D.C. Memorial Day Events 2010
National Memorial Day Concert
(May 30; 8p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m.; West Lawn, U.S. Capitol; Washington, DC 20515; www.aoc.gov; Free)
The National Memorial Day Concert is a Washington D.C. tradition which includes live music from the National Symphony Orchestra. The event is broadcast live on PBS and hosts a whole slew of special guests like actors, musicians, dignitaries, politicians and more. Stop by the West Lawn of The U.S. Capitol for this free performance.
“The President’s Own” Marine Corps Band & Fireworks
(May 30; 8p.m.; The Filene Center at Wolf Trap; 1551 Trap Rd.; Vienna, VA 22182; Free)
The President’s Own United States Marine Band will be performing a free concert at the Filene Center this Memorial Day so start your celebration off right. Be sure to bring plenty of food and blankets to enjoy the show which will end in a glorious fireworks display. Gates open at 6:30p.m. sharp and fireworks begin at 9:45p.m. so get to The Filene Center early since those 400 seats will be sure to fill up quickly.
Memorial Day Jazz Festival
(Fort Ward Park; 4401 West Braddock Road; Alexandria , VA 22302)
The Memorial Day Jazz Festival is being held in historic Fort Ward Park and will be the site for some amazing music including contemporary jazz, swing, and big band music. The festival will move to Lee Center’s Kauffman Auditorium in case of rain.
Washington DC Boat Cruise
The DC It All! Tour just got much better! We’ve added a one-hour boat cruise to the itinerary. Now the tour combines a bus tour with short walks and a boat cruise. There is no better way to experience Washington DC. Check it out at http://www.onboarddctours.com/dc-it-all/
DC The Monuments! is now the DC The Best! Tour
Starting April 2, the DC The Monuments! Tour has been changed to the DC The Best! Tour. The tour is very similar, but the departure times have changed to 10:30am and 2:30pm. Now, OnBoard Tours offers a 3-hour tour of the best attractions in Washington DC. Check it out here: DC The Best! Tour
Cruise the Potomac River
Perhaps the most famous catch-phrase for Washington D.C. found in political writing is “on the Potomac.” Although the headwaters of the Potomac are in West Virginia and Virgina, and the 383-mile river runs through Maryland to its mouth at Chesapeake Bay, the Potomac is most closely associated with the District of Columbia—the seat of national and world power–and the historic landmarks on the river’s banks, such as the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial. All of Washington D.C. lies within the river’s basin.
The Potomac is known as “the Nation’s River” because of its reflection of American political history, from its formative years to the tragedy of the Civil War and the strategic planning and execution of the nation’s wars of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, and countless events that have seized the public through the news media.
It was in the Potomac basin that first president of the United States George Washington was born and spent most of his life. In the nineteenth century, General Robert E. Lee twice crossed the Potomac River during the Civil War, which ended with the battles of Antietam and Gettysburg, also in the Potomac basin. On January 13, 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the 14th Street Bridge, which crosses the Potomac near the stately Jefferson Memorial and the massive Pentagon, and landed in the freezing waters, killing all but five of the passengers.
The Potomac is named after the Algonquian tribe that inhabited the banks of the river and that was part of the Powhatan confederacy. The word Potomac is believed by some to mean “place where people trade” or “the place to which tribute is brought.” Today the Potomac could be said to mean the place where tax-payers protest the tributes they must pay to the federal government, or how they are spent.
From the Potomac River today, one can view cultural and historic landmarks such as The Kennedy Center, the Watergate Hotel, the Washington Monument, the U.S. Capitol, the Jefferson Memorial, as well as the Pentagon. What better way is there to take in the beauty of this nation’s historic capitol than on a relaxing and stimulating OnBoard DC tour, including a boat cruise down the Potomac?
Michelle Obama Highlights Washington DC
Michelle Obama recently talked about her favorite things to see and do in Washington DC.
One of her quotes is: Washington is a beacon “in a way that no other city is,” Mrs. Obama told Condé Nast Traveler. “It just represents something fundamentally different to the country and to the world. It is a place that people here should feel immensely proud of. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to use my role as First Lady to highlight this city.” Check out the article here: http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/articles/502489
It also made mention on ABC News: http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/wireStory?id=10320055
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Cherry Blossoms are out in DC!
The Cherry Blossom Festival is in full swing in Washington DC. There are blooms everywhere. The best way to see them is on the DC It All! Tour from OnBoard Tours. The boat cruise shows them to you better than any other approach. Here’s a video to give you a glimpse of the cherry trees in DC.
Valentine’s Day in Washington DC 2010
Here are some great things to do in Washington DC for Valentine’s Day 2010
Chocolate Lovers Festival in Fairfax, Virginia
(February 6-7, 2010; Saturday, 8a.m.-5p.m.; Sunday, noon-4p.m.; Downtown Historic Fairfax; 10455 Armstrong St.; Fairfax, VA; www.chocolatefestival.net)
What says love better than chocolate? The Chocolate Lovers Festival in Fairfax is an annually held two day extravaganza held in celebration of Valentine’s Day. The weekend’s events features The Chocolate Challenge, a fantastic arts contest which hosts artwork constructed entirely out of chocolate, and numerous vendors sampling their goodies. Visitors can also participate in the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast which features delicious chocolate chip pancakes, as well as historical re-enactments and craft shows galore.
Woo at the Zoo
(February 12, 2010; two presentation time slots: 6:30-7:30 p.m. or 8:30-9:30 p.m.; Smithsonian National Zoo)
Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C. is offering a fun-filled event for Valentine’s Day, also known as Woo at the Zoo! The event is a light and fun exploration into the sexual behaviors (mating, wooing and reproductive habits) of surrounding zoo animals and is hosted by the zoo’s animal experts.
The fun starts at the zoo’s visitor center auditorium where patrons can create personalized Valentine’s cards for their special someone’s while sipping on drinks from the cash bar and enjoying other Valentine’s festivities. Please be advised that Woo at the Zoo is for adults, ages 21 and up and reservations are mandatory! Each ticket is valid for a time-specified show. The special Valentine’s Day price is $7 for FONZ members and $10 for nonmembers.
Valentine’s All Star Comedy Show
(Young Chow’s restaurant; 420 23rd St.; Crystal City, VA 22202; Thursday, 8:30p.m.; Friday, 9:30p.m.; Saturday, 8p.m. & 10p.m.)
Bring your Valentine to a hilarious stand up comedy show featuring three amazing stand-up comedians from HBO at Young Chow’s restaurant. Packages include dinner reservations and show tickets while hotel accommodations may be added for this special day. Reservations are required.
Watson Adventure V-Day Scavenger Hunt
This Valentine’s Day, spend the day at Watson Adventure’s Naked at the National Gallery Scavenger hunt where you will be sent on a fun mission to discover secrets concealed within works of art featuring…you guessed it, nudity! The event encourages people, singles, couples and friends alike, to participate in this one of a kind Valentine’s event which will take place on February 13th and 14th. Visit www.watsonadventures.com for more info.
Cold Case Love at The International Spy Museum
The International Spy Museum presents an exciting activity for Valentine’s Day which features an audience interactive show aptly named Operation Spy. Visitors are welcome to deliberate with fellow spies in order to survive the mission’s tricky challenges Afterwards, enjoy a festive and romantic dinner at Zola restaurant which includes oysters and champagne. Visit www.loveaspy.org to reserve a spot for you and your loved one.
Mom Rides Free on Mother’s Day
Take the DC It All! or DC The Best! Tour on Sunday, May 9, and Mom rides free if she is with two paying customers (including kids!). Call our office at 301-839-5261 to book your seats. Advance reservations only. Not valid with any other offer. 
ICE! at Gaylord National Resort
Don’t miss Christmas on the Potomac, only at Gaylord National. The RoundAbout will take you to see it snow inside the atrium, and to see a winter wonderland of ice carvings. Check out the details here:
http://www.onboarddctours.com/ice-at-gaylord-national-resort/
Thanksgiving in Washington DC
Here’s what to do in Washington DC during Thanksgiving week:
Sculpture Garden Ice Rink
(National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden; 7th St. and Constitution Ave. NW; Admission: $7- Adults; $6- Children and Seniors; Skate Rentals-$3)
The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden’s ice skating rink is a classic D.C. holiday tradition and attracts thousands of visitors during the winter season. Skate around the scenic and beautiful park setting on the National Mall or simply admire the surrounded sculptures crafted by renowned contemporary artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, Roy Lichtenstein, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. The skating season begins in mid-November and continues through mid-March. Be sure to stop by The Pavilion Café which offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the garden and ice rink and serves food and beverages.
Pershing Park Ice Rink
(14th St. and Pennsylvania Ave., NW; Admission: $6.50- Adults; $5.50 Children and Seniors; Skate Rentals-$2.50)
The Pershing Park Ice Rink is located in close proximity to amazing D.C. locales like The Willard Hotel and the White House. This skating rink provides visitors with pretty views, a variety of music and a warm cup of hot cocoa for the perfect winter evening.
Thanksgiving Volunteer Opportunities:
“SOME” (So Others May Eat)
On Thanksgiving Day, “SOME” holds its annual Trot for Hunger walk which begins at 8:30a.m. at the West Potomac park. The walk is being honored with D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and benefits programs for homeless men, women and children.
Food and Friends
The Food and Friends organization provides meals to support people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other life-challenging illnesses. The volunteers for this event will be assembling and delivering Thanksgiving meals.
Capital Area Food Bank
The Capital Area Food Bank is delivering Thanksgiving food baskets to needy senior citizens and is one of the city’s largest public hunger education resources in the region.
Bread For the City
(Old Post Office Pavilion)
Whur Day is an event that benefits “Bread for the City’s” holiday program which provides Thanksgiving meals to low income families. Volunteers will participate in a cash drive, food drive and telethon.
Turkey Chase Bethesda
Chevy Chase YMCA
(November 26, 2009; 8:30a.m.; 9401 Old Georgetown Rd. Bethesda, MD)
This 10K Race and 2 mile Fun Run has been taking place every Thanksgiving for the past 25 years. It hosts thousands of runners who have gathered to support the YMCA’s Youth and Family Services, the YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase and the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rotary Club Foundation.
Cranberry Crawl 5K/10K Run and Race Walk
(November 21, 2009; 8:30a.m.; Belle Haven Park & Marina; 1201 Belle Haven Rd., Alexandria, Virginia)
Freeze Your Gizzard 5K Cross Country Race
(November 21, 2009; 9a.m.; Ida Lee Recreation Center; 60 Ida Lee Dr.; Leesburg, Virginia)
This 5K race benefits the Loudoun Interfaith Relief which is the largest food pantry in Loudoun County and provides support to homeless shelters, low income senior citizen housing centers and after school programs for at risk children.
Herndon Turkey Trot 5K
(November 21, 2009; 4p.m.; Herndon Community Center; 814 Ferndale Ave., Herndon)
The Herndon Turkey Trot includes a turkey and trimmings which will be awarded to the overall male and female winners of the 5K race.
Annual Holiday Parade
(November 27, 2009; 11a.m.; Market Street & Freedom Dr.)
The annual holiday parade is a large festive parade which gets everyone in the spirit of the coming holidays. Join Mr. & Mrs. Claus and see amazing performances, musical groups, dancers, cars and more in the “Ring in the Season!” parade taking place at Reston Town Center.
