Travel the Timeline in historic DC. Check out the recommended attractions of particular interest to GB.net fans. And make sure to see DC at its most romantic--at night. There's a magical display of illuminated memorials and impressive architecture. Take a cruise under the bridges of the Potomac river and gaze at a skyline free from skyscrapers.

Sign up for Group Tours and Events

Wrath of Gods - special presentation of the award-winning documentary on the filming of "Beowulf and Grendel" hosted by the director, Jon Gustafsson - Friday, April 4, and Saturday, April 5, 10:00am - 12:00pm.  Click here to register for your date choice.  The cost is included in your convention ticket.

These workshops will be held on Saturday, April 5 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Old Town:

• Making a Fan Video,  8:30am
• Signatures and Avatars, 12:30pm
• Scottish Country Dancing,  1:30pm
• Scottish Gaelic and Customs, 2:30pm

The cost of the workshops is included in your convention ticket. Sign up for one or more workshops here.

We will arrange the following optional group tours or events. Please note these tours are not included in the convention fee. We will post details as soon as the plans are finalized, and we may be adding tours in the future. Check back for updates.

• Nim's Island movie showing at the Potomac Yards movie theater - Friday afternoon, April 4, 2008, aorund 3:00pm (actual time to be determined closer to the event).  We will preorder tickets to the movie to guarantee seating.  Cost is $12 which covers the ticket and transportation to and from the hotel to the theater.

• Meet and Greet at Gadsby's Historic Tavern -- Friday evening, April 4, 2008. 5:30-9:30 pm. During this welcoming reception for attendees arriving by Friday, guests will enjoy a selection of hors d'oeuvres (ham biscuits, colonial stuffed pastries, marinated chicken strips, quiche, smoked salmon are among the choices) and a cash bar in the elegant 19th Century Ballroom and courtyard.  There will be activities to assist in getting to know each other. Feel free to leave the party to enjoy dinner in Gadsby's authentic 18th-Century Tavern or one of the many other great restaurants in the area. See Gadsby's Historic Tavern website. Cost is $28 which includes bus transportation from the hotel to Gadsby's.  The event is limited to 200 people.

• Colonial Alexandria Ghost Tour -- Friday, April 4, 2008, 8:00pm.  Cost is $8.00. Costumed guides lead by lantern light while sharing ghost stories, legends and folklore. Hear about unsolved mysteries, tales of romance and angry ghosts looking for revenge! Each tour is a one-hour six-block walking tour. Sign up here for our group tour. 

• Gerryfest Slumber Party -- Friday night, April 4 2008. Grab your pillow and bunny slippers (regular clothing allowed) and pad down to the Madison Room or Roosevelt Room for a local tart tradition. We'll stay up and watch Gerry videos and movies, sing karaoke, play games, share limericks. No charge to those staying at the Crown Plaza and the Holiday Inn.  Cash bar available. Reservations required.

• Washington, DC Bus Loop -- Saturday, April 5, 2008.  9:00am to 3:00pm. A chartered bus that will make a continuous loop from the convention hotel to many of DC's major attractions. The bus will run from 9:00am to 3:00pm and drop people off at Arlington National Cemetery, the Lincoln Memorial (which is close to the Vietnam Memorial, the Korean War Memorial and the WWII memorial) and then on to the National Mall. The National Mall includes Washington Monument and the Capitol building along with the Smithsonian Institute with many museums. Cost is $25.00.

• Alexandria Bus Tour -- Saturday, April 5, 2008, 10:00am.  A one hour guided bus tour of Old Town Alexandria highlighting the Scottish influences of the city.  Tour cost is $15.00. 

• Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens -- Sunday, April 6, 2008. Step into the late 1700s (and the time of poet Robert Burns) at this living history museum where actors dress in period costumes. Explore the beloved waterfront mansion of our first president, George Washington, and its beautiful gardens.  

Other Suggested Attractions

Coinciding with our convention activities, the National Cherry Blossom festival will be in full swing running from March 29 - April 13, 2008. 

In addition, Alexandria will be hosting the National Capital Tartan Day celebration just blocks from the convention hotel in the Market Square. There will be Scottish music and merchandise along with Scottish clan information and plenty of men in kilts!

Constitution Avenue and the National Mall -- Recall ancient Greek civilization with the majestic architecture of this city inspired by the Greeks. This area is especially stunning in the early evening. Use the Smithsonian stop on the Metro. See the Washington, DC tourism website.

National Cathedral -- Wander the stone vaults of a beautiful medieval-style cathedral. Relax in the purple green gardens reminiscent of the Scottish countryside. Don't miss the Celtic and medieval gift shop! And on a slow weekday morning, ask for a demonstration of the phantom-esque 10,000-pipe organ. Lovers of art and architecture will especially want to ask for a docent-guided tour. See the National Cathedral website.

Scottish Rite Temple and the Robert Burns Library -- General tours of DC they may point out this building, voted the fifth most beautiful building in the world. Did you know the Scottish poet Robert Burns was a mason? These Masonic headquarters house one of the world's largest collections of material on and by Burns, recognized as second only to the collection in Glasgow, Scotland. Look for this building (and the National Cathedral) to be featured in Dan Brown's follow-up to the Da Vinci Code, The Soloman Key, or possibly in the upcoming sequel to National Treasure.  See the Scottish Rite Temple website.

National Gallery of Art -- See how Degas inspired the sets of the Phantom of the Opera, or study Cezanne who inspired best friend Emile Zola, author of Therese Raquin. See the National Gallery of Art website.

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History -- imagine your own reign of fire from the real-life dragons of the Jurassic era. See the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History website.

Kennedy Center -- Check to see what broadway musical might be playing during the convention. See the Kennedy Center website.

Washington National Theatre -- They have their very own phantom, you know.  See the Washington National Theatre website.

National Shakespeare Theatre -- Local area Tarts have been to productions here of Coriolanus, Moliere's Don Juan, and the Persians by Aeschylus.  See the National Shakespeare Theatre website.

Royal Mile Scottish Pub -- Just north of DC is our favorite local Tart hangout. This modest pub hosts Scotch tastings, sea shanty sing-a-longs and Celtic music. Chef Ian Morrison is trained in excellent Celtic fare. Try the fish and chips, the Wandering Willie, or a 25-year old Bowmore Scotch. See the Royal Mile Scottish Pub website.

International Spy Museum -- You know you want to play Lara Croft to Gerry's Terry Sheridan. Admit it.  See the International Spy Museum website.

Baltimore National Aquarium and Historic Baltimore Inner Harbor -- Visit the largest exhibit of Seahorses ever seen in one place. In 2003 this exhibit was loaned to Italy, but we have hope it may return in time. The harbor also offers Ft. McHenry (the inspiration for the national anthem), the USS Constellation, a science museum, and a great place to shop and dine. A lovely day trip one hour north of DC. See the National Aquarium and Baltimore Inner Harbor website.

General Tours

Odyssey Dinner Cruise -- From the Jefferson Memorial to the Watergate Hotel, cruise along the Potomac River aboard the Odyssey and experience the skyline of DC in the moonlight.  See the Odyssey Dinner Cruise website.

Old Town Trolley -- This hop on, hop off venue will take you past the most popular tourist museums, houses, and monuments. Rate for the day is approximately $30. See the Old Town Trolley website.

Monuments by Moonlight -- Onboard you'll see the illuminated monuments and memorials, the Capitol Building, the White House and Georgetown. Stops include: FDR Memorial, the Iwo Jima Memorial and the Lincoln and Vietnam Veteran's Memorials. Learn which President's spirit walks the halls of Congress.  See the Monuments by Moonlight website.

Segway Tours -- Not many cities offer Segway motorized standing scooter tours, but DC has them! This unique 4-hour journey costs about $70. Both day and evening tours are available. See the Washington Segway Tour website.

Seated Scooter tours -- These scooter and bike tours make the sites of the nation's capital accessible and fun for everyone. Riders are provided with complimentary electronic headsets so that you can hear all of the details. The tours run Wednesdays and Sundays; however, additional tours can be arranged if we have a sufficient number of people interested.  See the
Washington DC City Scooter Tour website.

For More Information:

Ramsay House Visitors Center -- 703/838-5005; 800/388-9119
Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association -- 703/838-4200; 800/388-9119