monday in Feb]
• May 28, 2007: Memorial Day (observed) [last monday in May]
• July 4, 2007: Independence Day [July 4 every year]
• September 3, 2007: Labor Day [1st monday in Sept]
• October 8, 2007: Columbus Day (observed) [2nd monday in Oct]
• November 12, 2007: Veterans' Day [Nov. 11 every year]
• November 22, 2007: Thanksgiving Day [4th thursday in Nov]
• December 25, 2007: Christmas Day [Dec. 25 every year]

Getting around

Twelve Tips for Washington Tourists

There's a Lot to See

Don't assume that just because so many of the city's attractions sit next to each other on your map of the Mall that you'll be able to see them all in one fell swoop. Distances are greater than they appear and you'll do plenty of walking in any of the major museums. Our advice: Choose what interests you, see it in depth, and come back to see what you've missed on another trip.

Ditch the backpack

Especially when visiting the museums, with the heavy security, it's just another line for the security inspection.

Ditch the Car

The city is notoriously difficult to navigate, with brutal commuter traffic, freeway ramps that appear out of nowhere, strange rush-hour restrictions and few central-parking facilities. For most tourist attractions, and most dining and nightlife areas, the Metro is your most effective transportation option.

About the Smithsonian Metro Station

It's small and often crowded, especially as the museums open and close. Consider other stations for your itinerary - Capitol South, Federal Triangle, L'Enfant Plaza and Foggy Bottom are all close to popular attractions and likely to be less crowded than the Smithsonian station.

Tour at Night

The Lincoln, Jefferson, and FDR memorials are all open at night and staffed by Park Service rangers, as are the Korean and Vietnam War memorials. With all the major attractions swathed in floodlights, the city looks majestic after dark. An added bonus: It's easier to park, and in the summer the weather is much more comfortable at night.

Sunblock

If you tour during the day,don't forget the sunblock.

Get Off the Mall

There are a number of excellent attractions off the Mall: the National Zoo; the Corcoran and Renwick Galleries; National Geographic's Explorer's Hall; small museums like Hillwood House, the Kreeger Museum, and the Phillips Collection; religious landmarks like the Washington National Cathedral and the National Shrine; and a slew of foreign embassies.

Get Out of Town

There are numerous attractions and historic sites in easy driving range of the city. Consider day trips to Annapolis for small-town charm and rich maritime history, Gettysburg or Manassas for Civil War heritage, Harpers Ferry for its history and picturesque setting.

Visit Your Congressperson

An office visit is not only an excellent way to feel connected to your elected representative, but congressional offices can often offer special services to visitors, as well as practical and unique tips on seeing the city. Since the White House and Capitol tours have been canceled, you may wish to use him for admittance.

Freebies with a price

Not only are almost all of the city's museums and attractions free, there is also a great range of entertainment that won't cost you a dime. The Kennedy Center has a free performance every day on its Millennium Stage, the National Gallery of Art offers a free concert series, the Hirshhorn has its own movie auditorium, and you can always find a free lecture or book signing. One of the consequences of September 11 is that you must now get tickets to the Washington Monument, The Capitol, and the White House. You may wish to get tickets a day in advance to ensure admission.

It's Not the Heat...

The weather forecast remains fairly constant throughout the summer - hot, hazy and humid with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms. If you must come during that time, dress accordingly, move slowly and carry bottled water. Better still, if you have a choice, come in April-May or September-October and experience the best possible weather.

Pack a Picnic

Good for your budget -- saving yourself and your family from the mercy of museum cafeterias and vending carts -- a picnic can also offer an excellent respite to take in the city. Try one of these scenic spots: the steps of the Capitol, the Washington Monument reflecting pool, or the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington.

Washington DC has an excellent metro and bus system.
Metro basics are:

Fares

Metrobus

• $1.35 Regular
• $3.90 express
• Transfers- free (good for two hours)
• Wait for the bus at a stop
• Have exact change, pass or transfer. Drivers cannot make change
• Destinations are displayed on the front and side of buses
• Signal the driver as your stop approaches by pulling the signal cord. If you do not know when your stop is, ask the driver to announce it.

Metrorail

• $1.10 minimum $3.25 maximum based on distance traveled. For fares between stations, click on your starting station on the system map and choose "Fares and times between stations."
• Transfers- free within Metrorail. 25 cents with transfer to Metrobus
• Metro stations are marked by large brown columns. The colored strips indicate the lines served by the station.
• You need a farecard, pass or SmarTrip card to ride Metrorail. Farecards and one day passes can be purchased at the stations. Passes can be bought at selected locations around the area.
• Follow the signs to your platform. Flashing lights at the platform's edge let you know a train is coming.
• The train's destination is displayed over the train's front and side windows. The line color is displayed on the front and back of the trains.
• Buy either a day pass ($5.00) or preferably just get money in your card. We survived with $5.00 on our Metrocard for the weekend.

Hours

• 7 days a week
• Metrorail opens 5:30 a.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. on weekends.
• It closes at midnight Sunday to Thursday.
• On Friday and Saturday nights, it stays open until 2 a.m.

Word of caution about car rental companies

Most of them carry absolutely no insurance for their cars while you rent them, thus making your personal car insurance the primary insurer. If you use your credit card to cover your insurance deductible, all credit cards except for Diners Club will be secondary insurers. Yes, we were surprised to learn that even American Express Platinum has gone the secondary route. That means that the accident, whether or not it was your fault will get into your car insurance report. We find Hertz car company the worse offender because they charge for loss of use and add administrative costs to the handling of the accident. (not covered by any insurance we know of). On the cards side, we find Aadvantage Master card Platinum the worst offender. Takes forever to pay and will harass you with millions of forms just to see if you give on them and pay your deductible.

Our recommendation:

• Get a Diners Club card (now with a Master Card logo) which will cover the rental as the primary insurer and use it to rent your car.
• Pay the extra dollars to get insurance from the car rental company
• Avoid Hertz rentals if possible.

Things to see

• Arlington National Cemetery Across Memorial Bridge, about 3/4 mile from Lincoln Memorial, Arlington VA 22111. TEL: (703) 697-4967. America's largest national burial ground with more than 600 acres of landscaped hills. Among the thousands of white headstones are the graves of President John Kennedy, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, world champion boxer Joe Louis and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Open daily 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (to 7 p.m. April-September). Free admission. Choice of self-guided walking tour or paid shuttle tour (information available at the Visitors Center). Metro: Arlington Cemetery.
• Capitol Building Location: Metro: Capitol South (BLUE and ORANGE Lines) and Union Station (RED Line). Hours: 9:00a.m. to 12:00a.m. Contact Information: Telephone 202-224-3121. (Please note that you must get an advance ticket for a tour.) Originally begun in 1793, the project to complete the construction of the U.S. Capitol spanned almost 43 years and one war. The building houses the chambers of the House of Representatives (second floor, south wing) and the Senate (second floor, north wing). Some Congressional offices (such as those for the majority and minority leaders) are housed in the Capitol; other Congressional offices are spread out among the other buildings situated near the Capitol (such as the Dirksen and Hart Senate Office Buildings). The final design selected for the Capitol was submitted (late) by William Thornton, a physician living in the British West Indies. Three different architects worked on the building since President George Washington laid the cornerstone on September 18, 1793. The third architect, James Hoban, worked on the project from the dismissal of his predecessors (Stephen Hallet and George Hadfield) until 1800. In 1803, Benjamin Henry Latrobe picked up where Hoban left off; he left the construction project in 1813 when funding became erratic. British troops fighting the War of 1812 set fire to the Capitol on August 24, 1814. Had it not begun to rain torrentially, the Capitol would have been reduced to rubble. Latrobe returned to the job in 1815 for the restoration and repair (and left yet again in 1817), and then Charles Bulfinch took over the position. Bulfinch worked on building, restoring, and redesigning the Capitol from 1818 until his position was eliminated in 1829. The Capitol underwent more design revisions and renovations from 1830 up to present day. Upgrades include additions to the building, gas -- then electric -- lighting, fireproofing, the addition of a new dome, and the introduction of the Statue of Freedom.
• FDR Memorial 1850 West Basin Drive SW, Washington DC 20024. TEL: (202) 619-7222. A 7.5-acre site near the Jefferson Memorial, this memorial depicts the 12 pivotal years of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidency through a series of four outdoor gallery rooms. The rooms feature ten bronze sculptures depicting President Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt and events from the Great Depression and World War II. The park-like setting includes waterfalls and quiet pools amidst a meandering wall of reddish Dakota granite, where Roosevelt's inspiring words are carved. It is the first memorial in Washington purposely designed to be totally wheelchair accessible. Open daily except Christmas. Free. Park ranger in attendance 8 a.m. - midnight.
• Ford's Theater 511 10th St. NW, Washington DC 20004. TEL: 800-899-2367 or (202) 347-4833. As a living tribute to Abraham Lincoln's love of the performing arts, Ford's Theater presents the best in contemporary American theater. The Ford's Theater National Historic Site includes the theater, the Lincoln Museum and the Petersen House. Free admission. Open daily 9am-5pm except during matinees, rehearsals and December 25. For information, call the National Park Service at (202) 426- 6924. Metro: Metro Center and Navy Archives.
• Korean War Veterans Memorial Adjacent to Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Washington, DC. Phone: (202) 619-7222. Built at a cost of $18 million in donated funds, this powerful memorial, located on a 2.2-acre site adjacent to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, features a sculptured column of 19 foot soldiers arrayed for combat, with the American flag as their symbolic objective. A 164-foot mural wall is inscribed with the words, "Freedom Is Not Free" and is etched with 2,500 photographic images of nurses, chaplains, crew chiefs, mechanics and other support personnel to symbolize the vast effort that sustained the military operation. Open: Daily 8 a.m.-midnight. For more information, call the National Park Service at (202) 619-7222. Admission: Free. Metro: Smithsonian (Tourmobile)
• Japanese Flowering Cherry Trees The Japanese flowering cherry trees are a famous part of the landscape around the Jefferson Memorial and the Tidal Basin. The flowering cherry trees were presented as a gift from the city of Tokyo to the city of Washington.
• The Jefferson Memorial Situated on the South side of the Tidal Basin, in West Potomac park, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial is one of the cities most picturesque landmarks. Dedicated in 1943, on the 200th anniversary of Jefferson's birth, this simple circular classical white marble monument is in keeping with a style much favored by the third US president, architect, scholar and political thinker. At its center, a towering 19-foot bronze portrait statue (the plaster one, in position until after WWII, is in the basement, too large to be removed intact) stands on a 6-foot pedestal. Panels are inscribed with excerpts of Jefferson's writing, including one that best sums up the man: "I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." The view from the steps is magnificent, especially at night when a halo of blue light crowns the structure. Cherry blossom season (March/April) bestows added beauty to the site. Park rangers give 15-minute talks several times an hour. The memorial will be surrounded by scaffolding for the next three to five years for restoration work. Metro: Arlington cemetery.
• Library of Congress 101 Independence Ave, SE, Washington, DC 20540. Tel: (202) 707-5000. The Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution, and it serves as the research arm of Congress. It is also the largest library in the world, with more than 120 million items on approximately 530 miles of bookshelves. The collections include more than 18 million books, 2.5 million recordings, 12 million photographs, 4.5 million maps, and 54 million manuscripts. The Library's mission is to make its resources available and useful to the Congress and the American people and to sustain and preserve a universal collection of knowledge and creativity for future generations. The Office of the Librarian is tasked to set policy and to direct and support programs and activities to accomplish the Library's mission.
• Lincoln Memorial Location: 23rd Street, NW. Hours: 8 AM to Midnight, every day except December 25. Contact Information: Telephone 202-426-6841. The Lincoln Memorial is a tribute to President Abraham Lincoln and the nation he fought to preserve during the Civil War (1861-1865). The architecture of the Lincoln Memorial is based after a Greek Temple. It has 36 Doric columns, one for each state at the time of Lincoln's death. A sculpture by Daniel Chester French of a seated Lincoln is in the center of the memorial chamber. The Gettysburg Address is inscribed on the south wall of the monument. Above it is a mural painted by Jules Guerin depicting the angel of truth freeing a slave. Guerin also painted the unity of North and South mural on the north wall. Etched into the north wall below the mural is Lincoln's second inaugural speech.
• Mount Vernon The Home of George Washington - George Washington's Mount Vernon estate extended over eight thousand acres and was divided into five farms, each a complete unit with its own overseers, work force of slaves, livestock, equipment, and buildings. Tour the Mansion, outbuildings, and Museum; visit Washington's Tomb; explore the Pioneer Farm (and round barn!), enjoy walking tours; stroll in the gardens; shop, grab lunch, stay for dinner and more! Open daily, year-round George Washington Parkway, Mount Vernon, Virginia, 22121. Toll Free: 1-800-429-1520 or (703) 780-2000.
• National Mall Since being transferred to the National Park Service in 1933, the National Mall has served as a national open space for celebrations, demonstrations, protests, festivals, and numerous recreational activities. Its 146 acres are bounded by the museums of the Smithsonian Institution and rows of stately elm trees. Visitors can now enjoy one of the nation's most historic landscapes with its preserved vistas. For more information on ranger programs and National Mall activities call 202-426-6841.
• National Zoological Park National Zoological Park- 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington DC 20008. TEL: (202) 357-2700. Thousands of exotic animals, including two giant pandas. Amazonia is a re-created microcosm of the world's largest rain forest. Open daily. Free admission. Guided tours and group tours by appointment; call (202) 673-4717 or (202) 673-4823 (TTY).
• Pentagon I-395 south to Boundary, Channel Drive exit, Arlington VA. TEL: (703) 695-1776. The world's largest office building (3.7 million square feet). Victim of the September 11 crash is currently being renovated. Call to make sure that tours are being given. At printing they were suspended.
• Supreme Court of the United States 1st St. & Maryland Ave., NE, Washington DC 20543. TEL: (202) 479-3211. Open Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Lecture in court every hour on the half hour 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. when court is not in session. Admission: Free. Metro: Capitol South, Union Station.
• Union Station 40 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Washington DC 20002. TEL: (800) 527-2554 or (202) 289-1908. For over 90 years, Union Station has been the gateway to the Nation's Capital. Every year, 23.4 million visitors enjoy shopping, entertainment, and an international variety of food in this Beaux Arts transportation hub.
• The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Location: Metro: Federal Triangle (BLUE and ORANGE Lines) and Smithsonian (BLUE and ORANGE Lines). Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Winter and Fall, and from 8:00 a.m. to midnight, Spring and Summer. Contact Information: Telephone 202-426-6841 A wall of marble five hundred feet long and ten feet high, scribed with the names of more than fifty-eight thousand soldiers who died fighting the conflict. "The Wall" was built in Constitution Gardens in Washington, DC, through private donations from the public. Dedicated in 1982, it is now one of the most visited sites in the city of Washington.
• Washington National Cathedral The sixth largest cathedral in the world, built in the Gothic style at one of the highest points in Washington, DC, the Cathedral is a national house of prayer for all people. Offering public tours and worship services, the Cathedral provides inspiration and tranquility in its architecture, gardens, music and programs. Massachusetts and Wisconsin Aves, NW, Washington, DC, 20016-5098. (202) 537-6200.
• White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC 20500. TEL: (202) 456-2200. (Please note that you must get an advance ticket for a tour.) Home of every US president except George Washington. Free tours Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-noon. Timed tickets are required mid-March to mid-September. These tickets are only valid for the day issued and are distributed at the White House Visitor Center, 1450 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. The ticket counter is open 7:30-11:45am or until that day's supply of tickets has been exhausted. Tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis (limit 4 per person) and may be gone as early as 8:30 a.m. Advance tickets are not available. Motor coach groups should line up at the "bus zone" on the westbound curb lane of Constitution Ave. NW between 15th and 17th Sts. by 7:30am. A park ranger will board each bus and distribute a tour ticket to each person on board. All persons wishing to receive a ticket must be on board the bus when it arrives at the bus zone. The bus zone closes at 9 a.m. or earlier if all of the tickets have been distributed. To unload passengers, motor coaches can park on 15th St. between E and Constitution. Unloading on E St. is prohibited. The line to enter the White House forms at E St. and East Executive Ave., south of the White House. The White House Visitor Center is open daily 8 a.m.-5 p.m. All tours are subject to change and cancellation. For the latest information, please contact the White House Visitor Office recorded information line at (202) 456-7041. For recorded special event information call (202) 456-2200. (Congressional tours are given Tuesday-Saturday 7:30 a.m.-9 a.m. Tickets may only be obtained in advance from your congressional representative or senator and are extremely limited.)
• Washington Monument Location: Metro: Federal Triangle (BLUE and ORANGE Lines) and Smithsonian (BLUE and ORANGE Lines). (Please note that you must get an advance ticket for a tour.) Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., winter and fall, and from 8:00 a.m. to midnight, spring and summer. Contact Information: Telephone 202-426-6841. The Washington Monument was erected to honor the greatness of the city of Washington, originally. A monumental task beginning with the laying of the cornerstone on July 4, 1843, the Monument wasn't completed until December 6, 1884. It rises 555 feet above the National Mall, following the design of architect Robert Mills. The obelisk design was Mills' interpretation of city designer Pierre L'Enfant's centerpiece for the capital city. Fifty flags surround the base of the Monument, one to symbolize each state in the Union.
• The World War II Memorial 17th Street, between Constitution and Independence Avenues, Washington, DC. The World War II Memorial honors the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the U.S., the more than 400,000 who died, and all who supported the war effort from home. Symbolic of the defining event of the 20th Century, the memorial is a monument to the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment of the American people. The Second World War is the only 20th Century event commemorated on the National Mall’s central axis. The memorial opened to the public on April 29, 2004 and was dedicated one month later on May 29. It is located on 17th Street, between Constitution and Independence Avenues, and is flanked by the Washington Monument to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west. The memorial is now operated by the National Park Service and is open to visitors 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about visiting the memorial, accessibility, parking, directions, special events and other details, please visit the National Park Service Web site or call the Park Service at (202) 619-7222.

Museums

• City Museum of Washington Closed except for private parties. The one part of the museum that's still open to the public is the
  research library, which contains extensive documentation of DC's history and contains literally thousands of old/rare photos (copies
  of which are available for sale to the public; you can view many of them on the website). 801 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001. Tel: 202.383.1800.
• Hirshorn Location: 7th Street SW Washington, DC 20560. Hours: daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except December 25. The Sculpture Garden is open from 7:30 a.m. until dusk. Contact Information: Telephone (202) 357-3235. A beautifully designed circular building with a fountain of concentric circles, the Hirshorn is based upon the extensive 11,000-piece modern art collection of Joseph Hirshhorn. The collection includes art by Picasso, Matisse, Warhol, O'Keefe and Rodin. A sculpture garden outside compliments the museum.
• International Spy Museum 800 F Street, NW Washington, DC 20004. Tel: 202.393.7798. Opened in July 2002, the mission of the International Spy Museum is to educate the public about espionage in an engaging manner and to provide a dynamic context that fosters understanding of its important role in and impact on current and historic events. The Museum focuses on human intelligence and reveals the role spies have played in world events throughout history.The Museum opens at 10 am every day. The Museum is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Due to popular demand, the Museum often extends its hours. For the latest information, please check here or phone our 24-hour info line: 202.EYE.SPY.U (202.393.7798.)
• Kreeger Museum 2401 Foxhall Road, NW,Washington, DC 20007. Phone (202)337-3050. Toll Free (877)337-3050. Reservations (202)338-3552. One of the best kept secrets in DC. The collection is comprised of works from the 1850s to the 1970s. The Impressionists are represented by nine Monet paintings, as well as works by Renoir, Sisley, and Pissarro. From his early work to the end of his life, Picasso’s career, can be traced through his paintings at the Kreeger. Other 20th century European artists include Edward Munch, Max Beckmann, Wassily Kandinsky, and Joan Miró. You can only access it with a reservation.
• The National Gallery of Art Location: Third and Ninth Streets at Constitution Avenue, NW. Hours: Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5.p.m. And Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Gallery is closed on 25 December and 1 January. Contact Information: Telephone (202) 737-4215 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (202) 842-6176. Scattered throughout the meandering hallways, wings and exhibit rooms of the National Gallery's West Wing is a display of art stretching from the third century to present times - a display over 90,000 pieces strong. Besides having the only da Vinci in the United States, "Ginevra de' Benci", the National Gallery has wonderful and diverse collections of impressionists, early Christian art, 15th century Italian paintings, sculptures, and Rembrandts. The East Wing displays 20th-century works by artists such as Miro, Magritte, Van Gogh, Pissarro and Matisse. With very modern architectural design, the East Wing by I.M. Pei is nearly a work of art in itself.
• National Museum of the American Indian Fourth Street & Independence Ave., S.W.
  Washington, DC 20560. Phone: 202-633-1000. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily; closed Dec. 25.Latest addition to the Mall. Great building.
• Smithsonian Air and Space Museum Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., except December 25. Contact Information: Telephone (202) 357-1400 or write: Reservation Office Educational Services Unit National Air and Space Museum Washington, DC 20560-0321. Perhaps the most famous, and definitely one of the most popular, of the Smithsonian Museums, the Air & Space Museum displays artifacts and airplanes that dangle from the ceiling that date from the earliest times of aviation to space exploration. See Charles A. Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis, Voyager, John Glenn's Mercury spacecraft, WWII fighter planes, the Apollo Lunar Module, and the 4-billion-year-old shard of lunar rock brought back by Apollo 17 astronauts. Offered daily are films in its IMAX theater and planetarium.
• Smithsonian Castle 1000 Jefferson Drive, SW Washington, DC Hours: 9 AM to 5:30 PM Daily. The museum is closed December 25. Contact Information: Telephone 202-357-2700 voice; 202-357-1729. Known as "The Castle", and built in 1855, the Smithsonian Institution Building is the original Smithsonian building. It houses the administrative offices, information for visitors, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and even James Smithson's crypt.
• The Smithsonian Institute's Arts and Industries Building Location: Metro: Federal Triangle (BLUE and ORANGE Lines) and Smithsonian (BLUE and ORANGE Lines). Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Contact Information: Telephone 202-287-3535. Note the old marry-go-round directly opposing this beautiful structure. 1002 Jefferson Drive, S.W. Washington, DC 20560.
• Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Location: 10th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20560. Hours: 10 am to 5:30 pm every day of the year except Christmas Day. Admission: Free and no tickets are required for entrance to the museum. Contact Information: Telephone 202-357-2700 or TTY 202-357-1729. For information in Spanish, please call 202-633-9126. Some of the artifacts in this collection include a life size model of a blue whale, an enormous prehistoric white shark, an 80-foot dinosaur skeleton and no less a treasure than the Hope Diamond, a 45-and-a-half carat jewel known in some circles as the eighth wonder of the world. The Discovery Room works well for parents with young children and there is a costume room where youngsters can try on clothes from around the globe.
• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place SW, Washington DC 20024-2150. TEL: (202) 488-0400. Located between 14th St. And Raoul Wallenberg Place SW (formerly 15th St.), this somber and moving museum tells the story of the Holocaust through artifacts, films, photos and oral histories. Open daily 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Timed passes required to view the permanent collection. The permanent exhibit on Floors 2-4 is not recommended for children under age 11. All tours are self-guided. Groups are assigned a visitor services person who will give a 5-minute orientation. Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more; group requests should be made in writing or by fax to: Office of the Coordinator of Scheduling, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place SW, Washington, DC 20024. Fax: (202) 488-2690. Reservations are confirmed no more than 6 months in advance on a first-come, first-served basis.

Theaters

Second only to New York City in number of theater seats, Washington, DC annually hosts some of the greatest stage productions. For Tickets go to Ticketmaster or Tele-charge

• Ford's Theater 511 10th St. NW, Washington DC 20004. TEL: 800-899-2367 or (202) 347-4833. As a living tribute to Abraham Lincoln's love of the performing arts, Ford's Theater presents the best in contemporary American theater. The Ford's Theater National Historic Site includes the theater, the Lincoln Museum and the Petersen House. Free admission. Open daily 9am-5pm except during matinees, rehearsals and December 25. For information, call the National Park Service at (202) 426- 6924. Metro: Metro Center and Navy Archives.
• John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts 2700 F St. NW, Washington DC 20566. TEL: 800-444-1324 or (202) 467-4600. Independent, privately supported national performing arts center. Six magnificent theaters present the best of drama, dance, ballet, music, comedy, films and commissioned works. Home of the National Symphony Orchestra, Washington Opera and the American Film Institute. Hours and prices vary according to performance event. Free performances daily at 6 p.m. Group discounts, sign-interpreted and audio-described programs; advance reservations required. Free guided tours Weekdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Free shuttle service from the Foggy Bottom Metro station.
• National Theater 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. N., NW, Washington DC 20004. TEL: 800-447-7400 or (202) 628-6161. One of America's oldest continually operating theaters features national tours of Broadway favorites, pre-Broadway shows and American premieres. Tickets prices (and group rates for 20 people or more) vary with attraction. Advance reservation suggested. Hearing amplification available; narrated performances on occasion. Metro: Metro Center.
• The Shakespeare Theater 450 Seventh Street, NW, Washington DC 20004. TEL: 877-4TST-TIX or (202) 547-1122. Home of the nation's foremost Shakespeare company (The Wall Street Journal). Presenting Shakespeare and other exciting classics in an intimate 451-seat theater in downtown Washington's Pennsylvania Quarter arts district. Discounts for groups of 10 or more, students and senior citizens. Fully accessible, indoor parking.
• Warner Theater 1299 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC 20004-2405. TEL: (202) 628-1818. When the Warner Theater opened in 1924 it was hailed as a building of beauty, featuring a spectacular marble and gold leaf lobby and large auditorium complete with gold leaf ceilings and chandeliers. Today, having undergone a $10 million restoration, the Warner is host to a variety of Broadway productions, comedy, dance, film, and music concert. Hours and prices vary according to performance schedule. Accessible seating available. Metro: Metro Center.
• The Washington Ballet 3515 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington DC 20016. TEL: (202) 362-3606. Annual repertory series of contemporary and classical ballet at the Kennedy Center and the holiday favorite, The Nutcracker, at the Warner Theater. Performance times vary. Ticket prices at the Kennedy Center: $30; groups, $22.50- $25.50. Nutcracker tickets: $25-$34; groups $18.75-$28.90.

Dining

Reservations for restaurants in DC can be made through Open Table. They handle web reservations for hundreds (maybe thousands?) of restaurants.

The Scene

The US Capital is also one of America's gayest cities. With it's distinct emphasis on social and political issues, it's no surprise that Washington is a magnet for activists of all sorts. Washington's gay think-tank set is one of the most committed and savvy gay communities you are likely to find in this country or any other.

Washington is a beautiful and sophisticated city with a healthy theater scene, world class dining, and historic architecture (well, historic everything!). It is home to some of the most powerful and visible gay men and lesbians in our nation. Conversely, the button-down, conservative social climate mean more closeted gay men than you expect to see outside of Podunk.

A city of contradictions, Washington is more than interesting for a visit and certainly sustaining as a home.

We would like recommend a visit to the Metro Weekly before you make your plans for the evening and for the latest in the gay scene. By the way, get copies of the Washington Blade and Metro Weekly as soon as possible after you arrive. If an event isn't listed in one of those two local gay papers, it probably isn't something you'd want to go to anyway.

Associations & News Magazines

• Asians & Friends - Washington (AFW) P. O. Box 18974, Washington, DC 20036. Email
• Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association P.O. Box 22042 Alexandria, VA 22304-9204
  (202) 547-9590. Everything about the Gay Rodeo scene in the Atlantic area.
• Capital Pride c/o Robert York, 1407 S St. NW, Washington, DC 20009 Responsible for the Pride festival. Email This year the festival was held June 6 - 13, 2004.
• The Cherry Fund 1530 16th Street, NW #505, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 202.248.3464. Email The Cherry Fund's weekend dance event is one of the few that is produced entirely by volunteers, and that still donates all of its proceeds to worthy nonprofit charitable organizations in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. This year it will be on April 30 - May 2, 2004.
• DC Pride DC Pride is nothing more than an informal agreement between a group of Washington, DC area clubs, bars, organizations, and other entities to get together and share the costs and benefits of a full-featured World Wide Web presence. It was originally started in April 1997 by the Centaur Motorcycle Club, the Highwaymen TNT, and the DC Eagle. Currently, also includes: Atlantic Motorcycle Coordinating Council, Spartan Motorcycle Club, Men of Discipline, Capital Area Board, Potomac MC, Sigma DC, Brother, Help Thyself , E.C.B.N., And Among Friends. DC Pride has no formal organization, no constitution, no bylaws, and no officers.
• DC Vote 1500 U Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009. Tel: 202.462.6000. Email As an educational and advocacy organization, DC Vote strives to provide the public and elected officials with the best, most accurate information available on the denial of democracy to District of Columbia residents.
• Family Pride Coalition PO Box 65327, Washington, DC 20035-5327. Tel: 202.331.5015. Email The Family Pride Coalition is committed to assuring the best environment for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender parents and their children through support and advocacy.
• Federal GLOBE PO Box 23922, Washington, DC 20026-3922. Organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered federal government employees. Email
• Filmfest DC PO Box 21396, Washington, DC 20009. Tel: (202) 628-FILM. Email Sponsor the Film Festival usually in April - May. April 21, 2003 to May 2, 2004.
• The Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington, DC P.O. Box 75265, Washington, DC 20013. Tel: (202) 667-5139. Email Local, all-volunteer, non-partisan, non-profit political organization, founded in 1971 to advance the equal rights of gay men and lesbians in Washington, DC. We are the nation's oldest continuously active gay and lesbian civil rights organization.
• GALA Choruses P.O. Box 65084, Washington, D.C. 20035. Tel: 202-467-5830. Email GALA Choruses, the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses, Inc., is the world's only association committed to serving the LGBT choral movement.
• Gay Washington DC.com Committed to providing you with the most complete resource guide in the Washington DC area, serving the Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Transgendered Communities.
• Identity DC Office, 11 Dupont Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: (202) 797-8810. MD Office, 414 East Diamond Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. Tel: (301) 963-5900. Identity’s mission is to prepare the next generation of Latino leaders through strategic, sustainable and culturally appropriate youth development initiatives and through outreach programs dealing with education, healthcare and empowerment. Strengthening leadership, increasing awareness and personal involvement create opportunities for self-reliance and define Identity’s success. Identity believes that health-care challenges provide opportunities for leadership development.
• KhushDC Email KhushDC is a group for discussions and event announcements serving the Washington DC area's South Asian queer community and its friends. Group postings are not limited to queer issues.
• The In Towner 1730-B Corcoran Street, NW , Washington, DC 20009. Tel: (202) 234-1717. Email Free monthly periodical.
• The Mautner Project 1707 L Street NW, Suite 230, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 202-332-5536. Email Founded in 1990, the Mautner Project is the only national organization dedicated to lesbians with cancer, their partners and caregivers.
• Metro Weekly 1012 14th Street, NW, Suite 209, Washington, DC 20005. Tel: (202) 638-6830. Metro Weekly has been Washington, DC's gay and lesbian magazine for more than 9 years! The print and web editions are published every Thursday and copies can be picked up for free at more than 190 distribution points.
• National AIDS Marathon 1015 18th Street, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: (202) 543-2RUN. Email The National AIDS Marathon Training Program combines running and walking to prepare you to complete a marathon. Developed by Olympic athlete and world-renowned marathon trainer Jeff Galloway, our training program is geared to both beginners and experienced runners. The money you raise will provide vital AIDS services to help keep people alive until there's a cure.
• National Assoc for People With Aids NAPWA 1413 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005. Tel: 202/898-0414. Email
• National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) 1325 Massachusetts Ave. NW Suite 600 . Washington, DC 20005. Tel: 202-393-5177. Email
• National Minority AIDS Council - NMAC 1931 13th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009. Tel: 202-483-6622. Email
• One in Ten PO Box 73587, Washington, DC 20056. 1736 14th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, DC 20009. Tel: 202.986.1119. One In Ten is dedicated to education and cultural activism on behalf of gay and lesbian people. One In Ten seeks to nurture the aesthetics, consciousness, and cultural legacy of this community. Organizers of Reel Affirmations Film Festival
• Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) 1726 M Street, NW Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 202.467.8180. Email Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons, their families and friends through support to cope with an adverse society, education to enlighten an ill-informed public, and advocacy to end discrimination and secure equal civil rights. We are parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, children, spouses, and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered persons.
• Partnership for Prevention 1233 20th St. NW, Suite 200, Washington DC 20036. Tel: 202-833-0009. Email
• Reel Affirmations Film festival.
• The Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) 410 7th Street, SE Washington, DC 20003-2707. Tel: 202-546-5940. As a youth service agency serving the metropolitan area of Washington, D.C. including Maryland and Northern Virginia, our mission is to support and enhance the self-esteem of sexual minority youth - any youth (13-21) who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (lgbt), or who may be questioning their sexuality - and to increase public awareness and understanding of their issues.
• Us Helping Us 811 L Street, SE, WDC 20003. Tel: 202-546-8200 or 888-547-3235. A Nonprofit AIDS service organization, committed to reducing HIV infection in the African American community by specializing in HIV prevention and support services for black, gay and bisexual men and transgender persons. UHU specializes in HIV prevention and support services for black gay and bisexual men, and transgender individuals.
• Youth Guardian Services, Inc. 101 E. State Street, #299, Ithaca, NY14850. Tel: 877-270-5152. Youth Guardian Services is a youth-run, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides support services on the Internet to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, questioning, and straight supportive youth. At this time the organization operates solely on private donations from individuals.
• The Washington Blade 1408 U Street, NW, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20009. TEL: 202-797-7000. First published in 1969, The Washington Blade has grown impressively becoming the weekly news source for Washington's large and visible Gay community. We have been recognized by The Society of Professional Journalists, The American Bar Association, The Washington Post, The New York Times, The DC Metropolitan Police Department and others, as a highly professional news organization.
• The Washington Home 3720 Upton Street, NW, Washington, DC 20016. Tel: 202/966-3720. The Washington Home and Hospice of Washington is a 198 bed long- term health care facility located in Northwest Washington, DC. The nonprofit organization includes a 9-bed inpatient hospice unit; a 33 bed subacute unit; a 39 bed Alzheimer's and Dementia unit; and a 117 bed long-term care facility. The Home's mission is to provide quality health care and end-of-life services with compassion and innovation to foster dignity and independence in those we serve.
• The Washington DC Center for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender People - The Center 1111 14th Street, NW, Suite 350, Washington, DC
• Whitman-Walker Clinic 1407 S Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009. Tel: (202)797-3500. Email Whitman-Walker Clinic is a nonprofit community-based health organization serving the Washington, DC metropolitan region. Established by and for the gay and lesbian community, our Clinic is comprised of diverse volunteers and staff who provide or facilitate the delivery of high quality, comprehensive, accessible health care and community services. Whitman-Walker Clinic is especially committed to ending the suffering of all those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Capital Pride events and the Capital Pride Festival are organized by Whitman-Walker Clinic.
• Women in Their 20's A social/discussion group for lesbian, bisexual and interested women in the Washington, DC area. Email

References

• City of Washington
• DC Pages - Tourism
• Washington Blade