The St. Gregory Hotel

For more than 200 years, the White House has been more than just the home of the Presidents and their families. Throughout the world, it is recognized as the symbol of the President, of the President's administration, and of the United States.

Created at the bequest of British scientist James Smithson, the Smithsonian Institution was meant, per his wishes, for "the increase and diffusion of knowledge." Today the Institution displays over 142 million items in its 19 museums, zoo and nine research centers, many of which are located in Washington, DC. Among these are the National Museum of African Art, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Arts and Industries Building and Freer Gallery of Art. The Smithsonian information center is located at the Smithsonian Institution Building, also known as the Castle. Constructed of red sandstone in 1855, visitors can tour the building itself, which houses rotating exhibits, the 4.2-acre rooftop Enid A. Haupt Garden and selected objects representing all the Smithsonian's museums. The Smithsonian Institution Building is open daily from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Tour hours and schedules vary based on type; group tours are available. Admission is free.

Built in 1874, the city's first convention center extended the length of 5th Street between K and L Streets, and was known as the Northern Liberty Market. The Walter E. Washington Convention Center received a Guinness World Record for hosting the largest sit down dinner when we hosted the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Centennial Dinner, serving 16,206 guests.

It took George Washington, the nation's first president, more than 40 years to orchestrate the construction of this astonishing and exhilarating monument. At slightly over 555 feet tall and shaped like an Egyptian obelisk, the monument is an icon of the city skyline, visible from about 30 to 40 miles away on a clear day. At its official opening in 1888, it was the world's tallest structure, a title later taken by the Eiffel Tower; the monument does remain the tallest building in Washington. Today, guests can ascend the monument by elevator in 70 seconds or, for the truly brave, the 897 steps of the stairwell. At the top, visitors marvel at stunning panoramic views of the city below including that of Lincoln Memorial at its spot across the Reflecting Pool. The monument is open daily from 9 AM to 10 PM; the last tour runs at 9:45 PM. It is closed July 4 and Christmas. Admission is free, but tickets are required. The ticket kiosk at the monument's base opens at 8:30 AM and sees guests on a first come, first served basis. Tickets can be reserved in advance for a fee of $1.50.

National Geographic Museum is centrally located in downtown Washington, D.C., at 17th and M Streets NW. Enjoy a wide variety of changing exhibitions that reflect the richness and diversity of our world at the National Geographic Museum. The Museum’s exhibitions and the scientific fieldwork and expeditions on which they are based are supported by National Geographic’s Mission Programs, which receives generous funding by corporations, foundations, and individuals.