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Spousal Program

As always, we at GATA encourage delegates bring their spouse and family, when possible, to attend our functions. In the event, your family does not wish to attend the conference we are in the midst of developing family programs offered from the Hyatt Crystal City during the day.

From our location at the Hyatt Crystal City, near the Ronald Reagan International Airport, you are ideally located for easy access to the entire DC area. Visit monuments and museums, take in a show or game, check out Old Town Alexandria or Pentagon City Shopping or tour historical sites, all just minutes away.

Please watch this site for program offerings for you to choose from during the conference and booking information through the Hyatt Crystal City.

In addition we are offering, to encourage participation during the evening activities, we are offering a special rate of $150 for your spouse or partner to attend the Opening Reception and Friday Evening GATA Gala.

Spousal and Family Activities

There is a great deal to see and do in the Washington, DC and Arlington area. As such, we have outlined some general information on this site and will coordinate activities once gathered at the conference.

To help coordinate activities we will gather for breakfast each morning to coordinate people wishes to undertake different spousal and family activities. As a start we have proposed two activities for Friday, April 18th. Payment for all activities will be made directly to the tour agent, GATA will happily assist in coordinating.

If you have any questions in advance or wish to confirm the wineries tour please contact:
Nicole Berndt: mariewns@yahoo.ca

While at the conference your Coordinator will be Kathleen Ovington. You will find Kathleen at the registration desk and she will also assist you at the breakfasts.

Spousal and Family Activity Breakfast
8.30 AM Friday, April 18th
8.30 AM Saturday, April 19th
Cinnabar Restaurant, Hyatt Regency Crystal City

Coordinator: Kathleen Ovington

Proposal Activities – Friday, April 18th
1. Winery Tour
Operators: Wine Tours of Virginia

This region is home to many wineries and this program includes a tour of several of the finest wineries, tastings and a lunch.

Lunch will be held at the Winery at LaGrange, which is located in a 200 year old mansion and historic landmark, beautifully restored by the current owners. They have a selection of lunch baskets, all of which include cheeses, meats, spreads, fruits, bread and crackers. Lunch is followed by a tour of the winery, then stops at two other wineries.

$139 per person (depending on numbers participating)
Departure: 11 AM
Return: 5 PM

2. Museums Tour
With so many options in the DC area it is best to plan this over breakfast. So many sites and so many different tastes and interests, we are hoping to help coordinate people with similar interestes. Those wishing a wineries tour can also make requests which we are happy to coordinate with the concierge.

Activities and Tours

In addition to the Spousal and Family Program Options the following are provided to allow you the ability to develop your own itinerary that suits your interests. The concierge at the Hyatt is available to assist and book any of the following and to recommend other tour programs.

Top 10 Things to Do in Washington, DC

Tour Options

Sites and Museums

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa

Shopping

Top 10 Things to Do in Washington, DC:

1. Visit the Smithsonian Institute

Start at the Smithsonian Institution Building where you can pick up a map and information on all of the museums. These national treasures cover a wide range of subjects from art to space exploration. Plan to explore those you are most interested in, but don’t try to see everything at once. Be sure to save time to see an IMAX movie at the Natural History Museum or the National Air and Space Museum.

2. Tour the Monuments

The national monuments are truly spectacular. The best time to see them is at night when they are illuminated, less crowded and parking is easier. During daytime visits, take a tour bus. Listen to informative park ranger talks and you won’t have to negotiate congested city traffic.

3. Tour the Three Houses of Government

Explore the U. S. Capitol Building, the White House and the U. S. Supreme Court and you will gain a fuller understanding of the division of power within our democratic government. Plan ahead and note that some tours must be scheduled in advance through your Congressional Representative.

4. Take a walk through Georgetown

Georgetown is the capital’s historic waterfront that today is bustling with activity. The area is a shopper’s paradise and the streets are lined with restaurants of every nationality. Take a tour of historic sites, do some shopping and enjoy a meal at a local restaurant.

5. Ride a bike along the C & O Canal

The Washington DC region is lucky to have wonderful bike trails. Jump on a bicycle and you’ll quickly feel a relief from hectic city life. Take the whole family and explore the historic C & O Canal.

6. See a show or concert at the Kennedy Center

Live theatre productions at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts are entertainment at its finest. Purchase tickets in advance for performances ranging from musicals to concerts by the National Symphony.

7. Attend a concert at Wolftrap Farm Park

Listen to all types of music at this national park dedicated to the performing arts. Outdoor concerts are featured in the summer and indoor performances are held the rest of the year. The park is located in Vienna, Virginia, just 20 minutes from Washington, D.C.

8. Take a hike at Great Falls Park

Take a picnic and enjoy spectacular views of the Potomac River at this 800 acre park, located just 14 miles from Washington D.C.

9. Explore Mount Vernon

With the recent addition of the new museum and education center, Mount Vernon is now a full day excursion. Explore the state of the art galleries and theaters, visit the 500-acre estate of George Washington and his family, tour the 14-room mansion that is beautifully restored and furnished with original objects dating back to the 1740's. Be sure to plan enough time to tour the outbuildings, including the kitchen, slave quarters, smokehouse, coach house and stables. The estate is located in Northern Virginia, just minutes from Washington, DC.

10. Take a walking tour of Old Town, Alexandria

Explore a quaint historic town just over the Potomac River from Washington, DC. Visit colonial houses, churches, and museums and shop for antiques.

Tour Options Available through the Hyatt Concierge. Please contact the concierge for more information on the following and other tours:

DC Orientation Tour

This is an unequalled opportunity to get your bearings and decide what you want to spend more time exploring. Old Town Trolley Tours and Tourmobile buses take you to the main downtown sights, Georgetown, and the upper Northwest. You can hop on and off as many times as you like, and take as much time as you need at the stops you choose. Deciding what to see and where to spend your time is often a difficult decision – but DC truly offers something for everyone.

Each area of Washington has a distinct personality. The Mall is lined on the north and south by some of America's finest museums. Georgetown, the capital's wealthiest neighborhood (and one that's attractive to architecture buffs) is always hopping. The ethnically diverse Adams-Morgan area holds many offbeat restaurants and shops. And Foggy Bottom – a name earned years ago due to the smoke from factories combined with swamp air – has three claims to fame: the State Department, the Kennedy Center, and George Washington University.

Old Town Trolley Tours
202-832-9800

Tourmobile
202-554-5100

Old Town Trolley

Enjoy a two hour narrated tour of Washington DC covering over 100 points of interest, including the Lincoln Memorial, Georgetown, Washington National Cathedral, the White House, the museums of the Smithsonian Institution, and Vietnam Veteran's Memorial. On and off privileges at 17 stops allow you to tour at your own pace.

Spirit of Washington

The Spirit of Washington is the grandest dining vessel ever to cruise out of Washington, D.C. The features are amazing and include three completely separate indoor decks with chic décor, the largest outdoor deck in D.C., dance floors and full-service bars on all three decks, and huge panoramic windows on every side.

Best of all, for one price you'll enjoy scintillating buffets, fabulous views of D.C.'s historic waterfront, live musical revues on the two lower decks, and professional DJs for dancing on all three decks. For two, ten or 600 guests, this is the place to be in D.C.

Credit Card required for reservation. Proper attire required: (Business casual, no jeans, sneakers, shorts or flip-flops/rubber slippers)

Lunch Cruise
$37 & up
Dinner Cruise
$56 & up

Grey Line 1/2 Day Tour

This is a half day tour of the city of Washington. Stop and visit the Lincoln, Vietnam, and Korean Memorials. Tram to the Tomb of the Unknowns for the changing of the guard. Views from the coach include; The US Capitol Building, FBI Building, the White House, Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, and Georgetown.

Credit Card required for reservation.
Adult
$35
Child
$18

Sites & Museums

The National Mall is the central point of most sightseeing visits to Washington, DC. It is the area with Constitution Avenue to the north, Independence Avenue to the south, 3rd Street to the east and 14th Street to the west. The Washington Monument towers above the city at the west end of the National Mall and the U. S. Capitol Building stands tall to the east. There is so much to see and do it is often recommended you do this outside of tour to suit your own interests and schedule.

The impressive architecture of the monuments and memorials combined with the natural beauty of the city has made our Nation's Capital one of the most heavily visited and beautiful places in the world. Nine of the museums of the Smithsonian Institution are located on the National Mall.

These world class museums offer a variety of exhibits ranging from art to space exploration. There truly is something for everyone.

The landscape of the National Mall includes more than 2,000 American elm trees that line the streets and over 170 flowerbeds that are botanical showplaces. The National Mall is not just a great place to visit our world class museums and national landmarks, but also a gathering place to picnic and attend outdoor festivals.

The Washington Monument
The monument honoring our first president, George Washington, is the tallest structure in the Nation's Capital and towers 555 feet above the National Mall. Ride the elevator to the top to see a spectacular view of the city. The Washington Monument is open from 8 a. m. until midnight, seven days a week, April through Labor Day. The remainder of the year, the hours are from 9 a. m. until 5 p. m.

The U. S. Capitol Building
Because of increased security the Capitol is open to the public for guided tours only. Tours are conducted from 9 a. m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Visitors must obtain free tickets at the Capitol Guide Service kiosk located near the intersection of First Street, S.W., and Independence Avenue.

Museums on the National Mall
Museums on the National Mall include many of the Smithsonian Museums, the National Gallery of Art and the U. S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. There is so much to see in these museums, that you can not see it all in one day. Since the exhibits are free, you should choose the ones that interest you most and then move on. When you get tired a good way to rest is to see an IMAX movie at either the Smithsonian's Air & Space Museum or the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum. The IMAX movies are interesting and very popular, so you should plan ahead and buy your tickets a few hours in advance.

Monuments on the National Mall
The major monuments honor our presidents, founding fathers and war veterans. They are wonderful to visit in nice weather and the views from each of them are really special. The easiest way to visit the monuments is on foot, but to see all of them involves a lot of walking. The monuments are also spectacular to visit at night.

Restaurants and Dining Near the National Mall
Where are the best restaurants and places to dine on the National Mall in Washington, DC? The National Mall is the center of most visits to Washington, DC, but finding places to eat in this area of the city is not so obvious. See this guide to restaurants and dining near the National Mall.

Transportation and Parking Near the National Mall
The National Mall area is the busiest part of the city, especially during tourist season. The best way to get around the city is to use public transportation. Parking is very limited near the National Mall.

The Capitol Mall Museum Tour
Completed in 1855, the museum was founded by British scientist James Smithson to increase and diffuse knowledge within the United States. A 24-minute video gives an overview of the many Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo. Plan your day with the interactive touch-screen information available on the display screens.
1000 Jefferson Dr. SW, The Mall

National Air and Space Museum
You can be one of 9 million people expected to visit one of the most popular museums in the world. Twenty-three galleries tell the story of aviation from the earliest human attempts at flight to our jet propelled present. Some of the museums’ historic aircraft include: the Wright 1903 Flyer, Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis, and the X-1 rocket plane in which Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier.
Independence Ave. and 6th St. SW, The Mall

National Museum of American History
“Repeat after me…there’s no place like home”, and then click your heels together and head for this storehouse of America’s cultural, political, technical, and scientific past. Nicknamed “the nation’s attic”, you’ll find Muhammad Ali’s boxing gloves, Judy Garland’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, and Fonzie’s leather jacket from Happy Days.
Constitution Ave. and 14th St. NW, The Mall

National Museum of the American Indian
The newest Smithsonian, opened in 2004, covers over 10,000 years of history of the native groups living in the Western Hemisphere. Hand-hewn crafts and works of art from the America’s are included in the exhibits. 1,000 Roads, a film about the lives of contemporary Native Americans, is shown hourly in the museum’s Lelawi Theater.
Constitution Ave. and 10th St. NW, The Mall

National Museum of Natural History
Bones, fossils and other natural delights – 124 million specimens – were never so interesting. The first floor rotunda is dominated by a stuffed, 8-ton, 13-foot-tall African bull elephant, one of the largest ever found. Don’t miss the gems and minerals on the second floor; the highlight is a pair of Marie Antoinette's earrings.
Constitution Ave. and 10th St. NW, The Mall

International Spy Museum
Your mission – should you choose to accept it – is to gather as much information as possible about what makes a good spy and how they’re trained. Former officials of the CIA, FBI, and KGB are among the advisors for this intriguing museum. Secrets are revealed in the Secret History of History exhibit and Spies Among Us. Same day tickets are available for specific tour times.
800 F St. NW, East End

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Man's inhumanity to man is documented in this solemn tribute to the millions of Jews, Gypsies, Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals, political prisoners, the mentally ill, and others killed by the Nazis between 1933 and 1945. Timed- entry passes are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at the 14th Street entrance starting at 10 a.m. or available in advance through tickets.com.
100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl. SW

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salon & Spa

Whether you're looking for a full day of relaxation, a quick manicure or simply a new haircut, you will be treated to the expert caring attention and service—a Red Door trademark. The extraordinary range of treatments available includes massage, body treatments, skincare, hair design, makeup artistry and much more.

Spa is located just a short cab ride or one stop on the metro away.
Note: A credit card is required to hold the reservation.

Hours of Operation:
9:00AM - 6:00PM
Monday - Saturday

9:00AM - 7:00PM
Tuesday - Friday

9:00AM - 9:00PM
Wednesday - Thursday

10:00AM - 6:00PM
Sunday

SHOPPING

Crystal City Shops

A vibrant concentration of the city's coolest restaurants, and a collection of over a hundred unique stores.

The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City

The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City is located just moments from the hotel, and is on the Washington, D.C., Metro system. It offers a world-class shopping experience where avenues of fashions and boulevards of style await. A scenic glass elevator ride to the Third Level reveals more than 170 stores and restaurants.

Tysons Corner Center

Only 30 minutes from Crystal City, Tysons Corner Center is one of the premier shopping malls on the East Coast. At Tysons, you'll discover an unbeatable mix of 290 department and specialty stores.

There's Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Hecht's, Lord & Taylor, L.L.Bean, and AMC Theatres. You will also find Apple, Banana Republic, California Pizza Kitchen, Esprit, Sony Style, The North Face, Free People, Restoration Hardware, Kenneth Cole, The Disney Store, Brighton Collectibles, Skechers USA, and many more.

Unique treasures can also be found in unexpected places in every little neighborhood in the DC area. Listed here are a few of the most unusual finds:

Numark Gallery
Established and cutting edge art works
625 E St. NW, Chinatown
202-628-3810

Apartment Zero
Swank housewares and the latest international furnishings
406 7th St. NW, Downtown
202-628-4067

Coup de Foudre
Meaning "love at first sight"
Upscale lingerie from France
1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Downtown
202-393-0878

Urban Chic
Top designer suits, jeans, cocktail dresses and accessories
1626 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Georgetown
202-338-5398