Washington D.C. is one of the most quintessential American cities there is. There are so many things to do in DC that it’s easy to get lost in all the American history. Renowned DC attractions like the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, and the U.S. Capitol building pull in a majority of tourists, but there’s so much more to do and see! Arguably the best time to visit the Capitol is during summer.

Shall we begin with everything that’s free? Take a look at some of the examples below to get a closer look at some events that won’t put a dent in your wallet:

• “Saturday Morning at the National” – National Theatre’s free performance series, featuring magic, music and ballet. (Check website for schedules)

• The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage is host to a free performance every evening at 6 pm, including jazz, orchestra, and poetry!

• Live music at the National Gallery of Art on Sunday evenings at 6:30pm.

• The National Museum of the American Indian hosts storytelling and dance festivals, aimed to enhance learning of American Indian culture. (Check website for Schedules)

• The Smithsonian American Art Museum’s “Take Five!” performance series, taking place on the third Thursday of each month, featuring beer, wine and light snacks.

This is a small sample of freebies in DC; some more family oriented events include things like a trip to the National Zoo, Rock Creek Park Planetarium, Sackler Gallery, National Mall, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, National Cathedral, Discovery Theater, and much more. If you’re a history buff, which is a large consortium of tourists in DC, be sure to check out the following:

• Willard InterContinental Hotel, where Julia Ward Howe wrote “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
• Lincoln Memorial
• Reflecting Pool (WWII Memorial)
• National Archives, where the original Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights is kept.
• Library of Congress.
• Arlington National Cemetery (Changing of Guard Ceremony at Tomb of the Unknowns.)
• Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Wall
• National Portrait Gallery
• National Postal Museum
• Union Station

There’s dozens of D.C. museums that it’s easy to fill your days to the brim of red, white, and blue. Over a 150 museums like The Smithsonian National Museum(s), The Newseum, and the National Museum of Crime and Punishment are all ready to let you see history up close and personal. The NMC&P also features a complete array of forensic science exhibits, with a plethora of information on their CSI blog.

Amongst the most popular sites, including The Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial, there’s a large amount of activities and/or tours to engage in. This includes Ford’s Theatre Tour, Ghost Tours, Lincoln Assassination Tour, and Old Town Alexandria Tour; all of which are walking tours. Before, during or after, you may also want to check out places like The Capital Visitor Center, Whitehouse Visitor Center, or The U.S. Capital Building; all of which are highly popular amongst tourists.

Summer is an ideal time to visit, granted you’re able to view all what can be labeled as DC Outside. Things like Potomac Park, C&O Canal Towpath, National Arboretum, Lincoln Park, and Great Falls Park are all very appealing sites for the Aesthetic. Moreover, the National Cherry Blossom Festival, held annually to remember a long lasting peace between Japan and the United States, is a beautiful attraction. The trees are typically in full bloom come early to mid April, and the parade is typically held around April 10^th depending upon a few different variables.

Your dining experience is not one to miss while visiting Washington, DC. Some of the most popular places to eat in DC include:

• China Town Express
• Palm Restaurant-Washington DC
• The Caucus Room
• Fire Fly Restaurant
• Corduroy
• Bourbon Steak
• Michel Richard Citronelle

Filled with historically famous monuments and memorials, DC is surely a place to visit for the nostalgia, but comes with a vast amount of entertaining activities as provided above. Having said that, it’s important to make a trip down during the warm season to check out all the fantastic tours, attractions and sites that are Washington DC.

Celebrating democracy in Washington on the eve of the inauguration - January 2009

By Monday mid-afternoon, Washington was simply giddy with excitement. This happy couple reflects the general mood of the day.

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