| The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts is a haven for dance, theater, concerts, and other such activities. Two months after President Kennedy's assassination in November 1963, Congress designated the National Cultural Center as a living memorial to Kennedy, and authorized $23 million to help build the arts center. Located on the banks of the Potomac River near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., the JFK Center opened to the public in September 1971. The lobby, adorned by a loud red carpet and a gigantic bust of the former president, is actually longer than the Washington Monument is tall, to give you an idea of the size of this place. The center features six stages, two restaurants, and several gift shops, and plays host to a wide variety of performances, from orchestras to plays to family activities and more. Free guided tours are offered daily from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. |
