The 26th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Pain Society
Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C.

Enjoying the Location

There is a lot to see in Washington, DC and most of it is free. The city offers historical and educational attractions, cultural and entertainment activities, plenty of multi-ethnic dining experiences, and an array of shopping venues. See how money is printed at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing or visit the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). Take in the city’s many memorials commemorating past presidents (Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, and Roosevelt) and wars (Vietnam, Korean War, Battle of Iwo Jima). Or visit the Arlington National Cemetery, tour the vast Smithsonian Institute, or wander just outside the city to see Civil War battlefields or President Washington’s home at Mount Vernon, located just south of the city.

Washington, DC: Attractions That Require Advance Planning

Meanwhile, other attractions require a decent amount of advanced planning.

The U.S. Capitol

Guided tours are available from 9 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Saturday. Free tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis, beginning at 9 am at the Capitol Guide Service Kiosk near First Street SW and Independence Avenue. (Tickets must be used at the time of pick-up.) Early morning is the best time to beat the crowds. Make sure you check the Web site’s list of prohibited items before venturing on this tour. If you would like to see Congress in action, you must apply in advance for a gallery pass from your Senator or U.S. House Representative.

The Washington Monument

The Washington Monument provides one of the better aerial views of downtown, but free tickets can be hard to come by. The National Park Service says that same-day admission passes are often snatched up early in the morning. If you know the date you’re traveling, you can make advance reservations (with a $1.50 service charge) through reservations.nps.gov. On any given day, half the tickets can be reserved, a third are saved for same-day distribution at the monument, and the rest are for group tours. The monument opens daily at 9 am, and tours commence every half hour until 4:30 pm.

The White House

This is the tricky one. In order to access the self-guided tour of the White House’s formal rooms, visitors must (a) be part of a group of 10 or more and (b) request the tour through their member of Congress. The tours can only be taken between 7:30 am and 12:30 pm, Tuesday through Saturday. You can submit a request up to 6 months in advance, though you only learn your date and time “approximately 1 month in advance of the requested date.” At least it’s free.

The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

Visit the rotating exhibitions in the Holocaust Museum’s exhibition gallery and education center. However... the museum’s permanent exhibit, The Holocaust, requires a free timed-entry ticket. These are available 6 months in advance from tickets.com (with a $1.75 service charge). A limited number of same-day advance tickets are given away at the museum on a first-come, first-served basis. Members of the military and government employees do not need passes in advance if they are carrying identification. They can collect up to 10 passes for their group.

The Supreme Court of the United States

When the court is in session (the first Monday in October through late April), visitors are welcome to attend the oral arguments, which are 30-minute presentations by each side’s attorneys, followed by a 30-minute question-and-answer session with the justices. Tours of the building are given when the court is not in session, and begin on the half-hour from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Advance reservations are not necessary.

General Links

www.washington.org/
www.dcvisit.com
www.usatourist.com

Dining

www.washingtonian.com/sections/restaurants/index.html
www.washingtondc.com/dining/
http://cityguide.aol.com/washington/dining/
www.dcpages.com/Dining/
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/cityguide/dc-restaurant-guide.html

Calendar

MAY 1–13: “DOUBT” This play, set in a Catholic school in 1964, won four Tonys and earned the playwright, John Patrick Shanley, a Pulitzer Prize in 2005. Where: The Hippodrome, France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw Street, Baltimore. 410/752-7444, 202/397-7328 or 410/547-7328.

MAY 1–20: WASHINGTON BALLET The company performs “7X7: Shakespeare” as part of the “Shakespeare in Washington” festival. Where: England Studio Theater, 3515 Wisconsin Avenue NW. 202/397-7328

MAY 2: SAFFIRE—THE UPPITY BLUES WOMEN Where: The Barns at Wolf Trap, 1635 Trap Road, Vienna. 877/965-3872 or 703/938-2404.

MAY 3: “JIGU!”: THUNDER DRUMS OF CHINA Where: Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. 301/581-5100.

MAY 3: JOHN McCUTCHEON Where: The Barns at Wolf Trap, 1635 Trap Road, Vienna. 703/938-2404.

MAY 3–5: NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA An exploration of the life of Antonin Dvorak—with conductor Leonard Slatkin, author Martin Goldsmith, and image editor Yvonne Caruthers—with Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 in G major and excerpts of other works by the composer. Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall, 2700 F Street NW. 202/467-4600 or 800/444-1324.

MAY 3–4: BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Conducted by Marin Alsop with violinist Leila Josefowicz in Mahler’s “Blumine,” Adams’s “The Dharma at Big Sur,” and Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade.” Where: Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral Street, Baltimore. 410/783-8000 or 800/442-1198.

MAY 4: DULCE PONTES Where: Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Kay Theatre, Route 193 and Stadium Drive, College Park. 301/405-7847.

MAY 4–5: CATHEDRAL FLOWER MARTA flower mart and crafts fair. Where: Washington National Cathedral, Wisconsin and Massachusetts Avenues NW. 202/537-3129

MAY 5: ANDREW VON OEYEN Where: Kennedy Center Terrace Theater, 2700 F Street NW. 202/467-4600 or 800/444-1324.

MAY 5: SHEN WEI DANCE ARTS Where: Center for the Arts Concert Hall, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. 888/945-2468 or 703/993-8888.

MAY 5: NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC Conducted by Piotr Gajewski with vocalists Andrew Garland, Ilana Davidson, Vale Rideout, Almaviva David Langan, and Mark Freiman in “The Barber of Seville.” Where: Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. 301/581-5100.

MAY 5: 20TH ANNUAL EVENING OF COMEDY Where: The Barns at Wolf Trap, 1635 Trap Road, Vienna. 703/255-1868 or 877/965-3872.

MAY 5–24: WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA Janacek’s “Jenufa.” Where: Kennedy Center Opera House, 2700 F Street NW. 800/444-1324 or 202/467-4600.

MAY 5–AUG. 19: JOSEPH GRIGELY: ST. CECILIA This is a video installation by deaf Chicago-based artist Joseph Grigely that explores the visual component of music and the misunderstandings that can result from lip reading. Where: Contemporary Museum, 100 W. Centre Street, Baltimore. 410/783-5720.

MAY 5–6: MARYLAND SHEEP AND WOOL FESTIVAL Demonstrations of sheepherding and shearing, wool spinning, and related activities. Where: Howard County Fairgrounds, 2210 Fairgrounds Road, West Friendship. 410/531-3647.

MAY 5–6: OATLANDS GARDEN FAIR A showcase of the estate’s gardens and displays by garden vendors. Oatlands Plantation is on U.S. 15 south of Leesburg. 703-777-3174.

MAY 6: CINCO DE MAYO FESTIVAL This festival commemorates the 1862 Mexican victory over the occupying French army. Where: Sylvan Theater, 15th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. 202/258-5283.

MAY 6: AUDUBON NATURE FAIR A family nature festival with music, food, and live animals. Where: Audubon Naturalist Society, Woodend Sanctuary, 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase. 301/652-9188.

MAY 6: CHESAPEAKE BAY BRIDGE WALK Weather permitting, take a leisurely 4.3-mile stroll across the bridge that’s closed for vehicles for the occasion. Park at satellite lots with shuttle buses to the bridge. Where: Chesapeake Bay Bridge, 850 Revell Highway., Annapolis. 877-229-7726.