Add-On Optional Events & Excursions

Join us for a fun networking and architectural planning and design excursions with
optional add-on events and excursions during the conference. 

Tickets are available for conference attendees, spouses, guests, and APA/SAME members. 

Participants are responsible for their own travel to and from the event or excursion start and end points.
All locations are Metro accessible. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Excursions will be outside and will run rain or shine.

Please note that tickets for add-on optional events are non-refundable, but transferrable until Monday, June 15 at noon ET.

Join us at one of our favorite venues in DC for a networking social with a twist. Step through the deli and into a hidden speakeasy where emerging professionals, industry leaders, conference attendees, and guests come together for an evening of connection and conversation. This relaxed post-conference gathering is designed to keep the momentum going in a more casual setting. Each attendee will receive two (2) drink tickets. One (1) ticket may be redeemed for a beer or wine, or two (2) tickets may be used for a cocktail. Prize giveaways during the evening add to the fun. It is a great way to unwind after the conference, strengthen connections, and enjoy time with colleagues before the walking tours and excursions begin later that day. Sponsorship for this event is available!

Explore Washington’s Southwest Waterfront, a neighborhood shaped by ambition, decline, displacement, and renewal. Originally laid out in the 1770s by the Carroll family as Carrollsburg, the area evolved into a thriving 19th century port and Civil War military hub, home to the nation’s oldest continuously operating fish market and some of DC’s earliest row houses. In the mid 20th century, sweeping Urban Renewal efforts demolished entire blocks and displaced more than 23,000 residents, primarily Black and Jewish communities. Today, developments such as The Wharf signal yet another transformation, making this tour a compelling look at architecture, planning, and the enduring impact of change along the Potomac River. Sponsorship for this event is available!

Explore the heart of Washington, DC on a private walking tour covering approximately 3.5 miles of the Nation’s most iconic landmarks and memorials. During this guided walking tour, discover the history, architecture, and untold stories behind the Lincoln Memorial, the powerful memorials honoring World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, the Washington Monument, the White House, Pennsylvania Avenue, Library of Congress, Supreme Court and ending at the United States Capitol. Sponsorship for this event is available!

This tour comes with the option to continue with a docent-led tour of the U.S. Capitol Building provided by the Staff at at the Architect of the Capitol. Participants can enjoy lunch on their own at the Capitol Visitors Center and visit the gift shop prior to the group tour of the U.S. Capitol Building, providing both architectural insight and civic reflection. As the symbolic heart of American democracy, the Capitol represents the intersection of governance, design, history, and national identity. This culminating experience reinforces the themes of planning, legacy, and stewardship explored throughout the conference. The tour will visit the Crypt, the Rotunda and National Statuary Hall. This optional Capitol tour is offered at no additional charge but is limited to registered attendees of this walking tour excursion, and the specific route inside the Capitol building is subject to change depending on activities of the day. Please note the security access requirements for the optional U.S. Capitol Building Tour.

Explore Washington, DC’s built environment from the unique vantage point of the Potomac River during this two hour afternoon Architectural River Cruise. With live expert commentary, participants will examine the architectural and historical significance of the Georgetown Waterfront, the Francis Scott Key Bridge, the National Mall, the Lincoln Memorial, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the The Pentagon, and The Wharf, along with lesser known sites such as the C&O Canal and Titanic Memorial. 

This afternoon adventure will also include dedicated time for networking in a relaxed setting, complemented by an open bar, with guests required to be 21 or older to consume alcoholic beverages. The program will offer a dynamic perspective on the evolution of the Federal City’s waterfront, infrastructure, and urban development while providing professional development credit in a collaborative, experiential setting. Sponsorship for this event is available!