Page 7 - AAA Shelby County – AAA Now! – Summer 2017

Trave
l
Exploring thE Foundations oF amErica in
WASHINGTON, D.C.
AAA Shelby County invites you to explore the compelling sights of Washington, D.C. on an exclusive and comprehensive five-day motor-coach tour, April 15-19, 2018.
WhitE hoUSE FactS
• There are 132 rooms, 32 bathrooms, and
6 levels to accommodate all the people who live in, work in, and visit the White House. There are also 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 7 staircases, and 3 elevators.
• At various times in history, the White House has been known as the "President's Palace," the "President's House," and the "Executive Mansion." President Theodore Roosevelt officially gave the White House its current name in 1901.
• The White House receives approximately 6,000 visitors a day.
• Presidential Firsts... President John Tyler (1841-1845) was the first President to have his photograph taken... President Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909) was not only the
first President to ride in an automobile, but also the first President to travel outside the country when he visited Panama... President Franklin Roosevelt (1933-1945) was the first President to ride in an airplane.
• With five full-time chefs, the White House kitchen is able to serve dinner to as many as 140 guests and hors d'oeuvres to more than 1,000.
• The White House requires 570 gallons of paint to cover its outside surface.
• For recreation, the White House has a variety of facilities available to its residents, including a tennis court, a jogging track, swimming pool, movie theater, billiard room, and a bowling lane.
Washington, D.C. is a complex city with a vast number of important historical sites, some somber, others celebratory. Our special tour will be accompanied by a licensed Washington, D.C. guide who will provide historical information and insight regarding the many sites
visited within the National Mall and surrounding area.
The National Mall is where the past, present and future come together.
The monuments and memorials in this park honor American forefathers and heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to this country. Honoring the lives lost in war are the World War II Memorial, vietnam veterans Memorial and Korean War veterans Memorial.
On the westernmost side of the
Washington Mall complex, an impressive Greek Doric temple grandly commemorates the 16th president of the United States. Inside, a commanding marble statue of a seated Abraham Lincoln accompanies inscriptions of two of his famous speeches, The Gettysburg Address and his Second Inaugural Address. On the other
side of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool lies the Washington Monument. Sharing an axis with Lincoln, Washington’s obelisk is one of the most recognizable structures in the entire city. Upon completion in 1888, it became the world’s tallest structure.
East of the Washington Monument you will find world-class museums, including the newest addition, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. The Smithsonian Institution, as it
is known collectively, is a world-renowned museum and research complex that consists of 19 museums and
galleries in Washington, D.C., as well as the National Zoo. The museums collectively contain 154 million objects, works of art and specimens. One of the most popular museums is the National Air and Space Museum, where visitors can learn about the future
of space travel. At the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, pause for remembrance and learn about the fragility of freedom.
Our trip to the nation’s capital will also include a visit to Ford’s Theatre, the site of President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Take a step back in time at this popular tourist destination, where visitors learn about the events of April 14, 1865, and the lasting impact of Lincoln’s assassination on our nation.
Just steps from D.C., and across the Potomac River, Arlington National Cemetery sits upon 624 acres
of land. The cemetery serves as the final resting
place for more than 400,000 military veterans and their immediate family from the fronts of Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as World Wars I and II, the Korean conflict, vietnam, the Cold War and America’s Civil War.
Additional highlights on AAA Shelby County’s visit to the capital will include a tour of the White House, an evening illumination tour, the Bureau of Engraving, and the Washington National Cathedral. Please join us on this life-enriching journey!
Note: The only tour within the National Mall that must be booked
prior to departure is the White House. Our group information must be submitted by November 1, 2017 for the prospect of a tour, so be sure to sign-up for this motor-coach departure soon! For more information and to make reservations, contact the AAA Shelby County office.
SUMMER 2017
7
Now!