1 free day on business trip

I have a seminar that I will be attending next week at a hotel within walking distance (2, 3 blocks) from the mall in DC. I will have one free day to myself, so I figured I would go to the Smithsonian. Today I read that it will be closed for a 2 year renovation. :-(

Anyway, any suggestions on other places to visit on the mall? I was thinking of the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, US Capitol, Library of Congress, and/or National Archives as possible points of interest.

Thanks in advance!

1 free day on business trip

The Smithsonian is a collection of musuems, only one of which (The American History Museum) is closed for 2 years.

Check out http://www.si.edu/ for a list of their other facilities which may be of interest to you. The Air and Space Museum and the American Indian Museum, among others, are on the Mall. As is the National Gallery of Art, which is not part of the Smitsonian Institution.

Any of your other options you listed would be worthwhile, although personally I%26#39;d put the Bureau of Printing and Engraving at the end of the list.

1 free day on business trip

Some of the more popular exhibits from the AmerHist Museum have been moved to the second floor of the Air and Space Museum, which in itself should not be missed.

You can get tickets for the BEP in advance from your congressional reps, and you%26#39;ll have to schedule a tour of the Capitol with your rep in advance, so if you%26#39;ve got the time, get moving because your trip is only a week away!

The Archives was open later for evening tours, but they stopped those due to flooding from Hurricane Isabel - check their website for any updates.

You may be interested in touring the monuments and memorials on the Mall, such as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The Holocaust Museum is also very powerful (you can get tickets in advance at http://www.ushmm.org/visit/ or arrive early on the day you plan to visit.) Many posters have recently mentioned being very impressed by the National Archives.

Also click the Attractions tab for a long list of activities. Enjoy your stay!