Summit for Online Leadership and Strategy - Things to Do in Washington DC

Things to Do in Washington DC

There are hundreds of sites to see and things to do in the DMV region (that’s slang for the DC, Maryland and Virginia region). To help orient you to the sites around the conference hotel, we’ve created a Google Map with notable sites. Most sites are accessible via the metro, which is located just a few blocks from your hotel.

Visit the DC Events guide or the Washington DC Events Listing for the dates and times of special events.

Memorials

Arlington Cemetery is America's premier military cemetery - a national shrine - a living history of freedom - where dignity and honor rest in solemn repose.

National Mall - Each year, millions of people visit the National Mall and Memorial Parks to recreate, to commemorate presidential legacies, to honor our nation's veterans, to make their voices heard, and to celebrate our nation's commitment to freedom and equality.

Mueseums

Newseum is a dynamic, engaging and interactive museum allows visitors to experience the stories of yesterday and today through the eyes of the media while celebrating the freedoms guaranteed to all Americans by the First Amendment.
The Phillips Collection is just a few blocks from the conference hotel. This hidden gem was the first Modern Art museum in the U.S. The space mixes pieces of all mediums from known artists, like Vincent van Gogh, to up-and-coming artists of today.
The Smithsonian – The Smithsonian has 19 museums, galleries, gardens, and a zoo. Eleven museums and galleries can be found on the National Mall (a quick cab ride or a few metro stops from the conference hotel).

Government Buildings

Capitol Building
Library of Congress serves as the research arm of Congress. It is also the largest library in the world, with millions of books, recordings, photographs, maps and manuscripts in its collections.
Supreme Court
The National Archives house the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights

Entertainment/Sports

Washington Nationals (MLB) are playing at home June 19 & 20th against the Orioles. Visit their website for ticket information.
9:30 Club - Concert venue hosting some of the most popular national acts. Concert schedule can be found here.
Black Cat - Concert venue hosting up and coming independent artists and bands. Concert schedule can be found here.
Howard Theatre - Concert venue built in 1910 for Washington's black community. Famous acts such as Ella Fitzgerald, Chuck Brown, and Duke Ellington all were performers at the theatre. Concert schedule can be found here.
The Kennedy Center is the nation’s performing arts center and will be featuring Hamilton, NSO Pops; Audra McDonald, and Ain’t Too Proud to Beg – The Life and Times of the Temptations the week of June 18th – be sure to check for tickets!

Parks and Outdoor Activities

Shopping

Evening Walk on the National Mall

This year’s SOLA+R event, hosted in the Nation’s capital, presents a great opportunity for attendees to get out of the conference hotel and stretch their legs in one of the most walkable cities in the country. We’re highlighting the nation’s great monuments in an evening walk on the National Mall. The monuments are incredible at dusk and well-lit at night so you’ll have the opportunity to take lots of pictures!

We’ll meet at the World War II Memorial (in the shadow of the Washington Monument) to begin our walk. Our route will take us past Constitution Gardens and allow us to experience the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Women’s Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and end at the Japanese Lantern Memorial at the Tidal Basin. Information on the route can be found here: bit.ly/walkthemall

Be sure to pack your walking shoes for the 2-2.5 hour experience from 7 to around 9pm. Participants are responsible for their own travel (Uber/Lyft or the Washington Metro)

This allows us to stay in touch in case we need to cancel the walk due to weather.

Take a look above to see where the walk will be going!

Want to learn more about the monuments before the walk? Download the National Mall App here:
https://www.nps.gov/nama/learn/photosmultimedia/app-page.htm or visit https://www.nps.gov/nama/index.htm

Staff and Committee Picks

"It won’t surprise you that DC has some secrets. Here are a few “secret spots” to visit for a more unique DC visit. DC lore has it that the term “lobbying” was coined because of President Grant’s habit of drinking whiskey and smoking cigars in the lobby of The Willard hotel, and those seeking favors would wait for him there. The lobby of The Willard is quite beautiful, and you can also enjoy afternoon tea in The Willard’s Peacock Alley if that’s more your style. As long as there isn’t a private event going on, the roof terrace of the Kennedy Center is usually open for visitors. Especially at night, the terrace provides an amazing view of the Potomac River, the lights of Georgetown, and other parts of the city. There are so many things to see if you’re heading down to the National Mall, but one of my favorite spots is at the Lincoln Memorial. If you walk up the very middle of the stairs and look down when you reach the landing before the last set of stairs into the memorial, you’ll be at one of the best spots in DC. Looking out over the mall from the Lincoln is amazing, but looking out knowing that you’re standing on the exact spot where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech, and imagining the mall filled with all of the people who marched for jobs and freedom, is pretty incredible." - Molly Nelson, UPCEA
“If you can, catch a taxi or walk over to U Street to catch a concert at the Howard Theater, Black Cat or the 9:30 Club. These clubs are an integral part of DC's extensive music history and are consistently rated some of the best live music venues in America.” - Jordan DiMaggio, UPCEA