One might think that the middle of Winter is slow in a hotel, but at the DC Guesthouse we are filled with visitors from far and near.

During the holiday season, there are many special events and parties that draw people to our city.   The National Christmas Tree and the individual state trees make quite the seasonal display in the White House's backyard.   The tree in front of the US Capitol is perhaps the largest and most beautiful at night.  With little near to detract from its beauty and that of the capitol itself.   And just to put things into perspective, visit the Lincoln Memorial at night.

The Kennedy Center has many special concerts, ballet, theater - some are even open to the public at little or no cost.   For many Washingtonians, Christmas would not be Christmas without attending the Handel's Messiah sing-a-long in the Opera House.  For those of you seeking a glamorous New Year's celebration on the cheap, dance the night away in the Grand Foyer of the Kennedy Center to classic Viennese waltzes played by members of the National Synphony Orchestra.

January and Febuary are prime museum season.  When the sky is gray and the winds are cold, the museums in our city are often empty and filled with exciting exhibits.  Many of them are open free to the public.

Autumn is the the favorite season of many Washingtonians. Why? The sweltering heat of the summer gives way to pleasant days and evenings with just a bit of nip in the air. School children are mostly in school - leaving the museums and monuments relatively uncrowded. And Autumn is the season for many special events.

You can find a great, detailed calendar of events in the Washington CityPaper, but we thought we would highlight some of the ones of most interest to our guests.

• Washington National Opera presents Falstaff - Saturday, October 10 through Friday, October 30 at the Kennedy Center. Presented by Washington National Opera Call 800-US-OPERA to order.
• The Studio Theatre's Fall Season - Just a few blocks walk will take you to the bussling 14th Street theatre district where you will find some of the best theatre in the city. The Studio Theatre's fall line up includes: Moonlight by Harold Pinter; the Adding Machine, a new musical by Joshua Schmidt and Jason Lowwith, and the Solid Gold Cadillac
  by George S. Kaufman and Howard Teichman.

• Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China's First Emperor - In November 2009, National Geographic Museum will host Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China's First Emperor, an exhibition featuring treasures from the tomb complex including 15 life-size figures, weapons, armor, coins, and more. Don't miss this chance to see the largest collection of significant artifacts from China ever to travel to the United States.

• The Smithsonian - Fall is an incredibly busy time at this complex of museum and research facilities. There are literally thousands of lectures, films, tours, and special exhibits. Check out the newly renovated American History Museum, the scavenger hunts in the American Art Museum, or be one of the first to visit the new Public Observatory at the National Air and Space Museum (don't forget to touch the moonrock while you're there!) Click here to see a full calendar of events but also make sure to see the main webpage for the museums that interest you most.