DK Travel : Washington, D.C.

A symbol of democracy the world over and the seat of American government, Washington, D.C. confronts visitors with stirring icons and monuments at every turn. This sparkling self-styled city on the Potomac River is full of marble and light, with beautiful landscaping touches and centuries-old architecture. Built on top of former swampland, Washington was deliberately designed into quadrants, with the US Capitol at its hub. Its many unmissable sights provide unparalleled access to the workings of government, internationally famed museums with priceless exhibits, and the cultural and spiritual foundations of the city and the nation.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Church services held. Check local papers for details.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library

This handsome building was dedicated in 1972 as a memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr. and as a public library. In the lobby is a mural by Don Miller depicting the life of Dr. King and the civil rights movement.
Mary McLeod Bethune Annual Celebration

Gospel choirs celebrate the African-American educator.
Mary McLeod Bethune Council House

The renowned teacher and advocate for women’s and African-Americans’ rights bought this Victorian townhouse – now a National Historic Site – in 1935. It is still furnished with her possessions.
Mary McLeod Bethune Council House

A former cotton-picker, Bethune rose to be a leading educator of African-Americans and an activist for equal rights. Her house was the headquarters of the National Council of Negro Women, which she founded. During the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, she was a valued adviser.
Mary Todd Lincoln

Mary’s pleasure at being First Lady was marred by the Civil War and her husband’s assassination in 1865.
MCI Center

While the MCI Center is principally a sports arena, it has also become an unofficial community center. It draws crowds night after night with college and professional sports events, big-name concerts, circuses, figure skating performances, and other events (see MCI Sports Center).
MCI Center

The home of D.C.’s basketball and hockey teams has many attractions beyond the games.
MCI Sports Center

Children love the energetic events here. The Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus performs here, along with touring ice skating spectaculars, professional wrestling, hockey games and many top-name pop and rock acts. The food is better than usual at an arena and, naturally, is geared toward kids (see MCI Center).
McMillan Plan

The McMillan Plan of 1901, named for its congressional supporter, Senator James McMillan, was the first application of city planning in the US. It created much of the layout of the Mall and President’s Park seen today.