David Kriso
Washington, DC is one of the most beloved cities in the northeastern United States. It’s respectfully referred to as our nation’s capital. Within our nation’s capital are many iconic buildings including the White House, the Capitol, the Washington Monument, and Lincoln Memorial. In addition are the world-renowned museums of the Smithsonian Institution.
Aside from all of the famous buildings, museums, and monuments, criticisms keep coming up. These criticisms are baffling and often disturbing. The first criticism often passed around is that there’s nothing to do other than the same old museums and monuments…redundant. The second criticism is shared is that there’s nothing to do once the tourist attractions close at dusk. To add to it, visitors are forced to stay in their hotels and idle. These criticisms are often shared with no proof of correctness. Washington, DC is a city with so much more evening activities to look forward to. Further, our nation’s capital has so much more to offer than just museums and monuments. My new presentation, “Washington, DC: A destination of ‘monumental’ proportions” is going to shatter these criticisms for good.
Whats are the first places that Washington, DC visitors tackle first? Most definitely, they visit the National Air & Space Museum, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Archives, and the National Museum of American History. They will certainly without a doubt visit the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, and Arlington National Cemetery. These iconic places are just the tip of the iceberg. No wonder the criticisms keep coming up! No one ever looks under the surface. There is so much more in Washington, DC than what meets the eye. It is certainly shocking to realize how many other great experiences are being passed up. There are lunch and dinner cruises on the Potomac River, the performing arts, engaging nightlife, ample fine dining, and a smorgasbord of family entertainment. Also, there are museums that are seldom visited, such as the International Spy Museum and the National Postal Museum. Both are great experiences which await visitors, eager to learn something more about the world around them.
Washington, DC has more than just great nightlife, fine dining, and river cruises. It is a city for all seasons. Specifically, it is a vibrant sports city. Washington, DC is home of the NFL’s Washington Redskins, the NBA’s Washington Wizards, the NHL’s Washington Capitals, and MLB’s Washington Nationals. If a family’s home team is playing any one of these teams during their visit, why not go see them in action? This is an another opportunity missed. Washington DC is home to other family experiences such as Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, Six Flags America, and the newly built Capital Wheel in nearby National Harbor. Now, why would anyone claim that Washington, DC has nothing substantial to do aside from museums and monuments?
Washington, DC is a more than just a city home to monuments, iconic structures, and museums. It is a city laden with great opportunities. It is a city home to memorable experiences for all ages to appreciate. Whether it involves an intimate dinner, shopping for an hour or two, a comfortable stay at a five-star hotel, an evening monuments tour, enjoying a DC Ducks tour, or even a ride on Washington’s Metro subway, our nation’s capital has more than what meets the eye. It is truly not a city that rolls up its sidewalks at dusk. The excitement goes way beyond the Smithsonian’s closing time. It is truly a destination of ‘monumental’ proportions.
