No shortage of sights in the nation's capital

Boredom is not an option in Washington. A simple walk outside one's hotel can keep the average person occupied for hours. Museums, theaters, monuments, parks, and restaurants (see page 38) are plentiful in DC and cater to the budget friendly as well as the extravagant traveler.

Washington is a walking city. With a good map, anyone can get anywhere. For those who prefer more rapid transit while in town, the city's Metrorail subway system is a safe and efficient option. Metrobus provides connections for locations not serviced directly by Metrorail. DC's newest transportation solution, the Circulator, provides easy connections between Georgetown and Union Station, and the Washington Convention Center and the Southwest Waterfront.

Taxis are plentiful and cost a little more, but are still an economical option for getting around Washington compared with other U.S. cities. Yellow Cab Co. of D.C. is the largest independent cab company in the metropolitan area. Call 202-544-1212 or 202-TAXICAB. Credit cards are accepted.

When people think of DC, most think of museums and galleries. The following are some of the best known in the city.

The National Gallery of Art, likely the first stopping point of many visitors to the Capital, has two buildings with works of art in excess of 100,000 pieces. The exhibits span from the Middle Ages to present day. Visit http://www.nga.gov/ for information about current exhibitions.

The Corcoran Gallery of Art is another hot spot for art lovers, and only a stone's throw from the White House. The first museum of art in Washington, it is known for its 20th-century collections of photography, sculpture, and paintings by Monet, Degas, and Sargent. See http://www.corcoran.org/ for the current exhibitions.

The Smithsonian American Art Museum houses collections of all genres of American art, including works by photographer Ansel Adams and impressionist Mary Cassatt. The Renwick Gallery, associated with the Smithsonian, displays 19th- and 20th-century American crafts and is across the street from the White House. The site http://www.americanart.si.edu/ describes the offerings of both institutions.

The National Portrait Gallery displays portraits of prominent Americans from all walks of life. Visit http://www.npg.si.edu/ for information about the latest exhibits.

The Phillips Collection, the first modern art museum in the country, is noteworthy for its collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, including pieces by Renoir, El Greco, Picasso, Matisse, and Cezanne. See http://www.phillipscollection.org/ for the upcoming exhibits.

Other art institutes include:

City theaters

There are approximately 65 theaters in and around the city, with The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts being perhaps the most notable. From May 7 to June 19, the center will feature Follies, starring Bernadette Peters. For more information and additional events, visit http://www.kennedy-center.org/.

For those who enjoy smaller venues, The H Street Playhouse is a 150-seat black box theater that is the home of the Theater Alliance. See http://www.hstreetplayhouse.com/ for details.

Arena Stage at the Lincoln Theatre is the venue for two performances taking place during the AUA meeting: Ruined and A Time to Kill ( http://www.arenastage.org/).