Washington, DC is a popular destination in the summer. Mid-July is generally hot (85 degrees F/28 degrees C) so outdoor activities are quite popular. Breaks from the heat are easily found in the air conditioned museums and shops around town.

The Conference venue is close to many of the area's most popular sights, including the world-renowned Smithsonian Institution museums (14 in all), which are free to visitors. The city's memorials and monuments are also free for visitors, making sightseeing a very affordable pastime.

In-depth visitor information, including sightseeing, tours, dining, shopping and more can be found by following the links below.

NOTE: The list is provided as a courtesy to delegates who wish to expand and enhance their experience while visiting Washington, DC. The Conference does not officially endorse the organizations listed below

General Touring Information

For an overview of the city and its sights, dining, shopping and nightlife:

• Washington, DC Convention and Tourism Corporation

Cultural Sites

• Smithsonian Institution
• National Museum of Natural History
• National Museum of American History
• National Air and Space Museum
• Hirshorn Gallery and Sculpture Garden
• National Museum of the American Indian
• National Zoo

Other Museums

• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
• National Museum of Women in the Arts
• National Gallery of Art
• The Phillips Collection
• Newseum
• International Spy Museum
• Madame Tussaud's

Places of Interest

• US Park Service (for monuments/memorials information)
• The US Capitol
• Ford's Theatre (the site of President Lincoln's assassination, the theater is still a venue for performing arts and for tours during the day)
• Mount Vernon (estate of President George Washington)

Live Performance

• The Verizon Center (popular singing acts, arena shows)
• The Kennedy Center (drama, musical, symphony, opera)
• National Theater (performing arts, comedy)
• Warner Theatre (performing arts)
• Blues Alley (local, famous jazz supper club)
• The 9:30 Club (live bands, typically independent, alternative rock music)
• Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts (various performances, in northern Virginia)
• The Birchmere (small venue, independent artists, located in Alexandria, VA)

Shopping

• Pentagon City Mall
• Georgetown
• Chevy Chase shopping district
  • The Collection at Chevy Chase
  • The Chevy Chase Pavilion
  • Shops at Wisconsin Place
  • Mazza Gallerie
  • Tysons I and Tysons Galleria (II) (Tysons Corner Center)
  • Tysons Galleria

Tours

• Motor coach tours
• Open vehicle tour (on and off the open air bus as often as you like during your tour day)
• Riverboat Tours
  • The Odyssey
  • The Spirit of Washington
• Old Town Alexandria (some of the area's best examples of Colonial architecture combined with shopping, dining and retail)
• National Harbor

Sports

Please note: team schedules will be announced in spring 2011.

• DC United Soccer (Football)
• Washington National's Baseball (team schedule to be announced in spring 2011)
• Baltimore Orioles Baseball (team schedule to be announced in spring 2011)
• Washington Mystics Basketball (team schedule to announced in spring 2011)
• Golf courses
• Tennis courts

Dining

COMING SOON