Things to Do in DC
The 100th UPCEA Annual Conference is being held Downtown Washington, DC.
This positions conference attendees at the middle of the District and the varied historical and cultural sites the city has to offer. All of the sites below are located within a short drive or ride on the Metro, and many are free(!), so be sure to build a little extra time into your trip so that you can go after the day's sessions and explore "The American Rome".
To learn how to get around the city, see our guide here.
Cultural and Heritage Institutions
- National Mall / Memorials
- 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.
- Smithsonian Museums
- United States Botanic Garden
- Cherry Blossom Festival
- D.C.’s famous cherry blossoms have an average peak bloom date of April 4th, so the conference will likely be a great time to take a stroll around the Tidal Basin and enjoy the beautiful blossoms. The Tidal Basin is a great place to walk or jog even if you miss the blooms, and don’t forget to visit the Jefferson and FDR memorials along the way!
- Arlington Cemetery
- Capitol Building - Through legislative debate and compromise, the U.S. Congress makes laws that influence our daily lives. It holds hearings to inform the legislative process, conducts investigations to oversee the executive branch, and serves as the voice of the people and the states in the federal government.
- Supreme Court
- Library of Congress
- Newseum - The Newseum’s 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 Kennedy Center
- The Phillips Collection
Attractions
Parks
Entertainment/Sports
- Washington Wizards
- Sunday, March 29 - vs. Houston Rockets. Tickets can be purchased here.
- Wednesday, April 1 - vs. Philadelphia 76ers. Tickets can be purchased here.
- Washington Capitals
- Tuesday, March 31 - vs. Carolina Hurricanes. Tickets can be purchased here.
- D.C. United
- Saturday, March 28 - vs. Chicago Fire. Tickets can be purchased here.
- 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.
Shopping
Bus Tours
There are multiple bus tour companies around DC that provide a quick and informative way to see the city. Here are a few of the most popular providers:
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 the metro on the green or yellow line up to U Street to catch a concert at the Howard Theater, Black Cat or the 9:30 Club. These clubs helped solidify DC’s music scene and are consistently rated some of the best live music venues in America.” - Jordan DiMaggio, UPCEA
- "My “go to” recommendation for people is to take the rail (aka metro) to the Gallery Place metro station. From there you can visit the National Gallery museum which is free, well-staffed, a bit off the beaten path, and very very interesting. Go look at some of the Western expansion landscape paintings of what would become our national parks. Definitely visit the presidential wing. It is unique and interesting. Got kids? The spy museum is next door and is very interesting.
More importantly the food in that area is incredible. It is one of many neighborhoods in DC with ethnic appeal but here it is writ large and the Asian cuisine is prominent. Yes, you will see Fudruckers and Starbucks, but the great locals are there too. Zaytinya, Jaleo, Oyamel, Zengo, Full Kee, Red Velvet Cupcakery, Rosa Mexicano." - Patrick O'Rourke, UPCEA
- "If you want to stretch your legs and walk around a cozy and creative space, head over to The Phillips Collection in Dupont. A short walk from the Dupont Metro Stop (Red Line), 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. Be sure to visit the mansion that is attached to the more contemporary section of the museum." - Carla Morgan, UPCEA
