Bolling Air Force Base Base GuideExcursions in D.C.Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2006
Washington, D.C.
202-789-7000 The District of Columbia, named for George Washington and Christopher Columbus in 1791, is seat of the federal government and the nation's capital. This 63-square-mile city boasts a population of more than a half million residents with hundreds of sights and points of interest that attract visitors from around the world. The city's climate is described as humid subtropical with the temperature in winter averaging 34 degrees and 77 degrees during the summer, although these are subject to wide fluctuations. Maj. Pierre L'Enfant designed Washington D.C. in 1791. It was the first city planned for a specific purpose. L'Enfant laid out the city around numerous circles and squares connected by straight boulevards. The layout has often been described as reminiscent of a series of wagon wheels. This design, often described as brilliant, allowed for growth; however L'Enfant could not have foreseen the advent of automobiles in a nation of more than 230 million people. Four sections make up Washington, northeast, southeast, northwest and southwest. Any address is always followed by an abbreviation of the appropriate section of town - NE, SE, NW and SW. Washington has one of the most comprehensive and attractive public transportation systems on the East Coast, with Metro at the top of it all. The Metro not only connects the numerous sights in the city with each other, but the subway also branches out to parts of Virginia and Maryland. For more information regarding the Metro or to find the closest stop to a particular sight, call 202-637-7000. National Air and Space Museum 6th St. and Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20560 Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles International Airport 14390 Air & Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly, Va. 202-357-2700 www.nasm.si.edu The National Air and Space Museum is open daily, except Dec. 25. General admission is free. Exhibits include the Wright Brothers' flyer, the Spirit of St. Louis, the Langley Theater IMAX films, the Einstein Planetarium, as well as hundreds of other aviation and space exhibits. Cafeteria and restaurant facilities are available. The new construction of the National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles International Airport opened in December 15, 2003. The new facility will display hundreds of additional artifacts and offer events, educational programs, IMAX films and more. More information about planning your visit to the new facility is gradually being added to this which opened to the public December 2003 will enable visitors to view many of the artifacts currently at the Garber Facility in Suitland, Maryland and observe NASM staff restore aircraft and spacecraft. Closest Metro is Smithsonian Jefferson Memorial 900 Ohio Drive, SW Washington, D.C. 20024 202-426-6821 or 202-619-7222 A monument to our third president, this 19-foot bronze statue stands beneath a rotunda inscribed with passages from the Declaration of Independence and Jefferson's other famous writings. Open daily except Christmas. Park rangers are in attendance from 8 a.m. - midnight. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts 2700 F Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20566 800-444-1324 ⁄ 202-467-4600 Overlooking the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. the nation's busiest arts facility, presenting more than 3,300 performances each year for audiences numbering more than 2 million. The Kennedy Center continues to fulfill his vision by producing and presenting an unmatched variety of theater and musicals, dance and ballet, orchestral, chamber, jazz, popular and folk music, and multi-media performances for all ages. The Kennedy Center contains the Opera House, Concert Hall, Eisenhower Theater, the Terrace Theater, Hall of Nations, and the American Film Institute Theater. The Millennium Stage presents free performances in the Grand Foyer every night at 6 p.m. Open daily for public viewing, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. For group tour information, call 202-416-8341. Shuttle available from Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro. National Gallery of Art 6th Street and Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 202-737-4215 Open daily. Closed Christmas and New Years Day. Take a taste of the finer things in life and view the collection of Renaissance paintings, Dutch masterworks, French impressionism, as well as 20th century paintings and sculptures in this national gallery. Nearest Metros are Archives, Federal Center, SW, or Judiciary Square Lincoln Memorial 900 Ohio Drive, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20024 202-426-6841 The classic Greek temple memorial is located at West Potomac Park. This grand memorial overlooks the Reflecting Pool. Inside, the 19-foot marble statue of the 16th president is flanked by inscriptions of his Gettysburg Address and his second inaugural address. Open daily, 8 a.m. - midnight. From the nearest metro, Foggy Bottom-GWU, walk 8 blocks south along 23rd Street N.W. The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. Washington, D.C. 20500 202-456-2121 Construction on this hallowed residence began in 1792 and ended amongst much patriotic fanfare in 1800. Though never inhabited by George Washington himself, The White House was nevertheless conceived by the Father of Our Nation as a Holy Fortress from which to guard against the tyranny of “big government“ and “social programs“ The President’s house, one of the most popular sights in D.C. Only the public rooms on the ground floor and the state floor may be visited, and the hours are limited. The White House may be closed at various times due to security concerns and special events. Nearest Metros are the Farragut West, McPherson Square or Metro Center. Library of Congress 101 Independence Ave., SE Washington, D.C. 20540 202-707-8000 ⁄ www.loc.gov Housing more than 84 million items in 470 languages, the Library of Congress is one of the world's largest library systems. Congress established the library in 1800 for its use, but has extended its services over the years. The library is now open to the general public. Guided tours are given every hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The library also features rotating exhibits, concerts, poetry readings, and public lectures. The nearest Metro is Capitol South. National Zoological Park 3001 Connecticut Ave. N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008 202-673-4717 ⁄ www.natzoo.si.edu Highlights include the Great Flight Cage, Amazonia and the Great Ape House. Visit creatures ranging from giraffes to boa constrictors to big cats to the new panda bears. Open daily, except Christmas. From May 1 - Sept. 15 - animal buildings are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the grounds are open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. From Sept. 16 - April 30, animal buildings are open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and grounds open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free. Closest Metro is Cleveland Park or Woodley Park-National Zoo.
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