Located on the Potomac River next to the Watergate complex, Washington's premier performing arts venue (dedicated to arts advocate JFK) has nine stages and is the home base for the National Symphony Orchestra and Washington National Opera.

It hosts more than 2,000 performances each year, including touring plays, Broadway musicals, and dance programs. Free performances, from Japanese koto recitals to family-friendly theater, take the Millennium Stage daily at 6 p.m. (tickets are not required).

The Opera House seats 2,300 and includes lots of rich red velvet. Renovated in 2004, it is home to the Washington National Opera and is the site of the annual Kennedy Center Honors ceremonies.

The building itself is also worth a look: There's artwork on display (gifts from other nations), an impressive bronze bust of JFK in the GrandFoyer, and panoramic Potomac River views from the building's outdoor terraces. Guided tours are available.

Opened in 1971, the Kennedy Center has been the centerpiece of the Washington D.C. cultural and arts scene for the past 40 years.