Things to do in Washington DC
YOUR VISIT TO WASHINGTON, DC
The George Washington University is in northwest DC’s historic Foggy Bottom, home of the State Department, the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation. The campus is within easy walking distance of the National Mall, the White House and the Kennedy Center and just a quick Metro ride from the Smithsonian museums, the National Gallery of Art and the Capitol.The National Monuments on and adjacent to the Mall are moving reminders of our nation’s past. The Lincoln Memorial, World War II Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington Monument, Thomas Jefferson Memorial and Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and are administered by the National Park Service.
The many museums of the Smithsonian Institute are a perennial favorite for visitors to the nation’s capital. Smithsonian museums on the Mall include the Air and Space Museum, American History Museum, American Indian Museum, and Natural History Museum . Visitor information is available at the historic Smithsonian Castle on Independence Avenue, which is immediately adjacent to the Smithsonian stop on the Metro’s Orange and Blue lines. The museums are open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and there is no charge for admission.
The National Gallery encompasses two buildings and the 6.1 acre Sculpture Garden on Constitution Avenue. The Gallery’s permanent collection is especially large and diverse and a visit to the Gallery’s website can be helpful in planning an initial visit. Special exhibits in June will include a selection of German master drawings from The Wolfgang Ratjen Collection and “Beat Memories: The Photographs of Allen Ginsberg”. June visitors can expect the Sculpture Garden to be alive with greenery.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts offers a wide variety of live theatre performances and musical events throughout the year. A free performance is offered each evening on the Millennium Stage. The Kennedy Center, its gift shops and restaurants are open to visitors daily and free guided tours are available throughout the day. Further information and a full list of performances are available at the Kennedy Center website.
The National Zoo in Northwest Washington covers 163 acres and is home to a variety of animals. The Fuji Giant Panda Habitat is one of the zoo’s most popular exhibits. The National Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. There is no charge for admission. It can be reached by the Metro’s Red Line at either the Woodley Park/Zoo/Adams Morgan or Cleveland Park stops.
SHOPPING, DINING AND NIGHTLIFE:
The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City. Located at the Pentagon City Metro stop on the blue line, a short metro ride away from The George Washington University Campus.
Bustling Union Station is home to over 130 shops and restaurants and is also a favorite with historians and students of architecture. Originally opened in 1908, the building was restored to its original Beaux-Arts grandeur in the 1980’s. Today it continues to serve as a hub for Amtrak and area commuter trains. Union Station is located on the Metro’s red line and is an easy walk from the United States Capitol.
A variety of shops and restaurants line M Street in historic Georgetown. Retail options in this historic neighborhood range from the quirky to the luxurious. Summertime visitors will enjoy wandering the district’s side streets and gardens. While there is no Metro service to Georgetown, it is within easy walking distance of The George Washington University campus.
Look to the Adams Morgan neighborhood for offbeat shopping options, a wide variety of ethnic cuisine and a bustling nightlife. Adams Morgan can be reached by taking the Metro’s Red Line to the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan station.
The Dupont Circle neighborhood features turn-of-the-century rowhouses and is home to several embassies. The area has a variety of restaurants and nightlife in all price ranges. Its in easy walking distance to The George Washington University campus.