What are some great things to do in DC?

Question

I have lived in Washington, DC for about a year and half but I feel like I'm missing out on things to do. I go to school in the city and I have done many of the free things to do in DC. Please get me other suggestions!

Answer 1

Landmarks and museums

Jefferson MemorialWashington is home to numerous national landmarks and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. The National Mall is a large, open area in the center of the city featuring many monuments to American leaders; it also serves to connect the White House and the United States Capitol buildings. Located prominently in the center of the Mall is the Washington Monument. Other notable points of interest near the Mall include the Jefferson Memorial (see right), Lincoln Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, National World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the District of Columbia War Memorial and the Albert Einstein Memorial.


National Museum of the American IndianThe world famous Smithsonian Institution is located in the District. The Smithsonian today is a collection of museums that includes the Anacostia Museum, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Hirshhorn Museum, National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of American History, National Museum of the American Indian, National Museum of Natural History, National Portrait Gallery, National Postal Museum, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Renwick Gallery, and the National Zoo.

There are many art museums in D.C., in addition to those that are part of the Smithsonian, including the National Gallery of Art, National Museum of Women in the Arts, the Corcoran Gallery of Art, and the Phillips Collection.


National ArchivesThe Library of Congress and the National Archives house thousands of documents covering every period in American history. Some of the more notable documents in the National Archives include the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights.

The District of Columbia operates its own public library system with 27 branches throughout the city. The main branch — which occupies a multi-story glass and steel-framed building at the intersection of 9th and G Streets, N.W., designed by modernist architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe — is known as the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.[10] It has a large mural in its mail hall depicting the civil rights leader.

Other points of interest in the District include Arena Stage, Chinatown, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Blair House, Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, Folger Shakespeare Library, Ford's Theatre, Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, International Spy Museum, National Building Museum, National Geographic Society, the Awakening at Hains Point, Old Post Office Building, Theodore Roosevelt Island, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Washington National Cathedral.


[edit] Economy

Unemployment in the District Columbia, ranging from 1.5% in Upper Northwest to 16.3% in Ward 8, reflects economic disparity that exists across the city.As of 2002, the federal government accounts for 27% of Washington, D.C.'s jobs.[11] The presence of many major government agencies, including the Department of Defense, National Institutes of Health, and the Food and Drug Administration, has led to business development both in the District itself as well as in the National Capital Region of Maryland and northern Virginia. These businesses include federal contractors (defense and civilian), numerous nonprofit organizations, law firms and lobbying firms, catering and administrative services companies, and several other industries that are sustained by the economic presence of the federal government. This arrangement makes the Washington economy virtually recession-proof relative to the rest of the country, because the federal government will still operate no matter the state of the general economy, and it often grows during recessions.

The gross state product of the District in 2004 was $75.264 billion, ranking it #36 when compared with the fifty states.[12] In 2006, Expansion Magazine ranked DC among the top 10 metropolitan areas in the nation for climates favorable to business expansion.[13] In terms of commercial office space, Washington, D.C. has the 3rd largest downtown in America behind New York City and Chicago. [citation needed]

Of non-government employers, Washington, D.C.'s major universities and hospitals are among the top employers with George Washington University, Georgetown University and Washington Hospital Center as the top three. Howard University and Fannie Mae round out the top five employers in Washington, D.C. [14]

Washington is also a global media center. Most major news outlets have bureaus in the city and Washington is home to Black Entertainment Television, C-SPAN, National Public Radio, the Washington Post Company, and XM Satellite Radio. Washington's unique scenery makes it a popular location for film and television production.

Answer 2

National Museum of American History, National Air & Space Museum, International Spy Museum, Marion Koshland Science Center, Washington Doll House and Toy Museum, United States Holocaust Museum are some interesting museums. I hope this helps.

Answer 3

Washington is more than just the historical 'Federal Enclave' and Mall buildings....

If you have not yet gone - try the Teddy Roosevelt Memorial Park just off GW Parkway

Also go uptown to the Washington National Cathedral

Try the National Observatory [next door to the VP's home] in upper NW west of Rock Creek Park

Take the bus or the MARC or drive to Baltimore and go to the Inner Harbor and then take their little ferry boat around to Fells Point - SUPER GREAT THING to do...funky restaurants and cafes and shops and outdoor music on the weekends.

Hang out in Old Town Alexandria....really popular with the younger crowd and good places to eat and listen to music and jam

Answer 4

AC/DC +++ useless night Oil +++ Steve Irwin +++ Paul Hogan + Olivia Newton-John (born in England, yet Aussie)+++ Inxs +++ Elle MacPhearson +++ Evonne Goolagong +++ Nicole Kidman Kylie MInogue+++ Little River Band +++ Air furnish +++ Mel Gibson - - - - - Sausage++++++++++

Answer 5

I really enjoyed going around to the different museums, monuments and such...I went to the Pentagon Mall as well..They have a great theater there! Urm...I walked around the city and enjoyed the sites and such as I am from Small Town, USA and don't get to travel up that way very much.

Answer 6

Two places I like especially are close to each other, the Hershorn Museum with outdoor sculpture court (go on a nice day) and the Air and Space Museum. Of course you have to like these kinds of things.

Answer 7

There's always something new at the museums. Subscribe to their newletters or check out the newpapers to see what new exhibits are being shown. If you want things to do, maybe you should also volunteer to see another side of the city.

Answer 8

i've been to d.c. before i suggest you go yo the space museum
or you could go to any other museum but, don't go to the white house it's suck and it's boring al they do is talk about each room.

Answer 9

Don't go to the white house you might get beaten up.