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Some Interesting & Special Things
To Do & See in Our Nation's Capital

Museum of American History Closes for Renovations
From September 5, 2006 until Summer of 2008 for $85 million renovation

U.S. Air Force Memorial Opens
Now open to the public across from The Pentagon in Arlington, VA
http://airforcememorial.org
Dedication Ceremony at 1:30 PM on October 14, 2006
For Dedication Weekend Info/events/Tickets:
http://airforcememorial.org/dedication/index.asp

Major League Baseball Returns to the Nation's Capital:
Welcome WASHINGTON NATIONALS to their new home
http://washington.nationals.mlb.com

Wireless Access Available on National Mall
On August 21, 2006, the Smithsonian announced the launch of its first free outdoor hotspot in the Enid Haupt Garden behind the Smithsonian Castle. Two additional outdoor hotspots will follow this Fall -- one at the Hirschhorn Museum and one on the plaza beside the Museum of the American Indian. Click here or the full press release.

Cell Phone Use Law for District of Columbia
Effective July 1, 2004 drivers in Washington, DC will be fined $100 for any hand-held use of cell phones while driving.  There will be a 30-day "grace/warning" period.   Only hands-free/earphone cell use will be permitted.
 
Tour Bus Parking at Union Station
For about $20 from 7 AM - 6:59 PM; $10 from 7 pm to 6:59 AM coaches can park at Union Station.
For more info: 202-898-1950.
 
METRO Raises Fares & Fees
Effective June 27, 2004 Metro rail one way will be raised from $1.20 one way to $1.35 to a maximum of $.30 (up from $3.60 to $3.90); there  will be a 5-cent increase in boarding Metro buses from $1.20 to $1.25 (transfers will remain at 35-cents); MetroAccess will have 10-cent increase in boarding from $2.40 to $2.50 (free for disabled passengers and their assistants); Parking at Metro will be 75-cent higher daily and there will be a $10 increase on monthly reserved parking. If you are planning to park at a metrorail stop you will have to purchase a SmartTrip card in advance in order to enter the parking lot.  Metro parking will no longer have attendants handling cash on departure.  Minimum purchase will be $5.00 and many lots will have vending machines available.

For the latest on downtown DC transportation including Metro and tour bus parking, visit: 
http://ddot.dc.gov/ddot/site/default.asp
http://www.wmata.com/
http://dc.gov/index.asp
 
Downtown Circulator Service
To increase mobility and decrease congestion in downtown, the Circulator buses links downtown, the Mall and the Waterfront; Union Station and Georgetown and will run every 5-10 minutes 9 AM - 9 PM. Fare will be 50 cents; SmartCards and Metro transfers will be accepted; handicap accessible.

Springfield Interchange/Mixing Bowl Improvements Now Complete

Ticketplace
Did you know you can purchase special discounted theatre tickets for same day performances at many area theatres?  Visit: www.cultural-alliance.org and go to Ticketplace.  Please note:  Ticketplace has moved to: 407 – 7th St., NW (7th & E Sts., NW).

Cultural Diversity & Places of Interest: See the DC off The Mall:
Whether a new visitor or a frequent visitor, there's lots more to see in our city than just the monuments and museums. Discover the 70 museums not on The National Mall. Visit theatres, ethnic neighborhoods, restaurants galore, parks and shops in areas that include: Adams Morgan, Brookland, Dupont Circle, Georgetown, Foggy Bottom, Southwest/Waterfront, U Street/Shaw as well as the Capitol Hill and downtown areas. Most are metro-accessible. For more information visit: www.CulturalTourismDC.org.

National Museum
of the American Indian
Did you know that the National Museum of the American Indian is now the newest Smithsonian addition to our National Mall? This museum opened on September 21, 2004 on 4th St. and Independence Ave., SW. Admission is free to the public, but due to the expected large numbers to visit, timed entry passes will be necessary to enter the museum. Same-day timed entry passes will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and can be obtained at the museum on the day of your visit. A new 40 minute film now plays hourly in the main theatre called, "A Thousand Roads." You may reserve your timed entry pass in advance for a nominal service fee by visiting www.tickets.com,or you may call Tickets.com toll-free at 866-400-NMAI (6624).Visit: www.americanindian.si.edu,

"Mitsitam," meaning "Let's eat," is the name of the new cafe-style restaurant at this new museum, and will feature Native American foods including buffalo burgers and other indigenous specialities. There is no voucher system in place at this time but we will keep you posted if/when there is.

Marian Koshland Science Museum
Did you know a new Science Museum has just opened this spring? It’s the Marian Koshland Science Museum of the National Academy of Sciences. For ticket price and group discount information visit: www.koshland-science-museum.org. The museum will be located on 6th & E Sts., NW near the Mall and metro.

Mt. Vernon: Orientation, Museum and Education Center Now Open
Be sure to visit George Washington's Estate and Gardens. Only minutes from downtown DC in Alexandria, Virginia, it's a site not to be missed especially for school field trips and families. A new $110 million addition features: high tech exhibits, adventure film, wax figures and artifacts of the period and of our first U.S. President. Group information: (703) 799-8688 or 1-800-429-1520. There is also an affordable food court and the Mount Vernon Inn for fine dining. Open daily including Christmas. Tickets required to tour the estate.

World War II Memorial

For more information:  http://wwiimemorial.com/
On the above website, you can enter a name on the Registry of Remembrance (for free) by clicking on “WWII Registry” at left. 

The WWII Memorial is now open to the public and is located on 17th Street, N.W. between Independence Avenue and Constitution Avenue. To the west is the Lincoln Memorial and to the east is the Washington Monument and The Capitol Building.

For special accessibility information throughout the DC area,  visit:  www.disabilityguide.org. Special guidebooks can also be ordered contact: 301-528-8664.

What's New at the National Zoo:
Tai Shan, which means "peaceful mountain" is the official name of new Panda cub at the National Zoo.Tai Shan extended an additional year (until July '08) on loan at the National Zoo and then must return to China.

The National Zoo has recently added a $5-million Kids' Farm featuring 2-acres of hands-on fun and educational exhibits.  Located near the Picnic Pavilion and Parking Lot D, it's theme is to better inform our children about animals including grooming and feeding.  62 animals & 52 birds are featured, petting is allowed.  Visit:  http://nationalzoo.si.edu/

National Museum of the Marine Corps & Marine Corps Heritage Center: Opens in Quantico, VA
Open 9 AM - 5 PM daily except Christmas
Admission is free.
http://www.usmcmuseum.org

NEWSEUM: Opening Early Spring '08 in Washington, DC
The new and expanded $435 million Newseum will open on Pennsylvania Avenue with 250,000 square feet of interactive exhibits, films and will be adjacent to the National Mall.  www.newseum.org

(Tickets required): 888-NEWSEUM; Group Sales:  703-284-3731.

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum Washington DC
Just opened on F & 10th Streeets NW; Many interactive attractions and "Behind the Scenes" tours.  General Robert E. Lee, Martin Luther King, Jr. J. Edgar Hoover, Abraham Lincoln and more!

Tickets required:  www.madametussaudsdc.com; 202-942-7300; Group Bookings: 1-800-923-033

GROUPS SHOULD ALSO  VISIT:

The Pentagon
The Pentagon offers free escorted tours for special groups:  Monday through Friday (except holidays) from 9 AM – 3 PM.  Group tour request guidelines are available and advance reservation request is required at least 2 weeks prior to visit. Contact: USAgroups@aol.com and leave your email (or fax number) and the guidelines or contact information will be forwarded. The Pentagon is now not only the world’s largest office building, serving all branches of our nation’s armed forces, but is a memorial to those fallen on 9-11.

The Archives
The Constitution of the U.S. is preserved in the newly-renovated National Archives (700 Pennsylvania Ave., NW), free.  Also featured are the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights.  A special exhibit gallery which opened Spring '05 features 9,000 square feet and is called "Public Vaults," where you can listen to President Theodore Roosevelt and view the 1865 wire scripts from President Lincoln to then General U.S. Grant.   Hours vary: www.archives.gov .

The National Air & Space Museum
The National Air & Space Museum now has TWO LOCATIONS and both are free:    One on the National Mall, downtown Washington DC and the new Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA (open daily except Christmas Day). Now has added a 53,000 square foot exhibit hall featuring the space shuttle Enterprise.  There is a fee of $12.00 per car for parking in Chantilly; motorcoaches park free. Visit: www.nasm.si.edu. Shuttle service to Chantilly available from the National Mall for $7.00 round-trip per person. For info on all (free) 14 museums of The Smithsonian Institution: www.si.edu.

A new 53,000 square foot exhibit hall: James S. McDonnell Space Hangar, featuring the space shuttle Enterprise, will be opening November '04. Included also in this latest exhibit will be the Gemini VII and Mercury 15B spacecraft.

International Spy Museum
Although the FBI Building is temporarily closed, did you know the new and exciting International SpyMuseum is close by at 800 F St., NW? This museum offers special student and group discounted tickets and is not to be missed! Visit: www.spymuseum.org

SPECIAL EVENTS:

2008 National Cherry Blossom Festival

        
2008 Festival Dates:  March 29 - April 13, 2008; with the Parade on Saturday, April 12, 2008! This festival will celebrate the 95th anniversary of the gift of 3,000 trees from the Japan to the people of Washington, DC and the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Amity between the U.S. and Japan in 1854.

For more information on Cherry Blossom events contact: www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org. For groups of 10+, call 202-661-7580 or email: parade@downtowndc.org for ticket information for the parade. You can also obtain a Grandstand Ticket Order Form on the website here.

National Police Week is held annually in Washington to commemorate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of America’s law enforcement officers. Events and activities are sponsored by various national law enforcement organizations, primarily NLEOMF, Concerns of Police Survivors and the Fraternal Order of Police.

Call:  202-737-3400.
http://nleomf.com/   

Arlington National Cemetery:
www.arlingtonnationalcemetery.org:
arlington national cemetery | info @ arlingtonnationalcemetery.org | 202 427 6356   

Wreath Laying Protocol at Arlington National Cemetery:
http://arlingtoncemetery.org/ceremonies/wreath_layings.html

Tomb of the Unknowns:

http://arlingtoncemetery.org/visitor_information/tomb_of_the_unknowns.html

The American Battle Monuments Commission
www.abmc.gov

Air Force Memorial Tribute Launched

After 12 years planning, the nation's capital will have an Air Force Memorial to be built adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery in the area of the Navy Annex. Estimated opening will be 2006. There will be three stainless steel spires ascending towards the sky over a 3-acre site, including a memorial park and "Walls of Reflection," depicting images and history of the Air Force.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial (The Wall):

http://www.nps.gov/vive/index.htm
Vietnam Veterans Memorial (National Park Service)

The Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima):
http://www.nps.gov/gwmp/usmc.htm
The Marine Corps War Memorial

Korean War Veterans Memorial: 
http://www.nps.gov/kowa/index.htm
Korean War Veterans Memorial (National Park Service)

FDR Memorial:
http://www.nps.gov/frde/index.htm
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial (National Park Service)

African American Civil War Memorial:
http://www.afroamcivilwar.org/
African American Civil War Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial

The Navy Memorial:
www.lonesailor.org/

The U.S. Navy Seabee Memorial:
www.nsva.org

Vietnam Women's Memorial:
http://www.nps.gov/vive/memorial/women.htm
Vietnam Veterans Memorial: The Vietnam Women's Memorial

Memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr.:
Approved by Congress in 1996, the proposed memorial will begin construction, on the National Mall, in 2006: First memorial to an African American on the National Mall funded by the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc.

National Museum of American Jewish Military History:
http://www.nmajmh.org/index.html
National Museum of American Jewish Military History

USA GROUPS wants to continue to offer group planners news-worthy information to make your visit to our Nation’s Capital special:  We welcome your comments and suggestions on what else you would like us to include on this information part of our website: email us:     USAgroups@aol.com.

USA Groups only suggests attractions and events:  no events, dates or times are guaranteed and always subject to change and or cancellation/closing. We accept no responsibility in any erroneous information provided on our information pages.  It is highly recommended to check all websites provided and/or call in advance of plans. Our intent is to pass on news-worthy information that may be group-oriented and lists of attractions, museums, theatres etc will be also added at a later time although these listings may be obtained by visiting other destination sites such as:  www.dcchamber.org  or www.washington.org or www.dcvisit.com
(call 1-866-DCISFUN; 1-866-324-7386).