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Washington, DC |
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| View baggage charges Flights : - Your choice of roundtrip flight from New York City | ||||||
| Car: - Your choice of rental car |
| Package prices include all tax recovery charge & service fees | |
| Leaving Fri, Jul 30 | |
| Returning Sun, Aug 1 | from $246 per person |
| Returning Mon, Aug 2 | from $262 per person |
| Returning Tue, Aug 3 | from $271 per person |
| Leaving Sat, Jul 31 | |
| Returning Mon, Aug 2 | from $284 per person |
| Returning Tue, Aug 3 | from $295 per person |
| Leaving Thu, Aug 5 | |
| Returning Sun, Aug 8 | from $270 per person |
| Returning Mon, Aug 9 | from $285 per person |
| Returning Tue, Aug 10 | from $280 per person |
| Leaving Fri, Aug 6 | |
| Returning Sun, Aug 8 | from $256 per person |
| Returning Mon, Aug 9 | from $270 per person |
| Returning Tue, Aug 10 | from $281 per person |
Washington, DC: Why Go
The hallowed halls of history. The hum and thrum of a city that reinvents itself with every administration. At least one thing's a constant: Washington, D.C. offers capitol fun!
History (in-the-making) lessons: Hear oral arguments during a Supreme Court session, listen in on the legislature, tour the White House with eyes peeled for Barack and Michelle, look for Lincoln's ghost at Ford's Theatre, or just eavesdrop on the interns spreading the latest political gossip at the Hawk & Dove bar on Capitol Hill.
Did we mention it's free? All of the Smithsonian Institution museums, including the National Zoo, don't cost a dime. And the riches to be found within are astounding--from the National History Museum to the Air & Space Museum--so leave plenty of time to explore this unprecedented treasure trove of entertainment, exhibits, and art.
Where to blow a paycheck: From chains like Urban Outfitters to local institutions like Commander Salamander, historic Georgetown is chock-full of funky shopping boutiques, plus it's lined with charming row houses, sits beside the C&O Canal, and--if you're feeling brave--offers easy access to the "Exorcist" steps (of movie fame).
Where the locals go-go: What do punk band Fugazi and go-go performer Chuck Brown have in common? They both launched their careers in D.C. If you're looking for live music of any genre and want to dance your tail off, you can't go wrong with the 9:30 Club, a widely heralded local favorite.
Chill-out spots: The city offers plenty of places to put politics aside to play in the Great Outdoors, including Dumbarton Oaks, Rock Creek Park, and Roosevelt Island. If you've got a car and a free afternoon, make the drive to Great Falls in Maryland, stopping afterwards for a meal at the Old Anglers Inn.
Best place to power lunch: For a martini--or, more likely, a scotch--expense-account lunch, head for The Palm or southern-flavored Georgia Browns, where, in addition to fine food and exemplary service, you'll find plenty of satisfied lobbyists and lawyers with ties tossed over one shoulder discussing the latest strategy in hushed tones.
Useful phrase: When people talk about the Mall in D.C., they don't mean the shopping mall. They're referring to the open strip of land lined by the Smithsonian Museums that runs between the Capitol Building and the Washington Monument.
Recommendations & Suggestions
Boordy Vineyards
12820 Long Green Pike
Baltimore County
One of the oldest wineries in Maryland, the 53-year old Boordy Vineyards produce a large number of wines from 230 acres of grapes. In addition, the vineyard is big on special events, such as a summer concert/dance series, fall harvest parties and summer champagne sorbet tastings. The 19th century farm buildings, massive stone walls and the lucious Long Green Valley are sure to make for a pastoral visit and welcome break from the insanity of the city.
C&O Canal
11710 MacArthur Boulevard
Phone: 202.653.5190
The C&O Canal, a hiking and biking route, follows the Potomac River for over 180 miles from Washington to Cumberland, MD. The canal was primarily used to haul coal from Maryland to Georgetown between 1828-1924. Many original structures, including locks, lockhouses, and aqueducts still stand and the canal's towpath provides a well-groomed trail through the spectacular scenery of the Potomac River Valley.
The park is open all daylight hours. Some of the park's six visitor centers operate on a seasonal schedule. Contact one of the visitor centers for current hours of operation.
Georgetown: 1057 Thomas Jefferson St., NW, Washington, DC 20007; 202.653.5190
Great Falls Tavern: 11710 MacArthur Boulevard, Potomac, MD 20854; 301.299.3613
Brunswick: 40 West Potomac Street Brunswick, MD 21716; 301.834.7100
Williamsport: 205 West Potomac Street, Williamsport, MD 21795; 301.582.0813
Hancock: 326 East Main Street, Hancock, MD 21750; 301.678.5463
Western Maryland Station: Room 304, 13 Canal Street, Cumberland, MD 21502; 301.722.8226
Capital Crescent Trail
K Street on the Potomac
Connecting Georgetown & Bethesda, MD this hiker-biker trail has a 10-14 foot-wide path and runs for approximately 11 miles. Whether biking, jogging, walking or blading, the Capital Crescent Trail provides a scenic tour through the parks and little known wooded areas of DC. If you're feeling ambitious and looking for a longer ride, the trail connects to the Rock Creek Park Trail & the C & O Canal Towpath. For more info, check www.cctrail.org.
Dumbarton Oaks
1703 32nd St NW
Be transported into another world when you walk through wooden doors that serve as the entrance to some of the prettiest and most storied private gardens in Washington. Just blocks off of bustling Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown, Dumbarton Oaks is a refuge for the city-weary and a treasure trove for art lovers. Set in the middle of the European-style terraced gardens is the nation's foremost collection of Byzantine art in the Dumbarton Oaks Museum. But it's not just the art that draws visitors to the museum. The galleries themselves are architectural masterpieces and the history of Dumbarton Oaks, from espionage to the signing of UN charters, is legendary. There is a $4 charge to tour the gardens April-October, but it's worth it.
Inn at Little Washington
Middle and Main streets
Phone: 540.675.3800
Redone with a new kitchen, the Inn at Little Washington, Virginia is the perennial favorite of Washington D.C. diners. For over 20 years gastronomic fans have flocked here for luxurious feasts of venison, lamb, foie gras, and more. The lush garden and cozy dining room complement the food, and ensure visitors an extraordinary dining experience.
Wolf Trap
1624 Trap Road
Phone: 703.218.6500
Wolf Trap is America's National Park for the Performing Arts, located just 30 minutes from downtown Washington, D.C. in Vienna, Virginia. See your favorite musical artists, as well as dance, opera, film, and musical theater on a vast stage set in a large wooden shell. The structure blends beautifully with lush green surroundings, provides shelter against the elements, and channels music out towards the sloping lawns, where you can bring a full picnic with wine or beer and make a great evening out of it. An outdoor restaurant, Ovations, overlooks the meadow and provides themed buffets for each performance (reservations suggested--call 703.255.4017). Catering by Windows prepares picnics for you when ordered ahead of time (call 703.519.3505 by 2pm one day prior to the performance). To order tickets for any show, call 703.218.6500 or visit www.wolftrap.org.
Note: Wolf Trap gates open 90 minutes before the show for lawn access only. Pavillion seats open 30 minutes before the show, and all shows go on rain or shine!
