If you like your continuing education with a side order of sightseeing, CVC in
Washington, D.C. is the event for you. Certainly everyone is familiar with the iconic landmarks of our nation's
capitol: The Washington Monument, The White House, and Capitol Hill are well-known symbols of the City of
Magnificent Distances. But nearby, in the shadows of these great attractions—and easily accessible from
the CVC's new home, the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center—lie a tourist's fortune. Check out
these Beltway getaways.
The Korean War Veterans Memorial
Just south of the National Mall's reflecting pool stands a haunting tribute to the nearly two million U.S.
Servicemen who served in the Korean War. Nineteen larger-than-life stainless steel statues represent the four
military branches who fought "to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met," as a plaque at
the site is inscribed. To walk among the looming troops is a bleak reminder of "The Forgotten War."
The National Air and Space Museum
The Smithsonian Institution at large is totally overwhelming with more than 136 million items in its various
collections—it's best digested a bit at a time. Why start with the subset of the National Air and Space
Museum, then? Well, it's a building that has airplanes inside it. No less significant an artifact of the modern
world than the 1903 Wright Flyer is hung from the museum's ceiling. While much history is intangible,
recollections or representations of moments in time, here you can see real objects of inestimable
importance.
The Corcoran Gallery of Art
Washington, D.C. has no shortage of breathtaking structure and statuary to behold, but you can also enjoy
visuals on a more intimate scale. The Corcoran Gallery of Art, located just moments from the Mall, is one of
several art museums in the D.C. area. One of the first fine art galleries in the United States, the Corcoran's
primary devotion is to American artists, housing works by the likes of Edward Hopper, Andy Warhol and John
Sloan. The world-class collection also features paintings by Picasso, Rembrandt and Monet. Go here to check museum hours.
The Titanic Memorial
Though the city is teeming with political and military monuments, Washington, D.C. also boasts some other
unique statues. For instance, did you know there's a memorial to the men who gave their lives in the process of
rescuing passengers from the Titanic? Likely the inspiration for Kate Winslet's famous pose in the film
Titanic, the 13-foot-tall figure, located on the scenic Washington Channel, was erected in 1931.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The memorial, like the war itself, has been the subject of controversy; critics initially intensely opposed its
design. However, a visit the Memorial Wall with its more than 58,000 names etched in reflective gabbro stone is
a sobering experience that will erase petty quibbles of style and bring into sharp relief one of America's
darkest chapters. Yet another powerful tribute situated near the National Mall, the three-part memorial is a
worthy excursion.
Check out the next page for D.C. destinations of another sort—an alternative tourist's guide.
The John Philip Sousa birthplace
Where else could the American March King have been born besides our capitol? The birthplace and first home of John Philip Sousa, the purveyor of parade pomp, is on G St. SE, minutes from the Capitol Complex and the Anacostia River. Stand in the street and listen for the ghosts of "Semper Fidelis," "The Liberty Bell," or "Stars and Stripes Forever."
George Pelecanos' Washington, D.C.
Best selling crime novelist (and writer for HBO's The Wire) George Pelecanos has set many of his works in his hometown of Washington, D.C. If you want to see the city a world apart from monuments and museums, travel Pelecanos' streets: Visit Ben's Chili Bowl on U St. (from King Suckerman), cruise 13th & Clifton to check out Derek Strange's Hard Revolution neighborhood or swing by Cardozo High School, a haunt of many books.
AFI Silver Theatre
This isn't your average cinema multiplex. The AFI Silver Theatre is operated by the American Film Institute, so you can be sure they play more than just the latest action blockbusters. Located in Silver Spring, Maryland, its screens have recently featured, in addition to current fare, the likes of Billy Wilder's The Apartment and Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho. Check out their calendar here.
Comet Ping Pong
It’s not every pizza joint that permits you to dine, drink, listen to live music and play table tennis at the same time. But that’s what Comet Ping Pong is all about. The establishment, located in D.C.’s Northwest district, has been featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. Take a look at a menu and more at their website.
