Washington, DC Weekend Vacation Getaway
Things To Do
Too often people go away and stumble around trying to determine what there is to do and where to do it. What a waste of precious time! We tell you what there is to do and with whom to do it. Whether it is the best golf course, where to charter a boat, what museums not to miss, you’ll know what you want to do and where to do it before you ever get there.
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Walking/Running/Biking/Skating
The tow path of the C&O
Canal in Georgetown, Rock Creek Park and
the Mall are all ideal for walking, running and biking. You can
rent bikes at Thompson Boat Center,
$8/hr. or $25 for the day. Another great place for biking is the
National Arboretum where there are 9 1/2 miles of roadways through
the beautiful gardens.
The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden pool becomes an ice skating rink in winter. You can rent skates, there's a little café for hot chocolate and you can enjoy the sculptures as you skate.
The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden pool becomes an ice skating rink in winter. You can rent skates, there's a little café for hot chocolate and you can enjoy the sculptures as you skate.
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Tennis
Most places are private clubs, but the Rock
Creek Tennis Center in Rock Creek Park
is open to visitors.
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Horseback Riding
Rock Creek Park Horse Center.
Trail rides are available through the Park every day except Monday.
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Boat Rental
Thompson Boat Center
rents canoes, kayaks, rowing shells and sunfish for use in the Canal
and in the Potomac. Pedal boats are also available at the Tidal
Basin.
Boat Ride
Take a historic trip on a barge on the C&O Canal,
Foundry Mall in Georgetown or see the sites from the Potomac on
a 50 minute trip aboard the Liberty
Cruise.
Spectator Sports
Baseball is back in the Nation's Capital with
the Nationals and the locals are thrilled. The Redskins
are trying to reclaim their glory years with Coach Joe Gibb. The
Wizards rule the hard court and the Capitols
the ice.
Tours
Old Town Trolley Tours
lets you see the sights and get on and off when you want. $24. DC
Ducks Tour may be the most fun with a
city tour on land and in the Potomac. $25. Bike
the Sites is a great way to see Washington
and get some exercise. $40. Private, customized tours by licensed
guides are available from Guide Services
of Washington for $155 plus transportation.
The newest tour innovation is to see the City on a Segway with City
Segway Tours. See Mt. Vernon by taking the Potomac Riverboat's
Miss Christin from Old Town Alexandria
for the 50 minute trip to the first president's home.
Sights/Things To See
There is so much to see in Washington and it
is impossible to get to everything and certainly not in a 3 day
weekend. Here are 10 things you should see before anything else,
in no particular order; 1. The monuments and memorials-Lincoln,
Jefferson, Arlington Cemetery, Iwo Jima and Vietnam Veterans Memorial
2. Mount Vernon-George
Washington's estate. 3. National Air
& Space Museum-Chronicles man's feats
in the air and space. 4. U.S. Capitol-The
heart of our democracy. 5. National
Gallery of Art. One of the greatest art
museums in the world. 6. National
Museum of American History.-Wonderful
exhibits of America's past. 7. National
Zoo-As good a zoo as you will find anywhere.
Remember the pandas from China? 8. Washington
National Cathedral- one of the largest
cathedrals in the world. 9. Dumbarton
Oaks and Gardens- mansion, museum and
gardens. 10. The White House.
Visits have been restricted since 9/11, but driving by is still
awe inspiring.
Concerts
Lincoln Theatre
features jazz and pop music, the MCI
Center and
RFK Stadium are home to the big rock concerts,
Wolf Trap Farm Park
in Vienna Va. has the best line-up during the warmer months and
is a beautiful country venue and the Carter-Barron
Amphitheatre in Rock Creek Park hosts
gospel, soul, jazz and R&B on summer weekends.
Theatre
The National Theatre,
1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW books Broadway touring productions and
new plays on their way to Broadway. The
Shakespeare Theatre puts on 4 plays a
year, three by Shakespeare, and the Arena Stage is Washington's
fine regional theatre. Finally the Warner
Theatre, 13th & E St. NW hosts Broadway
shows, comedians and concerts.
Arts
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,
Virginia and New Hampshire NW, has 5 different stages ranging in
size from the 2,500 seat Concert Hall to the smaller Terrace Theatre
and Theatre Lab venues. The Center presents everything from ballet
to symphonies to drama to comedy to opera.
Art Galleries
Visit www.artgalleriesdc.com for galleries in
the Dupont Circle area. Galerie Lareuse,
2820 Pennsylvania NW has works of Picasso, Matisse, Calder and more.
P&C Art,
3108 M Street, NW in Georgetown, large selection of original paintings
and limited edition prints. Some great stuff on Georgetown and Washington.
Georgetown Gallery of Art,
3235 P Street NW has been open since 1957 and specializes in 20th
century masterworks. Fine Arts & Artists,
2920 M St. in Georgetown. Quite a collection of well-known artists.
Old Print Gallery,
1220 31st St. NW, original antique prints of American towns and
cities.
Antiques
Good Wood, U Street.
Affordable and pretty good antiques.
Antiques of Georgetown, 3210 O Street.
La Belle Epoque,
1673 Wisconsin, NW. Living Rooms,
3231 P Street in Georgetown. Also the Georgetown
Flea Market on Sundays.
Shopping
The Fashion Center at Pentagon City,
about 10 minutes from downtown by Metro is the typical Mall with
170 stores and all the usual suspects. The
Shops at National Place, 529 14th Street,
is interesting for both its design and the 40 some boutiques and
shops. The Shops at Georgetown Park,
right on the Canal, 3222 M Street and Georgetown in general are
the best places for shopping in Washington.
Some favorites; Periwinkle Gifts, 3815 Livingston St. NW. Gourmet items, soaps, lots of unusual items; Sherman Pickey, 1647 Wisconsin Ave. Georgetown. If you are into prep, this is the place. If not, you'll find it funny; Gold-n-Time, 1742 Connecticut Ave. NW vintage watches and timepieces; Betsy Fisher, 1224 Connecticut Ave. NW. Great stuff for the office or weekend; My Place in Tuscany, in Alexandria. Beautiful artwork. Worth the trip to Alexandria and Lush, 3066 M Street, Georgetown, www.lush.com. Handmade cosmetics. Very cool idea and store.
Some favorites; Periwinkle Gifts, 3815 Livingston St. NW. Gourmet items, soaps, lots of unusual items; Sherman Pickey, 1647 Wisconsin Ave. Georgetown. If you are into prep, this is the place. If not, you'll find it funny; Gold-n-Time, 1742 Connecticut Ave. NW vintage watches and timepieces; Betsy Fisher, 1224 Connecticut Ave. NW. Great stuff for the office or weekend; My Place in Tuscany, in Alexandria. Beautiful artwork. Worth the trip to Alexandria and Lush, 3066 M Street, Georgetown, www.lush.com. Handmade cosmetics. Very cool idea and store.
Events/Festivals
March-National Cherry Blossom Festival
April-White House Spring Garden Tour
June- Wolf Trap Jazz and Blues Festival
July- 4th of July Celebration-
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
October-Taste of DC Festival
December-National Christmas Tree Lighting,
Old Town Christmas Candlelight Tours,
Washington National Cathedral Christmas Services.