The Day Five itinerary connected attractions around several timed visits which were arranged online prior to our visit, including a tour of Capitol Hill, a visit to Ford's Theatre and touring National Archives. Our day began bright and early with another roaring breakfast at the Hotel, then a ride on the subway to Capitol South Station. The weather was overcast, but warm with expected clearing as the day went on.

The Capitol - We lined up "first thing" behind a class from California in the new visitors reception area behind the Capitol Building. Jane had water/granola bars which were not allowed in and had to dump them at the security check (she was not very happy about that). When inside we exchanged our reservation for passes and got in line for an introductory video on the development and components of the political system and Capitol Hill. It was an important introduction to the tour and US politics.

After the video, we were connected with a smaller group guide who, via wireless headset, toured us through the Rotunda and the crypt areas of the complex. The Rotunda is special with an amazing ceiling and friezes, immense paintings on the lower floor walls and a variety of sculptures (we were positioned near a statue of Lincoln). The guide related stories surrounding the works and other interesting anecdotes (ie: the kids enjoyed the story about a guide putting a super ball through one of the paintings). The crypt, located beneath the rotunda, was originally designed as a funerary but never used for the purpose. It now houses exhibits and is where our tour ended.

Library of Congress - We took a tunnel from the Capitol to the Library of Congress and avoided another security check and gained immediate access to the Great Hall. This was one of Peter's picks, as he had seen the building in National Treasure II. Without an agenda, we explored the levels and enjoyed the Exploring the Early Americas exhibit and especially the With Malice Toward None: The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition, with correspondence and artifacts which track Lincoln's rise to the presidency and eventual assassination. We also took advantage of a tour which had secured access to the viewing area of the "Reading Room" by slipping into the line. We tried to nail a nice picture of the room and did get several shots of the dome, sculptures and ornate architecture which makes the room so interesting. We took in the Great Hall from the mezzanine and spent time looking at a Gutenberg Bible on our way out. We exited the Library, taking pictures of the powerful entrance we had missed taking the tunnel, and made our way to the front of the Capitol.

Ulysses S. Grant Memorial - After snapping some shots from the front of the Capitol, you meet the U.S. Grant Memorial and three sculptures depicting Civil War scenes. I especially liked some of the photos we took of these brass monuments which very much suit the jagged, tragic temperament of the Civil War. It was also here that we started to get a better idea of the draw Washington has on school visits. Within the span of several minutes, six to eight tour buses dropped students, teachers and guides into the area and the commotion began. Further, photographers were set up to do shots of tourists as they pass the Capitol. We quickly trotted on, walking past the incredible design of the National Museum of the American Indian to the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum.

National Air & Space Museum - Once again, an incredible Smithsonian venue, in many ways especially designed for kids young and old!!! I checked the Smithsonian Guide on entry and it mentioned a presentation that occurs at 11:30 everyday in the Einstein Planetarium... thus we had a quick fix of food and ran off to the planetarium only to pick up some of the last tickets for the venue. While getting seated, we waltzed by a mutual friend from our days at Acadia, Peggy Horne. We collapsed into the chairs and our guide took us on a "manual" tour of the evening sky, pointing out constellations and providing references for their locations using other starts. The presentation lasted for half an hour, followed by another thirty minutes catching up with Peggy and her children. I honestly didn't think we'd see anyone we knew on the trip... the world gets smaller!!!

Other highlights from the Air & Space included rides for all in a fighter jet simulator, original planes from the age of flight (ie WWI & II planes, Spirit of St. Louis), a video and model of life on the USS Enterprise (Aircraft Carrier) and rockets/space capsules from Apollo and Gemini missions. Most artifacts were accompanied by models and exhibits which reinforced scientific principles outlining "how stuff works". Next, it was off directly across the Mall to our second major "art" venue, the National Art Gallery.

National Gallery of Art (East & West) - It was fairly quiet as we made our way through the Mall entrance at the National Gallery, and after the obligatory security check, we made our way to the info desk. Sensing Peter and Monica were going to have more difficulty with the content of this museum, we specifically inquired about "kid friendly" materials which we could use to help the youngsters focus on the visit. Voila... out comes the great picture hunt brochure for each which pulled parts of pictures out for hints and placed general locations on a color coded map. We enjoyed the palatial architecture and set out to find Van Gogh, Rubens and Monet amid the rampant hunt for checkmarks on the kids brochure.

We definitely caught the highlights, including Van Gogh 's Self Portrait, North America's only da Vinci being Ginevra de' Benci, Daniel and the Lions' Den by Rubens, and Raphael's Albo Madonna. While we enjoyed the artwork, and leisurely pace we had to keep a close eye to the kids, as they had (Monica especially) a hard time not wandering away in search of the next picture on their sheets. It did keep everyone looking at the art, although they almost got too keen... Peter was great at finding the pictures through only a glimpse into the room!!! While in the east wing or "Modern Art" section, we tracked down Jackson Pollock's Lavender Mist. I've been drawn to Pollock's work, the whole mess of it all finding balance in the end. The funky, flat escalator ride between the two buildings was a great hit with everyone.

United States Navy Memorial - Located several blocks away, across Pennsylvania Ave., is the Navy Memorial. Its open spaces, bronze stations and large granite map were a welcome stop. Peter and Monica ran about while finding places on the globe, while we enjoyed the fresh air and information panels. Next stop was at a street vendor for some vittles... then Fords Theatre.

Ford's Theatre & Peterson House - Our Civil War research highlighted Fords Theatre and President Lincoln's demise there at the site to the hands of John Wilkes Booth. We passed the ticket line with our advance tickets and followed the traffic flow upstairs to the balcony. Here we could view what is a working stage area, with sets being designed and actors shuffling about, and the presidential box where Lincoln was assassinated. There have obviously been renovations, as the new seating and refurbished stage area are of modern standards. Unfortunately, the new museum complex and audio visual exhibits are as yet, incomplete. When finished, I'm guessing they will do much to improve the overall depth of the attraction. The line up at Peterson House (site of Lincoln's death) was crazy, so we cut our losses and headed back to Pennsylvania Avenue.

Old Post Office Tower - If at first you don't succeed, try again. Back we went (after seeing heads moving about in the tower) to the Old Post Office. This time it was all systems go, and we cruised to the 11th floor to a commanding view of the entire city. Pretty interesting vantage point looking down towards the Capitol. We wandered about the uncrowded observation area checking out the views in every direction, then stopped at Floor 10 on the way down to view the bell tower. At ground level, we once again had a snack (I had a great Greek pita thingy) and the kids picked up some souvenir photos in one of the shops.

National Archives - Peter selected the archives for several reasons... in one of his movies it featured prominently as the home of the Declaration of Independence, The US Constitution and the Bill of Rights. We quickly gained access to their location in the rotunda and moved within a large crowd of visitors to catch glimpses of the documents. Although of obvious importance, we had far better luck actually learning something in the Public Vaults. Jane and I stopped cold at several interactive displays, especially one which examined the first shuttle explosion. The wealth of information available was overwhelming. Low and behold, even a copy of the Magna Carta also resides here. The documents, artefacts and displays were top-notch, and we could have spent days surfing through display information and videos.
After about an hour visit, we decided that we'd enjoy the lovely evening and walk several blocks to check out Union Station before catching the subway home.

Union Station - Another impressive architectural building, this working transportation hub hosts metro and train links from around the city and country. Upon arrival we explored the shops and gazed at the "Beaux-Arts" style architecture throughout the building. While there, Peter spent some of his hard earned "Yankee dollars" on a comic novel at Fantome Comics. Monica purchased a fancy Chinese dress from one of the vending carts on the second level. We sat, relaxed, and pondered the day in this glorious, fine old building which still manages to find purpose in the community it serves.

Enough... we were exhausted and made the journey across the city to home via the subway. With fine weather expected, we rested for our last day in DC, one designed for being outdoors and enjoying the many national historic monuments and memorials which dot the National Mall.