National Gallery of Arts Sculpture Garden Ice Skating Rink

Posted on December 20, 2011 by lrosan

National Gallery of Arts Sculpture Garden Ice Skating Rink is open on the National Mall this winter. Hours are as follows: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.

Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-12 a.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Be sure to take your friends and family out for some great fun.

Tickets are $7 and $3 for Skate Rentals

Joseph, Innkeeper

American Guest House Bed and Breakfast
Amazing Bed and Breakfast in the heart of Washington DC. We are located within a short walk from the Washington Hilton Hotel, 10 minutes walk to Dupont Circle metro/subway, 1 mile NW of the White House

The Torpedo Factory Art Center

Posted on December 1, 2011 by lrosan

The Torpedo Factory Art Center is located at the seaport in the Old Town section of Alexandria, VA. The Torpedo factory contains 82 studios and 6 galleries where independent artists display their work. Admission to the Art Center is free.

The Torpedo Factory is accessible by the King Street metro station which is serviced by the blue and yellow lines. The King Street Trolley services the metro station on a fixed schedule every 20 minutes.

A more scenic option is to take the Potomac Riverboat Company’s Washington monument tour from Washington Harbor to the Seaport in Old Town Alexandria, VA. The waterfront has a lovely board walk and often live music playing on the board walk.

Enjoy!
Alexis, Innkeeper

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing

Posted on November 26, 2011 by lrosan

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing which is accessible by the Smithsonian metro station serviced by the blue and orange lines, provides a free 40 minute tour to the public, where you will see millions of dollars being printed. The tour features currency production, beginning with large, blank sheets of paper, and ending with paper bills. Same day tickets for the tour are on a first-come, first-served basis. The ticket booth opens at 8 AM – Monday through Friday, and closes when all tickets have been given out.

Tours are given Monday through Friday every 15 minutes on a special schedule and Tickets are not required during non-peak season from September to February.

Free tickets are required for admission during March through August, peak season.

Jonathan, Innkeeper

Season’s Greenings: At the U.S. Botanical Gardens

Posted on November 19, 2011 by lrosan

During the winter solstice and holiday season, the U.S. Botanical Garden presents “Season’s Greetings“, a seasonal exhibit featuring scaled versions of Washington, DC’s buildings and monuments made from plant materials. There will also be an exhibition of model trains called the Garden Railway. Along the “Railway”, will be whimsically designed homes to forest dwellers. One of the largest indoor decorated trees in Washington, DC is also housed at the U.S. Botanical Gardens. The event takes place from November 24, 2011 – January 2, 2012. Admission to the exhibition is free for all ages.

The U.S. Botanical Gardens are accessible by the Federal Center metro stations, serviced by the green and orange lines. Please visit the U.S. Botanical Gardens website for hours of operation when planning your visit.

Enjoy!
Alexis, Innkeeper

DC Art Galleries

Posted on November 13, 2011 by lrosan

Are you an art enthusiast? Would you like to experience Washington’s art scene, or perhaps you would just enjoy smaller venues. Please see our suggestions for some local and privately owned art galleries.

Burton Marinkovich Fine Art – 1506 21st St. NW. Tuesdays–Saturdays, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. and by appointment. (202) 296-6563. Fine art.

Civilian Art Projects - 406 7th St. NW. Wednesdays, Thursday, and Saturdays, 1–6 p.m.; Fridays, 4–8 p.m; and by appointment. (202) 347-0022. Local art from various mediums.

Conner Contemporary Art – 358 Florida Ave. NE. Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (202) 588-8750. Contemporary art.

Cross Mackenzie Gallery – 1054 31st St. NW. Tuesdays–Fridays, noon–6 p.m.; Saturdays, noon–5 p.m. (202) 333-7970. Ceramics.

Flashpoint – 916 G St. NW. Tuesdays–Saturdays, noon–6 p.m. (202) 315-1310. Contemporary art.

Foundry Gallery – 1314 18th St. NW. Wednesdays–Sundays, noon–6 p.m. (202) 463-0203. Local artist venue.

Gallery at Vivid Solutions – 2208 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE. Tuesdays–Fridays, noon–5 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. (202) 365-8392. Digital art and photography.

Hemphill Fine Arts – 1515 14th St. NW. Tuesdays–Saturdays, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and by appointment. (202) 234-5601. Fine art.

Honfleur Gallery – 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE. Tuesdays–Fridays, noon–5 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. (202) 536-8994. Contemporary fine art and socially-minded exhibits.

Irvine Contemporary - 1412 14th St. NW. Tuesdays–Saturdays, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. (202) 332-8767. Contemporary art.

LongView Gallery - 1234 9th St. NW. Wednesdays–Saturdays, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sundays noon–5 p.m. (202) 232-4788. Contemporary American painting, jewelry and sculptures.

MOCA DC- 1054 31st St. NW. Wed.–Fri., 1 p.m.–6 p.m., Sat., 1 p.m.–5 p.m. (202) 342-6230. Art by artists that are underserved in the mainstream galleries.

Prison Art Gallery – 1600 K St. NW, Suite 501. Mondays–Fridays, 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Saturdays & Sundays, 12:30–5:30 p.m. (202) 393-1511. Art by current and former inmates.

Studio Gallery – 2108 R St. NW. Wednesdays & Thursdays, 1–7 p.m.; Fridays 1–8 p.m.; Saturdays, 1–6 p.m. (202) 232-8734. Contemporary artwork in various mediums.

Touchstone Gallery – 901 New York Ave. NW. Wednesdays & Thursdays, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; Fridays, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.; Saturdays & Sundays, noon–5 p.m. and by appointment. (202) 347-2787. Contemporary artwork.

Transformer Gallery-1404 P St. NW. Wednesdays–Saturdays, 1–7 p.m. and by appointment. (202) 483-1102. Mixed media art.

Washington Printmakers Gallery – Pyramid Atlantic Art Center. 8230 Georgia Ave., 2nd Fl. Tuesdays–Thursdays, noon–6 p.m.; Fridays, noon–7 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sundays, noon–5 p.m. (301) 273-3660. Artist fueled fine prints, woodwork, etc.

Enjoy!
Alexis, Innkeeper

Washington Area Bicyclist Association

Posted on November 10, 2011 by lrosan

If you are an avid cyclist visiting the DC area, I would strongly recommend visiting WABA’s website. There is a detailed list of fundraising events in races that take place throughout the year. WABA also offers safety classes for beginners or more experienced cyclists. This is a great way to meet people in the Washington, DC metro area with similar interests.

Please visit WABA’s website for a list of events. The headquarters office is located in Adams Morgan off of Columbia Road. They also offer classes for adults that want to learn how to ride a bike. The fee includes a bike and helmet rental. Hurry up and register soon as classes fill up quickly!

Happy trails!
Alexis, Innkeeper

Digital Capital Week

Posted on November 8, 2011 by lrosan

Digital Capital Week is a week long festival with a focus on digital technology and innovation, by means of input from local businesses. The event is being presented by Ford, and hosted iStrategyLabs & Shiny Heart Ventures. The event will attracting hodgepodge of forward thinking entrepreneurs, social innovators, web designers to name a few. Digital Capital week is open to anyone, you must either host an event or register ahead of time. The event runs from November 4th through November 11th. There are all inclusive packages at set prices, and general admission which is free. Please visit the website for venues and event details.

Enjoy!
Alexis, Innkeeper

American Guest House Bed and Breakfast

The Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park

Posted on November 6, 2011 by lrosan

Come and vist the largest zoo in the DC area, The Smithsonian National Zoological Park which is located at the Woodley Park-Zoo Metro Station. There are over 300 species to view and take pictures of while walking around. With over 50 exhibits and 2000 animals in one place, the National Zoo is the best free activity to do in DC.

PS: Don’t forget to say “hi” to the world famous Giant Panda bears from China:)

Tamara, Innkeeper

Washington Photo Safari

Posted on October 31, 2011 by lrosan

If you love to take pictures, well the Washington Photo Safari is for you! A professional photographer will take you around the monuments of Washington, DC while giving you tips on composition, lighting and exposure…

Washington Photo Safari by offering more than 100 unique itineraries is one of the nation’s leading providers of photography training field trips. All photographers at any skill level are the more welcoming for the amazing experience.

Here an example of tours that you can expect to do:

The White House and its Neighbors (half day)
The itinerary includes beautiful Lafayette Park, the White House, the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, the Corcoran Gallery of Art, the American Red Cross building, the Organization of American States building, the World War II Memorial with its fountains on the National Mall.

Monuments and Memorials (half day or full day)
You will see the White House, Lafayette Park, the Albert Einstein, Lincoln, Korea, the Vietnam Memorial, and Union Station.

Monuments at Night (2.5 hours)
This safari begins at the World War II Memorial, with its beautifully illuminated. Then you walk along the famous Reflecting Pool on your way to the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, then to the Lincoln Memorial, ending at the Albert Einstein Memorial.

Jonathan

Washington DC Thanksgiving Lunch Cruise

Posted on October 29, 2011 by lrosan

Spirit Cruises is offering a Thanksgiving Lunch Cruise. If you are visiting during Thanksgiving this is a great way to view the Potomac river and enjoy a meal without the fuss of cleaning up. There will be a full Thanksgiving buffet, live musical performances and DJ providing tunes to dance off that Thanksgiving fare. The cruise is from noon to 2pm Thanksgiving Day. The ticket prices are $57.90 for adults and $24.95 for children. Tickets may be purchased ahead of time online.

The Spirit of Washington boards at the SW waterfront, accessible by the Waterfront metro station, serviced by the green line. Please visit wmata for additional travel information.

Enjoy!
Alexis, Innkeeper