lovelee

I don't know if you all take the time to read a thread again, but I just wanted to say THANK YOU for being so helpful. Super, Super, Super advice!
Keep it coming if you like!!

Anonymous

Another reason to visit the monuments at night is that almost everything else closes up at 5 or 6 PM. Some of the Smithsonians have extended summer or vacation hours; check the website before your trip.

As someone mentioned above, using hte tourmobile to get around can be frustrating if it's full when it arrives at your stop. A good compromise is an early-evening tour without the hop-off choice.

Another option for transit is taxis; athough they charge extra per person, there are times when it's worth it to spend a couple of extra dollars to get door-to-door service rather than paying 4 Metro fares.

Taxi fares are computed by zones, not by time/mileage as in most places.

http://citizenatlas.dc.gov/atlasapps/taxifare.aspx

Anonymous

The zoo grounds open hours before the buildings; go early to see the animals when they're active and eating.

escargot

You have great advice. My kids were near yours in age when we went and they loved it. Comfie walking shoes, give them their own camers (even disposable) if they don't have, agree about seeing Washington Monument but doing the view from Old Post Office, the line at WM isn't worth it, course now that we're saying this, everyone will make the long liner at the PO - and when we went, the one mistake I made was not getting our tix to the Spy Museum ahead of time so we missed that so I can't comment on good or bad.. depends on your kids interests maybe...I'd get the important site tix ahead of time when available

as far as white house tour, I did that again two summers ago, don't know if they've changed it since then but it was cut down considerably from my last tour years ago (maybe security issues, etc i am assuming) and it was quick and short but, if being 'in the white house' an important site for you on a trip you've waited for so long, here's what I did, b/c it was on shorter vs. longer notice - I phoned, faxed and emailed all in one day....what a pain I must have been - but we got a slot, and all we could bring was ID, nothing else allowed in.

ENJOY you and your kids will love it.
we also loved smithsonian air and space (and I thought I wouldn't but did and yes it was mobbed and I could have also slit my wrists but my kids were so happy in there), and maybe let your kids go online ahead of time and pick some exhibits at some of these musuems that they would like to see and add to the mix...

DC is a 'doing' vacation, you are usually up and out after breakfast and on a roll, - I agree with mix it up a bit so the kids don't get zoned out - even walking the mall during the day is differenet than walking in a museum.

the monuments at night are beautiful, and we returned another night just to see the Lincoln lit up one more time....

and we always split up at least once for either a half or whole day, so we don't all get on each others nerves (but maybe that's just my family) where two go one place and two another if say, the boys don't want to see something the girls do and vice versa.....

I'm glad your personal dream vacation is coming true!!

escargot

also there was a post here on kid friendly restaurants, maybe search on the US Forum b/c I remember many being mentioned in DC which you might find useful

Chele60

You have got a lot of great tips here! I just wanted to add that I think your family will have a blast. DC was a vacation I won't forget and I would love to go back some day.

QC gives some great advice, and even as a non-native I have to second it! Learned about the Archives the hard way - definitely best to get there in the morning, as the long wait in the afternoon can seem endless. But it is very much worth it.

10 days is quite a bit of time, so I would also recommend breaking it up with more kid-friendly stuff. I know as an adult I got "museum-ed out," and my mother and I ended up spending a day at the Zoo. It ended up being a day of total relaxation. (And it's free) We also enjoyed Mt Vernon when we felt we needed to "get away".

But, there is just so much to do and see it can seem overwhelming. I found it best to pick out the "must-sees", narrow it down to 2 per day, and stay flexible. DC is popular with families and school trips, so patience is key.

Oh, and we did the monuments at night and I thoroughly enjoyed that. I can still remember how I felt when I approached the Jefferson, Lincoln, and Iwo Jima Memorials all lit up - it caused chills. And the Korean War Memorial (my mother had a cousin lost in that war) at night was very moving. Sounds sappy and all that I know, but the whole experience really moved me.

I hope you and your family have the best vacation ever! (And see? No one's laughing at you, either!)

dsquared

I can't believe I'd forgotten about the Old Post Office Tower - that was great and MUCH better than waiting forever at the Washington monument.

And lovelee, don't forget to post when you get back to tell us all about it!

snuggles1

Some places I highly recommend visiting in DC are:
--the WWII Memorial (it's GORGEOUS!!!)
--the Museum of American History
--the Museum of Natural History
--the Sculpture Garden (I forget what the full name is!)

skigirl

I'm not sure if anyone mentioned it but you can reserve timed tickets in advance for the Wash monument on their web site - I think i'ts that national park website. We had a fairly short wait with them and my then 11 year old loved it. We also had a hard time with the tourmobile - many arrived full and they won't let you stand so we ended up walking. As many have told you, go to the metro website and use it - it's fun, easy and safe. Mt. Vernon is way more that just the house - recently they've been restoring the animal and farming part of it and they it's fun and has plenty of room for kids to run. My daughter loved the animals. Enjoy your trip, take it easy and don't get too stressed. We were in DC two years ago in April (a few weeks after cherry blossom) and it was crowded but really ok. Finally I don't think I'd change hotels - the metro gets you around quite easily and I like to get settled and stay settled - why waste a vacation day moving.

have fun!

bardo1

lovelee,

You've gotten so much great advice already. I would add a some important thoughts.

1) Take the Metro in the evenings for all your evening meals. Your hotel location is very convenient for sightseeing, but not for restaurants.

An exception is the Atrium cafe on School Street, 1-1/2 blocks from your hotel (directly across from police station) weekday lunch only.

Some good Metro stops along the blue/orange line for dinners are: Capitol South (look along Penn. Ave.); Eastern Market (look on 8th south of Penn.); Metro Center (just look around)

bardo1

lovelee,

I also wanted to give a map of the area around your hotel. As you'll see, Federal Center SW Metro stop is very close. The escalator entrance to it is denoted by a bold EXIT on the map.

http://www.stationmasters.com/System.../fedcensw.html

nicki

About the Zoo: Anonymous is right -- go early in the morning when it is less crowded and the animals are outside and at their most active. And you do not need tickets to see the panda cub if you go then. The pandas are in their outdoor enclosure by about 7:30am and stay out there until about 9:30am. I went a couple of weeks ago at about 8:00 and watched them for about 45 minutes -- no ticket, no lines, just walk right up. It was not too crowded then -- will probably be more crowded the week you plan to go, as will everything in DC (its a popular time to visit). But go anyway, and while you are there don't forget to see the cheetah cubs, which you will pass as you walk to the pandas. One more thing -- the Zoo is an equal distance -- about 4 blocks -- from the Cleveland Park metro stop and the Zoo metro stop, on the Red Line. Don't get off at the Zoo stop or you will walk those 4 blocks uphill. Get off at Cleveland Park. Then go to the Zoo stop when you leave. The Zoo has a great web site which includes a map and info. on what to see: http://nationalzoo.si.edu

dsquared

Nicki, you're so lucky - isn't Tai Shan the cutest panda ever?

krisabug27

Just a few of my personal favorite things in DC (have been there probably 10 times)...

*Spy Museum (I think the ages of your kids, they would love it...I'm 20 and I still love it Get your tickets in advance if possible? Sometimes there are long lines so if you can get them in advance and then walk around Chinatown maybe you won't have to just stand there, this will depend on when you go.

*Old Town Alexandria (beautiful for shopping, spending a day just looking around...lots of neat unusual things...French antiques, little art galleries, candy shops, good homemade ice cream, etc.)
Also, if you are in to art, the Torpedo Factory in Old Town Alexandria is a neat alternative to a typical art museum...you can see artists working in their studios and buy their work right there or simply walk around and look. Very neat.

*The Zoo, just plain fun

*Chinatown (reminds me of Downtown Disney in a way? Very ornate with neat places to eat, not just Chinese!)...this is convenient, right down the street from the Spy Museum, there is a really neat movie theatre (HUGE wrap around screens), really neat seafood restaurants, etc. feels almost like a different country for a couple blocks...Get off at the MCI/Chinatown metro stop for the spy museum/MCI/and Chinatown

If you want a really upscale fancy shopping mall: Pentagon City Mall (it's all white).

The Lincoln Memorial is really neat at night.

If you are going to be there for 10 days you have plenty of time to do whatever you want. Take the day Tourmobile to save on walking especially if you are going when it's hot, things are farther apart than you think.

And take the night bus too if you want.

10 days, take your time. You won't run out of things to do but you definitly won't feel rushed to get everything in.


Hope some of this helped. I get a little long winded some times You'll have fun in DC, it's a beautiful city and really easy to get around!

If you have any questions I'd be happy to help you [email protected]

krisabug27

I forgot, the Air and Space Museum is a favorite as well

meggieb590

Hi there. I have lived in D.C. for quite awhile, so hopefully I can help a little bit. The number one thing that I recommend to EVERYONE is the bus tour that you can get here in town. It took me quite awhile to find it, but it is well worth it. I think it's about $20 a person for one day (??). You can start early in the morning, and pick it up at any major attraction. I mean, you can just take the metro to the mall or something and follow the signs to the tour bus. It is BEAUTIFUL in the springtime in D.C., so the weather will be perfect for cruising around town in an open bus with the breeze! It takes you to every single attraction and stops at each one. You have the choice to either stay on the bus and continue on to the next, or get off and look around. If you choose to get off, you simply catch another bus when it comes around. They all drive the same long loop around town, and they come by every few minutes. It will also take you on an extra Arlington Cemetary tour (at no extra charge) that can't be beat. They give you all kinds of tidbits of information that, believe it or not, I think even your kids will enjoy. Once you see everything, your family can plan what attractions they want to go back to. Seriously, I am the number one fan of the tour bus--its the best thing ever! I will agree with some of the other posters, though. Beware of the long lines and ridiculous crowds. You are definitely going at the busiest time of the year! The cherry blossoms will be beautiful though and you can make a day of just walking around near the waterfront and beautiful trees. They are right near some other attractions, like the Lincoln Memorial. Also, there will be live music down there which is fun. Last year I spent a whole day on the steps of the Jefferson Monument looking at teh trees and listening to live music! I also would say to keep trying for the White House tickets. Even though the tour is short and impersonal, it IS the White House, and probably a once in a lifetime experience that your kids will always remember. Plus, you never know when you will see Barney running across the lawn. That happens sometimes...Be slightly pushy with the offices you are calling. I promise, it will pay off. It is their job to get the tickets for you, and they can generally request however many they need. Keep calling! I hope you all have lots of fun!!

lovelee

Wow!! Never did I expect SO MUCH amazing advice. I am more excited now than ever to go! Thanks again!

By the way, my congressmans office called ME, one day after I posted this and was so helpful and kind. She's going to try to get me all the tickets I requested, even to the Library of Congress and the Bureau of Printing and Engraving.

I will take the advice to get tickets ahead of time for all other sites and I will talk to my husband about staying at only one hotel. It is a bit of time to repack and unpack while on vacation. I just wanted the pool and location for our kids at the residence inn and I wanted the historical ambience of the omni shoreham for my husband and I. We'll see which one wins!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you again!

Birdie

Don't avoid the more popular museums on the weekends because you think they will be more crowded. People like to sleep in on the weekends and there won't be school groups. Just get there right as they open and when you leave at mid-day you'll see the crowds sweeping in. We have done this with the Air & Space and Natural History Museums. When you visit the NHM, go right up to the gems and minerals room. That is the one the gets the most crowded.

schmidtrossi

We went when my boys were about 16 and 11. They enjoyed visiting Georgetown University. It was a great introduction to visiting colleges and they walked around wide eyed at the students, a small protest, bought tshirts at the bookstore. They also loved the neighborhood and we had a great meal that evening there too.

anon1

If you're looking for a "kids" event, don't forget that the VA and MD suburbs are a short metro ride away... White Flint Mall (on the Metro Red line at White Flint) has a Dave & Buster's which is a ton of fun for both kids and adults (although it can get a little pricey if you don't keep track of your spending). Check out the City Paper (free weekly paper) or the Washington Post's Weekend section (in the Friday edition) for listings of local events (movies, clubs, shows, concerts, etc.).
Also, there are places where you can rent canoes on the Potomac river - you could make a fun day of boating/hiking on the river.