The seminary (or "castle" as I called it in high school, for apparently no reason, because castle…read moreis maybe the one type of building that the campus doesn't have) lived rent free in my mind when I was younger. It's just a crazy place, especially tucked right by Silver Spring, right by 16th and Georgia, and yet few people know it exists. Starting out as an inn and then a finishing school for girls, there's a Japanese pagoda, a Dutch windmill, a Parthenon looking building, and so many beautiful statues. After WWII it got taken over by the army. And then it slowly decayed. Save the Seminary, the organization whose mission is to restore the seminary, did a pretty damn good job at restoring the buildings, the ballroom, and the statutes. They do free walk tours, and most insane, the structures are now homes, where actual human beings live. I can't quite wrap my head around it, but if you have an extra mil lying around one of these places could be yours (if any of them happen to be up for sale).

Forest Glen, Maryland: Do you know where Forest Glen Maryland is?…read more Take a look at this map (This is the point of the presentation where I wish I could embed a map into my review) Well, imagine an isosceles triangle. Those are the ones that have a corner with 70 degrees- another corner with 70 degrees- and the third corner with 40 degrees. But make it stand straight up... like a pyramid. Ok, just think of a pyramid... but just one side, not like an actual 3D Pyramid. Ok... ya know what, think of a Yield Sign. There we go, just think of a Yield sign. The bottom left corner is Bethesda, the bottom right corner is Silver Spring and the top of the Yield sign is Forest Glen. See, that was so much easier than just showing you a map. In that time, I hope that you've just googled Forest Glen and seen exactly where it is. So in Forest Glen there is an enormous building on Linden Lane and you'll see a Japanese Pagoda right in front of it. Yes, a true to form, authentic color paint, bamboo what not Japanese Freakin' Pagoda. That'll make you say something like "This Is the FR*&*in' Catalina Wine Mixer!".. of buildings. And then you'll say, "Why have I never seen this before." Here's some real short history. I did the research for you. The building was built as a Hotel/ Vacation Resort in 1887 for DC vacationers: Ye Old Forest Inn. But that didn't work out. Apparently the people who ran it were less than savvy. Then in 1894 it became an all girls school. And it remained that way until 1942. But, as you remember, we were dragged into WW2 in 1942 after Pearl Harbor happened December 7th 1941 "A Day Which Will Live In Infamy". Quick side note. In addition to Pearl Harbor the Japanese on that day also attacked the following: American ships the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu, Malaya, Hong Kong, Guam, the Philippine Islands,Wake Island. And the next morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island. Something I didn't know because everything is really ethnocentric here in America. And now back to National Park Seminary So the building in 1942 became sort of an Annex for Walter Reed and was controlled by the army. But in 1977 most of the buildings were left abandoned. Which essentially became a playground ( a very expensive and beautiful playground) for vandals. After years of neglect and vandalism a company called The Alexander Company helped in it's rehabilitation for the purpose of preserving this listing on the "National Register of Historic Places." For a very long time an organization called SOS (Save Our Seminary) has been working to raise money to preserve and repair so many of the historic buildings, structures, and intricate details that make this place so G-D Da*n Magical! The building used to face railroad tracks where people would travel off the railroad and right onto the campus. Now, that railroad is 495 so the front faces a non accessible point. Coming up from Linden, you're actually coming from the back and don't get to see the entire majesty of what the Seminary is. Quick info: National Park Seminary- the name After Ye Old Forest Inn the school took notice of Rock Creek Park which was constructed and opened during that time ( an attraction that many people were coming to see), the spot was named "National Park" in reference to being so close to that site. The Seminary comes from the older meaning of seminary which is: "a school of secondary or higher level for young women." So the campus is big 23 acres. And on that campus lives several sorority houses done in an international theme ( I KNOW! Awesome!) Which explains the Japanese Pagoda- some of the others include a : "Dutch windmill, a Swiss chalet, an Italian villa, An American Bungalow and an English castle" Quick note- In 1936 the National Park Seminary was renamed National Park College and served as a very prestigious woman's college for a while. The name was changed back to National Park Seminary after it was reacquired from the army. The campus is brilliant and beautiful. Large sculptures decorate the beautiful buildings at almost every turn. A mix of styles inside the buildings. Especially the wonderful ballroom. The site is just something to behold. They do tours on Every 4th Saturday at 1PM Here are the rest for 2014 - They start at 1PM and are 5 bucks per person Saturday, June 28 Saturday, July 26 Sunday, August 3 Saturday, August 23 Saturday, September 27 Saturday, October 25 Saturday, November 22

I really like this theater great service and everything you could want to watch a movie. Its a…read morelittle small. There are a great amount of options for beer and wine too. Its a great place to see a reasonably priced movie.

Great spot for a date night! Intimate, boutique style theater with comfy chairs and great prices on…read moretickets (discounts various weekdays as well as membership discounts). Super convenient spot in the city and they also serve snack type food as well as alcohol and non alcoholic drinks.

Dear reader, It is…read moreonly fair that I report the National Arboretum remains one of the coolest places in DC. It is massive, gorgeous, and the kind of place that makes you feel like you have briefly escaped the city without actually going very far. There is so much space to walk, relax, and just be outside for a while, and it never really feels crowded. Every time you turn a corner there is something new to look at, which makes the whole place feel like a very peaceful little adventure. The bonsai museum is easily one of the crown jewels. It kind of blows my mind every time that there are so many bonsai there, and some of them are up to or over 400 years old, including the famous Yamaki Pine. It is one of those places that really makes you slow down and pay attention because the amount of care, history, and detail in everything is just incredible. A very quiet flex, if you will. I also love that the Arboretum is not just about plants, although those alone would be enough. We saw bald eagles, there are beavers on the grounds, and it always feels like some kind of wildlife cameo could happen at any moment. Between the trees and plants from all over the country and the world, the Capitol Columns, the bonsai, the gardens, and all the open space, there is so much to take in without it ever feeling overwhelming. Dogs are welcome too, which feels very civilized, though they cannot go into the bonsai museum. Overall, this place is just such a gem. Beautiful, relaxing, and full of little surprises. I will absolutely keep going back, and frankly, I think society should too.

According to their website, this is a collections-based research facility and public garden of the…read moreUS Dept of Agriculture. The Arboretum is home to the world's first museum dedicated to the art of bonsai, and that's where we started. These bonsai trees are between 30 to 100-200 years old. There is one that is 400! This section alone is impressive. We also walked over to the columns that were once a part of the State Capitol building. With 451 acres the collections are based on categories which is nice. You want to look at conifers all day? Go right ahead. Azaleas and magnolias? Knock yourself out. Pick your spot. Don't feel like you can see everything AND enjoy it in one day...because you can't. Pick 1-3 things and enjoy the day. Stop by the the visitor center for a map and events for the day. Today there were Ikebana classes. Do a restroom call with the gang there before you venture out. There are portables throughout if you need to go. Read the website for areas that are wheelchair accessible or you could drive through to assess your beginning and endpoints.

My daughter let me know: "Illusions are my favorite!!" So I grabbed some tix to MoI & she was SOOOO…read moreexcited to be going, while on our travel. Understand my dismay when we arrive JUST as a group of about 20-30 adults on a team building exercise, scheduled for the same time as our reserved tickets!!! But the staff (led by Tracy & supported by Cesar) ENSURED my daughter (and even I! lol) had an AMAZING time. Tracy ushered us away from the crowd and guided us through the illusions towards the end, then rotated us to the entrance after the group had cleared. We didn't even realize they were there...(figuratively of course, but real talk!) And that's KEY to these types of museums, especially with children - that they have space to explore without adults rushing them. Tracy and Cesar made sure my daughter had the space she needed to have THE BEST experience of our week in DC. The museum is great! But when coupled with the staff, it becomes a truly reality altering experience!

We were there today at the Museum of Illusions. We had fun, but we were surprised at how expensive…read morethe tickets were for so few exhibits. To be honest, it felt like there wasn't much breadth to the museum. You move through it quickly, and then you're done. If you're going to charge that kind of price, it doesn't quite match what's inside. Either lower the ticket price by at least $10--or if you want to keep the current price, add more installations. Give people more to actually experience. Think about it in comparison to places like the free Smithsonian museums or even other DC museums like the Spy Museum or Planet Word--you're just not getting the same depth of content for the cost. It's fun. It's clever. But it's thin.

Review #239 - 2019 I…read morehonestly do not understand what the whole protesting situation was all about, but then again I don't understand a lot of things that liberals do! But here is a short reading on the upsetting situation: "Five miles from the United States Supreme Court, a 40-foot-tall World War I memorial in the shape of a cross has stood for nearly a century. Now, it is at the center of a battle over the separation of church and state that may end up on the court's docket. The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit declared this month that the Peace Cross, which sits on state-owned land in Maryland and has been maintained with public funds, was unconstitutional, a ruling that supporters of the monument warned could result in a "cleansing" of memorials on public grounds across the country." Supreme Court's Ruling as of June 20, 2019: "The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that a 40-foot cross honoring soldiers who died in World War I could remain on state property in suburban Maryland. The cross, the court said, did not violate the First Amendment's ban on government establishment of religion." When my girlfriends & I were driving around looking for it, we were expecting it to be a monumentally gigantic cross that can be seen from miles & miles away; but when we finally arrived, we were like, "Wait! This cross caused that much commotion! Wow! Liberals really are that easy to trigger!" Thank goodness for people who aren't PC or easily triggered by everything or else we won't have anything nice left on this planet.

Library of Congress -- A Living Monument to History…read more Few buildings in Washington, D.C. carry the weight of history as effortlessly as the Library of Congress. It is not merely a repository of books, but a living archive of the American story--one that reveals itself the moment you step inside. For visitors to the nation's capital, this is not optional--it is essential. The current exhibition, The Two Georges: Parallel Lives in an Age of Revolution, is particularly compelling. Through the intertwined narratives of George Washington and King George III, the exhibit captures a world on the brink--an undeclared nation edging toward war, a fragile cause facing overwhelming odds, and ultimately, the improbable path to independence. What makes this exhibition stand out is not just its historical scope, but its perspective. It does not present history as a foregone conclusion, but as a series of uncertain, high-stakes decisions made in real time. That tension--between inevitability and risk--is where the story comes alive. Accessible, visually engaging, and intellectually rewarding, this is an experience that resonates across generations. If you find yourself in Washington, make the time. Some places inform you. This one reminds you why the story matters.

I have only visited the Library of Congress at a personal level a couple of times. Other visits…read morewere due to events/meetings there. If you are visiting D.C., I cannot stress the importance of a stop here. To this day, it remains the largest library in the world. Pretty impressive. It's also the oldest federal cultural institution. Periodicals, books, etc. available in over 470 languages. More than 178 million pieces of articles from manuscripts, recordings, photos, printed materials, to books and so on. Library acts as a source of research for Members of Congress and handles copyright laws. This building and all its components are an important part of our nation's history.

Friendship Arch in Chinatown [Washington, D.C.]…read more C ultural attraction H istoric neighborhood I ntersection of H Street and Seventh Street N ational Register of Historic Places A bustling neighborhood for nightlife, shopping, and entertainment T he Capital One Arena helped revitalize the neighborhood O ne of the most popular destinations for tourists visiting DC W alking distance from the National Mall N ational unity G ateway structure A rchitectural arch T he Friendship Arch was built in 1986 E xpect plenty of foot traffic Review #3654

Chinatown is always in the US major cities. DC one is one of them. It was relatively small. Even it…read moreis smaller than Houston's one. DC is the capital city of the USA. Judging from the importance of politics, China and Taiwan governments spend more money on DC Chinatown. I used the Metro subway and enjoyed good access to the town. I ate ramen noodles at Daikaya, a Japanese restaurant. Just like this, I couldn't see a lot of Chinese restaurants and businesses. There is a concert and sports arena near Chinatown. Hope to visit an NBA game in the near future.

A favorite place to go and watch movies not shown elsewhere. Beautifully remastered classics are…read moreonce again on the big screen. Ticket prices are very reasonable. Parking on Sundays is free in nearby Montgomery County parking garages. Comfortable seating, enjoyable experience all around! Lots of places to eat nearby and plenty of shopping too right on the heart of downtown Silver Spring. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Came here for a free advanced screening of the movie Christy. I love all the nostalgia feelings in…read morethe theater. Different equipment associated with film making from decades ago and the information about them displayed through out. They have a rewards program that I signed up for while there awaiting the movie to start and the manager was not then happy to tell me about. They seek adult beverages as well which is nice and I was able to get my unsalted popcorn which was awesome but it did come in a smaller portion size than what I'm used to. The movie was a lot better than I had expected and I loved they had Christy and the screen writers there. What an awesome opportunity this was.

As a Regal Unlimited member, I'm always here at this location to watch new movies. I enjoy this…read morelocation because it's closer to where I live and they good restaurants nearby. I prefer coming here during matinees versus at night. I've always received great customer service.

came here after I left marlow heights because they were rude dirty and ghetto... after leaving from…read moremarlow heights and coming here to Róyale I had the best time ever. my girls said this movies is clean beautiful and safe. I love taking my kids to the movies once a month this theater definitely restore my faith. we will be back I love this spot! very kid friendly thank you for making my family have an awesome Saturday

This was my second visit to the memorial and oddly I didn't do a review last time…read more I remember when it was unveiled there were some who were very critical of the style I actually think this is a marvelous memorial maybe one of my favorites in the mall The idea of Dr. King being chiseled out of what is clearly a piece of a mountain that has been rolled forward puts me to mind the belief of Michelangelo that David was in the stone. He just chiseled away all the stone that wasn't David. So to me, it's kind of a statement that civil rights was always present at the center of things. It just waited for that moment for the rest of the Stone to be chiseled away. And the fact that it doesn't look complete means that there's still more to go Very very inspiring and I think that everyone should visit this lovely memorial

The MLK Memorial is a beautiful honor to Martin Luther King, Jr. The memorial has some symbolism…read moreand imagery of his leadership, perseverance, and contribution to the civil right movement. The large stone sculpture of MLK is iconic. The fact that the stone is granite rock, which is one of the largest, toughest, and hardest stones on Earth, is characteristic of MLK's life. I remember when the memorial first opened to the public in 2011, there was controversy surrounding the original quote inscribed on the stone which read "I was a drum major for justice, peace, and righteousness." I can understand if the original intent was to feature a single quote signifying MLK's civil rights contribution, however, I also recognize today the quote misrepresented MLK and discounted his selfless commitment to serving. Although the memorial is beautiful, I wish the memorial featured more grand exhibits of his work. The FDR memorial is around the corner, along the tidal basin, and the creativeness in constructing that memorial is exhaustive and aesthetically features his likeness, achievements, and impact. If you visit during cherry blossom peak bloom, the MLK memorial is absolutely gorgeous. The white and pink trees contrast very well against the light stone and open sight lines. At night, the memorial is well lit and offers a different appreciation of its beauty. Overall, another one of DC's beautiful memorial's a one worth visiting.