re: DC trip recommendations

- Ask your Congressman if they can schedule tours for other places in addition to the Capitol. It was many years ago, but ours scheduled tours of the Library of Congress, the Kennedy Center, and the Printing and Engraving Bureau. All 3 of these were awesome tours and I'd recommend, even if you have to schedule the tours yourself.
- I once kayaked the Potomac and it was really cool, if you want a bit of an adventure! I also once did a biking tour of the monuments and it was a fun way to see them all.
- For evening entertainment, I'd highly recommend going to an event at the Kennedy Center. You can take the metro and then there's a free Kennedy Center shuttle that will take you the rest of the way.
- If you're Catholic, take a tour of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. All of the small chapels underground are beautiful! There's also a Pope JPII museum across the street that is really well done, especially if you enjoy history.