Kennedy Center

Washington’s main cultural jewel is given credit for transforming DC from a cultural backwater to an artistic contender in the late 20th century. The stately white-marble building overlooking the Potomac River opened to the public in 1971. It holds two big theaters, a theater lab (where new or experimental theater is staged), cinema, opera house and concert hall (and the fine Roof Terrace Restaurant to boot). It is home to the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington Chamber Symphony, both directed by Leonard Slatkin, the Washington Opera (www.dc-opera.org), directed by Placido Domingo, and the Washington Ballet. Film festivals and cultural events are frequent highlights. About 3000 performances are held here annually. Orchestra seats cost about $40 for concerts, $60 for theater, $140 for opera. On the day of the performance, reduced-rate tickets are sometimes available for students and for obstructed-view seats. Order tickets by phone or purchase them at the box office. The Kennedy Center also hosts the Millennium Stage, a series of first-rate music and dance performances that take place every day at 6pm in the Grand Foyer and cost absolutely nothing. Pick up a schedule at the Kennedy Center, or check the website for details. A free shuttle bus runs between Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro station and the Kennedy Center every 15 minutes from 9:45am to midnight Monday to Saturday, noon to 8pm Sunday. There’s also paid parking underneath the Kennedy Center.