Other sites of interest
Washington, D.C., and surrounding areas are packed with tourist sites of interest. The many museums of the Smithsonian Institution (most on the National Mall), the National Gallery of Art, the White House and Capitol Buildings (both of which now require special arrangements to visit), and the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials are among the most frequently visited sites. Not so well known, but well worth a visit, is the Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens, the former home of Marjorie Meriwether Post that contains one of the most comprehensive collections of Russian imperial art outside of Russia and 25 acres of serenely landscaped gardens. Not far away is Dumbarton Oaks with its beautiful collections of Byzantine and Pre-Columbian art, as well as its own magnificent gardens. Here are a few other major sites that you may wish to visit while in Washington—all but the last can be reached by Metro, Washington’s subway system.
Arlington National Cemetery Located across the Potomac River from Washington, Arlington National Cemetery is open 7 days a week from 8 am to 5 pm between October and March. On land originally occupied by the Custis Family, it was home to Robert E. Lee and his wife, Martha Custis, prior to the Civil War during which it was converted to a national cemetery. The visitor center, Tomb of the Unknowns and the gravesites of John and Robert Kennedy are major attractions. Details: http://www. arlingtoncemetery.mil/. The International Spy Museum The privately-operated International Spy Museum is located at 800 F Street, NW (across from the National Portrait Gallery, also worth a visit), and is open from 9 am to 7 pm daily. A good sized museum that is both fun and enlightening, it houses the largest collection of espionage artifacts on display in the country. For ticket prices and more information, go to http://www. spymuseum.org/. The Newseum The Newseum, another commercial museum, contains several floors of interactive exhibits that illustrate the development of journalism---the gathering and presentation of news through print and electronic media. Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, the Newseum is located at 555 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. There is a restaurant and extensive shop. Ticket prices and details are available online at http://www.newseum.org/.
Ford’s Theater and Museum Ford’s Theater, located at 511 Tenth Street, NW, includes the theater where President Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth in April 1865, a recentlyreopened museum, and the Peterson House across the street where Lincoln subsequently died. An active theater still in use, plan your visit to encompass the historical aspects or take in a play or musical presentation. This is run by the National Park Service and for details see: http://www.fordstheatre.org/. Christ Church, Alexandria, and Mount Vernon Christ Church in nearby Alexandria, VA, opened in 1773 and was where George Washington worshipped. Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt attended services at the church on January 1, 1942. From there, you can drive further south to Mount Vernon and visit Washington’s home and plantation, a drive of about 10 miles along a very scenic Parkway along the Potomac River. There’s an extensive and impressive new visitor’s center. More information is available at these websites: http:// www.historicchristchurch.org/ and http://www. mountvernon.org/.