I have to concur with Diana on her suggestions for museums and memorials. I was entranced by the International Spy Museum spending more than three hours exploring the exhibit on a snowy day.

Don't forget the Phillips Collection, America's first museum of modern art. It has a wonderful collection of impressionist works. Unfortunately, fifty of its pieces are on tour until January of 2005 (including Renoir's Luncheon of the Boating Party). Even so, I still recommend a visit. Plus afterwards you can go around the corner onto Connecticut Avenue and stop in at Bistro du Coin to continue the French theme begun by viewing the impressionist paintings. http://www.phillipscollection.org/

The National Zoo (part of the Smithsonian) is often overlooked by visitors to Washington D.C. Here in San Diego we have an outstanding zoo but I still love to stop in at the D.C. zoo just to walk through the Amazonia exhibit. http://natzoo.si.edu/Animals/Amazonia/

Have a good time, John in San Diego