Day Three Of Self Guided Tour

	9:00 am - The National Zoo
	11:00 am - Museum of American Art
	noon - National Portrait Gallery
	1:00 pm - Ford's Theater
	1:30 pm - The Peterson House
	2:30 pm - National Archives
	3:30 pm - National Gallery of Art
	4:30 pm - White House

A trip to the capitol city would not be complete without a visit to the National Zoo or the presidential playground a.k.a. the White House. Both places are better viewed from behind the iron gates so as not to disturb any acts of procreation or recreation. 

Plan to use the Metro again. By this day, you ought to be a pro. Don't forget that the all day fare card is only good after 9:30 a.m. during the week and anytime on the weekends. Today's attractions are mainly in the area north of the National Mall. 

The National Zoo:
Take the Metro to the Woodley Park -Zoo station to begin the day. The zoo entrance is on Connecticut Avenue and about a 2-3 block walk from the station. The zoo grounds are open at 6 a.m. but the buildings don't open until 10 a.m. Don't bother to get there until 9. An hour or two is all you really need.  If you are coming north of the zoo then you can get exit from the Cleveland Park station which is about the same distance as the other is from the entrance.  More restaurants and shops are around Cleveland Park in case you are wondering about an early breakfast or lunch. 

Museum of American Art/National Portrait Gallery:
Return to the Metro and head for the Gallery Place/Chinatown station. Follow the signs to the National Portrait Gallery/Museum of American Art which is just around the corner from the station. Both museums are in the same building.  Prepare to spend at least 2 hours here. 

For lunch, try the cafeteria in the center of the museum or walk down 7th street to the Austin Grill, the Chop House or Jaleo. Because the Verizon Center is across the street, the neighborhood is going through gentrification. New shops and restaurants are emerging every month. Incidentally, the Verizon Center is the new sports arena for the Capitols, Wizards, Mystics and the Hoyas. It's brand new and the gem of the neighborhood. For those with a penchant for Chinese cuisine, the smallest Chinatown in a major city is 3 blocks north at the corner of 7th and H streets.  An ornate arch welcoming all to Chinatown marks the spot. The street signs are in Mandarin and even the Starbucks on the corner has an Asian motif.

Ford's Theater:
After lunch, you'll walk to the corner of 10th and E streets where you'll find Ford's Theater and the Peterson House. The actual entrances are on 10th street between E and F streets. Ford's Theatre is the place Abraham Lincoln crossed paths with John Wilkes Booth. The Peterson House is where Mr. Lincoln died. 

National Archives:
Go south on 10th street and walk two long blocks to Pennsylvania Avenue then make a left, the National Archives is around the corner on the left side. Important documents like the "Declaration of Independence" and the "Constitution" are on display. Take about thirty minutes here. 

National Gallery of Art:
Cross Pennsylvania Avenue to the other side and turn left towards the Capitol. The National Gallery of Art is a long block away on the right. You'll have until 5:30 p.m. to check out both buildings. 

The White House:
Take a leisurely stroll up Pennsylvania Avenue towards the White House to finish your sightseeing. Although you won't enter Mr. Clinton's home, take this time to walk around the grounds. Personally, I don't think the 5 room tour is worth the time spent waiting in line in the morning. After all that waiting, you'll find no bathrooms or phones to use. Besides, the media is constantly providing more provocative and immediate material.

If you really would like to take a tour of the White House, I recommend you contact your local congressman's office for tickets - ideally about six months in advance. Another alternative is to utilize any Secret Service contacts you might have; otherwise, you'll just have to wait in line with the masses.

FREE tickets can be obtained on the morning of your visit at the White House Visitor's Center on Pennsylvania AVE. between 15th and 14th streets, NW. The lines start forming as early as 6 a.m. One person can get 4 tickets and will receive a special stamp. The tickets are set for a specific tour between 10 a.m. and 12 noon. The person with the stamp must be present for that tour or the other tickets will not be honored! White House tours are only available Tuesday-Saturday and any State functions can cause the cancellation of tours for the day. Visitor's Center: 202-208-1631. 24 hour recording: 202-456-7041.  Hope you had a great time on your tour!

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