Planning.

Only in the Capital Region

As the center of power in the free world, the Washington region lays claim to many fascinating places.  There's The White House, the Spy Museum, the National Archives.  And then there are the places one need dig a little deeper to find.  Fortunately, we've already done the digging.  Visit the park where an FBI agent and U.S. spy was arrested while leaving classified information for the Russians.  See the parking garage where "Deepthroat" dropped a dime on Watergate.  Drive Embassy Row, where the world's most powerful foreign diplomats do their work.  "Only in Washington" they say, and with these capital curiosities, you'll see why.

1 Day "Only in the Capital Region" Tour Summary

Sure, there are lots of places to take a vacation, but there's nowhere else in the world to find the same fascinating places-from the spectacular to the scandalous-that you'll see right here in Fairfax County and the Capitol Region.  With just a day to spend, we'll take you by one of the world's most powerful clandestine agencies, the CIA, and to the heart of our nation's capitol, where you'll see one of the country's most iconic buildings, The White House, and visit the U.S. Capitol, the site of some of the most important political wheeling and dealing in the world.  Finish your day with a stop by the National Archives and have a gander at the nation's defining documents-the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Emancipation Proclamation to name but a few.

2 Day "Only in the Capital Region" Tour Summary

In two days of touring the wild, wacky and wonderful places you can only see in the Washington D.C. area, you’ll see the place the leader of the free world calls home, check out some of the nation’s defining documents, and dive into the world of spies and scandal.

On day one, swing by the CIA, head into Washington D.C. (or “downtown” as it’s known around these parts) for a stop at the White House Visitor’s Center, and a trip to the heart of our nation’s government, the U.S. Capitol. Then see such amazing pieces of history as the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Emancipation Proclamation.

On day two, start you off at Fairfax County’s Foxstone Park, the spot where spy Robert Hanssen dropped classified information to Soviet agents. Then swing by FBI Headquarters at the J. Edgar Hoover Building, before making your way to the fantastic International Spy Museum, the only public museum in the United States solely dedicated to espionage. Next, finish your day at the Watergate Hotel, site of spying gone awry, when the break-in at Democratic National Committee headquarters brought down an administration.

5 Day "Only in the Capital Region" Tour Summary

Only in the Washington D.C. region can you enjoy five days of national treasures, plus historic sites, spies, secrets and scandal, to boot.

On day one we’ll take you by one of the world’s most powerful clandestine agencies, the CIA, and to the heart of our nation’s capitol, where you’ll see one of the country’s most iconic buildings, The White House, and visit the U.S. Capitol, the site of some of the most important political wheeling and dealing in the world. Finish your day with a stop by the National Archives and have a gander at the nation’s defining documents—the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Emancipation Proclamation to name but a few.

On day two, start off at Fairfax County’s Foxstone Park, the spot where spy Robert Hanssen dropped classified information to Soviet agents. Then swing by FBI Headquarters at the J. Edgar Hoover Building, before making your way to the fantastic International Spy Museum, the only public museum in the U.S. solely dedicated to espionage. Next, it’s on to the Watergate Hotel, site of spying gone awry when the break-in at Democratic National Committee headquarters brought down an administration. Then you’ll want to stop by Column 32D of the parking garage at 1401 Wilson Boulevard in Rosslyn, VA, where “Deep Throat” helped reporters Woodward and Bernstein break Watergate, before wrapping up with a visit to the DEA Museum.

On day three head to the U.S. Naval Observatory, where a tour features presentations on the mission and history of the observatory, and the development of USNO's timekeeping responsibilities. When you leave, head over to Embassy Row, home of the nation’s most important diplomats, then make your way over to Georgetown for a glimpse at JFK’s former townhouse, and wrap up the day with a visit to the Tidal Basin, into which exotic dancer Fanne Foxe jumped, fleeing from the police, after she and her boyfriend, Arkansas Congressman Wilbur Mills were stopped for speeding by National Park Police.

On day four it’s more Kennedy history, with a trip by Hickory Hill, the former home of Robert Kennedy (and which he bought from JFK). Then it’s on to the National Museum of Health and Medicine, at Walter Reed Army Hospital, which houses Civil War physicians’ instruments, all manner of disturbing specimens, and even the bullet that killed President Lincoln. Then get your camera ready for a stop at the “Exorcist Steps” in Georgetown, made famous by the frightening movie of the same name. You’ll wind up the day with a drive over to the Pentagon, before making your way to the National Cryptologic Museum, where you’ll gain fascinating insight into the work of the National Security Agency.

There’s more fun in store on day five, when you’ll visit the amazing Civil War installation Fort Marcy, the infamous Willard Hotel which hosted presidents galore, and literary luminaries from Walt Whitman to Mark Twain. Then it’s a visit to the beautiful Friendship Arch, in Washington D.C.’s Chinatown and finally, wrap up your visit with a stop at "The Big Chair".