|
For Immediate Release
July 15, 2009 Destination DC Introduces Three Ways to Stay, Play & Save in DC this Summer
Hotel rates start at $69 per night; travelers save an additional 30% on their total stay when they book a three-night “Staying Power” package
(Washington, DC)...For travelers in search of powerful summer savings, there’s no better place than Washington, DC. Dozens of free and low-cost attractions, fabulous festivals and unforgettable experiences have always made DC a top choice for cost-conscious consumers. This summer, the city sizzles with even more vacation values with weekend hotel rates start as low as $69 per night.
Plus, travelers who book a three-night “Staying Power” weekend package at Washington.org save an additional 30% on their total stay, making it easy to plan a power-packed three-night getaway for less than $150 for a three-night stay (excluding taxes). Whether you’re planning a family adventure, urban escape or getaway for history buffs, we’ve mapped out budget-friendly ways to create your own power trip in DC this summer. FAMILY FUN| DAY 1: | | | Jump right in and discover DC's amazing line up of free museums and attractions. Explore family favorites like the National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of American History and the National Museum of Natural History. A free brochure points out the icons featured in "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian." | FREE | | Top off your day of sightseeing with a free kid-friendly walking tour of the nation's most notable monuments with DC By Foot. | FREE, gratuity suggested | | Or, catch a free screening of a classic movie under the stars at one of DC's outdoor film festivals (movie screenings take place on Friday nights near the Rosslyn Metro Station in Arlington, VA, Monday nights on the National Mall and Thurs. nights at the Capitol Riverfront) | FREE | | DAY 2: | | | Check out what's new on Capitol Hill. Plan a photo op in front of the Capitol and tour the sleek, new Capitol Visitor Center (free, small fee for advance reservations). Take a walk through historic Union Station and stop into the National Postal Museum. | FREE | In the evening, take the whole gang out to a ballgame at Nationals Park Tickets start at $10
| Tickets start at $10 | | DAY 3: | | | Start your third day at another free family favorite, the National Zoo. Take Metro to Dupont Circle and see more cool creatures and natural wonders at the free National Geographic Museum. Make your way back downtown for a free tour of newly renovated Ford's Theatre. | FREE | | Wind down your day at the Kennedy Center, where you can catch free performances on the Millennium Stage nightly, starting at 6:30 PM, then head to the National Mall after dinner to experience the monuments by moonlight. | FREE | | WHERE TO STAY: | | | Check out Hotel Helix, which offers bunk bed style rooms, for only $76/night (some weekends start as low as $69/ night). Look for a kid-pleasing place with a pool, like the Hilton Washington (from $103/night) near Dupont Circle or The Liaison Capitol Hill (from $98/night). Estimate for three-night weekend "Staying Power " package: $175-$260 (three-night hotel stay & taxes) | |
HISTORIC ADVENTURES| DAY 1: | | | Start your day on Capitol Hill with breakfast at Eastern Market. The historic market building recently reopened after a major reconstruction project. Marvel at the Library of Congress' stunning mosaics and remarkable holdings and swing by the Supreme Court to hear a case in session or to learn more about the judicial system (open Mon.-Fri.). Take a short walk to the Folger Shakespeare Library to take a guided tour of its original Elizabethan-age folios and an amazing collection of Shakespeare writings and relics on display. | FREE | | In the evening, take a self-guided tour of U Street, or "Black Broadway" and stick around for a show at Twins Jazz, HR-57 or Polly's. | Tickets start @ $15 | | DAY 2: | | | Join in the National Archives' 75th anniversary celebration with BIG!, an exhibition showcasing its largest artifacts. From there, head to the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum to view the only collection of presidential portraits outside of the White House and works by greats like O'Keefe and Catlin, plus modern artists like Jean Shin. | FREE | | Explore DC's performing arts scene, starting with a tour of newly renovated Ford's Theatre. Add on an evening walking tour to learn more about the night of the assassination. Stop by TICKETplace (7th & D St. NW) to purchase half-price tickets for an evening show at an award-winning theatre. | Ford's Theatre Tour: FREE
Ford's Themed Walking Tours: $12
TICKETplace: Ticket prices vary by performance, most run $20-$40 | DAY 3:
| | | Spend the morning strolling the cobblestone streets of Georgetown and marvel at the beautiful homes and gardens. Tour a stunning historic home and glorious garden at Tudor Place or Dumbarton Oaks. Take Metrobus north on Wisconsin Avenue to see the beautiful Washington National Cathedral. Join the Smithsonian Resident Associates for an evening lecture, or head to the iconic neighborhood bookstore Politics & Prose, where book-signings and lively discussions take place most evenings. | Admission for Tudor Place or Dumbarton Oaks: $8
Washington National Cathedral: FREE, $5 donation suggested.
Resident Associates: programs start at $15 | | WHERE TO STAY: | | | Pick a hotel with a past. Located across the street from the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Courtyard Marriott Convention Center is housed in a beautifully restored 19th century bank. Summer rates start at $93 per night. Or, stay in presidential style at Hay-Adams, where the Obamas stayed prior to the Inauguration. Rates start at $263. | Estimate for three-night weekend "Staying Power" package:
$224-$633 (three-night hotel stay & taxes) |
URBAN ESCAPES| DAY 1: | | Head to the National Gallery of Art for a taste of Spain. The Gallery is the only US stop for a remarkable exhibition of royal Spanish armor (on view thru Nov. 1), while Luis Melendez's still life paintings are on view through Aug. 23. Stop by the Gallery's themed "Garden Café Espana" for culinary creations by José Andrés, host of PBS' Made in Spain.
Visit the National Portrait Gallery to check out Shepard Fairey's inspiring (and recently acquired) "Hope" print of President Barack Obama. | FREE
(Garden Café Espana selections are priced from $4.25, buffet is $19.25 per person) | | In the afternoon, explore the U Street corridor, where Cultural Tourism DC's self-guided neighborhood heritage trail gives both the history of the neighborhood and familiarize you with the lay of the land. | FREE | | Check out the best of DC's underground rock scene at the Fort Reno Summer Music Series, a twice-weekly show featuring indie rock groups. Shows happen every Mon. and Thurs. at 7:15pm. Or, check out Jazz in the Garden, a free jazz performance every Fri. evening at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. | FREE | | DAY 2: | | | Take advantage of Free Summer Saturdays at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, where access to the exhibitions (on view now: photography by William Eggleston), workshops, performances and artist demonstrations are available at no cost. | FREE | Pick up a bike at Bike and Roll and take a ride past DC's most famous landmarks, or duck into neighborhoods like Logan Circle or Barracks Row for funky shopping and hip hangouts.
| Two-hour bike rentals start at $15, $25 all day | | Have a pre-game drink at Cantina Marina, a beachy outdoor bar on the southwest waterfront. Then walk to Nationals Park to catch a major league baseball game. |
Drinks start at $7
Baseball tickets start at $10 | | DAY 3: | | | People-watch while enjoying farm-fresh flavors, cooking demos by local chefs and lots of free samples at the Dupont Fresh Farm Market (Sundays, 9 AM- 1 PM). | FREE | | Sip coffee and people-watch at the Circle, or, for another dose of art, take a walk over to The Phillips Collection for a sultry summer exhibition, Paint Made Flesh (on view through Sept. 13). | Admission: $12 | | Get to know DC's live music scene. Find out who's playing at the 9:30 Club, Black Cat and other storied venues, or relax over free and low cost entertainment at Busboys & Poets. | Admission: Varies by artist | | Or, explore the Atlas District, an emerging neighborhood known for funky nightlife venues like the Palace of Wonders, known for its displays of oddities and burlesque shows, the cool & quirky live music hotspot Rock and Roll Hotel and the H Street Country Club, a hip interpretation of a mini-golf course. | Admission: Varies by venue, options abound for $10 & less;
mini-golf at H Street Country Club is $7 per person | | WHERE TO STAY: | | | Try the sexy, playful Hotel Rouge near Dupont Circle, where some weekend rates start as low as $69 per night. Or, try the warm and welcoming Renaissance M Street, with rates starting from $93 per night. | Estimate for three-night weekend "Staying Power " package:
$175-$260 (three-night hotel stay & taxes) |
EATING ON THE CHEAP: 10 GREAT BARGAIN BITESBen’s Chili Bowl
1213 U St. NW
(202) 667-0909
www.benschilibowl.com
The U Street institution is known for serving Bill Cosby and Barack Obama the Original Chili Half-Smoke ($4.95) and thick, creamy milkshakes ($2.95).
Clyde’s on the Walk
707 7th St. NW
(202) 349-3700
www.clydes.com
A favorite DC eatery also boasts a great takeout outlet, serving kielbasa hotdogs for $3, a jumbo lump crab cake sandwich $7.50, a hot roast beef sandwich with drippings for about $6, plus bountiful salads and soups.
Proof
775 G St. NW
(202) 737-7663
www.proofdc.com
A popular downtown eatery offers a bargain-priced “Lunch Crush” bar special, offering your choice of 6 salads or sandwiches and a glass of house red or white wine (or soft drink) for $12.
Amsterdam Falafel
2425 18th St. NW
(202) 234-1969
www.falafelshop.com
Open until 4 AM on weekends, this Adams Morgan hotspot serves top-it-yourself falafels in pita ($3.75) and Dutch-style fries ($3.05) with great dipping sauces.
Maine Avenue Fish Market
1100 Maine Ave. SW
(202) 484-2722
Head to DC’s southwest waterfront for fried fish, clams and other seafood specialties for less than $10.
Chinatown Express
746 6th St. NW
(202) 638-0424
Fried noodles are made fresh, right before your eyes, for $5.
Market Lunch at Eastern Market
306 7th St. SE
(202) 547-8444
www.easternmarket.net
Best known for its blueberry buckwheat pancakes (served on Saturday mornings only, about $5), the Market Lunch also makes tasty crabcake sandwiches, French toast and other bargain-priced treats.
Julia’s Empanadas
2452 18th St NW
(202)387-4100
14th St & Park Rd NW
(202) 328-0008
1221 Connecticut Ave NW
(202) 861-8828
www.juliasempanadas.com
These Latin American stuffed pastries make a great meal on the run. With Julia’s Good Meal Deal, you’ll get a meat/ vegetarian empanada, a fruit empanada and a soda for $5.45.
On the Fly Smartkarts
(202) 544-9046
www.dconthefly.com
Natural and Organic Healthy Food
These mobile cafes are located around the city, offering fast and fresh to-go items from some of the places listed above. There’s one right outside of the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Teaism
2009 R St. NW
www.teaism.com
Famous for its collection of loose leaf teas and its salty oat cookies ($2), Teaism also serves bento boxes, Thai and Indian curries, priced under $10.
GETTING AROUND:Pick up all-day Metro passes for everyone for $7.80 each. If you plan to spend most of your day in museums or plan to do a lot of walking, it may be more cost-effective to pay as you ride ($1.35 & up). You can also get around the city on the sleek, new DC Circulator bus ($1 per ride).
|
202-789-7000 FAX 202-789-7037
