Luciano Coppola

The Mount Vernon Trail is located just across the river from Downtown Washington, DC and is a great multi-use recreation trail. The recreational trail is nearly 18 miles long and it follows the Potomac's Virginia shoreline from Theodore Roosevelt Island to George Washington's Estate located at Mount Vernon. The excellent scenery and consistently well-maintained condition of this paved surface makes the Mount Vernon Trail a favorite of cyclists, hikers and runners.

The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is a Christmas tradition that every American looks forward to. All eyes are on the President and First Lady as they light the tree, followed by the President's holiday wishes to the crowd and the millions more watching the event on television. There's a band playing holiday favorites, and in addition to the large tree that is the focal point of the festival, there are also several smaller trees that represent our states and territories. The trees stay lit and this celebration begins a month-long schedule of various entertainment that helps to keep the Christmas spirit high.

Capitol Coin and Stamp is a haven for both history buffs and political memorabilia collectors. The shop features a far-reaching array of items that include everything from bumper stickers, election pins, T-shirts and political posters that literally span the entire century of political activity. There are even some items that date back to Abraham Lincoln's Presidential campaign! So, there's no excuse for not leaving Washington without some type of political souvenir from this interesting shop.

Habana Village is layers of fun...literally! This is an unbelievable four-story nightlife destination. Find your place on the floor to dance the salsa, merengue, tango or samba to add more than just a little spice to your evening. If you aren't quite sure of the steps, there are lessons available to help you find your groove. There isn't much time to be off your feet, but if you do need a bit of a breather, there are excellent lounges on the third and fourth floors that will revitalize your spirit. The specialty drink at Habana Village is the mojito, a tasty mix of rum, sugar and crushed mint leaves that will help you get dancing again, too.