This basilica, one of the largest Roman Catholic churches in the Western Hemisphere, was dedicated in 1959. The architecture of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is a mix of Romanesque and Byzantine styles. The Great Upper Church boasts fantastic mosaics, stained glass windows and individual chapels. The lower level Crypt Church is smaller and darker, but equally impressive in atmosphere and ornamentation. The basilica has a bookstore, gift shop and cafeteria.
One of the largest mosques in the United States, the Islamic Center is built with white limestone and has a 162-foot (49-meter) high minaret. Within, stained-glass windows and fine Persian carpets contribute to the mosque's ornate and lavish artistry. In the Center complex, only the mosque is open to the public. Women must wear headscarves and visitors wearing shorts are not admitted. Tours are offered daily.
Dance the night away, or just watch others in the spacious Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park in Maryland. Fridays feature square, contra and country dances. On Saturdays hear big band, Cajun, swing and R&B. Sundays are reserved for intermediate and advanced contra and square dancers. With the exception of contra, the public is welcome to watch, join in or take a lesson.
Formed in 1988, Alexandria Presbyterian Church was the vision of a group of people who were determined to establish a Presbyterian Church of America in the heart of Alexandria. While still relatively young, this congregation has already established traditions that promote fellowship within the church and the community. Among these are an Easter Sunrise service, Thanksgiving service and softball teams.
National Capitol Radio & Television Museum was founded in 1999 and bears records about the development of electronic media. A tour through the museum will present wireless telegraphs from the old period, a telegraph sent from Titanic, a crystal radio built in the 1920's, the cathedral-shaped radio of the 1930's. Patrons can also find radios used after world war II and a lot of other newly invented electronic gadgets during the 1960's and 70's. The museum has interactive displays that demonstrate the working of radio waves and how recordings were done for early television programs. The museum is a walk down the memory lane that will revive the transition of world and is also a great place to educate children on how modernization was introduced to the world.
Sponsored by Knights of Columbus, the Saint John Paul II National Shrine is a religious center for Catholics and also encourages people of other faith to come in. Set up in 2001, this shrine hosts a year round exhibit, A Gift of Love: Life of Saint John Paul II. The building spans 130000 square feet (12000 square meters) and rests on 12 acres (4.9 hectares) of land.