When you visit the United States capital, the Smithsonian museums and presidential memorials are probably at the top of your must-see list. While those are absolutely bucket list items for many people, exhibitors and attendees who have been to more than one Washington, D.C. trade show might want to experience different parts of the area. Here are a few spots to check out while you’re in town that are a little different than the normal visit to the National Mall.
Ghosts of Georgetown Tour
After the show floor closes for the day, head about two miles west of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center to one of the most famous and historic neighborhoods in the U.S. And then get to know its haunting history!
The Ghosts of Georgetown Tour will guide you through the streets for a little under two hours. You’ll hear the chilling history and pass the cemeteries and churches that were built throughout Georgetown’s history. You’ll even get to visit iconic landmarks like the 1765-built Old Stone House and the infamous steps from the classic horror movie “The Exorcist”. Georgetown is Washington, D.C.’s oldest neighborhood, so if there are any ghosts in the Nation’s Capital, they’re probably roaming these roads!
Monuments by Moonlight Tour
If you don’t fancy yourself a ghosthunter or horror buff, check out a Monuments by Moonlight Night Tour after your Washington, D.C. trade show closes. There’s a good chance you’ve seen the city’s many monuments in the daylight, but nighttime provides an entirely new experience. The tour will take you to see the breathtaking lighting that adorns some of the most iconic memorials, including:
- The Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial
- Lincoln Memorial
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial
- Korean War Memorial
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
Since these tours have two pickup locations, you can select the more convenient one based on where you’re staying or where you grab a post-show dinner.
Ford’s Theater
April 14, 1865, was one of the most tragic days in American history. You can visit the exact site where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated at Ford’s Theater. The onsite museum offers exhibits and artifacts that’ll take you to the time of the U.S. Civil War and the events that led up to the heinous act committed by John Wilkes Booth. Since the theater is still used for live performances, check their calendar to see if there’s a play showing while you’re in town for your Washington, D.C. trade show.
Union Market District
Take a quick 6-minute drive from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and check out Union Market. This place houses over 40 different restaurants and shops, so you can have some food and pick up the souvenirs you promised to bring home to your kids. You can also visit the onsite art galleries and enjoy the many events hosted at the Market throughout the year. Be sure to spend at least a few minutes in the Plaza at the Dock, an open-air rooftop with gorgeous views of the area.
Mount Vernon
Not many places are as important to American history as Washington, D.C. However, Mount Vernon is right up there with the U.S. capital! This isn’t just the mansion where George Washington lived from 1754 until he died in 1799. It’s a sprawling estate with a blacksmith shop, stables, and these four stunning gardens:
- Upper Garden, which was used for entertaining guests in Washington’s day. It includes a greenhouse that the first President built to house tropical plants that wouldn’t survive Virginia’s colder months.
- Lower Garden, a plot of land where the Washingtons and their staff grew fruits and vegetables for their daily meals.
- Botanical Garden, a stunning collection of flora and fauna that Washington received as gifts from friends, colleagues, and diplomats around the world.
- Fruit Garden and Nursery, a failed vineyard that Washington changed over to a greenspace for grasses and flowers centuries ago.
Mount Vernon is about a 30-minute drive from the convention center, and since it’s such a big place, try to visit when you have a full day away from your Washington, D.C. trade show.
Let Us Help Make Your Washington, D.C. Trade Show a Success
Trade shows require a lot of planning and onsite logistics—but when you get to visit a place like Washington, D.C., let yourself take some time away from the show floor to explore all the awesome features that are sprinkled throughout the area. While you plan out your tourist itinerary, we’ll handle all of your trade show services from booth design to project management to installation and dismantle on the show floor—and everything in between.
Contact us today to find out how our team can help you have a great Washington, D.C. trade show!