As our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. has plenty to offer in terms of history, culture, dining, and entertainment. From museums to monuments, there is plenty to do during your stay. To find hotels, restaurants, museums, and sights in Washington D.C., use the interactive map provided by Destination DC
A selection of sights is included below, but also be sure to visit the websites Washington.org, the official tourism website of Washington, D.C., and Cultural Tourism DC for a list of events taking place during your visit. The Hyatt Regency Washington is also a good resource, with area information available both online and at the Concierge desk.
Museums
With almost twenty museums, nine research centers, and the National Zoo within its system, the Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum complex and research organization. Admission to all Washington, D.C. Smithsonian museums is free, and galleries are open each day from 10am until 5:30pm. Visit www.si.edu to plan your visit to individual Smithsonian museums or begin your visit at the Smithsonian Information Center (link http://www.si.edu/visit/infocenter/start.htm), better known as “the Castle.” Located on the National Mall, the Smithsonian Information Center opens at 8:30am.
Monuments
Scattered throughout the city, monuments like the Lincoln Memorial and Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial are iconic Washington sights and testaments to our country’s past. While the monuments are “open” 24 hours a day, National Park Rangers are typically on-site between 9:30am and 11:30pm to answer visitors’ questions. For information about Washington D.C.’s many monuments, please visit the National Mall website of the National Park Service.
With 360 degree views, a visit to the top of the Washington Monument is a great way to see the city. However, visitors must have a ticket to ride the elevator. Tickets are free and are offered on a first come, first serve basis each day at the base of the monument. For a small fee, tickets can also be reserved in advance through the National Park Service by either calling 1.877.444.6777 or visiting. For more information about visiting the Washington Monument, please visit http://www.nps.gov/wamo/
Other D.C. Attractions
The White House – See where our new President resides by taking a tour of the White House! Tours of the White House are self-guided and run from 7:30am-11:30am Tuesday through Saturday. For information on how to reserve tickets through your Congress member, please visit www.whitehouse.gov or call the White House Visitors Center at 202.456.7041.
Capitol Hill – Just a short walk from the Hyatt Regency Washington, the United States Capitol is open to the public for guided tours from 9am to 4:30pm Monday through Saturday. Tickets for the tours are free and are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Capitol Guide Service kiosk (near the intersection of First Street, S.W., and Independence Avenue). For more information on the Capitol or how to get guided tour tickets, call 202.225.6827 or visit http://www.aoc.gov
Library of Congress – In the spirit of WebWise, be sure to visit the new (opened in April 2009) Library of Congress Experience in the LOC’s Jefferson Building on Capitol Hill. Incorporating the newest interactive technologies in a series of exhibitions ranging from “Thomas Jefferson’s Library” to “Exploring the Americas,” the LOC Experience is open Monday through Saturday from 10am – 5pm. Explore the exhibitions and plan your trip with the Library of Congress Experience’s companion website, www.myLOC.gov
National Archives – See the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and more on your tour of The National Archives Experience. Open for both self-guided and docent guided tours, the Archives are open for general admission from 10am – 5:30pm (please check times if you are reserving tours in advance). Advance registration is required for self-guided tours, and tickets can also be reserved for docent-led tours by contacting visitorservices@nara.gov or calling the Volunteer and Tour Office at 202-357-5450. For more information on the National Archives and exhibits on display, please visit http://www.archives.gov/nae/visit/
Tours
The Tourmobile is the Washington, D.C. tour service authorized by the National Park Service, and offering all-day reboarding with the purchase of a ticket
Trolleytours conveniently pick up at the Hyatt Regency Washington every half hour, and run along three loops, maximizing your travel around the city
