Explore the Nation's Capital City from it's most Charming Neighborhood: Georgetown
The Georgetown village is widely known for its historic charm and European feel. We invite you to explore the diverse activities that Georgetown and Washington, D.C. have to offer. Stroll the C & O Canal, shop our historic cobblestone streets and dine on our beautiful waterfront. Within easy reach of the hotel are the monuments and museums of the nations capital city, to include The White House, The Smithsonian Institution, The National Mall and The Capitol.
Whether you are a tourist visiting for the first time or a seasoned resident, the Ladies and Gentleman of The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, Washington, D.C. are pleased to assist you in planning your next visit to nation's capital and Georgetown.
Airports
There are 3 airports that are accessible to The Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown:
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
Dulles International Airport
Baltimore Washington International Airport
Taxi
Taxi service is plentiful and economical in Washington, D.C.. Taxis operate on a zone, rather than meter, system, and by law all rates must be posted in each cab. Rates are usually $1.50 for each additional passenger. Cabs for Maryland and Virginia can take passengers from DC to locations in their respective states but not to different locations within the city
Subway and Bus System
Metrorail and Metrobus provide the safest, cleanest and most efficient way of getting around Washington, DC and the metropolitan suburbs. Five rail lines and an extensive bus system connect the District with the Maryland and Virginia suburbs. Train lines are named for colors: Red, yellow, blue, green, and orange. Station entrances are marked by brown pylons, capped with the letter “M” and colored stripes indicate which lines are available. Route maps are posted at each station and inside each subway car.
Metrorail opens 5:30 am weekdays and 7 am on weekends. It closes at midnight Sunday to Thursday. On Friday and Saturday nights, it stays open until 3 am. Each train displays the name of its farthest destination. Base subway fare is $1.35 and increases during rush hour and for longer trips. Rail farecards can be purchased at vending machines located inside the stations. Farecards are inserted into the turnstile gates to enter and exit subway platforms. The fare is automatically deducted each time you exit a station. To continue your trip by Metrobus, obtain a transfer at your originating station before boarding the train. Buses travel to Georgetown and other areas not serviced by the subway.
Baseball
Football
The Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins play at the beautiful FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. http://www.redskins.com/
Hockey
The Washington Capitals
National Hockey League action at its finest! The Capitals play at the Verizon Center from October through April.
Soccer
The DC UnitedDC United is Washington, D.C.'s Major League Soccer Franchise. The team plays at RFK Stadium. More informaiton is available at
http://www.dcunited.com/
Basketball
College
- The American University Eagles
- The Georgetown University Hoyas
- The George Washington University Colonials
When are the Cherry Blossom Events?
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is planned to coincide as close as possible with the blooming of the trees. Generally the festival takes place in mid-March or early-April. The National Cherry Blossom Festival always includes a spectacular parade and events. For the most recent predictions, see the National Park Service's web site at nps.gov/nacc/cherry.
For information on the National Cherry Blossom Festival, see nationalcherryblossomfestival.orgor call (202) 547-1500
How Can I Tour the Capitol?
The US Capitol is open to the public for tours Monday through Saturday from 9 am until 4:30 pm except for New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The tours are given free of charge, although tickets are required and can be obtained the same day of the tour on a first-come, first-served basis. Ticket distribution begins at 8:15 am at First Street and Independence Avenue. Guided tours last approximately thirty minutes and are organized in groups of 40 people.
For information on free, guided tours, call (202) 225-6827.
To obtain passes to see the House and Senate in session, call your representative or one of your senators at (202) 224-3121.
Information about tours for visitors with special needs is available from the Congressional Special Services Office at (202) 224-4048 or (202) 224-4049 (TDD).
How Can I Tour the White House?
Tours of the White House have been expanded from school, youth, military and veterans' groups to include any groups of ten. Groups of ten should submit a request through their member of Congress at least one month and up to six months in advance. The tours are self-guided and will run from 7:30 am until 11:30 am Tuesday through Saturday.
For more information, call the White House Visitors Center at (202) 456-7041 or visit www.whitehouse.gov.
How Much Does it Cost to Visit the Museums?
Most museums in Washington, DC, including all Smithsonian Institution museums, are free. Some private museums charge admission or encourage donations.
Is There Security at the Monuments and Museums?
There is a definite security presence in Washington, D.C., which is comforting to most visitors and worth the occasional slight inconvenience. Most tourist attractions have airport style security screening and many items are prohibited. A general guide to avoiding security delays includes:
- Avoid carrying large bags or backpacks. These will usually have to be checked, which can slow you down quite a bit.
- Most venues allow you to carry (concealed) clear bottles of water, but all other types of drinks and food are often prohibited.
- The increasingly familiar list of prohibited items at the airport is a good general guide to follow. If you have a specific question, it is always a good idea to check ahead of time with the venue you are planning to visit.
St. Patrick's Day Parade
March
Washington, DC's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade has been celebrating our Irish residents since 1971. The parade has become so popular it has been dubbed "The Nation's St. Patrick's Day Parade." The parade has grown over the years to become a full-scale Parade with Marching Bands, Pipe Bands, our Nation's Military, Police, and Fire Departments as well as Floats, Novelty Groups and those marchers wearing green. The parade is complimentary with Grand Stand tickets available for $5.00.
www.dcstpatsparade.com
National Cherry Blossom Festival
Mid-March – Mid-April
Washington, DC's annual National Cherry Blossom Festival is a celebration of the coming of spring and commemorates the gift of 3,000 cherry trees given to the U.S. by Tokyo mayor, Yukio Ozaki in 1912. The two-week festival includes many cultural, sporting and culinary events. Lavish floats, gigantic helium balloons, exciting international performance groups and marching bands join in the celebration. Immediately following the Parade is the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival presented by the Japan-America Society of Washington, DC presenting over 80 organizations highlighting Japanese performances, arts, crafts and food.
www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org
The Washington, DC International Film Festival
April
Presented by DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Major Filmfest DC sponsors include: The Mayor's Office of Motion Picture and Television Development, The National Endowment for the Arts and METRO. For 12 days each April, filmgoers take a cinematic journey around the world, without ever leaving the nation's capital. The Washington, DC International Film Festival brings outstanding world cinema right to Washington, DC with more than 100 features, documentaries, short films and special programs.
www.filmfestdc.org
White House Easter Egg Roll
April
This annual tradition dates back to President Rutherford B. Hayes who officially opened the White House grounds to local children for egg rolling on Easter Monday in 1878 Easter Egg Roll activities begin on the Ellipse with food and entertainment. Children of all ages are welcome to attend, as long as there is at least one child seven years old or under and no more than two adults per group. Children of all ages can enjoy the reading corners, egg coloring, art activities, face painting, music, magicians, and other activities. Requires a ticket to attend.
www.whitehouse.gov/easter/ or call (202) 456-7041
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival
July
Initiated in 1967, The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is a national, even international, celebration of contemporary living traditions. The Festival typically includes daily and evening programs of music, song, dance, celebratory performance, crafts and cooking demonstrations, storytelling, illustrations of workers' culture, and narrative sessions for discussing cultural issues. The Festival encourages visitors to participate - to learn, sing, dance, eat traditional foods, and converse with people presented in the Festival program.
Over the years, it has brought more than 16,000 musicians, artists, performers, craftspeople, workers, cooks, storytellers and others to the National Mall to demonstrate the skills, knowledge, and aesthetics that embody the creative vitality of community-based traditions. To date the Festival has featured exemplary tradition bearers from 54 nations, every region of the United States, scores of ethnic communities, more than 100 American Indian groups, and some 50 occupations. Festivals typically include international, regional/state, occupational, and thematic programs.
Independence Day Celebration
July 4th
Celebrate the nation's birthday in the nation's capital. Don't miss the parade, with more then 100 marching units stepping out at noon along Constitution Avenue. When that's over, popular music groups entertain from mid-afternoon until the fireworks. The National Symphony Orchestra, with guest stars and soloists, performs at 8 pm. The fireworks show begins around 9:20 pm over the Washington Monument grounds.
Passport Requirements
- As of October 26, 2005 all countries must issue passports with digital photos or the required chip (e-passport)containing biometric information about the individual.
- However, anyone issued a machine-readable passport prior to October 26, 2005, will be “grandfathered in” and allowed to visit the US until the passport expires.
- International visitors who need a visa to travel to the US must apply for one at an American embassy or consulate. For more information visit travel.state.gov.
Embassies
Many embassies offer guided tours with prior notification. Arrangements can also be made by some embassies to host meeting functions and private parties, offering an unmatched asset for any meeting planner. Embassy phone numbers are available by calling directory assistance at (202) 555-1212. A comprehensive listing of embassies is also available online at www.embassy.org.
Electricity
The electricity used in Washington, DC is standard electricity, which is 110 volts. European appliances will require a voltage transformer.
Tipping
Tipping is voluntary; gratuities are not automatically added to the bill. Here are a few tipping guidelines: Servers are usually given 15% of the bill. For outstanding service, tip 20%. Taxi drivers usually receive 15% of the fare, and doormen, skycaps and porters are usually tipped $1 per bag.