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Tidal Basin: Take a walk or bus down to the monuments to reflect on Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and learn more about his life and work. See the MLK Memorial by the tidal basin, and read from the Inscription Wall with 14 quotes from his speeches, sermons and writings. The Memorial is open and free to the public every day at all times, and National Park Service rangers are available from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
National Mall: Visit the Lincoln Memorial to watch Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech from the steps where he presented more than 61 years ago. The speech is 16 minutes long. More information about the 1963 March on Washington is widely available, including on the NAACP.org website.
Museum: The National Museum of African American History and Culture is closed on Jan. 20, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Inauguration Day, but you can visit from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. all other days this week. The museum itself is outstanding to learn more of Dr. King’s legacy, and it provides additional resources to learn about Dr. King’s work.
Closing Art Exhibits: The National Gallery of Art’s “The Impressionist Movement” and “Life in the Impressionists’ Paris” exhibits are closing this week. The former is open until Jan. 19 in the West Building from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the latter is open until Jan. 19 in the East Building from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The companion exhibits demonstrate iconic paintings, contextual pieces and information about impressionism and painting in the late 19th century. The Phillips Collection’s “Breaking it Down: Conversations From the Vault” presents new perspectives on cornerstone artists and modern trailblazers in an open exhibit until Jan. 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Smithsonian, National Park Foundation, National Gallery of Art