The Perfect DC Day: An Itinerary
D.C is a great place to take a visit to. This is the nation’s capital. One thing to consider when planning your itenerary, is what time of year you may be planning on making a visit. If going in the Spring, the cherry blossoms are beautiful to see. During the Fall, the trees change into beautiful colors, and during the Summer there are many events that celebrate independence day.
One of the great things to see in D.C Read more
No Job, No Problem
No, you might not have the best or highest paying job in Washington D.C., after all, most of those are publicly elected, but in case you just moved to town or lost your bid for re-election in November, the city of Washington D.C. was hit with some encouraging news recently, ranking 1st in terms of ease of job searching within the United States major markets. With an average one unemployed candidate per open job listing, practically all job seekers in the D.C. area should be able to find some sort of gainful employment as we enter the holiday season. Perhaps this overestimates the ease by which employment is available, as some positions are more desirable than others and some candidates are more qualified than others. Not to mention, most employers, particularly those featuring more in-demand jobs, will take resumes from all across the globe, as a higher salary can more than compensate for any necessary relocation costs. Read more
Catch a ‘Skins Game
Fall is officially here, meaning one thing for the DC faithful, Redskins football. The storied Skins have called the DC area home since 1937, playing over 1,000 professional football games. According to Forbes Magazine, the Redskins are the second most valuable franchise in the NFL, trailing only the Dallas Cowboys, though to longtime fans the team is worth even more than that. Currently playing in FedEx Field, located just outside the city in Landover, Maryland, the Redskins have undergone an overhaul as of late, bringing in former Philadelphia quarterback great Donovan McNabb and future Hall of Fame coach Mike Shanahan. Early dividends have paid off as the team finds itself in the thick of the hunt in the always competitive NFC East. Read more
Untangling the D.C. metro lines
When it comes to Washington, D.C.’s metro transit lines, practice makes perfect. Tourists may find themselves suffering from color-blindness as they try to untangle red lines from blue lines, and orange from yellow. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is doing all it can, however, to make travel on the subway easier, quicker, and simpler than ever before.One of the results is an accurate and easy-to-use website. The WMATA home page should be the first place travelers look before setting out for their nearest station, as it includes not only delay info for all the rail lines, but also bus and even elevator statuses as well. There’s also a search function that lets you find the best option based on your route. If you find yourself without wireless while waiting for the train, consider looking into a mobile device like the Clear USB Modem. Read more
4th of July Lineup in DC
As we approach the anniversary of our nation’s independence, the District of Columbia will once again get ready to open its arms to thousands of incoming Americans ready to celebrate the momentous occasion. While you can expect the traditional fireworks at night, our nation’s capital is come to a full schedule of events to commemorate the 4th of July, unique to the city of Washington. Starting at 11:00 a.m., the National Cathedral offers a free concert to get the day’s events off to a fittingly patriotic start, with a selection of America’s favorite songs and most iconic ballads. More music will be available on the grounds at the Washington Monument later in the day as well.The Fourth of July Parade kicks off at 11:45 a.m., strolling down Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Street. Complete with a host of bands recommended by each state’s Governor’s office, each state in the union will be duly represented in the procession. The parade will also consist of fife and drum corps, floats, giant balloons, military units and drill teams, mounted horses, national dignitaries, celebrities and more. No admission is required to the festivity with spectators simply invited to look on from curbs, sidewalks and street corners. Read more
Top Hotels in D.C.
Washington is a temporary stopping point for a lot of its residents, sometimes by personal choice other times by political pressure. For those less committed to a long term stay in the area, whether mere vacationers or in town on business, D.C. is the proud home of some of the finest, most historic hotels in the country. With easy access to famed attractions, a touch of luxury and some even landmarks in their own right, here is a look at some of the finest lodgings Washington D.C. has to offer.
- Willard InterContinental Hotel – Arguably the most famed hotel in a city of famous places, the Willard (or City Hotel as it used to be known) has been synonymous with Washington luxury for almost 2 centuries. Opening its doors in 1816, and undergoing renovation to take its current shape in 1906, the hotel has housed permanent residents who would go on to occupy one of the city’s other famous upscale properties, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. President’s Lincoln and Coolidge found long-term homes there, most presidents after Honest Abe at least stopped by to unwind. While a lot of history has been housed within the walls of the Willard, it still offers top of its class amenities. Read more
Quick Guide to the Smithsonian
The Smithsonian name is a staple in Washington, housing 19 museums (not to mention the National Zoo under its umbrella). For weekend travelers with under 72 hours to explore the city, hitting all the Smithsonian spots might be unreasonable. Here is a brief list of the 3 most iconic museums you won’t want to miss on your trip to Washington.
- Air and Space Museum As its name might indicate, the National Air and Space Museum is home to the largest collection of upward bound vessels in the world, whether it be the blue sky or beyond. Tracking air travel from its onset, the museum houses numerous original aircrafts, such as the Wright Flyer, the Wright Brothers test plane, and Charles Lindbergh’s legendary Spirit of St. Louis. The facility also serves as an insight into the accomplishments of astronauts, complete with ranging models of authentic spacecrafts, space suits, satellites and a replica of the Hubble Space Telescope. Read more
Visiting The White House
While actually moving in can be a more complicated matter, the United States’ most celebrated residence doubles as a popular tourist destination, accessible to D.C.-bound travelers who plan ahead. Self-guided tours are offered from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. from Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, and 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, all on a first come first serve basis.Upon your arrival at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, it is greatly encouraged to stop by the White House Visitor Center, located on the corner of 15th Street and E Street. The Visitor Center is open every day from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., providing both background information and unique historical insights that might enhance your tour of the facility. A brief 30 minute video is available for visitors taking a quick look at the structure’s architecture, its furnishings and dcor, famous first family figures, social events, press relations and international figureheads who have made their own visits over the years. A tour of the premises generally only lasts between 20 minutes and an hour, so don’t feel rushed when making your way to through the Visitor Center, instead take your time and appreciate the anecdotal information that can only improve your White House experience and your visit’s significance. Read more
New Faces In the Capital City
Usually when new faces rise to power in Washington, with the promise and potential to make dreams come true for those who support them, it’s amid a hotly contested election battle. The new stars in our nation’s capital do not divide along political lines, instead uniting the Washington under common emblems, whether it’s a fitted hat or custom jersey. They may not be here to solve our country’s crises, but they can most certainly serve as a welcome distraction. In the past month, the Washington Nationals and Washington Wizards have welcomed two of the most high profile prospects in their respective sports. Stephen Strasburg, the first selection in last year’s MLB Entry Draft, made his debut on the mound only a few weeks ago, fanning 14 on his way towards one of the most sensational debuts in baseball history. Last week’s NBA Draft saw University of Kentucky‘s freshman point guard John Wall, a number 1 overall pick in his own right, join Strasburg on the north bank of the Potomac, marking an optimistic turn of events in the city’s traditionally plagued sports history. To make his celebrated arrival official, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty proclaimed June 25 “John Wall Day,” as legions of fans and a selection of local celebrities gathered to welcome the 19-year-old phenom. Among the star-studded welcome party was the National’s flamethrower himself, who already laid out an impressive game plan on how to not only handle but exceed the hype of a highly billed prospect. Read more