DC Popular Attractions - Smihsonian National Zoological Park

Set amid Rock Creek Park in the heart of Washington, D.C., the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park is one of Washington's most popular tourist destinations. A leader in animal preservation, care and sustainability, the 163-acre zoological park features over 2,000 animals of 400 different species, including the giant pandas, Tian Tian and Mei Xiang, and their cub, Tai Shan. The Zoo welcomes millions of visitors free of charge to marvel at wonderful animals, learn about wildlife, and enjoy the beautiful, peaceful gardens. Don’t miss the Sumatran tigers and African lions, great apes, Asian elephants, rescued California sea lions, and massive Aldabra tortoise. The National Zoo's newest exhibits The National Zoo's newest exhibit, the Kid’s Farm helps families learn about alpacas, cows, donkeys, hogs, and goats. Visit http://nationalzoo.si.edu.
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Library of Congress. The nation's oldest federal cultural institution and the research arm of Congress, the Library of Congress is the largest library in the world with more than 130 million items on 530 miles of bookshelves. The collections include over 29 million books and printed materials, 2.7 million recordings, 12 million photographs, 4.8 million maps, and 58 million manuscripts. An agency of the legislative branch of the U.S. government, the Library preserves a universal collection of knowledge and creativity in three buildings on Capitol Hill - Thomas Jefferson Building (1897), John Adams Building and James Madison Memorial Building - and includes the U.S. Copyright Office and the Law Library of Congress. Visit www.loc.gov.

The Pentagon. Headquarters of the Department of Defense and its center for command and control, The Pentagon is an international symbol of military power and one of the most extraordinary structures in the world. This immense office bulding has 17.5 miles of corridors in its five rings and 23,000 employees. Walk 1.5 miles on the 45-60-minute Pentagon Tour, which features displays about significant events in US military history and interesting commentary about the Pentagon and the mission of the DOD. Highlight of this tour are the Hall of Heroes, honoring American heroes who have won the Congressional Medal of Honor, and the Pentagon Memorial, which honors the 184 people who perished at the Pentagon and American Airlines Flight 177 on September 11, 2001. Guided tours are conducted by reservation. Visit http://pentagon.afis.osd.mil/. [Top]
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Dupont Circle. Centered around a lively urban park and the beautiful white marble Dupont Memorial Fountain, Dupont Circle is a vibrant, cosmopolitan neighborhood with Washington, DC’s finest museums, historic mansions, ethnic restaurants, unique bookstores, and cool art galleries. The beautiful park attracts picnickers, sunbathers, strollers, cyclists, chess players, and tourists who enjoy the open space in the heart of the city. DC's gay and lesbian hot spot, Dupont Circle is home to many gay friendly restaurants, bars, and bookstores, including Lambda Rising, the nation's best known gay bookstores since 1974 The Circle has been the kick off point for many annual Pride parades and Youth Pride celebrations.

Union Station. For 100 years, Union Station has welcomed people to the most vital and vibrant city in the world. The most visited destination in Washington, D.C., the architecturally magnificent building and marble floors echo with the footsteps of presidents, foreign dignitaries and over 32 million people each year. One of the country’s most exhilarating and dynamic shopping destinations, Union Station features two levels lined with 130 shops, specialty boutiques and fashion and gift stores, and a myriad of casual restaurants. Union Station also offers a food court with hundred of eateries, a state-of-the-art, 9-screen Phoenix Theatres, special events, Amtrak ticketing, rental cars, international currency exchange and three sightseeing companies - Gray Line, Old Town Trolley and Tourmobile. Visit www.unionstationdc.com. [Top]
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Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. A living memorial to John F. Kennedy and the elegant home of the National Symphony Orchestra, the John F. Kennedy Center is the country’s finest performing arts venue, presenting over 3,000 performances and events annually. Overlooking the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., the Kennedy Center presents an unmatched diversity of theater, musicals, dance, ballet, opera, and music - orchestral, chamber, jazz, popular, and folk - as well as annual festivals and multi-media performances. Millions are touched by performances by the greatest artists in the world. Enjoy free concerts on the Millennium Stage, Holidays at the Kennedy Center and the Open House Arts Festival, which celebrates the Center’s birthday in September. Visit www.kennedy-center.org.

Verizon Center. Located in Chinatown, Verizon Center is home to the NBA’s Washington Wizards, WNBA’s Washington Mystics, NHL’s Washington Capitals, and the Georgetown Hoyas Men’s Basketball team. A state-of-the-art sports and entertainment facility, Verizon Center hosts over 220 world-caliber events, sports games, concerts, and family shows every year. The center has hosted rounds of the 2008 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, 2007 WNBA All-Star games, 2006 Washington Regional Round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, 2005 ACC Tournament, 2003 World Figure Skating Championships, 2001 50th NBA All-Star game, and the 1998 NHL Stanley Cup Finals. Concerts and shows have included U2, Rolling Stones, Luciano Pavarotti, and Disney on Ice. Verizon Center will host the 2009 NCAA Division I Men’s Hockey Championships. Visit www.verizoncenter.com/.[Top]
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RFK Stadium. Located in southeast Washington, DC, Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium has been one of Washington's leading sports and entertainment venues since it opened in 1961. Home of Major League Soccer’s DC United, the 56,000-seat stadium is a popular venue for concerts, special events, sports tournaments and festivals. One of the top soccer venues in the country, RFK Stadium has hosted two MLS Cups, including the 1997 match that saw United capture its second consecutive championship, the 2002 MLS All-Star match, 1994 World Cup Finals games, and 1996 Olympic matches. Visit ww.rfkstadium.com

Washington Nationals Park. Opened in March 2008, Washington Nationals Park is the new home of Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals. Located in Southeast Washington, and the cornerstone of the mixed-use Capitol Riverfront, the modern, cutting-edge 41,888-seat stadium with its innovative design of steel, glass and concrete uniquely reflects the architecture of Washington, DC. Fans will witness panoramic views of the riverfront, Navy Yard, the surrounding city and landmarks such as the Capitol and the Washington Monument. In addition, the new ballpark will feature a variety of entertainment, concerts and compelling fan-interactive alternatives. Visit http://nationals.mlb.com/was/ballpark/index.jsp. [Top]
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U.S. Botanic Gardens. The oldest continually operating botanic garden in the United States, the newly renovated U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG) offer the citizens of Washington and the nation a beautiful and fascinating living plant museum. Located on the National Mall at the foot of the U.S. Capitol grounds, the USBG features the U.S. Botanic Garden conservatory, the National Garden, and Bartholdi Park. Centered around the beautiful Bartholdi Fountain, a stunning landscape of classical and demonstration gardens, ever-changing plant and flower exhibits and greenhouses reflect modern trends in American horticulture and new plant exhibits that include nearly 4,000 living specimens. A living laboratory for environmental, horticultural, and botanical education, the National Garden features the Rose Garden, the Butterfly Garden, the Lawn Terrace, the First Ladies' Water Garden, the Regional Garden, and an outdoor amphitheater. Visit www.usbg.org.

Ford's Theater. Since reopening in 1968, over 100 years after the April 14, 1865, assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, Ford’s Theatre has been one of the most popular attractions in Washington, DC. Holding a unique place in US history, Ford’s Theater celebrates the legacy of Abraham Lincoln and the American experience through exceptional theatre, superior artistic programming and rich cultural experiences. A tribute to Lincoln's love of the performing arts, the historic stage in downtown Washington presents world-class theatre, eloquent, intelligent plays and the nation’s top talent. With works including the nationally-acclaimed Big River, the regional premiere of Trying and world premiere of Meet John Doe, Ford’s Theatre is etching its mark on the American theatre landscape. Visit www.fordstheatre.org [Top]
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Georgetown. Rich in history and culture, Georgetown is one of Washington, DC’s most charming and vibrant neighborhoods. This hip, energetic urban oasis is the city’s hottest shopping, dining and entertainment district, offering cornucopia of unique boutiques and popular retailers, high-end design and antique shops, over 100 restaurants, sensational spas and salons, gourmet bakeries and cafes, specialty markets, historic attractions and an exciting nightlife scene of upscale urban lounges, vibrant bars, low-key hangouts, and swanky jazz clubs. Enjoy wine tastings and street wide festivals like October’s Taste of Georgetown or April’s French Market. Explore century-old homes, beautiful gardens, paths and waterways that forged our nation’s history. With its trendy, but charming ambiance, Georgetown is the perfect destination to mingle with travelers from around the world and locals from around the block. Visit www.georgetowndc.com

Mount Vernon Estate. America’s most famous historic estate, the 500-acre estate, gardens and farm of Mount Vernon is preserved on the banks of the Potomac River. Tour the beautiful home and gardens of our nation’s first president and visit 20 historic structures and 50 acres of gardens as they existed in 1799. See the Mansion House Farm where George Washington and his family lived and get a glimpse of George Washington’s surroundings over 200 years ago. Explore the breathtaking landscape of magnificent gardens, undulating meadows, serpentine walkways, and flowering cherry trees. The estate includes a museum, the tombs of George and Martha Washington, Washington's greenhouse, a memorial to the accomplishments of 18th-century slaves, and a collection of decorative and domestic artifacts. Between the Mansion and the Potomac River is a beautiful park. Visit www.mountvernon.org [Top]
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