National Cherry Blossom Festival
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a breathtaking spring event marking the anniversary of a gift of 3,000 cherry trees from the residents of Tokyo to the residents of Washington, DC.  The trees will be in full bloom along the edges of the Tidal Basin.  The event culminates during the JCICS Medical Institute and Annual Conference with a Japanese Street Festival on Saturday, April 14. 

Smithsonian Museums
The Smithsonian Institute hosts the world’s largest museum complex, including history, culture, science and art museums.  Some of the best known of the Smithsonian museums are the Air and Space Museum, the Museum of Natural History, the American History Museum, the Museum of the American Indian, the Freer Gallery and Sackler Gallery of Art, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, the National Portrait Gallery, and the National Zoo.  The Air and Space Museum offers an IMAX theater and planetarium; there is a second IMAX theater at the Museum of Natural History.

International Spy Museum
One of Washington’s newest museums, the International Spy Museum displays some of history’s best kept secrets.  Learn about famous spy figures and the evolution of the spy game through history, or examine spy gadgets and learn how to assume a covert identity.  Discuss government and CIA tactics from the Cold War, and watch interviews with real-life spies.

National Mall
Take a stroll down the National Mall, “America’s Front Lawn,” to catch a fabulous view of the city.  With the Capitol Building at one end and the Washington Monument obelisk at the other, the Mall is a great place to people watch or enjoy some outdoor time.

National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art is housed in two buildings, the East and West buildings.  The East building displays contemporary and modern art, including works by Andy Warhol, Henri Matisse, and Pablo Picasso.  The West building includes paintings and sculptures by European masters, including Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh and Leonardo da Vinci.  The tunnel connecting the two buildings is also home to a very popular gelato bar!

The White House Visitor’s Center
The Visitor’s Center is located at 15^th and E Streets and features the architecture, social history, first families, and events that happened in the White House.  To tour the White House, please contact your Congressman at least one month in advance.

National Archives
The National Archives houses the 2% of American documents deemed most important by legal or historical standards.  See the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights along with patriotic photography exhibits at the National Archives museum.

This information was taken from the respective websites for the area attractions listed above.  Click on the name of each attraction to visit its website.