A very pleasant way for a Washingtonian to spend a warm winter's afternoon is to pay a visit to Olmstead Island in the Potomac River. The trail is placid enough for senior citizens to enjoy; my three year-old son found the trail to be fun and easy. The series of bridges and boardwalks provide vistas of Olmstead Island and the Potomac River. Bridges traverse a unique floodplain, granite-terrace environment and there are even flowers unique to this gorge. At the end of the Olmstead Island Bride nature walk lies a Great Falls overlook, in addition to a spectacular view of the head of Mather Gorge. Handicapped accessible, however, dogs are not permitted (except service dogs).
Get a sneak peek of United States Capitol Visitor Center before it opens December 02, 2008. Visitors must obtain free tickets for tours on a first-come, first-served basis at the Capitol Guide Service kiosk located along the curving sidewalk southwest of the Capitol (near the intersection of First Street, S.W., and Independence Avenue.) The Capitol Visitor Center is open to visitors from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Inauguration Day. Tours of the U.S. Capitol are conducted from 8:50 a.m. to 3:20 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Visitors with official business appointments may enter the Visitor Center as early as 7:15 a.m.
More information can be had by contacting the Capitol Guide Service.
Tel: 202-225-6827
American History Museum Grand Reopening
The National Museum of American History officially reopened to the public on the morning of Friday, Nov. 21, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. A procession of historical characters brought history back to the museum, kicking off a three-day festival that celebrated the new home of the Star-Spangled Banner. View the first visitors welcomed to the dramatically transformed National Museum of American History.
The National Museum of American History is one of the Smithsonian Institution museums located on The Mall in Washington DC.
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
The famous abolitionist, writer, lecturer, statesman, and Underground Railroad conductor Frederick Douglass (1817--1895) resided in this twenty room home on Cedar Hill from 1877 until his death. Abraham Lincoln referred to him as the most meritorious man of the nineteenth century.
Douglass was born a slave on Maryland's Eastern Shore and was given the name Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey. The exact date of his birth is unknown. It was about the year 1817. His mother was a negro slave and his father was a white man. At an early age, he learned to read and write, and escaped to freedom in the North, changing his name to Douglass to avoid recapture. Eventually he settled in Rochester, New York, and was active in the abolitionist cause. He was a leader of Rochester's Underground Railroad movement and became the editor...
Russia House Valentines Dinner
The Russia House is one of the most intimate restaurants in Washington DC. This charming landmark was built in the 1890's. My Valentine and I dined in a classic Russian burgundy and gold decor dining room. Our white table was softly lit by a small candle flickering of romance. My date and I enjoyed a divinely sumptuous six-course Czar's dinner menu with premium vodka pairings. The sensual meal blended Russian and European cooking traditions. Unlimited champagne made this a night one to remember. Connoisseurs will find the Russia House has one of the best selections of caviar in the area. If you have a budget that allows such extravagances then this an experience not to be missed. Make sure to make your reservations at least a week in advance.
1800 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009
Telephone:...
Go green this Holiday Season with Santa's Forest. This year Santas Forest is focused on promoting our USDA Grade Scotch Pine Christmas tree Fedex delivered to consumers doors. The Fresh Christmas Tree farm is registered USDA and a member of the National Christmas Tree association. The farm follows sustainable growing guidelines that protect the natural environment. All the trees are hand sheared and not sold until proper time. Santa's forest is inviting people to visit their tree farm this season. Guests will be greeted and and offered one hand tree saw per group. There is no charge to walk around and enjoy the place. The farm states that Kobata tractor rides will be given to the elderly and special needs. Santa and Denali will around the farm helping people and sharing conservation ideas with the children. Santas forest is open to the...
Hundreds gathered in McPherson Square and Freedom Plaza to "Occupy D.C.," a movement started in NYC named "Occupy Wall Street" and has been held in other cities throughout the United States. Included are New York City, Washington, DC, San Francisco, Providence, Rhode Island, and Houston, Texas. The protests have, in fact, spread to seventy cities in the US and as far away as Hong Kong, China. The participants of the event are mainly protesting against social and economic inequality, corporate greed, and the influence of corporate money and lobbyists on government, among other concerns.
Dinosaur Land, located in Virginia’s Shenandoah’s Valley and 1.5 hours from DC, is a park filled with life-sized replicas of dinosaurs from the Mesozoic era, where these large reptiles were the only creatures that roamed the earth. Sometimes called the “Age of Dinosaurs,” the Mesozoic Era lasted between roughly 250-65 million years ago. Lying between the Paleozoic and the Cenozoic eras, "Mesozoic" means "middle life." Dinosaur Land, Inc. is located at 3448 Stonewall Jackson Highway, White Post, VA, 22663.
Boo at the Zoo is the wildest trick-or-treat in town! Disney princesses, Spidermans, Harry Potters, and other costumed guests are invited to join us at the eighth annual Boo at the Zoo, a safe and fun way for families with children ages two to 12 to enjoy the fall holiday. Tickets purchased at the Zoo's Visitor Center have no added fees. Introduced with great success in 1999, Boo at the Zoo offers Washington-area families and children a safe, fun-filled evening of trick-or-treating at the National Zoo. Children visit nearly 50 candy and food stations in Zoo buildings, explore three haunted trails, and participate in exciting activities throughout the evening. Animal demonstrations delight the young ghosts and goblins, and goody bags for both children and adults are distributed by costumed volunteers.
The Maryland Renaissance Festival is a recreation of a 16th century English village. The village is named Revel Grove, and is set on a beautiful 25-acre wooded site with 85 acres of free parking. The village consists of craft and food booths, five pubs, eight major stages, a Jousting Arena and lots of games.