Itinerary - Washington, DC -- A Capitol Idea

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.

Hotel Monaco is in Penn Quarter, blocks from the White House, and approximately five miles from Reagan National Airport. This location is also 28 miles from Washington/Dulles International Airport and 30 miles from Baltimore International Airport. The Washington Convention Center and the National Gallery of Art are blocks away. Directly across the street is the Verizon Center. Hotel Monaco is surrounded by classical 19th-century architecture that houses the hip shops, art galleries, restaurants, and nightlife of this vibrant neighborhood. Hotel Monaco follows the historic roots of the 1839 Tariff Building location showing Where History Stays in Style. The Living Room lobby incorporates three distinct sitting areas for enjoying the evening's hosted wine reception. Poste Moderne Brasserie has a highly regarded American menu and a designer decor that flows out into the courtyard patio. The hotel also offers 24-hour room service, concierge assistance, complimentary high-speed Internet, valet parking, and 24-hour fitness and business centers. The pet-friendly hotel welcomes pets with a treat and food and water dishes to use during their stay. Walking services are also available. The Monaco also affords guests with goldfish companions for the duration of their stay. Hotel staff cares for the fish, leaving guests to simply enjoy the company of their aquatic roommates. All rooms feature plush robes, L'Occitane bath products, in-room spa services, dual-line phones, voicemail, hairdryers, honor bars, morning papers, and cable TV with on-demand movies. ** Please note -Guest departing earlier than originally scheduled may be assessed a fee ranging from 100.00 to 1 night?s room plus tax.

The National Mall is a bit like Disneyland, in the sense, that there is no way to fully experience it all in just one day. Part of the original design for the federal city, the massive open space park stretches from the US Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial and around the Tidal Basin to the Jefferson Memorial. It is also where you will find the museums of the Smithsonian, the Vietnam Memorial, the Reflecting Pool and the famous Washington Monument. It was intended to be a place to remember American heroes, to celebrate freedom and to be a forum to exercise freedom in the form of protests and rallies. Numerous festivals and concerts take place on the lawn throughout the year. A gravel path encircles the Mall and is a great place for a sightseeing run or walk. You just might run into a Senator. Certainly any visit to Washington DC should start here on the Mall.

Located at the west end of the National Mall, the Lincoln Memorial is a principal landmark of the city. It offers magnificent views of the city from several vantage points. Daniel Chester French's 19-foot (5.7-meter) statue of Lincoln seated and deep in thought, along with the carved text of the Gettysburg Address, provides a glimpse into a weighty period of American history. The 36 Doric columns represent the number of states in the union at the time of Lincoln's death. Go at night for much lighter crowds.

The symbol of the city of Washington DC, this 555-foot marble obelisk on the National Mall honors the nation's first president. The cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid in 1848, but construction was not completed until 1884. About one-third of the way up the obelisk is a visible change in the marble, evidence of the onset of the Civil War. Construction was halted during the war, and when builders returned to the same quarry to complete the project afterwards, enough time had passed to cause a significant change in the color. Admission is free, but you will need a 'timed pass' for the elevator ride to the top.

One of Washington's newest memorials, the Korean War Veterans Memorial pays tribute to the many who fought in the Korean War. Located near the Lincoln Memorial, this monument features statues of 19 soldiers carefully making their way through unknown terrain. Photographic images on a 164-foot granite wall pays tribute to the thousands of others who contributed to the war; nurses, mechanics, crew chiefs and support personnel. Inscribed on the wall are the words: "Freedom Is Not Free."

This monument is not only a memorial to the nation's 32nd president, but also a remembrance of the people of his time. The monument stretches along the Tidal Basin with four outdoor gallery rooms, connected by granite passageways. Each room exhibits aspects of Franklin D. Roosevelt's terms in office. The second room, for example, depicts the Great Depression with statues waiting in a bread line and of a man listening to a fireside chat. Another room contains a statue of Eleanor Roosevelt, the only memorial to honor a First Lady. The monument is glorified by waterfalls and pools.

When it was unveiled in 1982, nothing but controversy met the design of Vietnam Veterans Memorial to the 58,000 Americans who died in the Vietnam War or remain missing in action. Maya Ying Lin may have been no more than a 21-year-old graduate student when she won the design contest for this memorial, but her work is now etched in the memories of countless visitors who have walked along this black granite wall filled with names.

Mitsitam Café has the proud distinction of being the firm favorite amongst Washington natives when it comes to restaurants located at museums. Situated in the basement of the National Museum of the American Indian, Mitsitam is unanimously regarded as the place which offers a distinct menu. A wide variety of vegetables are prominent in its dishes as the food hopes to re-invigorate the lost love for ancient and medieval cuisines, still savored in certain areas of the country and the American continents. Mitsitam, in native American language translates to 'Let's Eat', the mood in which the restaurant is confident lands its visitors in.

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.

Central Michel Richards, a sister concern of Michel Richards Citronelle in Washington. This restaurant pays tribute to authentic American cuisine with a French flavor. Opened in January 2007, this place is modern, trendy and upmarket. Try a variety of drinks like Pinot Noir, Sparkling Champagne, which you can either have paired with food or in the lounge at the restaurant. The Crab cake with leek tartar, lobster burger, or the Mussel Chowder are a must try. You can top all of this with a dessert like ice-cream and sorbet.

The National Archives is a bombproof, fireproof facility that protects the nation's most treasured documents. The methods used for storing the documents safely are nearly as interesting as the documents themselves. Sealed glass vaults are raised into the exhibition areas for viewing each day but sink back into safety each night. Here, you will find the most significant of our national documents—the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Among the other documents and artifacts housed here are copies of the Magna Carta and the Emancipation Proclamation, and the rifle used to assassinate John F. Kennedy.

If you want a cocktail on the rooftop deck overlooking the Washington Monument or a quick tapas-style dinner, Tabaq is sure to satisfy. Located in the trendy U Street Corridor, it is easily accessible by metro. Specializing in tapas-style appetizers from a variety of Mediterranean cuisines, this is the perfect spot to exchange culinary bites with a few friends. Interested in after work drinks? The Martini menu is decadent and the wine menu extensive, featuring wine from the Mediterranean region. An added delight for the early birds is the brunch offered on the weekends, complete with omelettes, waffles and all the breakfast goodies. -Christina Chaconas

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.

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.

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.

Fado has the authenticity of an Irish pub while deftly avoiding the associated clichés-no unbearably loud folk music here. Located in the heart of Washington's newly popular Seventh Street District, this large, warmly-lit pub offers drink specials on weekdays and is a favorite with the young, happy hour crowd. On weekends, be sure to come early. The tables are full by 9p. Patrons enjoy the pub fare served here, particularly the curried French fries.

Famous and distinguished Americans are honored at the National Portrait Gallery in portraits, photographs and other visual media. A wide variety of politicians, artists, scientists and social activists are represented. This gallery is a remarkable testimony to the diverse figures the United States has produced, from Grace Kelly and Boris Karloff to George Washington, Mickey Mantle and Gertrude Stein. Photographs, prints, drawings and sculptures supplement the paintings. Of particular interest is the Hall of Presidents, which features a portrait or sculpture of each chief executive.

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.

Occupying a prime location just inside the entrance to Union Station, this restaurant is a hot spot for Capitol Hill workers and young singles. Gold wood and lighting set the tone of the decor. There are two levels of indoor dining and a patio for al fresco dining when weather permits. Enchiladas, burgers and pizza, as well as a strong list of daily specials, go great with the margaritas and the 31 brands of tequila. A busy happy hour runs from 3:30p to 7p weekdays.

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.

The Kennedy Center is a must-see for any visitor. The center has seven theaters which include the Concert Hall, Eisenhower Theater, Family Theater, KC Jazz Club, Opera House, Terrace Theater and the Theater Lab, which show productions that include plays, operas, ballets, concerts and films. Among the center's highlights include the Shakespeare festival produced by the Shakespeare Theatre. Free tours introduce visitors to the Hall of States, Hall of Na! tions, the main theaters and gifts from many countries honoring the 35th president. Ticket prices for performances vary. Half-price tickets are available to students and seniors. Discounts are offered on group purchases. See website for ticketing, performance schedule, and events calendar.

From El Greco's "The Visitation" to Byzantine and pre-Columbian artworks, jewelry and mosaics, Dumbarton Oaks is filled with elegant treasures. Built in 1801, the estate achieved its height of glory in the wealthy 1920s when it served as the high-society showpiece of Robert Bliss and his heiress wife, Mildred. The gardens occupy 10 acres above Georgetown and include terraced lawns, winding footpaths and elaborate fountains.

This fine, dignified Georgian mansion, built in the 1800s, was long a centerpiece of Georgetown society. Local lore has it that Dolley Madison watched the White House burn during the War of 1812 from this hilltop home. It is now a showplace of graceful early 19th Century architecture, elegant period furnishings and lovely gardens. The mansion is the headquarters of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. The house is now a museum dedicated to the Federal Period. Admission: Adult $5; Triple A Adult $4; Free with Student ID

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.

Situated on Washington Harbour, Sequoia Restaurant boasts a palatial, beautifully decorated interior. The view of the Potomac River is gorgeous. The restaurant serves New American cuisine with innovative dishes prepared with local ingredients. Burgers, salads and sandwiches round out the menu. Sunday brunch is popular especially in the summer when the outdoor patio is open. The ground floor of the restaurant is a bar, and in the summer months, the outside tables are packed with business people looking to relax after a long day at work.

A popular outdoor destination for children, college students and nature lovers, this park lies north of Georgetown. Woodlands surround a recreation area with tennis courts, picnic tables and a playground. Special features include a boxwood maze and Lovers Lane, a cobblestone walkway on the west side of the park. To explore more elaborately designed grounds and an elegant estate, visit Dumbarton Oaks next door. Admission is free.