Washington, D.C., was built as an administrative center, the place where movers and shakers in the United States come together to do business. There is more to the city on the Potomac than government business, however, including a number of activities that are available on weekends when government offices are closed. You might want to experience all of them, even if it takes more than one weekend.
Take a Walk
Washington, D.C.'s Mall is an outdoor concourse that extends from the Lincoln Memorial on the Potomac River to the U.S. Capitol. Exercise your mind while you work your legs with a walk on the Mall. Lead yourself or go with a guide, and you'll discover that you need weeks to truly explore everything on the Mall. For a walk you can complete in a weekend day, tour the sculpture garden at the National Gallery of Art. For a more personal look at the city, pick up a free guide from Cultural Tourism DC walking tours of historic neighborhoods and seasonal gardens.
Feel History
Improve your spiritual health by taking time for reflection at one of the local monuments on the Mall that have deep, personal meaning for many Americans. Plan your visit on the weekend, when the daily bustle is slower. Read the words of the Gettysburg Address at the Lincoln Memorial. Take time for reflection at the World War II Memorial, or remember an old friend when you visit the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Wall or the Korean War Memorial.
Explore Collections
Spend an entire day enjoying the sunshine at the National Zoo. See what's new in the themed exhibits, including the Elephant Trails, the Great Cats, the Kids Farm, or visit animals in their natural habitats. The zoo offers special events and nature walks every weekend. If you're facing a day with no sunshine, plan a visit to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. You'll find exhibits that feature the work of pioneers in flight, as well as the future of space travel.
Experience a Live Performance
Washington, D.C. boasts a rich and impressive array of performance art and artists. You can catch a free performance at one of the city's venues throughout the weekend: the National Theater sponsors special performances during "Saturday Morning at the National"; the National Gallery of Arts hosts live music on Sunday evenings; and the Millennium Stage at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts offers a free performance every evening at 6 p.m. Consider it a mental health exercise.
Park It
Great Falls National Park, one of the sites on the George Washington Memorial Parkway, is operated by the National Park Service. The park offers hundreds of acres that you can explore on foot, including a dazzling view of the Great Falls on the Potomac River. You can get an eyeful of beautiful scenery at the river end of any, or all, of the three short walks that leave from the Visitors Center. Pack a lunch and spend the entire day unwinding and getting back to nature. Be aware that the river is swift and dangerous. Visitors are not allowed to swim or wade at the park.
Member Comments