Veterans Day, the national day honoring military service past, present and future, is an exceptionally engaging time to spend a budget-friendly long weekend in Washington, DC. Among the numerous special events taking place on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 are commemorative wreath-layings at national memorials; opportunities to connect with history at numerous museums; and new this year, the free, star-studded Concert for Valor on the National Mall. Several DC-area hotels

NEW FOR 2014: 
The Concert for Valor
This multi-star pop concert on the National Mall (sponsored by HBO, Starbucks, and Chase Bank) is a pageant of thanks for the service and sacrifice of America's military men and women. Among the expected performers and presenters: Bruce Springsteen, Eminem, Rihanna, Metallica, Zack Brown Band, Carrie Underwood, Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Steven Spielberg. The concert is standing-room only and begins at 7 p.m.

Public s: The stage will be on 4th Street NW. The public can access designated viewing areas through gates on 7th Street NW on the National Mall as early as 10 a.m. Please note, as this is a concert for live television broadcast there will not be giant screens down the Mall as there are for a presidential inauguration. This experience will likely mean the crowd can hear the proceedings but sightlines will be limited. This map shows the area dedicated for the concert.

Getting there and back: Nine stations near the National Mall will remain open past midnight for concert attendees: Metro Center, Federal Triangle, L'Enfant Plaza, Archives, Gallery Place, Federal Center SW, Union Station, Judiciary Square and Capitol South. Riders must be in line by midnight. All other Metrorail stations will be available for "exit only" until the system closes. The Smithsonian Metro station (Blue, Orange lines) will be closed on November 11, 2014 as it is inside the safety zone.

VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCES
Washington, DC is home to numerous sites for reflection and ceremonies at national memorials honoring the American military for their service and sacrifice:

American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial
Dedicated on October 8, 2014, the nation's newest monument honors the sacrifices, struggles and triumphs experienced by veterans disabled while serving America. The memorial is located two blocks from the U.S. Capitol in southeast DC adjacent to the Bartholdi Fountain.

Arlington National Cemetery
The gravestones at this national military cemetery, which marked its 150th anniversary earlier this year, are an impactful lesson on the true costs of war. Walk the paths of this historic park or attend the time-honored memorial ceremony. 
On Nov. 11, a prelude concert begins in the Memorial Amphitheater at 10:30 a.m. followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at 11 a.m. and an observance program in the amphitheater. Space is limited to standing room only for the wreath-laying ceremony and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the amphitheater. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to ensure access to these events and should plan to be seated no later than 9:30 a.m. The site will open at 8 a.m.

Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery
The 17th annual observance at the memorial in Arlington National Cemetery honoring all military women includes formal military honors, a keynote address, veterans' remarks and a wreath-laying. The ceremony begins at 3 p.m.

The United States Navy Memorial
Adjacent to the National Archives in the Penn Quarter, this memorial observes Veterans Day with an author event and wreath-laying. At noon, Patrick K. O'Donnell reads from “First SEALs: The Untold Story of the Forging of America's Most Elite Unit” followed at 1 p.m. by an hour-long ceremony.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Each year veterans, and friends and families of those who lost their lives, gather at the black granite memorial, colloquially known as “The Wall” to honor those who served in Vietnam. Many visitors leave personal effects; more than 400,000 items have been collected to date. On November 11, 2014, a color guard, noted speakers and wreath-laying observances will begin at 1 p.m.

The World War II Memorial
The expansive stone, bronze and water memorial on the National Mall at 17th Street and Constitution Avenue honors the 16 million men and women who served and the 400,000 who lost their lives during WWII. A wreath-laying ceremony on November 11, 2014 will be held at 9 a.m.

MUSEUMS
The national capital region is rich in museums, historic sites, parks and homes. Many have special programming for Veteran's Day or on-going programs with resonance.

George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate, Museum and Gardens 
The home of America's original Commander in Chief salutes veterans on November 11 with a unique program of events: A wreath-laying at Washington's tomb; a patriotic community concert by the barbershop chorus The Harmony Heritage Singers at 11 a.m. and a performance by the United States Air Force String Orchestra at 3 p.m., both of which take place in the Robert H. & Clarice Smith Auditorium. Mount Vernon welcomes active, former and retired military with free admission on Veterans Day.

National Museum of American History
The Smithsonian Institution's cache of Americana displays a number of objects of reverence, many in “The Price of Freedom: Americans at War.” This exhibition considers America's military from the French and Indian Wars to the present conflict in the Middle East, exploring the impact of conflict on citizen soldiers, their families and communities. George Washington's sword and scabbard; the chairs used by Generals Lee and Grant during the surrender at Appomattox in 1865 and General Colin Powell's Operation Desert Storm uniform are among the objects on display.  
National Museum of Jewish Military History
This small museum in Dupont Circle marks Veterans Day with the opening of the new exhibit, “Jews in the American Military,” chronicling contributions across the armed services in letters and memorabilia donated by Jewish veterans and their families. The display includes a brain surgery kit from the Civil War, a diary from a Jewish POW and a Torah carried by a Jewish army chaplain on the Burma Trail.

The Newseum
The museum devoted to the First Amendment has numerous exhibits that intersect with Veterans Day themes. Among them “Blood and Ink,” an investigation of coverage of the Civil War; the Cox First Amendment Gallery, an examination of the five freedoms in the Bill of Rights; and the Journalists Memorial, a tribute to international reporters who have lost their lives covering conflict or murdered as a result of coverage.

HOTELS 
Several DC hotels have created unique packages for the Veterans Day holiday, among them the Kimpton Hotels' Active Duty Military & Veterans package.

Kimpton's four Dupont Circle-area hotels will offer an “Active Duty Military & Veterans” package. The package will be available at Kimpton's Topaz Hotel, Hotel Madera, Hotel Rouge and Hotel Palomar Washington DC for those who wish to visit the nation's capital throughout the month of November.

Kimpton's package includes a 10% discount on room rates at Kimpton's Topaz Hotel, Hotel Madera, Hotel Rouge, and Hotel Palomar Washington DC; two pre-loaded Metrorail cards ($10 value each) and a map of Washington, D.C. Proof of government or military ID required for discount.

The “Active Duty Military & Veterans” package is based on availability and bookable through December 30, 2014. Rates for the “Active Duty Military & Veterans” Package start from $159 per night. To book visitwww.kimptonhotels.com and enter rate code VALOR, or call 1-800-KIMPTON and request the VALOR rate code.

MILITARY DISCOUNTS
Many of the city's museums are free, but some independently operated museums and attractions charge admission. Some of these extend a discount to active servicemen and women. Additionally, the National Endowment for the Art's portal: Blue Star Museums and Blue Star Theaters are excellent sources for cultural centers offering discounts to active military and their families.

The Crime Museum
This attraction's military discount is $2 off admission ($19.95 instead of $21.95). Purchase your tickets online to reduce the cost to $16 for military and $18 for adult general admission.

International Spy Museum
This popular attraction dedicated to espionage offers a $6 discount off the regular admission price of $21.95.

Ford's Theatre
A theatre specializing in performances of plays that inform the American experience, Ford's is a Blue Star Theater. Military personnel receive a 50 percent discount on tickets to performances (excluding A Christmas Carol and select performances of Freedom's Song: Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War). Tickets may be purchased in advance through Ticketmaster online or by calling (800) 982-2787. Use promo code MILITARY. You must mention the Blue Star Theatres program at the Box Office once arriving at the theatre. Limit of two per person.

Hard Rock Café
The Penn Quarter eatery serves casual American dishes with a side of rock memorabilia extends a discount of 15% off food, non-alcoholic beverages and retail purchases to active military. 

National Geographic Museum
The military discount is $2 off the $11 adult admission.

The Newseum
The museum dedicated to the First Amendment and the stories behind the headlines offers a 10% military discount off its general admission of $22.95, making adult admission $20.66 before tax.

President Lincoln's Cottage
The summer home of the 16th president offers a $3 discount off its general admission ($15) making admission $12 for military with ID.