Must book events include 2014 National Cherry Blossom Festival, exhibits, theater, dining

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1 For Immediate Release: March 4, Plus Seasonal Hotel Packages Make Cherry Blossom Inspired Getaways to DC a Spring Breeze Must book events include 2014 National Cherry Blossom Festival, exhibits, theater, dining WASHINGTON Destination DC, the official tourism and marketing office for the nation s capital, announces more than 30 hotel packages that combine exceptional room rates with thematic amenities during the National Cherry Blossom Festival (March 20 April 13, 2014). Throughout this season of renewal, the city is abuzz with the nation s largest springtime celebration and a program of world class cultural events. Hotel reservations for these unique deals can be secured online: Washington.org/spring and by phone: BLOOM ( ). Destination DC is proud to offer springtime packages by 34 member hotels during the National Cherry Blossom Festival, said Elliott Ferguson, president and CEO of Destination DC. Walking beneath the famous cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin is a bucket list experience for many travelers, but there are multitudes of only in DC experiences running concurrently with the festival that make DC an ideal spring

2 break destination. Visit a cache of European art saved in WWII by the division known as the Monuments Men, take in some of the 20 plays being featured during a major international theater festival and indulge in a memorable meal on the patio of one of our fine restaurants. Among the hotels offering springtime packages focusing on experience and value: The Fairmont Washington, DC Georgetown: The Pip Pip Cherry io! Package includes cherry infused tea with sweet and savory treats; box of assorted note cards featuring scenic views of the capital s monuments by noted D.C. photographer Jake McGuire. Packages start at $269/night. Kimpton Hotels: Blossom & Bubbles package includes a bubble welcome amenity for children; a gift of locally made cherry blossom soap; complimentary sake at nightly Wine Hour; a $30 room credit per day to use toward parking or dining. Participating hotels include The George, Palomar, Madera, Rouge and Monaco. Packages start at $169/night, depending on hotel. The Liaison Capitol Hill, an Affinia Hotel: Two blossom inspired welcome cocktails; one in room commemorative blooming cherry blossom branch; and two one day Metro passes. Packages start at $203/night. Participating hotels include: Beacon Hotel and Corporate Quarters Comfort Inn Downtown DC/Convention Center Comfort Inn & Suites Near Union Station Courtyard Washington, DC/ Dupont Circle Courtyard Washington, DC/ U.S. Capitol Courtyard Washington Capitol Hill Navy Yard Crowne Plaza, The Hamilton Washington DC Crowne Plaza Washington National Airport

3 Days Inn Washington DC/Connecticut Avenue Embassy Row Hotel The Fairmont Washington, D.C. Georgetown Fairfield Inn & Suites Washington, DC/Downtown The George, a Kimpton Hotel The Graham Georgetown Georgetown Suites Hampton Inn Washington DC Convention Center Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC/U.S. Capitol Holiday Inn National Airport/Crystal City Holiday Inn Washington DC Central/White House InterContinental The Willard Washington D.C. The Liaison Capitol Hill, An Affinia Hotel Madera, a Kimpton Hotel Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC Melrose Hotel Monaco, Washington DC, a Kimpton Hotel Palomar Washington DC, a Kimpton Hotel

4 Residence Inn Alexandria Old Town South at Carlyle The Ritz Carlton, Georgetown The Ritz Carlton, Washington, DC Rouge, a Kimpton Hotel St. Gregory Hotel and Suites The St. Regis Washington, D.C. The Virginia Suites, an Ascent Collection Hotel The 2014 National Cherry Blossom Festival and DC Cultural Calendar The highlight of DC s springtime calendar is the three week long 2014 National Cherry Blossom Festival (March 20 April 13) honoring the 102nd anniversary of the gift of the cherry blossom trees from the Mayor of Tokyo, Japan to the people of Washington, DC. While the actual blossoms can bloom as long as 14 days, the nation s largest springtime celebration pinks the city with free and family friendly events such as the opening ceremony (March 22); Blossom Kite Festival (March 29); Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival (April 5) and the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade and Sakura Matsuri Japanese street fair (April 12). DC is rich with cultural experiences throughout the year and spring 2014 is no exception. Highlights include American Cool at the National Portrait Gallery (thru Sept. 7); The Monuments Men and the National Gallery of Art at the National Gallery of Art (thru Sept. 1); Washington Nationals opening day (April 4); Made in the USA at the Phillips Collection (thru Aug. 31); Chigusa and the Art of Tea at the Sackler Freer (thru July 27), and World Stages, a 20 country strong international theater festival at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (March 10 30). Families should plan on coming nose to nose with little Bao Bao, the roly poly baby panda at the National Zoo it s free to visit her. There is also hands on natural science

5 including bird song karaoke at Q?rius, the lab experience for tweens and teens at the National Museum of Natural History. Dining in the District Dining remains a pleasure in Washington, DC. Families can relax with a casual dine around at Union Market, the District s artisanal food market uniting almost 40 regional vendors under one roof in Northeast. Foodies will want to wait in line for the imaginative meals and cocktails at Rose s Luxury on Capitol Hill. Adventurous eaters can tuck into brunch at Daikaya, a modern Japanese izakaya in the Penn Quarter or dinner at Del Campo, chef Victor Albisu s estancia inspired dining room where everything from avocados to Nigeria prawns get lapped with smoke. Power players will want to follow in Michelle Obama s footsteps and try Joe s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab near the White House. Beer lovers can sip through the menu at City Tap House or Bluejacket, an imaginative craft brewery near Nationals Stadium, and anyone with a sweet tooth shouldn t skip Jason Gerhing s desserts at Menu MBK. Additionally, cherry inspired drinks and dishes will be on menus throughout the city during the National Cherry Blossom Festival s Cherry Picks program. Find all the tools to book a hotel and plan a trip to Washington, DC on Washington.org. And for anyone who thinks they ve seen it all? Find under the radar tips on DCcool.com, Destination DC s new microsite that serves as an insider s guide to America s city. ### About Destination DC Destination DC, the lead destination marketing organization for the nation s capital, is a private, non profit membership organization of more than 800 businesses committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. Washington.org Media Contacts Destination DC Media Contacts:

6 Sarah Maciejewski, Director of Communications (202) Kate Gibbs, Media Relations Manager (202)