ddm1

We were thinking of taking a spring break trip with a 3 & 5 yr old. Any ideas on what we could do to keep their interest for 3 - 4 days or is DC just way out of their league? thanks for any suggestions.

Flyboy

It's way out of their league -- but then again, it's not such a bad thing to stretch for things early. The National Zoo and some of the Smithsonian museums would be great. The National Museum of Natural History (dinosaurs!) and the Air & Space Museum are two that come to mind first. The White House, the U.S. Capitol and some of the national monuments would be good. But like it or not, they would probably be most greatful for a hotel with a swimming pool and they're not as easy to come by in Washington as they are in many other locations.

Flyboy

Make that "grateful".

ddm1

Thanks. We were just trying to think of somewhere not to far from Pitt that we could go for a short spring break trip. We may consider going someplace else but not sure where. Thanks for the info.

Orcas

What do you want to get out of the trip? Yes, it is out of your kids' league, if you mean, are they old enough to learn anything about our nation's government and history. They have no context for that. But that doesn't mean you can't still tailor a trip that all of you will enjoy. Just be sure you give them time for sleep, so they don't get cranky, and intersperse plenty of opportunity for physical activities. The National Zoo would be a good choice.

Orcas

Our emails crossed in the mail. I agree with flyboy about the pool. We always looked for hotels with pools when we traveled when the kids were little.

beanweb24

You might find these websites helpful:

http://www.washingtondckids.com/
http://www.bluesuitmom.com/travel/fa...hingtondc.html

DC is a great city - am sure you would find plenty of activities to keep your kids interested. The bigger challenge will be not doing too much!

Another idea for similar distance from Pittsburgh -- what about Hershey, PA?

ddm1

Hershey was my first preference but I was disappointed to learn that Hersheypark would not be open. I thought for sure they would have something opened for Easter. We could still go the the lodges and maybe the Chocolate Factory, but I'm not sure what else we could do. I'll check out those web-sites. Thanks again all for the info.

emd

that is tooo bad about Hershey. I woudl have thought they'd be open at spring break time since they are open for Christmas and the holidays.
When our kids were those ages we stayed at farms that had family B&Bs with them. Several around Lancaster PA. The Old Fogie farm was out favorite. The kdis got to gather the eggs in the chicken coup, play w/the potbelly pig, ride a pony w/me or dad holding on to them, pick strawberries, swing in the big porch swing, etc. and the owner played guiatr and sang songs to the kids in the evening. It was alot of fun.

emd

P.S. they had two bedroom apartment separate from the farmhouse that we stayed in. those were the days, not the easy days, but the fun days...

sprin2

At that age, my boys loved Air and Space and Natural History. They also liked the zoo and the National Cathedral (in small doses) -- you can go up into one tower, and look at gargoyles.

If you do decide on DC please post and we can recommend some good restaurants.

moneygirl

My 5 year old just got done studying Presidents (month of February) and was quite intriqued with the fact that all of the President's "share the White House and then go to their real house when they are done." He also was interested in the Lincoln Momument Three year olds are tough customers though... good luck!

dolciani

The National Zoo has a new petting zoo and baby cheetahs!

ssachida

ttt

Lorrieishere

ttt

birder

My neices and nephews always loved touching the moon rock in the Air & Space museum. The dinosaurs in Natural History were also an incredible hit. Dorothy's shoes in American History were also of interest. I agree the National Zoo is a lot of fun for kids.

ddm1

Thanks to all who sent it suggestions. We are still not sure but will continue doing the research on it.

leahinsc

I think DC would be ok for that age but the weather might be iffy. The zoo definitely but walking around in the cold w/ little ones while the animals hide out... Natural History yes how long could they last? At least it's free!
Here are my votes:
Hershey Chocolate World and the Sci museum in Harrisburg and then take them to one of the farms and let them see some animals.
OR
Baltimore - aquarium, Inner Harbor also has Science museum

Eva

Dolciani--Surely the cheetahs are not in the petting zoo?

My daughter and I were just reminiscing about her first trip to DC when she was just 2. The trip was actually for me! She remembers the Tomb of the Unknown soldier as the place where she had to be real quiet and was given a baggie full of teddy grahams to help accomplish that feat.

She liked running around on the mall, riding in the tourmobile, and "saluting" all the statues. It was fun for the 3 of us (aside from the tantrum).

The zoo is a great place to go as is trekking up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial--even little ones can appreciate such a giant statue.

Loews L'enfant hotel caters to kids and has an indoor pool. It's a bit remote as far as restaurants go in the evenings but you might be turning in early after chasing little ones around the sights.

The reason we even discussed it was a temper tantrum we were observing from our restaurant table last night and I laughed and said the only 2 temper tantrums she ever had occurred at the Smithsonian and MGM studios.