Pope Benedict XVI Plans DC Stop
Among the first visitors to Major League Baseball's newest stadium, DC's own Nationals Park, is Pope Benedict XVI, who will say Mass at the stadium on April 17 as part of his first papal visit to the US. Information/ tickets. Destination DC will work with groups coming to DC to be a part of this historic event to locate hotels, restaurants, tours and other travel arrangements. Details are available at adw.org/papalvisit

Library of Congress to Launch New Visitor Experience
There's a new experience in store for visitors to the Library of Congress this spring, including a suite of high-tech, interactive kiosks and immersive experiences. The beautiful building's front doors will once again be open to the public, and, true to its legacy, the Library will once again display an installation of actual books taken from Thomas Jefferson's library, the seed of its expansive collection. The Library is also opening two new long-term exhibitions, The Early Americas and Creating the United States. The Library's new experience opens to visitors in April. loc.gov

Newseum to Open April 11
Coming to 6th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, the Newseum is a six-level, high-tech and interactive museum that traces the history of news reporting, from smoke signals to blogs. Inside the museum's soaring 90-foot atrium, there's a jumbo LED screen, or "Window on the World," broadcasting breaking news from around the globe. Would-be reporters can try their hand at broadcast journalism, while amateur photographers can snap photos of news scenes for a computer-generated critique by professional photojournalists. There's also a Journalists Memorial, a news helicopter, one of two surviving "Checkpoint Charlies" and the largest section of the Berlin Wall outside of Germany. Groups of 20 or more will receive an automatic discount when purchasing tickets online. Contact Linda Jeffries at the Newseum's This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for additional information or to make reservations for special tours and programs.

Coming May 2008: National Museum of Crime & Punishment
Coming to 575 7th St. NW in downtown DC, the new, interactive museum will open in late 2008 to explore the history of crime, crime fighting and the consequences of committing a crime in the U.S. Co-owned and operated by host of "America's Most Wanted" John Walsh, the museum will span three floors, covering more than 28,000 square feet. Visitors can dive into the world of law enforcement and investigation with a realistic forensics lab, a simulated FBI shooting range, high-speed police chase training equipment, an electric chair, DNA analysis and a lie detector test. crimemuseum.org

National Museum of American History Plans Fall 2008 Reopening
America's Attic will unveil the results of its major renovation in late 2008. The redesigned museum will feature a new gallery for the "Star-Spangled Banner," a sky-lit central atrium, a grand staircase connecting the first and second floor and other enhancements. americanhistory.si.edu

The Textile Museum to Open New Location in Fall 2008
In fall 2008, the museum will open a new 23,400 sq. ft. location in Penn Quarter at 421 7th St. NW. The museum will continue to house its permanent collection and research library at its original location at 2320 S St. NW. textilemuseum.org

Construction Continues on U.S. Capitol Visitors Center
The largest project in the Capitol's 212-year history, the underground facility will include an exhibition gallery, orientation theatres, a 550-seat cafeteria, gift shops and restrooms, allowing greater access to public tours of the Capitol and shorter waits for tours. The Center is expected to open in late 2008. aoc.gov/cvc

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 are currently closed for an extensive 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.

Inauguration 2009
DC is preparing to welcome visitors from around the world in January 2009 for the 56th Presidential Inauguration. Official details about the festivities will be released by the Presidential Inaugural Committee, which will be established in November 2009. The following information is based on the 2005 Presidential Inauguration; check back to Washington.org for updates.

• The President and Vice-President will take the oath of office on the steps of the Capitol at noon on January 20, 2009. The swearing-in is followed by a parade on Pennsylvania Avenue in the afternoon, following a luncheon hosted by the Joint Congressional Commission on Inaugural Ceremonies.
• Each Senator and Representative receives a limited quantity of free tickets to the swearing-in and the parade that they may distribute to the public at their discretion. If you are interested in attending the ceremony or the parade, contact your Senator or Representative.
• Large public areas on and around the National Mall and the grounds of the Capitol will be open to ticket-bearing visitors to watch the swearing-in ceremony; your ticket will indicate the location from which you may view the ceremony. Large screens will be positioned within these viewing areas.
• The Inaugural balls and parties take place at venues throughout the city, beginning approximately January 15 and ending the evening of January 20. The official state balls are planned by the Presidential Inaugural Committee, which will form in November 2009. Many more unofficial balls will also be held during the week of the Inauguration.
• Requests to participate in Inauguration Day events for marching bands, marching units, mounted units, and other performers are collected by the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee. Further information and an application to participate may be found at the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee website.
• DC hotels run high occupancy during Inauguration week, and many require minimum night stays. Groups in need of assistance in locating rooms, restaurants, transportation or other needs may contact the Washington, DC Convention & Tourism Corporation for support.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial:
Scheduled for 2009 completion, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial will be the first major memorial along the National Mall to be dedicated to an African-American. The memorial is designed to commemorate and honor Dr. King's national and international contributions to world peace through non-violent social change. It will be located on the Tidal Basin, near the Jefferson and FDR Memorials. The design features a crescent-shaped-stone wall inscribed with excerpts of Dr. King's sermons, and public addresses will serve as the living testaments of his vision of America. The centerpiece of the $100 million memorial, the "Stone of Hope", will feature a 30-foot likeness of Dr. King.