Blackboard

Washington, DC
Come join Blackboard in its home city during the most beautiful time of year! A renewed and energetic Washington, DC awaits you, your colleagues and your family to explore. As the nation’s capital, there is never a lack of anything appealing to do. Visitors will be awe-struck by the enormous snow-white monuments, wide avenues, traffic circles and spacious parks that define the landscape. By law, no building can be higher than the Washington Monument, and this restriction, coupled with the city’s 8,000 acres of parkland, gives Washington, DC a special beauty and openness.

Metro Washington’s population now stands at over 4.5 million people. Despite the area’s growth, Washington doesn’t have the sprawling metropolitan feel of other large cities. The city is alive with outdoor cafes, colorful neighborhoods and inviting parks. Few places in the world have a more truly international mix of culture, which allows Washington to offer the country’s best museums, impressive architecture, spectacular dining options and nightlife for everyone.

National Harbor, Maryland
Located on 300 acres of prime real estate along the scenic Potomac River in Prince George's County, MD, National Harbor is the new gateway to the nation’s capital region. This spectacular urban-waterfront community offers stunning views of downtown Washington, D.C. and Old Town Alexandria, and is just a 15-minute drive - or water taxi ride - to the heart of the nation's capital.

Weather
Washington, DC weather in July can be hot, sometimes humid, with a chance of showers. At night, the temperatures are usually very comfortable.

• Month: July
• Avg. High: 88°F / 31°C
• Avg. Low: 70°F / 21°C
• Avg. Rainfall: 4.21 inches / 106 mm

 
Must See & Do's
There is so much to see and do in the nation’s capital.  A small sampling of activities to explore in DC and the surrounding area is listed below. Be sure to ask your hotel concierge if you’re looking for specific things to do or need more suggestions.

• Visit one of the many Smithsonian Institution Museums (http://www.si.edu/), especially the newly restored Star Spangled Banner at the American History Museum (http://americanhistory.si.edu/)
• Tour the National Monuments and Memorials (http://www.thedistrict.com/placestogo/monumentsandmemorials.html)
• Take the kids to the National Zoo (http://nationalzoo.si.edu/)
• Explore DC’s great neighborhoods:  Georgetown, Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, and more! (http://www.culturaltourismdc.org/) 
• Explore Mount Vernon, historic home of George Washington (http://www.mountvernon.org/)
• Watch real money being printed at the Bureau of Printing & Engraving (http://www.moneyfactory.gov/)
• Take a walking tour of Old Town, Alexandria (http://visitalexandriava.com/)
• Take advantage of one of the best theatre towns in the nation and see a show or concert at Kennedy Center (http://www.kennedy-center.org/), The Folger Theatre (http://www.folger.edu/), and more (http://dctheatrescene.com/).
• Pay tribute to our nation’s heroes at Arlington National Cemetery (http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/)
• Check out the largest library in the world, the Library of Congress (http://www.loc.gov/)

Time Zone
The District of Columbia follows Eastern Standard Time during the fall and winter months and Eastern Daylight Time during the spring and summer months. BbWorld '09 will operate on Eastern Daylight Time.
 
When it is 12:00 pm (noon) in Washington, DC it will be:

• 9:00 am (Pacific Daylight Time) San Francisco
• 10:00 am (Mountain Daylight Time) Denver
• 11:00 am (Central Daylight Time) Chicago
• 12:00 pm (Eastern Daylight Time) New York