Washington Culture

With the rolling green landscape and neoclassical architecture of the carved marble monuments and memorials, the Nation’s Capital offers an intrinsic beauty and a sense of timelessness for all of those who grace its stage. Along with such notable buildings as the White House and Lincoln Memorial (among many others), D.C. is also known for their outstanding array of entertainment, recreation, dining and retail opportunities, and their schedule of events for the summer of 2007 is sure to make your experience an unforgettable one. The attractions and events described below are just a sampling of what's in store for you this summer.

Memorials and Monuments
The following attractions only begin to touch on the myriad of monuments that shape this great city…

• The National Mall is a 146-acre stretch of lawn sited in the center of the city. Along its perimeter sits the Capitol Building, the reflecting pool and Washington Monument and a number of museums and galleries.
• The Washington Monument is one of the iconic images of the Nation’s Capital. Standing at above 555 feet, it offers a gorgeous panoramic view of the city from the top floor, which can be accessed by elevator.
• The Capitol Building is also a familiar sight to those who have never visited D.C. As the official House of Congress, it has been witness to the shaping of legislative policy for over 200 years. Walking tours of the grounds and interior meeting rooms are offered daily.
• The Smithsonian Institution is a vast network of 19 museums and art galleries, many of which border the perimeter of the National Mall. Among the most notable are the National Air and Space Museum, Museum of Natural History and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.

Events and Entertainment
The D.C.-area hosts a variety of summer festivals, outdoor performances and special events, including:

• The Alexandria Waterfront Festival, to take place in historic Old Town Alexandria on June 17 - 18, includes historic ship tours, live entertainment, food and more.
• On June 23, the Caribbean Carnival starts with an island-inspired parade staged along the Georgia Avenue corridor of downtown Washington, D.C. An international marketplace featuring authentic food, crafts and live entertainment continues for the next two days following the parade.
• On the National Mall from June 27 - July 8, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival is an annual cultural showcase featuring live music, dancing, food and interactive demonstrations.
• Screen on the Green offers free outdoor movies on the grass of the National Mall. Film screenings begin on July 17 and run through August 14.
• Located in the heart of the city, the Capital Fringe Festival is a new annual performing arts festival with more than 400 performances in over 28 venues. Running from July 19 - 29, the Fringe Festival will feature live music, food and theatrical drama and comedy.

The Dining Experience
Exotic favorites and classic comfort foods don’t have to cost a fortune in the D.C. area, and with drink specials, live entertainment and, in many cases, awe-inspiring views, the cuisine isn’t the only noteworthy bargain. To see a list of the 100 best (and most affordable) restaurants in the Washington D.C. area, visit http://www.washingtonian.com/restaurantreviews/3/index.html.

Washington Recreation
D.C., Maryland and Virginia feature some of the best boating and fishing locales along the Atlantic seaboard, and nearby state and regional parks offer miles of nature trails, sandy beaches, pools, water rides and slides, outdoor theaters and sport facilities. Visit http://www.dcregistry.com/recreate.html for more information.