Visiting Washington DC and the Capital Region

Washington DC gives visitors a lot to anticipate with the coming of spring and summer. Well-known happenings like the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, to cutting edge events like the USA Science and Engineering Festival draw visitors from around the globe to the greater Washington DC area. There is never a dull season for sports fans, however the spring overlap of seasons for the Wizards, Capitals and Nationals, offers action for all fans to enjoy. The National Mall with the newly opened MLK Monument, the Smithsonian’s diversity of museums and an abundance of national galleries, offer the traditional must-see destinations for visitors to Washington DC and surrounding areas.

The much anticipated Washington DC National Cherry Blossom Festival, marks the arrival of spring. The natural beauty of thousands of blossoming cherry trees combine with art, food and performance events, to fill Washington DC with magic. The 2012 National Cherry Blossom Festival marks the centennial year 3,000 cherry blossom trees were gifted to the US Capital city.

This is the season for sports fans visiting the Washington DC area. The Verizon Center in downtown DC is home to the NBA Washington Wizards through April 26th, when the Wizards close regular season home play against Miami. Basketball fans keep the spirit up with the WNBA's Washington Mystics opening the 2012 season on May 19th. WNBA fans, be sure to catch the first home game at the Verizon Center with the Mystics hosting Chicago.

Never a dull moment at the Verizon Center, hockey fans pack the Verizon Center for Washington Capitals action on the ice. Cheer them on through April 5th when the Capitals close the 2012 season against the Panthers. It’s not all about season endings; spring is good news for baseball and soccer fans. MLB’s Washington Nationals 2012 home opener is April 12th. Grab a jacket and head for Nationals Park off Interstate 695, south of the Capitol, in southeast Washington DC for opening day against the Cincinnati Reds. Soccer fans mark your calendar for March 10th when DC United opens the season at RFK Stadium.

Washington DC hosts the 2012 USA Science & Engineering Festival in April. This is the second year for the event, which features an Expo and Book Fair. The science festival is April 28th and 29th at the Walter E Washington Convention Center in DC. Geared for youth interested in science, technology, engineering and math, exhibits include themes for children as young as three. Visitors see stage performances by MythBusters hosts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, illusionist Apollo Robbins, and Mathemagician Art Benjamin among others on the schedule. This is the place for your emerging scientists and engineers.

Washington DC and the Capital Region Hotel Map