 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Christmas in the DC Metro Area
Closest Metro stop:
L'Enfant Plaza Christmas time is a wonderful time in the Washington DC Metropolitan area. The festive decorations are everywhere - holiday lighting adorning the streets and towering brightly lit Christmas trees. Take time away from the hustle and bustle of holiday shoppers frequenting the mega-malls and sidewalk stores to enjoy and be awe-struck by the beauty of Christmas in DC. Christmas Trees Two of the biggest (in size and popularity) Christmas trees are located in front of the US Capitol and the White House. In front of the US Capitol is a beautifully lit Christmas tree, positioned on the lawn where the public can congregate and enjoy its beauty. This tree is decorated with ornaments made by kids living in the home state where this live tree was donated from. Each year the tree is donated by a different city and State and is adorned with decorations contributed by the citizens of the tree's origin. White House Christmas Tree
Holiday Train Displays In front of the US Botanical Garden (view map) are an arrangement of smaller Christmas trees lit in beautiful blue lights - but the main attraction is at the Conservatory Entrance, where there is a spectacular model train display. This is a professional display of many trains in a landscaped setting including large suspension bridges, waterfalls, tunnels, and miniature buildings - all created from living plants and waste wood. The garden railway features three islands and more than 800 feet of track. The entire display and trains is beautifully lit at night. Additional trains are on another track inside the Botanical Garden. This is a big hit for the kids! The Botanical Garden is open daily from 10am – 5pm, with hours extended on Tuesdays and Thursdays in December until 8pm. Admission is free. The Christmas Train is displayed November 24th - January 2nd. The famous Garden Railway on display in the East Gallery will feature imaginative buildings created with plant materials. Explore "Who Lives Here?" and see all kinds of delightful dwellings, from an opossum house and a critter condo to model American presidential homes. The Norwegian Train Display is at Union Station from November 23 – January 3. The giant Norwegian model train has enchanted visitors every December for 14 years, as it winds through the mountains and fjords of Norway. Each train is hand-crafted by an expert model builder and is a replica of a current or historic Norwegian train.
Other Area Attractions The Outdoor Ice Skating Rink is a very popular attraction for Washingtonites and visitors alike. The rink is centrally located at the Sculpture Garden across from the National Gallery of Art at the intersection of 7th Street and Constitution Ave (view map). Kids will enjoy seeing Santa in the area shopping malls - the Christmas tree and Santa experience in the Pentagon City Fashion Centre mall is one of the best with a gigantic Christmas tree and an elaborate Santa Claus scene at the center of the mall (on the lowest level across from the food court). ZooLights is a festival of lights at the National Zoo from December 3rd – January 2nd. Thousands of environmentally-friendly light and animal exhibits will transform the Zoo into a holiday wonderland. The highlights are dozens of animal light displays, including a new one this year featuring Andean bears. Guests can also enjoy entertainment and a special train ride for children, special talks by animal keepers, Zoo-themed model trains displays, and the gingerbread habitat contest entries on display in the auditorium. The Small Mammal House, Great Ape House, Reptile Discovery Center, Think Tank, and Kids’ Farm will be open every night. Admission is free! Old Town Alexandria, Virginia shows great Christmas spirit with the streets beautifully decorated and lit at night - especially the main thoroughfare, King Street. The Courthouse square is home to the towns large Christmas tree and there is even a boat parade, with boats adorned with Christmas decorations, at the waterfront.
Christmas in DC at Night
Washington DC at Night Tour
DC Monuments by Trolley at Night Tour |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
