The Old Post Office Pavilion
For an aerial view of Washington, D.C. (without the wait you’ll find at the Washington Monument), visit the Old Post Office Pavilion on Pennsylvania Ave. This former post office houses shops and restaurants, daily entertainment and a dramatic view of the city from the 315-foot tall clock tower. A tour of the tower is offered daily and admission is always free. The pavilion is located at 1100 Pennsylvania Ave. Northwest. For more information, call 202-289-4224 or visit www.oldpostofficedc.com
C & O Canal Historical Park
Grab your coat, scarf and hiking boots and trek your way down the C&O Canal. The 184.5-mile canal traces the Potomac River from Georgetown to Cumberland, Md. Mule-drawn boat trips are available from April - October. Wide towpaths are open to bikers, joggers and hikers. Admission is $5 per car. The visitor center is open Wed. and Sun. from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The Georgetown visitor center is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. as well. Call ahead for the most current boat schedule. Tickets are $5 for visitors age 4 and up. For more information, call 202- 653-5190 or visit http://www.nps.gov/choh.
Goethe-Institut
Go to the Goethe Institut in Penn Quarter to learn all about German culture, and see the work of German artists in the gallery. The German cultural center presents a wide variety of films, exhibits, discussions, media projects and language classes in a contemporary artistic setting. Hours of operation are Mon. -Thurs. from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and from 9 a.m. - 3p.m. on Fridays. Visit the center at 812 7th St. Northwest, in Washington, D.C. For more information, call 202-289-1200 or visit http://www.goethe.de/ins/us/was/enindex.htm?wt_sc=washington.
National Arboretum
While visiting the National Arboretum, take in the fall colors and see pillars from the original U.S. Capitol that was burned during the War of 1812. The arboretum encompasses a 446-acre living museum two miles from the Capital complete with gardens, collections, a bonsai museum, an herb garden, azaleas, and flowering cherry trees. Visit the arboretum at 3501 New York Ave. Northeast, in Washington, D.C. For more information, call 202-245-2726.
