Great family fun awaits at Tidal Basin. Known for it's breathtaking display of white-pink clouds of cherry blossoms in the spring, this is an excellent destination for swimming, fishing and boating that the whole family will enjoy.
One of the most emotionally-charged sites in Washington, DC is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The dark, black granite walls are inscribed with the 58,209 names of Americans missing or killed in the Vietnam conflict. This V-shaped memorial design draws you in and allows you to not only take in the monument's magnitude, but it also allows you to have a private, intimate moment within the monument's breadth. While you're visiting this monumental attraction, make sure you see Frederick Hart's "Three Soldiers" life-sized sculpture made of bronze that portrays three young servicemen.
Getting into the Eighteenth Street Lounge may require getting past the very selective velvet rope. This premier nightlife venue doesn't just let anyone in, as it is a favorite haunt of the city's elite politicos, culture vultures and even the occasional celebrity. Once you do make it inside, you'll enjoy the cool, lounge atmosphere and superbly stocked bar. There are occasional live shows, DJs and various theme nights on the weekly calendar that are all worth checking out.
Ford's Theatre has a built-in drama all its own. This is where John Wilkes Booth shot President Abraham Lincoln, and that unsettling episode still resonates in the structure today. Take a tour that retraces the incident, and you can also get a look at some of the interesting backstage areas. And if you are visiting for a performance, the excellent acoustics and inviting seating arrangement will ensure that whether you are watching a play or a musical production, the entertainment takes on a deeper significance when you consider that you are sitting within some truly historic walls.