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ORTHO TRIBUNE | APRIl 2010 AAO Preview 5 F inding something to do in Wash- ington, D.C., is not a problem. Everywhere you look you can find an array of museums, monu- ments, outdoor activities and more. The real question is how to narrow it down. Here are some destinations you might want to consider as you take in the sights of our nation’s capital. Passport D.C. Dozens of embassies and cultural centers open their doors to show- case their traditions, art, music, dance and cuisine in Cultural Tour- ism D.C.’s annual international cel- ebration. It kicks off May 1 with 30 embassies offering various events and programs through Around the World Open Houses. Celebrate Elvis In honor of Elvis and the 75th anni- versary of his birth, the exhibition, “Elvis! His Groundbreaking, Hip- Shaking, Newsmaking Story,” at The Newseum tells the story of Presley as he was portrayed in the news media and explores how his music and physicality pushed the boundaries of mainstream taste and free expres- sion during a time when America was experiencing deep generation- al shifts. Produced in collaboration with Elvis Presley Enterprises, the display includes rare objects from the Graceland vaults that have never before been publicly displayed. Millennium Stage performance Take in a free performance at The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage every evening at 6 p.m. Acts include everything from performances by the National Symphony Orchestra to gospel groups to jazz musicians to poetry slams. Making money Make money (or see money made) with a free tour of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Gargoyle Tour Explore the beautiful grounds of the National Cathedral, then take a Gargoyle Tour ($10/adult, $5/child or $30/family), and see how these whimsical creatures reflect history in stone. There’s even one fash- ioned after Darth Vader. National Archives See the original Declaration of Inde- pendence, U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights at the National Archives, then stick around to research your own family’s immigration records. Relive history Sit in the lobby of the Willard Inter- Continental Hotel to imagine his- tory unfolding. The hotel is where Julia Ward Howe wrote “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” where Pres- ident Ulysses S. Grant popularized the term “lobbyist” and where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his “I Have a Dream” speech. Find money, monuments, more in D.C. Neighborhood exploration Get out into D.C.’s neighborhoods to learn about history beyond the National Mall by experiencing Cul- tural Tourism D.C.’s free self-guid- ed walking trails. They are marked with illustrated signs revealing the stories behind Washington’s historic neighbor- hoods. D.C. from above For a great and inspiring aerial view of the city (without the wait you’ll find at the Washington Monument), visit the Old Post Office Pavilion on Pennsylvania Avenue. OT (Source: Destination DC) AD Head out into Washington, D.C.’s neighborhoods to see sights such as these rowhouses on Capitol Hill. (Photo/Destination DC)