Things to Do in Washington DC
The 2023 UPCEA Annual Conference is being held in Washington DC at the Washinton Hilton. Be sure to build a little extra time into your trip so that you can go after the day's sessions and enjoy the area.
There are hundreds of sites to see and things to do in the DC area. The National Cherry Blossom Festival will be occuring during the week of the conference, get down to the National Mall and check it out and keep your eyes on the Bloom Watch camera. The conference hotel provides access to most sites via the metro, the Dupont Circle metro stop is is located just a few blocks from your hotel.
Visit the Washington DC Events Listing for the dates and times of special events.
Many of the historical and cultural offerings in DC can be found below:
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.
Museums
- The Phillips Collection 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.
Government Buildings
Entertainment/Sports
- Strathmore - A nonprofit multi-disciplinary arts center and concert venure. Concert schedule can be found here.
- Washington Nationals (MLB). 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.
Parks and Outdoor Activities
Shopping
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 metro 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
