MOTORCOACH REGULATION & PARKING UPDATE
New motorcoach regulations have recently come into effect that impact travel on and around Capitol Hill. Read on for more details and to learn about a new parking option.
New Motorcoach Regulations Enacted
In response to safety, security and preservation requirements, the Capitol Police, the Department of Motor Vehicles and the District of Columbia have implemented several new regulations that impact motorcoach travel within the city. Many other popular historic tour and travel destinations; such as Savannah, Charleston, Gettysburg and New York City; already have similar arrangements in place. These new regulations cover permits and traffic flow for motorcoaches.
Effective immediately, coaches are precluded from traveling within certain locations on and around the grounds of the U.S. Capitol and also from utilizing many of the residential streets in the Capitol Hill Historic District. Additionally, motorcoach operators are required to obtain permits for operation in the District. Click here for more information and to view maps of the routes affected.
These regulations surfaced and were implemented very quickly and WCTC worked diligently on behalf of its clients and the city to strike a balance in rolling out these new laws.
 Now Available: Parking at the National Cathedral
Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, the Washington National Cathedral is a must-see for visitors, with its dramatic architecture and remarkable detail. Another plus: the property has recently opened an underground 18-bus parking garage, and features a bus driver lounge, gift shop, restrooms and security offices. Group visits are welcomed and discounted rates for groups of 13 or more are available. Click here for more information or to make reservations.
Image right: Courtesy of the Washington National Cathedral.
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NEW ATTRACTIONS & ITINERARY IDEAS
Washington, DC adds to its inventory of exciting educational experiences again this year with hot new draws like Madame Tussauds, the Newseum and Operation Spy™, a new interactive experience at the International Spy Museum. Read on to discover what’s new.
Madame Tussuads Comes to DC
 Madame Tussauds’ latest wax museum will make its DC debut October 7 just a few blocks north of the National Mall at 10th and E Streets, NW. Like its sister museums in London and New York, the 27,000 sq.-ft. museum will feature life-like wax renderings of celebrities; in DC, the list of notables includes politicos like Abe Lincoln and the Clintons along with Hollywood A-Listers such as Beyoncé Knowles, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Lopez. Visitors can view replicas of the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Or, for another uniquely Washington experience, you can also pose for a snapshot in the “Oval Office.” Discounts are offered to groups of 15 or more. For more information or to book a visit, contact the group sales office at 1-888-923-0334 or email [email protected].
Image above: Wax rendering of John F. Kennedy. Courtesy of Madame Tussauds.
Calling America’s Next Journalists
 Also coming soon to downtown DC, the Newseum's brand-new facility is a must-see for America's future reporters. The six-level, state-of-the-art museum features 130 interactive touch screens, 14 galleries, 15 theatres, two broadcast studios and much more. Inside the museum's 90-foot atrium hangs a jumbo "Window on the World" LED screen broadcasting breaking news from around the globe. The Interactive Newsroom lets would-be reporters try their hand at broadcast journalism. At the Newseum's Learning Center, journalism apprentices can participate in customized classes on news photography, current events, media ethics and the First Amendment. Groups of 20 or more will receive an automatic discount when purchasing tickets online. Contact Linda Jeffries at the Newseum's group sales office for additional information or to make reservations for special tours and programs.
Image above: Courtesy of the Newseum.
Shakespeare in Washington
 Introduce your students to one of the world's greatest literary figures at the critically-acclaimed Shakespeare Theatre Company, which is preparing to open its new 776-seat performance space in downtown DC's Penn Quarter arts and entertainment district in October. With an expanded season, the new Harman Center for the Arts will offer school groups more opportunities to enjoy classic works by Shakespeare and other literary figures, staged in historic and contemporary settings. Discounts of 20 to 50 percent are available for groups of 10 or more. For more information, call (202) 547-1122, and select option 1.
Image above: Artist rendering of the Harman Center for the Arts. Courtesy of the Shakespeare Theatre Company.
Renovation Underway at Ford’s Theatre
Both a working theatre and a national historic site, Ford's Theatre is one of DC's most celebrated venues for American plays and musicals. The theatre and its underground museum closed this summer for an eighteen-month renovation, but free, self-guided tours are still available of the historic Petersen House, located across the street from the theatre, where Lincoln died. Contact the National Park Service at (202) 426-6924 to inquire about availability. If you're visiting during the holiday season, you can catch Ford's Theatre's annual staging of "A Christmas Carol" at the Shakespeare Theatre Company's Lansburgh Theatre Dec. 6-30. Tickets go on sale Oct. 1; click here for details.
Library of Congress Plans New Interactive Visitor Experience
The oldest library in the world and the nation's oldest federal cultural institution, The Library of Congress invites students to participate in its new interactive experience opening early next year. Log onto loc.gov for updates as the debut nears.
Challenge Students to Spy Museum’s Immersive Experience
 Do your students dream of being on "24"? Do they have what it takes to join the CIA? In the International Spy Museum's new interactive espionage tour and experience, Operation Spy™, would-be spies take on the role of real U.S. intelligence officers as they embark on an international mission to locate a missing nuclear device. Developed by former and active intelligence officers, this intense assignment allows students ages 12 and up to think, feel and act as real operatives using video surveillance, polygraph testing and more. As the mission nears its end, the agents must analyze crucial evidence to choose a final course of action - and cope with the consequences of their decisions. To schedule a visit or to learn about group discounts, contact Chas Lum at (202) 654-0980 or [email protected].
Image above: Courtesy of the International Spy Museum. back
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NEW AT THE SMITHSONIAN
DC’s most famous museum collection invites students to check out its newest permanent exhibitions and attractions.
Aviation enthusiasts won't want to miss the National Air and Space Museum's new permanent exhibition, America by Air. Opening Nov. 17, the exhibition will feature an assortment of artifacts, photographs and full-scale interactive displays to illustrate the history of commercial air travel. Visitors can check out a life-size cockpit simulation of an Airbus A320 taking off and landing at DC's Ronald Reagan National Airport, a Ford 5-AT Tri-Motor installation and a display of seven complete airplanes to represent the timeline of aircraft innovation. Guided school group tours are available for the National Air and Space Museum's location on the National Mall as well as at the Udvar-Hazy Center, located near Dulles International Airport. Call (202) 633-2563 or email [email protected].
 In downtown DC, the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture houses two newly-renovated museums, the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. This November, the Reynolds Center will unveil its latest addition, the Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard. With an undulating glass roof designed by celebrated architect Norman Foster, the courtyard space will serve as a delightful gathering place for groups to enjoy a bite to eat or catch a concert or performance. After you visit the courtyard, schedule a tour of the Reynolds Center's Lunder Conservation Center, where students can watch actual conservation work in progress.
Image above: Artist rendering of the Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard. Courtesy of the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture.
 Construction is underway on the National Museum of Natural History's immersive 4,000 square-foot exhibition, Butterflies and Plants: Partners in Evolution. Slated to open in early 2008, the exhibition demonstrates to students how butterflies have evolved, adapted and diversified with their plant partners over more than a million years. Students can tour the exhibition then walk through a 1,400 sq.-ft. butterfly pavilion that's home to live butterflies and plants. Groups heading to the nation's capital next summer can also look for a 5,000 sq.-ft. exhibition which will examine the diversity, complexity and importance of the earth's soils for daily life. To arrange a group visit, contact Harold Bolton at (202) 633-1075. Click here to download a free yearly panning guide to planning your school trip.
Image above: Courtesy of the National Museum of Natural History.
The National Museum of American History is currently closed for a major renovation. When it reopens in July 2008, visitors will be greeted with new exhibitions and features, including a new display case for the 30-by-34-foot wool and cotton flag that inspired "The Star-Spangled Banner," a new grand staircase connecting the first two floors and 10-foot-high artifact walls that showcase highlights from the museum's vast collection. While the museum remains closed, groups can see some of its most famous artifacts - including Lincoln's top hat and Dorothy's ruby red slippers - in a temporary exhibition at the National Air and Space Museum. back
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NEIGHBORHOOD UPDATE: ANACOSTIA
A short ride from Capitol Hill is DC’s Anacostia Historical District, where African-American history thrives and new attractions await.
Cedar Hill: The First African-American National Historic Site
When prominent African American leader Frederick Douglass passed away in 1895, he left behind Cedar Hill, a magnificent estate overlooking Washington. Now also known as the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, the estate reopened to the public in February 2007 after a three-year, $2.7 million preservation project. Managed by the National Park Service, Cedar Hill is dedicated to preserving the legacy of Douglass, one of the most famous and influential 19th-century abolitionists. Reservations are required for house tours. Tickets start at $1.50 per person. For more information on tour reservations and programming, click here or call 1-877-559-6777.
Anacostia Community Museum Celebrates 40th Birthday with a Lesson in African-American History
 Established in 1967, the Smithsonian Institution's Anacostia Community Museum is currently celebrating 40 years of documenting the historical experiences and culture of African-Americans in this Southeast DC neighborhood. Responsible for the acquisition, preservation and cataloguing of approximately 6,000 objects dating back to the early 1800s, the museum offers African American-focused exhibitions, educational programs, films and more at its site in southeast Washington's historic Anacostia neighborhood. Its artifacts and exhibitions also make their way to other Smithsonian museums and to colleges and cultural centers across the country. To arrange a free group visit, call (202) 633-4870.
Image above: Chuck Brown on the Big Chair in Anacostia.
Washington Nationals Move to New Home
 After a 34-year hiatus, Major League Baseball returned to the nation's capital in 2005. In April 2008, the Washington Nationals will say goodbye to their current home at RFK Stadium and start their season in a 41,000-seat stadium located in Southeast DC along the Anacostia River Waterfront. And, as the first 'green' ballpark facility in the U.S., the Nationals Ballpark makes eco-friendly use of building materials including glass, structural steel and pre-cast concrete. It will also feature a kids training area, arcade, team store and 10,000 sq.-ft. group picnic area. Bring a group of 25 or more to a Nats game and receive discounts and special benefits. Call (202) 675-6287 or click here for more information.
Image above: Artist rendering of the new Washington Nationals Ballpark. Courtesy of the Washington Nationals.
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PLAN A TRIP TO COINCIDE WITH THE NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
 Washington, DC's signature springtime event, the National Cherry Blossom Festival® celebrates the gift of the cherry trees from the people of Japan to the people of the U.S.
Future dates for this major annual event are:
- Mar. 29 through Apr. 13, 2008
- Mar. 28 through April 12, 2009
- Mar. 27 through Apr. 11, 2010
- Mar. 26 through Apr. 10, 2011
The 100th Anniversary of the Gift of Cherry Trees will be celebrated Mar. 31 through Apr. 15, 2012.
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THE DISTRICT AFTER DARK
Think DC is just a daytime destination? Read on for suggestions on creative nighttime events and activities.
Sports and Outdoors:
- Washington, DC's Verizon Center plays host to pro basketball players in the NBA and WNBA. Special rates and perks are offered to groups; call the Washington Mystics group sales office at (202) 266-2277 or Washington Wizards at (202) 661-5050.
- Hockey fans can catch DC's professional hockey team, the Washington Capitals, in an evening face-off for as little as $16 a seat. To learn about special pricing advantages for groups, call (202) 266-2277 or email [email protected].
 Lucky Strike Lanes, a trendy bowling alley-meets-restaurant, combines retro accents and modern technology in an upscale environment. Located in downtown's Gallery Place retail development. School groups are welcome; to make reservations, call (202) 347-1021.- Winter visitors can enjoy nighttime ice skating at two rinks in Washington, DC and one in nearby Arlington: Pershing Park, located downtown; the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden and Ice Rink, located on the National Mall; and Pentagon Row Ice Rink, located in Pentagon Row Shopping Center in Arlington, VA.
Nighttime Tours:
- DC's monuments and memorials are even more impressive by moonlight. Talk to your tour guide about adding on a "monuments by moonlight" tour. Or, link up with Bike the Sites or City Segway Tours to see the city from a different angle.
- Washington Walks hosts a variety of fun and educational walking tours around the capital for students of all ages, including several evening tours. Call (202) 484-1565 for details on group tours.
Performing Arts, Museums and More:
- The Capitol Steps - a musical political satire troupe of former Congressional Staffers-turned comedians - offers public shows Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30pm in the Ronald Reagan Building Amphitheater. Special ticket prices are offered to groups of 20 or more; call (202) 312-1427 for more information.
- Catch a free performance any day of the week at Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center. Shows are presented at 6 pm year round, with no tickets required.
- The record-breaking comedy, "Shear Madness," invites audiences to the Kennedy Center to play detective and solve the murder of a famed concert pianist who lived above a Georgetown salon. Shows run almost nightly and groups of 15 or more are eligible to receive discounted tickets. Call the Kennedy Center's group sales office at (202) 416-8400 or click here for more information.
- The Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, located in the vibrant Penn Quarter neighborhood, remain open until 7 pm daily - plus admission is free. Check for seasonal hours at other museums and attractions.
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RESOURCES ESPECIALLY FOR YOU
Washington, DC’s museums and attractions feature interactive and dynamic websites, offering valuable information exclusively for teachers and educators. Refer to the following links for creative lesson plans, classroom discussion ideas and more.
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