Washington, D.C. Stories and Tips

Quote: "Cherry blossom time"—that’s how Washingtonians casually refer to their annual Cherry Blossom Festival on the National Mall. For 16 days each spring, politicians in the world’s single remaining superpower must compete with the lovely pale pink blooms of ornamental Japanese cherry trees for dominance…

Quote: From a historical or geopolitical perspective, the Fourth of July (aka, Independence Day) marks the anniversary of the United States’ Declaration for Independence—the date in 1776 when representatives of thirteen of Britain’s American colonies severed their ties with the Mother Country and went out on…

Quote: This is a review of first class service aboard American Airlines Flight 76, from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Washington Dulles International (IAD.) I filed this review under Washington DC, since that is our destination.A little background first, I usually don’t ever fly upgraded…

Quote: Enter the Music Room of the Phillips Collection, and you know you've just come someplace special. Housed in the beautiful dark-paneled former library of the museum's founder, Duncan Phillips, the Music Room is very clearly a space for intimate social gatherings rather than an…

Quote: What if someone told you that there were FREE world-class performances offered virtually every night of the year in DC? Well, it's true -- just come to the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center at six o'clock on any given evening. For over…

Quote: The Smithsonian Metro stop escalator deposits visitors to the Mall practically on the doorstep of the Freer Gallery, yet many hurry right on by en route to other Smithsonian museums, behemoths such as the Natural History or Air & Space Museum. It’s a shame,…

Quote: The Library of Congress’ concert series runs from roughly mid September through late May, which is characteristic of many of Washington’s free concert series. (There are many free summer concerts, of course, but they tend to be held on or near the…

Quote: Among the most passionate music lovers I’ve known have been mathematicians and scientists, so it should perhaps come as no surprise that the National Academy of Sciences hosts one of the most outstanding free concert series in Washington. On a rainy Sunday afternoon in November…

Quote: Being one of those people that is fortunate enough to be able to walk to work everyday, I cringe at the thought of driving around a city that seems difficult to navigate. DC is one of those cities that I feel is better suited for…

Quote: These Memorials are open to the public 24 hours a day. I highly recommend seeing them both in the daylight, and lit up at night. Park service employees are on duty during the day to answer questions.The WWII Memorial is simply beautiful. Brilliantly white columns,…