guesa123

Hi all!

I am trying to plan a family trip to visit my sister for Christmas. Our dates are 12/25 through 12/31. I am a go-go-go vacationer, while the husband is not. We are traveling with two small kids (ages 5 and 3) and my mother, who is not an adventurous traveler. Here is what I was thinking so far:

Day 1 (12/25) Travel day
Day 2 – Metro to Alexandria. Walk around, see sights, get boat to Mt Vernon. Mt Vernon.
Day 3 – Udvar-Hazy Center. Is this a whole day thing? If not, what do you recommend?
Day 4 – American History museum and Air and Space, if we have time. Maybe Georgetown?
Day 5- Gettysburg and Lancaster County or maybe Antietam and Harpers Ferry Instead. Maybe monuments at night if the weather is nice.
Day 6 – Leave.

I have contacted our representative for White House tickets, so if we get those, the schedule will be adjusted.

I was just in DC with the older child and we went to the Zoo, the Natural History Museum and the Washington Monument/Mall area so we are skipping those.

The husband hates big cities, so I am trying to limit the time in DC. On the flip side, I love the city life, so I feel it's a waste to go to DC and not get the "full" experience. We will be staying in Rockville (maybe? up for debate). I haven't booked anything but the flights yet, but husband does not want to stay in the city. Sister is in Germantown.

My main questions, but all advice/help is appreciated:

1. Is this doable or can I even add more sights?
2. The kids are 5 and 3. Any other must do's or should not do? We will likely rush through the museums as the kids will only be interested in the hands on/interactive activities.
3. The only item I am particularly tied to is Mt. Vernon, other than that, it's all flexible.
4 Do we need a car? My sister has a car and I figured we can borrow it on Day 5. She has no interest in Gettysburg.
5. We are from Florida, so I'm not sure about the weather. All the research I've done says it is nice, in the 50s. Are any of our plans a bad idea for December?

Thank you in advance! I appreciate any and all tips, advice, etc. People I've talked have said we're crazy to take kids that age to DC in the first place, so I'm not sure. But the kids are great travelers, well behaved, and we have a 3:2 adult: child ration, so I am optimistic!

Most of the threads I've seen on here are older children specific.

tchoiniere

You will not get White House tickets as they do not conduct tours that week. Udvar Hazy takes 5-6 hours. Food is limited to just an overpriced, overcrowded McDonalds. I would bring a picnic lunch and leave it in your car (especially with where you may stay - I would probably rent a car as it is a haul out there).

If you are just looking for a budget hotel, look at the Americana Hotel in Crystal City. Bare Bones hotel but great rates and near a Metro Station just outside of DC but a much better option than Rockville.

Look at the National Geographic Museum and Post Office Museum as they have offerings for kids (not sure what ages though the museums are recommended for)

NewbE

I would skip Udvar-Hazy. It's a hassle to get there and it's not co-located with anything and the kids will hate the schlepp and not get much out of the museum and there's no food. Just my two cents, lol, but if you're not an aviation buff, it's not worth it when you have so little time in DC.

Mt Vernon will be great for you and the kids, especially if the weather is good, which it could well be. Being that you're from Florida, 50's will feel cold, but not freezing. The kids can run around outside to warm up! Which is also the great thing about Smithsonian museums: you can always take an outdoor break, get some food from a food truck, and go back inside.

I would consider doing Eastern Market on the day you save from axing Udvar Hazy (ha ha): go for breakfast at Market Lunch, walk around the market and neighborhood, explore the Capitol grounds. A nice half day if the weather is fine.

NewbE

Also, the White House tour isn't all that impressive anyway, sorry to say, and the security restrictions (no bags) make it a pain, so don't feel bad about missing that. You can see it nicely from outside and take some pictures.

tomfuller

Udvar-Hazy is next to Dulles airport in Chantilly if that is the airport you are flying in or out of.
Reagan National has its own Metro station.

guesa123

Thanks for the advice so far!

We were actually just informed that there are no tours that week of the White House, but we did get tickets to the Capitol, so maybe the suggestion of Eastern Market will work that day?

We are flying in and out of Dulles, so that was an option, to save Udvar for our final day as our flight is later in the day.

I will definitely look into the NatGeo and Postal museums. We've done the "Mall" museums many times (the adults, anyway). So those are new to us!

Keep em coming!

tchoiniere

The problem with Udvar Hazy that day would be your luggage as I don't think there is a locker that will hold it. I would look into that.

1 museum I usually recommend is the Portrait Gallery. Gorgeous building and a lot of great pieces including a gallery of portraits of all the Presidents. I don't know how much your kids would get out of it but I would make a stop there. It is also very close to restaurants for afterwards or even before as the museum is open till 7.

edjim

The National Zoo might be just what you need. Near a Metro stop, too.

yestravel

If you get temps in the 50's you will be lucky. Given you are from Fla I would bring very warm clothes. You could easily have temps in the 30's or 40's and possibly snow flurries.

If being near your sister is important Rockville is a good location, hopefully near the metro.

Sassafrass

Since Germantown is a good distance from central DC, you will spend a lot of time going back and forth. Will your Sister be going with you? If not, there won't be much family visiting time, but maybe that is OK with everyone.

Your schedule sounds fine for a person who likes to "go, go, go" but not so great for kids, and nothing much of interest for them.

Some things for the Kids (and you)
I realize you said you were skipping it, but did you go to the O. Orkin Insect Zoo in the Natural History Museum? It has living insects in their environment. There are people there to talk with the children. The children can touch and hold some of the insects. This was my daughter's favorite place in the world from about age 3 on. She became a parasitologist!

The Natural History museum also has the dinosaur exhibitions.

The National Aquarium is in Baltimore. It is about the same distance from Germantown as it is to DC. It is expensive, but it is huge and beautiful. Expect to spend 3 hours there. The kids will love it! Even 2 year olds enjoy it, but they get tired, so you might want a stroller for your 3 year old. They may provide them. You could check. Besides sea animals, there is a rain forest you can walk through with live birds, frogs, etc. There are some shows too. There is also a restaurant right in the building.

Another advantage of the Aquarium is no matter the weather, it is great and it is right on the beautiful Baltimore Harbor with lots of restaurants, bookstores, etc. There are also some old boats which you could tour and the kids (at least the 5 year old) would enjoy.

Unless the weather is really nice and sunny, skip the boat to Mt Vernon. Drive and park instead. Get tickets ahead if you can. Make Mt Vernon your first thing to do while little ones are fresh. Then if you are up to more walking around Old Town Alexandra, you could have lunch there.

Why don't you play some of the other things by ear? If it is a nice day, Harper's Ferry is nice, but a good deal of walking for kids. Not easy to find decent place for food either. Take snacks and water. Lancaster, also OK. I can't see the kids spending a day going to battlefields. If your Mom is not so keen on daily outings, would she take care of the kids for a few hours so you could do it?

Another very interesting experience is taking in a performance at the Ford Theater, perhaps again, your husband or Mom taking care of the kids, while two of you do the theater.

Frederick is lovely, though not sure what is happening between Christmas and New Years.

marvelousmouse

I second the suggestion of the National Aquarium. I've been to most of the major US aquariums. The National is one of the most immersive, interesting ones I've seen. They have a jellyfish touch tank for the kids which I've never seen at other aquariums but it was a blast.

Not much further away- Philadelphia would be a lot of fun with kids, even if you only had enough time for Liberty Bell, Reading Terminal Market (amazing Amish donuts) and the Ben Franklin Institute.

DC: The kids might like the Postal Museum. I'd skip Udvar Hazy for air and space because for one thing, with kids that young, I don't even think you'll get through the air and space. Udvar Hazy involves trekking out there which takes time and energy. I think also that air and space has so much huge stuff to walk around and climb that it's a full day with little kids.

Don't underestimate how long American History will take. It's like a whole day by itself- at least if you have little kids. And it gets crowded.

Native American Museum might be good as well. It has displays of Native American toys and a really good cafeteria where the kids can try something new.

I'd probably skip Georgetown. I liked eating there- I had some really good Italian food- but it's kind of a high end chain store area otherwise. There is a really cool apothecary museum in Alexandria that you might enjoy.

Have you been to Williamsburg? I don't know if I'd drag the kids to the Battlefields. But Williamsburg is kind of aimed at the really young kids, and I'd probably do that instead of Harper's Ferry/Gettysburg. (I would rather do the battlefields. But I would have been bored stiff dragged there as a kid- I think you really need to have an appreciation for the history to enjoy them).

I'd do the monuments if you have any good weather at all- that's still my favorite thing to see in DC. And outside, the kids can move around and be loud.

yestravel

I agree the Aquarium in Baltimore is fantastic and worth spending a day at.

tchoiniere

"The Natural History museum also has the dinosaur exhibitions."

Actually right now, that exhibit is closed and will be for another few years. Though the NH Museum is still a great stop for kids.

I also agree with the suggestion of the National Aquarium in Baltimore but given the time, I would do Baltimore on your Day 5 and skip Gettysburg until the kids are older to get something out of it.

Do the Aquarium and the Maritime Museum where you can walk around the ships. Lots of restaurants right there too.

Christina

I think someone thought you were staying in Germantown, but you said just that your sister lived there and you planned to stay in Rockville. That's fine, it has a metro stop and it will be cheaper out there for sure. I presume that was a choice to be relatively near your sister (Germantown is much farther out) but not as far out and wiht access to the metro.

For those reasons, I think it is a pretty good idea. Besides, your husband doesn't want to stay in the city, so you don't have much other choice, I think it is better than the last stop on the line (Shady Grove). Rockville does have a small central area as a real city, so to speak, and there are some decent restaurants out there. Also, it's not a bad location for driving other places, like Baltimore, and avoiding DC entirely.

StantonHyde

Here is my trip report on DC with kids from 3 years ago. I assume your 3 yo no longer naps??? I realize that you are go-go-go, but what about the kids?? We took the kid to DC the first time when they were 2 and 4--we spent an ENTIRE day at the air and space museum. They loved it!!! The American History Museum is cool but maybe more so for elementary aged kids. The zoo is good for young kids. Mt. Vernon was nice--my kids loved the animals. What about the American Indian Museum or the Black History Museum? I understand your DH might not like being in a city, but that's where you are. And the museums are FREE!!!! You can go until you are done and then leave. It is awesome. If he wants a vacation to Amish country, then go do that. Do NOT drive from DC--gads!!!! I lived outside of Philly and drove to DC regularly. I would not do that with young kids. Make this short and simple. They will be happier. DH is an adult, he should be able to contain his whining Or--send him off a day or so by himself.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...rip-report.cfm

guesa123

Thanks again everyone! Based on your suggestions, we're cutting out the battlefields and adding the aquarium. They love aquariums and the fact that it is inside is really great. When we were in Baltimore last month, that was the one thing my daughter (5) asked to see, but we were just there to grab our flight home so just did a quick walk around the harbor and rode the dragon boats. I'm also going to add the Postal Museum. My daughter wasn't really impressed by the natural history museum, except for the small Dino exhibit, but we are going to try the American history, specifically the kids interactive area on the bottom floor. It had closed by the time we got there last time.

Thanks for the trip report StantonHyde! Great tips!

My sister is in Germantown, so that's why we're staying in Rockville. As I said, I'm more looking for interesting activities for the kids in and around DC, not a full D.C. Vacation and the kids are so little and don't really care about history. We're mostly there for family time, but we'd like to see some cool sights while we're there and keep the kids and us entertained! You've all given me a lot of great tips. I never thought to leave the kids w my mom for a bit, but that's a for sure possibility!

Thanks again! I'll let you know how it goes!

weimarer

I would skip the boat from Alexandria to Mt. Vernon. It's too long-90 minutes. There is a 40 minute round trip boat from Mt Vernon. It goes up to Fort Washington and back. If you have binocs, bring them, as there are quite a few bald eagles along the river there and they are easy to spot in winter.

I'd also suggest staying in Alexandria the night before and the night of the visit. Driving back to Rockville or wherever in MD in late afternoon/early evening will be horrible and bus/metro combination will take a long time.

If you stay at a hotel in Alexandria with a shuttle bus to take you to Huntington Metro (end of Yellow line), the bus to Mt Vernon is 27 minutes.

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connect...hedule/101.pdf

Danielle811

I was just in DC last weekend with my 5 and almost 3 year old. I would put the Air and Space Museum above the American History Museum. We've been several times, and my kids still put that on the top of their list.

I think the Udvar-Hazy is really cool (though it's a hassle to get to), but my kids prefer the Air and Space Museum in DC.

The American Indian museum has a fun kids room (and is right next door to Air and Space). My 5 year old LOVED it.

If you do go to the American History museum, note that the kid's area is timed, and will likely seem too young for your 5 year old.

The National Zoo is great, but we went in March, and several animals were off exhibits.

gabriele

A fun option for the kids would be National Harbor (nationalharbor.com), which now has bus service from Alexandria. You could combine that with your trip to Mt. Vernon. Lots of shops and restaurants, a beautiful carousel (although not sure if that will be up and running in the winter, weather permitting), the wheel, and - most interesting for Christmas time - the Gaylord hotel. If you are not familiar with Gaylord hotels and their extravagant Christmas displays (including fake snow that falls from the 20 story atrium) and ice show, you may want to look it up on line.

As for the zoo, I had the same recent experience as the previous poster in that the number of animals that could be viewed was disappointingly low.

jlee

Saving this for my future travel. Thanks!