Action-packed Family DC

Washington, D.C., or the District of Columbia, is the capital of the United States. It is a planned city, designed specifically to house the federal government and is not part of any state. Its history, beautiful architecture and excellent cultural centers attract millions each year.

Virtually all of Washington’s tourists flock to the National Mall—which features monuments, museums, the White House and the Capitol—but the city itself is a vibrant metropolis that often has little to do with monuments, politics or white, neoclassical buildings. In many ways D.C. remains a significant center of African-American culture. It is home to Howard University, one of the most important historically black colleges, and is the hometown of many significant African-American figures of history and culture, including Frederick Douglass and Duke Ellington. The District is also home to one of the country's most prominent lesbian/gay communities, centered around DuPont Circle.

A Treasure Hunt is a great way to see many of the famous landmarks and institutions of D.C. as well as some of its unknown treasures. Several tour companies offer this service for groups throughout the downtown mall area. Visitors can also enjoy the National Zoo, and the many large parks that offer hiking and biking.

Washington DC's largest luxury hotel, The Mayflower, a national landmark, is a member of Historic Hotels of America and is located in the heart of the business district. It is four blocks from the White House, minutes away from Smithsonian museums and national monuments, and steps away from the city's finest restaurants and shopping. The Mayflower has three Metro subway lines within two blocks offering guests easy access to all points in the nation's capital. The US Capitol Building is one and a half miles from the hotel, the Kennedy Center is two miles away, and the MCI Center is a mile away.At this hotel, extensive renovations have restored spacious meeting rooms and elegantly appointed ballrooms to their original splendor. In the beautiful Cafe Promenade, dining takes guests on a culinary voyage of exquisitely prepared and presented international fare. Town and Country bar/lounge (American) is open for lunch and dinner at the hotel. The hotel also offers room service, an exercise room, concierge service, valet laundry service, a gift shop and newsstand, full business center, and 24-hour front desk service.Guest rooms feature work desks, two-line speaker phones with voicemail and dataports, cable TV, free weekday newspapers, minibars, complimentary coffee, irons and ironing boards, hairdryers, and bathrobes.

The second president, John Adams, was the first to live in the White House in 1801. Originally called the "Executive Mansion," it earned the nickname "White House" after its marble exterior was whitewashed to cover burn marks from damage by the War of 1812. Student and military veteran group tours are available with advance notice. The White House occasionally closes without notice for official functions.

National Zoo is one of the nation's finest zoos. It was created by Congress in 1889 and designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, who also designed the grounds of the U.S. Capitol and New York's Central Park. The zoo is famous for its giant pandas from China, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, but you will find all sorts of creatures, both familiar and exotic, crawling about the place. The park opens daily at 10 p.m.

The elegant Main Hall with its vaulted ceiling more than 90-feet high and marble floors is reminiscent of the days when railway travel was fashionable. Union Station opened in 1908, fell into severe disrepair in the 1940s. It underwent a monumental restoration project and reopened in 1988. Restaurants, including an international food court, and more than 100 specialty shops draw visitors. Its proximity to the Library of Congress and the U.S. Capitol make it a perfect midday stop for lunch. Still a working train station, Amtrak has service from here to all points in the country.

The legislative branches of the U.S. government, the Senate and the House of Representatives, meet in the Capitol Building. Public tours form on the east side of the Capitol and include visits to the Rotunda and other chambers. Visitors can also view the Senate and the House from the galleries when Congress is in session. Plan to have lunch at the Senate Refectory, a cafeteria where, by law, bean soup is always on the menu. Visitors can enter the U.S. Capitol Building through the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center and enjoy several historical exhibits.

In this formidable Greek-style temple, the nine Supreme Court Justices make final their interpretations of the Constitution. In addition to viewing the building, you can see a film, hear a lecture or, if you are exceptionally lucky, sit in on arguments when the Court is in session. Choose a three-minute quick view or come for an all-day visit. Check the Washington Post for descriptions of current cases. Admission is free.

Originally intended as a small reference library, the Library of Congress now contains the largest collection of books in the world, with 100 million items, including a Gutenberg Bible and first drafts of the Declaration of Independence and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. The splendor of the magnificent Main Reading Room is worth the visit, but you should also browse the many excellent collections and exhibits in the library's three buildings. Its collections are available for research to adults 18 and older.

This historic neighborhood is lined with trendy boutiques and fine restaurants. The abundant nightlife at Georgetown draws both locals and visitors. Just wander down busy M Street and Wisconsin Avenue and explore the eclectic shops, or stop in for a pint at one of the numerous pubs overflowing with college kids. After you get your fill of the hoopla, stroll off the main strip onto the tree-shaded streets filled with Georgian and Victorian townhouses that are home to many politicians and celebrities. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park lies below M Street.

This Georgetown establishment has been a favorite watering hole for a diverse mix of Washingtonians since it opened its doors in 1963. The brick walls are covered in a cloudy color and vintage model planes circle near the glass ceiling. With a menu that changes daily, Clyde's offers a large selection of fine food, including items such as T-bone steak, rotisserie chicken, mahi-mahi and barbecued ribs. Brunch includes old favorites: omelets, waffles, steak and eggs and is served on weekends.

With its funky shops and trendy restaurants and bars, Dupont Circle is one of the hippest neighborhoods in Washington. Its cosmopolitan air draws visitors both young and old, straight and otherwise. Once a neighborhood of old money and the nouveau riche, Dupont Circle today is home to artists, intellectuals and young professionals. The neighborhood's turn-of-the-century mansions and brownstones, formerly home to prominent families, today house art museums, restaurants, embassies and fun shops. Dupont Circle is also home to the Phillips Collection, one of the city's foremost art museums with paintings by Renoir, Degas and Cézanne.

The many perspectives of the earth are examined here, including geology, oceanography, astronomy and anthropology. Enjoy creative and educational exhibits including an 11-foot globe, a tornado simulator and a 'time machine'. Changing, lively special exhibits are also featured. A gift shop sells the National Geographic Society's videos, books and educational games. Group tours are available and admission is free.

Rare books, paintings and other memorabilia, such as musical instruments, costumes and films, make this a most unique collection. A reproduction of an Elizabethan theatre is a perfect setting for one of the many special events, including concerts, plays and book readings. The Grand Hall, with its high ceiling and dark wood, is a frequent setting for literary and other events.

The gorgeous U.S. Botanic Garden conservatory presents botanical variety from the desert to the tropics along a series of calm and gently meandering paths. A particular waterfall and garden display the flora of the dinosaur age. Seasonal displays include Christmas greens and poinsettias in December and January, chrysanthemums in autumn and blooming flowers at Easter. A new part of the United States Botanic Garden (USBG), the National Garden, was opened in October 2006 and includes the carefully-designed Butterfly Garden. Admission to all parts of the USBG is free.

The National Gallery houses an extensive collection of European and American art in two spectacular buildings. In the grand, neoclassical West Building, Rembrandt, Rubens and Gainsborough are well-represented. The permanent collection includes works from the 13th to 20th Centuries including a section devoted to Impressionism. An underground concourse with a cafeteria, an excellent gift shop and a walled-in waterfall takes you to the East Building. Designed by I.M. Pei, this triangular building is a key city landmark and home to 20th-century art works and temporary exhibitions.

The assassination of President Abraham Lincoln here on April 14, 1865, overshadowed this theater for most of its history. Ford's opened just four years before that fateful night. Restored to its 1865 appearance, Ford's is again a showcase for plays. The basement-level Lincoln Museum displays artifacts from the assassination, including the gun John Wilkes Booth used to kill Lincoln. Mementos from Lincoln's life are also on display. National Park Service rangers give talks 15 minutes after the hour. Across the street is Petersen House, the house where Lincoln died. See website for performance schedule.

Commonly known as 'America's attic', the Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum complex and research organization. Organize your tours of the Smithsonian buildings in Washington by starting at the institute's easy-to-locate red sandstone Gothic castle. Ongoing video presentations, touch screens, maps and a helpful staff will help you create a plan to navigate the many varied museums. The building is also commonly referred to as the Castle.

There are dozens of aircrafts here, everything from the Wright Brothers' Flyer and Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis to World War II planes and Apollo 11. In the Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater at National Air and Space Museum you can view one of the ever-changing films on the five-story screen. After the film, you can touch a moon rock or visit the original Star Trek model of the Enterprise. Educational exhibits introduce the ideas of aerodynamics to children and track the influence of flight technology on our culture.

The dinosaur skeletons on the ground floor are sure to please the kids. But there is something at National Museum of Natural History for everyone. The famous cursed Hope Diamond is on display as well as a live coral reef, a walk-through mine and an insect zoo with thousands of live specimens. The 'Discovery Room' encourages kids to touch, smell and taste the exhibits. If your feet need some rest, sit back and enjoy a film in the museum's Samuel C. Johnson IMAX Theater in the National Museum of Natural History.

The International Spy Museum provides a unique glimpse into the innovative world of espionage and its impact throughout history and present day. The state of the art exhibits include artifacts and spy stories from all over the world.

Visitors to the Capitol shouldn't give Zola a skip. Nestled in the Le Droit building, the restaurant comes across as a contemporary, upscale dine-n-wine place. The brightly done up walls and sophisticated booths find takers throughout the week. The American cuisine, with influences from different cultures, features funky creations such as peasant bread salad and sweet soy glazed red brick chicken. Diners swear by the jumbo lump crab cakes, which comes with an assortment of veggies and a lobster-sake dressing. Private celebrations are welcome.