Fun Things to Do in Washington, DC

Washington, D.C. will be in full bloom for the Home Care & Hospice March on Washington and Legal Symposium. Attendees will enjoy the opportunity to experience the history and majesty of the nation’s Capital during one of the most beautiful times of the year. Not only are Washington, D.C.’s sightseeing options big in number—nearly all offer free admission.

Theatres and Galleries

Corcoran Gallery of Art
500 17th Street, NW
Washington D.C. 20006
(202) 639-1700

The Corcoran is renowned for its amazing collection of 20th-century painting, sculpture and photography. In total, the Corcoran’s American holdings illuminate the nation’s history and artistic development from colonial times through the 20th century. It claims a unique collection of 19th century prints and drawings as well. These collections are able to draw us into and experience the lifestyles of dramatically different times. Open 10 am-5 pm., closed Tuesdays.

Ford's Theatre

Ford’s Theatre
511 10th St., NW
Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 347-4833 or (800) 899-2367
www.fordstheatre.org

As a living tribute to Abraham Lincoln’s love of the performing arts, Ford’s Theatre presents plays and musicals underscoring multiculturalism and highlighting the eclectic character of American life. With productions from Sept. – June, Ford’s Theatre is both a working theatre and a historical monument open to the public. Metro: Archives-Navy Memorial; Metro Center. Open 9 am-5 pm.

Freer Gallery of Art
12th St. & Jefferson Dr., SW
Washington, D.C. 20013
(202) 633-1000 • www.asia.si.edu

Outstanding collection of Asian art, plus works by 19th- and 20th-century American artists. The opulent Peacock Room is the only surviving example of American expatriate James McNeill Whistler’s interior design. Open daily 10 am -5:30 pm, except Dec. 25; extended summer hours determined annually. Free admission. Group tours by appointment (minimum 10, maximum 45). Call (202) 633-0467 or (202) 786-2374 (TTY), Mon.-Fri. Tours for individuals with visual and hearing impairments by appointment. Metro: Smithsonian.

Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden
7th St. & Independence Ave., SW
Washington, D.C. 20013
(202) 633-1000 • www.hirshhorn.si.edu/

Collection of 19th and 20th-century paintings and sculptures in a striking cylindrical museum and adjoining outdoor garden. Changing exhibitions explore the newest trends in modern art. Open daily 10 am -5:30 pm except Dec. 25; extended summer hours determined annually. Guided group tours and tours for visitors with disabilities by appointment; call (202) 633-3322 or (202) 633- 8043 (TTY), Mon.-Fri. Metro: L’Enfant Plaza.

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
2700 F St., NW
Washington, D.C. 20566
(202) 467-4600 or (800) 444-1324
www.kennedy-center.org

The Nation’s performing arts center, presenting the best music, dance, theatre, international, and children’s programs in six theatres. Hours/prices vary. Free performances 6 pm daily. Group discounts, accessibility programs, free tours. Metro: Foggy Bottom-GWU, free shuttle.

National Gallery of Art and Sculpture Museum
6th St. & Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20565
(202) 737-4215

Permanent collection of European and American paintings, sculpture, decorative arts and works on paper, plus changing exhibitions of art from around the world. The garden includes 17 works from the gallery’s growing collection as well as loaned art for special exhibitions. The Pavilion Café offers year-round café service, along with indoor seating. Open Mon.-Sat. 10 am-5 pm, Sun. 11 am-6 pm except New Year’s Day and Christmas. Free admission. Group tours by appointment. Metro: Archives-Navy Memorial.

The Phillips Collection
1600 21st Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 387-2151

America’s first museum of modern art, The Phillips Gallery opened in 1921 in the home of Duncan Phillips (1886-1966). The collection includes Renoir’s great masterpiece Luncheon of the Boating Party, along with other outstanding Impressionist paintings by Van Gogh, Monet, Degas and Cézanne. It also takes claim to works by Braque, Picasso, Matisse, and Klee. American works are equally represented, with pieces by Homer, Eakins, O’Keefe, and Marin. It even has a collection of mid-century masters such as Mark Rothko, Jacob Lawrence and Richard Diebenkorn. Now, The Phillips Collection is a publicly-supported, non-government museum. Admission $9. Open 10am –5pm, closed Mondays.

Memorials and Monuments

Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, VA 22211
(703) 607-8000 • www.arlingtoncemetery.org

Arlington National Cemetery, our nation’s most treasured burial ground, is home to more than 85,000 honored dead. Among the thousands of white headstones are the graves of President John F. Kennedy, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, world champion boxer Joe Louis and the Tomb of the Unknowns. Open daily 8 am - 5 pm (to 7 pm Apr-Sept.). Free Admission. Metro: Arlington Cemetery.

FDR Memorial
1850 West Basin Dr. SW
Washington, D.C. 20024
(202) 376-6704

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 10 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, D.C., purposely designed to be totally wheelchair accessible. Open daily except Christmas. Free. Park ranger in attendance 8 am-midnight. Metro: Smithsonian.

Jefferson Memorial
15th St. SW, Tidal Basin South End
Washington, D.C.
(202) 426-6841

Beneath the marble rotunda, the 19-foot statue of the third US president is surrounded by passages from the Declaration of Independence and other famous Jefferson writings. Open daily except Christmas. Free. Park ranger in attendance 8 am-midnight. Metro: Smithsonian.

Korean War Veterans Memorial
Independence Ave. at the Lincoln Memorial Washington, D.C.
(202) 426-6841 • www.nps.gov/kwvm

Built by the Korean War Veterans Memorial Advisory at a cost of $18 million in donated funds, this 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 am-midnight. Free. For details, call the National Park Service at (202) 619-7222. Metro: Foggy Bottom/GWU.

Lincoln Memorial
West Potomac Park at 23rd St. NW
Washington, D.C.
(202) 426-6841 • www.nps.gov/linc

This grand monument overlooks the Reflecting Pool, the Washington Monument and the US Capitol. Inside, the 19-foot marble statue of the 16th president is flanked by inscriptions of his Second Inaugural Address and the famous Gettysburg Address. Open daily except Christmas. Free. Park Ranger in attendance 8 am-midnight.Metro: Foggy Bottom/GWU.

National World War II Memorial
17th St. & Independence Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20001
www.wwiimemorial.com

Located between the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial, this memorial honors the 16 million who served during WWII and those who supported the war effort from home. The memorial features two 43-foot arches, a 17-foot pillar for each state and territory from that period and a field of 4,000 gold stars honoring the more than 400,000 who died. A series of bronze sculpture panels depict Americans at war, at home and overseas. Open daily except Christmas. Free. Metro: Smithsonian.

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl. SW
Washington, D.C. 20024
(202) 488-0400 • www.ushmm.org

Located between 14th St. and Raoul Wallenberg Pl. SW (formerly 15th St.), this internationally acclaimed museum tells the story of the Holocaust through artifacts, films, photos, and oral histories. Timed passes required to view the permanent exhibition. Passes are not required for ‘Remember the Children: Daniel’s Story’ or temporary exhibitions. Free passes are given out daily on a first-come, first-serve basis. Advance passes may be purchased through tickets.com at (800) 400-9373. A service fee applies. Metro: Smithsonian.

Washington Monument
15th St. & Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 426-6841 or (800) 967-2283

One of the tallest masonry structures in the world, this majestic obelisk was dedicated in 1885 to the memory of the first U.S. president. Free elevator ride takes you to the top for a spectacular view. Open 9 am-5 pm everyday except Christmas and the 4th of July. For advance tickets call (800) 967-2283. Metro: Smithsonian.

Historic Museums
Smithsonian Institution
SI Bldg. 153 NW
Washington, D.C. 20013
(202) 633-1000 • www.si.edu/visit

Known as the Castle, the oldest of the 14 Smithsonian museums in Washington houses the crypt of founder James Smithson, two orientation theaters, scale models of Washington’s monumental core, interactive touch-screen program in six languages, two electronic wall maps, plus multilingual information and assistance. Open daily 8:30 am -5:30 pm except Dec. 25. Free admission. Walk-in tours Monday. Fri. - Sun. call for times. Group tours also available by appointment; call (202) 357-2987. Metro: Smithsonian.

National Museum of African Art
950 Independence Ave. SW
Washington, D.C. 20013
(202) 633-1000 • www.nmafa.si.edu

Devoted to the collection and study of African art. Visitors will discover a culture rich with creativity , power, and enchantmeent from the entire African continent. Located on the National Mall.

National Air and Space Museum
6th St. & Independence Ave. SW
Washington, D.C. 20013
(202) 633-1000 • www.nasm.si.edu

The world’s most visited museum houses the Wright Brothers’ 1903 Flyer, Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis, the Apollo 11 lunar command module, and an incredible collection of aviation and space technology treasures. Lockheed Martin IMAX theater shows spectacular films daily (admission). Albert Einstein Planetarium presents several programs daily (admission). Open daily 10 am -5:30 pm, except Dec. 25, extended summer hours determined annually. Free admission. Group tours, tours for visitors with disabilities and theater/planetarium booked by appointment; call (202) 275-2110 or toll-free (866) 868-7774 (groups in theater or planetarium) or (202) 633-2563 (group tours), (202) 357-1505 (TTY). Metro: L’Enfant Plaza.

National Museum of the American Indian

National Museum of the American Indian
4th St. & Independence Ave. SW
Washington, D.C. 20560
(202) 633-1000 • www.nmai.si.edu

The Smithsonian’s newest museum, it is the centerpiece for preservation, study and exhibition of the life, arts, culture and history of the native peoples of the Western Hemisphere. Also features educational and public programs, including ceremonies and performances. Free, but passes may be required; call to confirm. Open daily 10 am-5:30 pm, except Dec. 25. Metro: Federal Center, SW.

Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden
7th St. & Independence Ave. SW
Washington, D.C. 20013
(202) 633-1000 • www.hirshhorn.si.edu/

Collection of 19th and 20th-century paintings and sculptures in a striking cylindrical museum and adjoining outdoor garden. Changing exhibitions explore the newest trends in modern art. Open daily 10 am -5:30 pm except Dec. 25; extended summer hours determined annually. Guided group tours and tours for visitors with disabilities by appointment; call (202) 633-3322 or (202) 633- 8043 (TTY), Mon.-Fri. Metro: L’Enfant Plaza.

National Museum of Health & Medicine-Armed Forces Institute
6825 16th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 782-2200

The museum where the subject is you! Features exhibits on human biology, Civil War medicine, contemporary health issues, and the world’s most comprehensive microscope collection. Learn the secret behind our 7 1/2-foot-tall skeleton, see some amazing antique medical instruments, and view the bullet that took Lincoln’s life. Open daily 10 am-5:30 pm except Christmas. Free admission. Metro: Takoma.

Frederick Douglass Museum/Hall of Fame for Caring Americans
320 A Street, NE
Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 547-4273 • www.caring.org

This museum is the first Washington home of Frederick Douglass. It includes Frederick Douglass memorabilia from the National Park Service along with the portraits of those selected by the Caring Institute as the most caring men and women in America. Disability accessible. Metro: Union Station. Hours by appointment.

International Spy Museum
800 F St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 393-7798 • www.spymuseum.org

Featuring the largest collection of international espionage-related artifacts open to the public, the museum chronicles the history of spying throughout the ages, across the globe, and today. Metro: Gallery Place/Chinatown. Open 10 am-6 pm.

Washington Landmarks

J Edgar Hoover FBI Building
935 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 324 3447 • www.fbi.gov

The tour of the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) Building is one of the most enthralling tourist attractions in Washington, D.C.. Along the tour, visitors may learn about the FBI’s history and work against organized crime and terrorism, see FBI scientists at work in the forensic labs and watch a firearms demonstration given by a special agent. Tours depart every 15 minutes and admission is free. Open Monday-Friday 8:45am-4:15pm. Metro: Archives - Navy Memorial

National Archives
7th St. & Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20408
(202) 501-5000

The National Archives houses the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights and more than 3 billion records. Open daily 10 am-5:30 pm except Christmas; extended summer hours. Group tours by appointment, call (202) 501-5205. Free admission. Metro: Archives-Navy Memorial.

Washington National Cathedral

Washington National Cathedral
Massachusetts & Wisconsin Aves. NW
Washington, D.C. 20016
(202) 537-6200 • www.nationalcathedral.org

World’s sixth-largest cathedral, offering worship, tours, gardens, views of Washington, D.C., magnificent stained glass, carvings, dramatic Gothic architecture and three shops. Donations requested. Group reservations required March-June. Spaces for entertaining, (202) 537-5581.

White House Visitor Center
U.S. Dept. of Commerce Bldg.
1450 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20230
(202) 208-1631 or (800) 717-1450

There are no public tours of the White House. The Visitor Center is open seven days a week, from 7:30 am-4 pm. Allow between 20 minutes and 1 1/2 hours to explore the video and exhibits. The Visitor Center features many aspects of the White House, including its architecture, furnishings, first families, social events, and relations with the press and world leaders, as well as a 30-minute video. The White House Historical Association sponsors a sale area. Stop on the Tourmobile route. Restrooms are available, but food service is not. Metro: Federal Triangle; Metro Center.