Here are some great family-friendly activities to do this Fall in Washington D.C. Check it out!
CIVIL WAR TO CIVIL RIGHTS WALKING TRAIL
This self-guided tour through winds through the streets of DC, highlighting the sites that played critical roles in both the great war between the states and in the on-going battle for civil rights. Contact: DC Heritage Tourism Coalition; www.dcheritage.org.
FIRST AUDIO GUIDE TOUR OF DC ACCESSIBLE BY CELL PHONE
Cell phone-accessible guided tours are now available in Washington, DC. Dial a toll free number to access information about some of DC's most popular attractions. Contact: www.beyondguide.com.
NEW AT DC'S MUSEUMS
BRAIN: THE WORLD INSIDE YOUR HEAD
July 14, 2001-January 2, 2002
Arts and Industries Museum
900 Jefferson Drive, SW
Discover the difference between animal and human brains, what happens to your noodle once you fall asleep and learn about the latest brain research and how it has evolved since the beginning of time. www.si.edu
EXPLORE THE UNIVERSE
Friday, September 21st - permanent
National Air and Space Museum
6th St. & Independence Avenue, SW
Featuring artifacts such as the Hubble Space Telescope Mirror, the exhibit will show how scientists have progressed in the knowledge of the world. www.si.edu
IMPRESSIONIST STILL LIFE
September 22, 2001-January 13, 2002
The Phillips Collection
1600 21st Street, NW
The first major exhibition to be devoted to French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist still life painting is coming to DC. Over 80 works will be on display from different museums in Europe and America including those from Musee d'Orsay, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. www.phillipscollection.org.
EVENTS
U.S. BOTANIC GARDEN CONSERVATORY RE-OPENING
10am, Friday, November 23rd
245 First Street, SW
Washington, D.C., 20024
The U.S. Botanic Gardens, which were previously closed for renovation, will officially reopen to the public in November. A formal public dedication will take place in December. Pre-opening tours will be available to the public beginning September 4, 2001. Contact: 202.225.8333.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
11am-3pm, Saturday, October 27th
Theodore Roosevelt Island
Join the National Park Service in remembering our 26th President's 143rd birthday. Contact: 703.289.2552
VETERANS DAY AT VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL
Sunday, November 11th
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Veterans Day will be observed with speeches, color guard demonstrations, and a wreath-laying ceremony. Keynote speaker is J. Craig Venter, president of Celera Genomics; John McDermott, Irish tenor will be performing. Contact: 202.393.0090
LIGHTING OF THE MENORAH
6pm, Sunday, Early December
NW end of the Ellipse near Constitution Avenue
A Chanukah celebration with speeches and music.
NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING AND PAGEANT OF PEACE
5pm, Thursday, December 6th
Ellipse, south of the White House
Washington, DC
The lighting of the National Christmas tree by President Bush begins the month-long Pageant of Peace. Musical programs are offered from 6-8:30pm. Contact: 202.208.1631.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
KIMPTON GROUP PLANS OCTOBER OPENING OF FIRST HOTEL ON EAST COAST
The Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group is readying itself for the opening of its first hotel on the East Coast, the Topaz Hotel. Slated to open in October, the Topaz is located on N Street, between DC's business district and trendy Dupont Circle. The property is owned by LaSalle Hotel Properties. Rates for deluxe guestrooms at the Topaz Hotel will start at $145.
HAY-ADAMS HOTEL ANNOUNCES RENOVATION
The Hay-Adams Hotel will begin a $14 million renovation of the historic 1928 property on November 5, 2001. To avoid inconveniencing any of its customers, the hotel will remain closed until the renovations are completed in early 2002.
The White House has launched a new kid-friendly website which teaches young visitors about the Executive Office through the eyes of four Bush pets: Barney the Scottish Terrier, Spot the Springer Spaniel, India the cat and Ofelia the Longhorn cow. www.whitehousekids.gov.
METRO LAUNCHES GEORGETOWN SHUTTLE SERVICE
A new shuttle service, running every 10 minutes from Rosslyn, Foggy Bottom and Dupont Circle Metro stations to the heart of Georgetown makes a trip to Washington's most elite shopping and dining address even easier. Cost: $0.50 one-way; $0.25 with a Metro rail transfer.
Contact: http://www.georgetowndc.com/shuttle.php
TASTE OF DC MOVES TO MEMORIAL DAY
One of Washington, DC's most popular annual events will move from its familiar spot on the fall calendar to kick off the summer travel season. The Eleventh Annual Taste of DC makes its move this year, with previously scheduled October festivities now rescheduled for Memorial Day Weekend, May 25-27, 2002. Contact: www.washington.org; 202.789.7000.
