1. Watch the HBO series John Adams before you go. You'll have a much better understanding of how it all came to be.

2. Spend an entire day on the National Mall. You'll never get through it all, but it's a noble effort. If you stay at the Mayflower, you can walk to the Mall via a very nice neighborhood in between.

3. Visit the National Archives and view the Declaration of Independence (see #1). If you don't get a she-boner from that, call me so I can arrange to have you spayed.