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The National Book Festival attracts both writers and readers of some of the world's best-loved books. Several award-winning authors head to the National Mall for this event every September to be on hand for autograph signing and seminar appearances. The kids will love meeting some of the characters from some of their favorite books as they come to life here and are available for photos.

For a high-flying afternoon with the whole family, head out to the National Air and Space Museum. Part of the Smithsonian group of museums, this venue presents several life-size exhibits and attractions that only make them all the more dramatic. This is the Smithsonian's most visited museum largely due to the dozens of aircraft that are on display that include Lindbergh's aircraft to the Wright Brothers' Flyer and lots more.

Deciding that you will take a day to see the Smithsonian Institution is allowing too little time, as the Institution is much wider in scope than you may have originally thought. It actually encapsulates 19 museums as well as the National Zoo, all home to must-see exhibits and attractions. Some of the more popular stops within the Smithsonian include the National Air and Space Museum, the national Museum of American History and the National Museum of the American Indian. The depth and breadth of everything here justifies the time and space that it takes to see it all.

The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, DC and were previously known as the Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The team first hit the court in the late 1960s and has seen its share of victories, especially in what is known as the Miracle Season of 1977-78. However, the sports team weathered some tougher times, especially in the late 90s as the team saw its worst performance streak in its history. Still, the games are attended by a faithful legion of fans and the addition of some new players has only bolstered the team's momentum.