Washington

World War II Memorial Photo 2

World War II Memorial Photo 1

Washington Monument Photo

Vietnam Veterans Statue

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Lincoln Memorial Statue

Lincoln Memorial

Radhe Krishna 23-06-08 http://www.washingtondcpartyshuttle.com/area-attractions/ Area Attractions Washington D.C. is the city where the world is changed on a daily basis. And unlike Las Vegas, what happens in D.C. will not stay in D.C., but instead will probably make front page news on every newspaper in the globe. A trip to our nation’s capitol will not disappoint you, providing history, education, politics, and scandalous fun. Whether you chose to ride the metro around town exploring on your own or sign up with a tour company, you will find plenty to do. Among the places to see are: • Smithsonian Institute’s museums, galleries and zoological garden• United States Capitol Building• The White House• Lincoln Memorial• Washington Monument• Mount Vernon• Constitution Gardens• Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts• Rock Creek Park• MCI Center Sports Arena• National Gallery of Art• National Aquarium The Smithsonian Institute Written by Sarah Worthy The Smithsonian Institution is an assemblage of 18 museums, plus galleries and gardens with affiliate relationships with 140 other museums and 9 research centers. The Smithsonian is dedicated to the advancement of science, discovery and an understanding of the American history and culture. With over 20 million visitors to its museums every year, the Smithsonian has had enormous success with its mission despite a very surprising beginning. The Smithsonian Institution was founded when a British scientist’s, James Smithson, nephew died without any heirs in 1835. James Smithson had stipulated in his will that should his nephew die without any family, then Smithson’s entire estate should be donated “to the United States of America, to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.”This was an unexpected donation considering James Smithson had never been to visit the United States nor seemed to know anyone here. Many speculate that the reason for Smithson’s generous donation to a country he had no ties with was due to his frustration and anger towards the British scientific community for not accepting him. Today, the collection of Smithsonian museums, galleries, and gardens located in Washington D.C. are: African Art Museum Air and Space Museum and Udvar-Hazy Center American Art Museum American History Museum American Indian Museum on the Mall Anacostia Museum (African American History and Culture) Freer and Sackler Galleries (Asian art) Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (modern and contemporary art) National Zoo Natural History Museum Portrait Gallery Postal Museum Renwick Gallery (American crafts) Smithsonian Institution Building, the Castle (visitor information) Admission is free and the museums are open everyday of the year except Christmas Day. The National Gallery of Art and Sculpture Garden The National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. is one of the world’s most prestigious art museums and gallery. It was formed by an act of Congress in partnership with Andrew W. Mellon’s generous donation in 1937. The Museum has collected art pieces from around the world. Among the permanent exhibits are: ★ Sculpture Galleries, a permanent collection of sculptures dating from the Middle Ages to present and include Chalice of the Abbot Suger of Saint-Denis and The Age of Bronze by Auguste Rodin★ Armand Hammer Collection, a collection of drawings donated by Armand Hammer featuring works from artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Pablo Picasso★ Dutch Cabinet Galleries, displaying the small Dutch and Flemish paintings in a suite of specially designed rooms★ Italian Cabinet Galleries, collection of rare objects that were commonly displayed in the homes of Italian princes and merchants Part of the National Gallery of Art includes the National Gallery Sculpture Gardens, a collection of seventeen outdoor sculptures in an informal garden setting on about 6 acres of land. The Garden is located on the north side of the National Mall and is planted with a number of native American shrubs and flowers. The National Gallery of Art and the National Gallery Sculpture Gardens are a must see for art lovers when you come to Washington D.C. For more information about museum hours and guided tours, call 202-737-4215. The National Zoological Park Written by Sarah Worthy The National Zoological Park is a 163-acre garden paradise located about 30 minutes from our nation’s Capitol. The National Zoo opened its gates in 1889 by an act of Congress for “the advancement of science and instruction and recreation of the people”. It joined the Smithsonian Institution’s collection of museums, research laboratories and scientific gardens in 1890 and has since served as a sanctuary for animals, particularly the endangered and displaced. It currently boasts a population of more than 2400 individual animals from 400 different species. The National Zoo’s mission quests after a leadership in the preservation and understanding of our wild kingdom. The National Zoo is funded entirely by Congress and admission to the zoo is free of charge. It is open 364 days of the year, and Washington D.C. offers many superb days to visit with its temperate weather. The Zoo has daily educational programs and behind the scenes tours where you can learn about how elephants are trained or watch a giant octopus during feeding time, and more. Local residents make use of the extensive paths and trails throughout the lush landscaping for daily walking and jogging, creating an exciting workout past lion, tiger, and bear enclosures. The National Zoo offers visitors the chance to experience an African Safari, a walk through an Asian forest, and see and hear the sites of a Brazilian rainforest all in one afternoon. You will see animals you would probably never be able to view in the wild such as the Giant Pandas or the Western lowland Gorillas. You will also discover many animals you have never heard of. The National Zoo in Washington D.C. is a must-see on your vacation to our nation’s capitol city. The Zoo hours change with the seasons, so call ahead to plan your visit. Call 202-633-4800 for general information The United States Capitol Building Written by Sarah Worthy If you are heading to Washington D.C., then the first place you will want to stop at as your tour the city is the United States Capitol Building located on the east end of the National Mall. The Capitol Building has a long history with almost as many revisions as the legislative branch of our government that calls the building home. The current building is the fourth Capitol building and the first located in Washington D.C. The first three were located in Maryland, New York, and Philadelphia. Construction on the Washington U.S. Capitol began in 1793 when George Washington laid the cornerstone. The majority of the construction work was actually done by African Americans, both free and slaves. The building was later expanded in 1850 and a new dome replaced the older, smaller one. The massive weight of the new dome, more than 3 times the height of the old one, led to further renovation on the East portion to help support the new weight in 1904. The Capitol Building is home to the U.S. Congress and has north (Senate) and south (House) wings. Addresses in Washington, DC are labeled NE, NW, SE, or SW based on the location of the Capitol building’s rotunda. The Capitol also has its own private subway and underground tunnels connecting the main building with the Congressional Office Buildings. Free guided tours of the Capitol are available to the public Monday through Saturday throughout the year except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Washington D.C., the White House By David Chandler The original White House was neither white, nor referred to as a house. The first President of the United States lived in three houses while President, none of which were the White House, as it was not completed while he was President. The White House was first referred to as the Presidential Palace, later the Presidential house, and finally the White House, after the war of 1812 when British troops attacked and burned the house. When it was rebuilt it was painted white, and the name White House was born. An Interesting Fact about the White House When George Washington was deciding where to build it, there was some controversy as to whether it should stand in the North or on the property of the South. Washington finally picked land between the two, and Maryland and Virginia, who were on the border, were happy to donate the land on which the White House now stands, neither north nor South, but in a district, the District of Columbia. The Oval Office, a Symbol of the Modern Day President For President Taft, the Oval Office may have symbolized his view of the modern-day president. Taft intended to be the center of his administration, and by creating the Oval Office in the center of the West Wing, he was more involved with the day-to-day operation of his presidency than were his recent predecessors. What President Taft could not imagine in 1902 when he built the Oval Office was that the office itself would become a symbol of the Presidency. Over the years, Americans developed a sentimental attachment to the Oval Office through memorable images, such as John Kennedy, Jr. peering through the front panel of his father’’s desk or President Nixon talking on the phone with astronauts after a successful voyage. Television broadcasts, such as President Reagan’’s speech following the Challenger explosion, would leave lasting impressions in the minds of Americans of both the office and its occupant. The Oval Office became a symbol of strength and reassurance the evening of September 11, 2001, when President George W. Bush delivered comforting words through a televised address from the Oval Office. Less than six months later, President George W. Bush welcomed Afghan Interim Authority Hamid Karzai to the Oval Office. The meeting was a sign of significant progress in the war on terrorism. For more information, visit http://www.WashingtonDCInfoCenter.com The Washington Monument Written by Sarah Worthy The Washington Monument is arguably one of the greatest feats of mankind and a symbol of American pride. It stands at 169 meters and is located at the West end of the National Mall. The monument was built to honor our country’s first President, George Washington, and took 36 years to complete. The monument, designed by Robert Mills, is made of sandstone, granite and marble. Shortly after George Washington’s death, a congressional committee planned for a monument to the first president in the form of a tomb that would be erected in the Capitol. Washington’s family was not interested in moving his body and Congress was slow to act at that time. So it wasn’t until several years later, on the 100th anniversary of Washington’s birth, that the Washington National Monument Society formed and began collecting donations to build a monument for Washington. The Society held a contest in the 1830’s for the submission of designs for a monument. The Society board described their expectations: “It is proposed that the contemplated monument shall be like him in whose honor it is to be constructed, unparalleled in the world, and commensurate with the gratitude, liberality, and patriotism of the people by whom it is to be erected… [It] should blend stupendousness with elegance, and be of such magnitude and beauty as to be an object of pride to the American people, and of admiration to all who see it. Its material is intended to be wholly American, and to be of marble and granite brought from each state, that each state may participate in the glory of contributing material as well as in funds to its construction. ” The winner was architect Robert Mills who was also the Architect of Public Buildings for Washington at the time. Construction on the monument began in 1848, and then stalled due to lack of funds and the Civil War. After the War, construction resumed in 1876 - 20 years after Mills passed away and thus was unable to see his vision completed. Construction was instead directed by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Lincoln Casey of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and was completed December 6th, 1984. Today, the Washington Monument continues to draw in visitors every year. On a clear day, you can see the monument reflected in the Reflecting Pool built on the west side of the monument. George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate Written by Sarah Worthy While you are in Washington D.C., you must make the time to visit Mount Vernon Estates. The mansion is set on 8,000 acres near Fairfax, Virginia and was the home of George and Martha Washington from 1759, when they were married, until 1799 when our first president passed away. The estate was purchased by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association in 1858 and opened to the public for tours in 1860. It has received more than 80 million visitors since then. Tours of the mansion include the more than a dozen outbuildings on the grounds such as the quarters, kitchen, stables, and a greenhouse. There are four different gardens, a Forest Trail for hiking and a 4-acre working farm called the Pioneer Farmer site. You can also visit the tomb where George and Martha Washington have been laid to rest. Mount Vernon was originally created to be a fully self-sustaining estate and so it had all the necessities required for the residents in Washington’s day to live in comfort without needing to leave the farm for supplies. A visit to this gorgeous farm out in the country of Virginia will be like a trip back in time to the days when the Unites States was still a blossoming country full of dreams and hope. This is a must-see experience. For more information, call 703-780-2000. Constitution Gardens The Constitution Gardens lie adjacent to the National Mall and is a beautiful oasis in the middle of the city as well as a testament to our engineering knowledge. Originally, the 50 acres of park land lay beneath the Potomac River. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredged the land at the beginning of the 20th Century. The land briefly housed the Navy’s temporary office buildings during World War I and then President Nixon ordered the land be turned into a national park when the Navy demolished the buildings and relocated in the 1970s. The Garden was dedicated in May, 1976 as a legacy to the American Revolution’s Bicentennial and a memorial dedicated to the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence was erected on the small island lying within the lake of the park. In 1986, President Reagan proclaimed the Constitution Gardens as a tribute to the Constitution of the United States and now the National Park Service holds naturalization ceremonies there each year. The Gardens are open year round. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is located northwest of the Lincoln Memorial and the National Mall along the Potomac River. It was originally to be called the National Cultural Center when President Dwight Eisenhower signed the bipartisan act in 1958 to create a Center for classical and contemporary performances as well as educational programs for the arts. President Kennedy was well known for his support and promotion of the arts and was active in fundraising for the National Cultural Center. When he was assassinated in 1963, Congress designated the Cultural Center as a “living memorial” to Kennedy and renamed it the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Today the Kennedy Center is stage to operas, ballets, plays and other musical and theatrical art performances throughout the year. The Center created an artistic center for Washington D.C. which rivals that of New York’s Broadway. Tickets for performances go on sale about 2 months before their opening night. To purchase tickets and find out about upcoming performances call 202-467-4600. Rock Creek Park Rock Creek Park is West Virginia’s largest park and recreational area located to the northwest of Washington D.C. Throughout the wooded park, there are hiking and biking trails as well as campgrounds. The park is named for the large creek that runs through it which supports fishing and canoeing/kayaking. Rock Creek park is where most residents of Washington D.C. go for exercise and resh outdoor air. The park facilities also include horseback riding and a golf course, soccer fields, tennis courts and bird watching. The nature center has maps and guided tours of the plant and animal life in the park which includes many native birds and even coyotes. The Rock Creek Planetarium both traditional indoor planetarium shows as well as occasional evening trips to gaze at the stars at Military Field nearby. Rock Creek Park is a perfect place for visitors and residents that want to get a sense of West Virginia’s natural beauty or just have a fun camping trip with the kids without having to stray too far from the city. For more information about park services call 202-895-6070. The MCI Center Sports and Concerts Arena The MCI Center is located in downtown Washington DC at 7th and F Streets and is the home of the NBA Wizards, the NHL Capitals, the WNBA Mystics, and the Georgetown Hoyas. It is also the central venue for music concerts, family shows, and other sporting events in Washington D.C. The arena hosts over 220 events each year. Everything about the MCI Center is state of the art technology and provides the ultimate luxury from its locker rooms with hydrotherapy equipment to its Capital Club Restaurant catered by award winning Levy Restaurants. The MCI Center has the SACO SMART VISION System scoreboard, the largest video scoreboard of its kind in an arena. It also has 110 luxury suites each with their own remote control television, private restroom, and wet bar. There are two video walls in the main concourse featuring upcoming events and highlights of past events in sports, entertainment and politics. For ticketing and general information contact the MCI Center at: 601 F Street, NWWashington, DC 20004Telephone: 202-628-3200 The National Gallery of Art and Sculpture Garden The National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. is one of the world’s most prestigious art museums and gallery. It was formed by an act of Congress in partnership with Andrew W. Mellon’s generous donation in 1937. The Museum has collected art pieces from around the world. Among the permanent exhibits are: ★ Sculpture Galleries, a permanent collection of sculptures dating from the Middle Ages to present and include Chalice of the Abbot Suger of Saint-Denis and The Age of Bronze by Auguste Rodin★ Armand Hammer Collection, a collection of drawings donated by Armand Hammer featuring works from artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Pablo Picasso★ Dutch Cabinet Galleries, displaying the small Dutch and Flemish paintings in a suite of specially designed rooms★ Italian Cabinet Galleries, collection of rare objects that were commonly displayed in the homes of Italian princes and merchants Part of the National Gallery of Art includes the National Gallery Sculpture Gardens, a collection of seventeen outdoor sculptures in an informal garden setting on about 6 acres of land. The Garden is located on the north side of the National Mall and is planted with a number of native American shrubs and flowers. The National Gallery of Art and the National Gallery Sculpture Gardens are a must see for art lovers when you come to Washington D.C. For more information about museum hours and guided tours, call 202-737-4215. The National Aquarium, Washington D.C. Written by Sarah Worthy The National Aquarium in Washington D.C, is located in the basement of the Department of Commerce. It is a short walk from the White House and just north of the National Mall. The Commerce Department once developed fish-breeding programs and technologies to stimulate the economy and so in 1873, the National Aquarium was established. During the Reagan administration, the aquarium lost its federal funding and the now private, nonprofit aquarium remains in the basement of the Commerce building. The National Aquarium is the oldest aquarium in the nation and has 70 tanks of various sizes, most with fish you would find native to our country. The aquarium has daily tours that take between 15 to 30 minutes and as daily feedings that allow visitors to watch as hungry piranhas, alligators or sharks gobble their food. Admission to the aquarium is $5 and it is open daily from 9AM to 5PM except holidays. The National Aquarium is an excellent place to tour if you have 45 minutes left in your day and would like to relax and watch some fish. It is a quiet little piece of history that is a must-see if you want to experience all of Washington D.C.’s history.For more information call 202-482-2825. Korean War Memorial Jefferson Memorial Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Murali