Although these famous structures are a must-see, D.C. also has much more to offer. If you’re looking to grab a bite to eat near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, where the ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting will be held, head to the nearby neighborhoods of CityCenterDC, Penn Quarter, Chinatown or Shaw.
Washington, D.C., is consistently named among the top walking cities in America. But to get around faster, use the metro subway system, which has a stop right outside of the convention center, or rent a bicycle at 7th and M streets and dock it at different stations throughout the city.
If you want to see a lot of sites in limited time, Ms. Davis suggests taking the Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing Big Bus Tour, which allows you to jump on and off at various attractions throughout the city. You may also want to consider a bike or Segway tour—weather permitting.
With the meeting being held from Nov. 11–16, you can be among the first to visit the new National Museum of African American History and Culture, which will open on Sept. 24. The museum is dedicated to the richness and diversity of the African American experience.
In the National Mall area, the National Gallery of Art will reopen its east building on Sept. 30 after a three-year renovation. Explore a new configuration of the permanent collection of modern art as well as a re-opened rooftop sculpture garden.
If you’re a night owl, head to U Street to catch dinner or a jazz show or explore a neighborhood called H Street Northeast, which has a streetcar serving the area. Georgetown is a fun place to whet your palate or go window shopping, Ms. Davis says, or attend a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in nearby Arlington, Va.
For a list of 100 free or nearly free things to do in D.C.
—Karen Appold
