My family will be staying at the JW Marriott next week. I am in the process of sorting out a basic schedule and have a few questions.

We have an almost 5 year old daughter and a 12 year old son. With the exception of when we take really long walks and trips to Disney World, our daughter doesn't use a stroller. She's fine for a mile or two on her own and has the energy of a typical kid her age. We are thinking of bringing her stroller with us for this trip. We are going to spend 2 or 3 days of the trip walking from the hotel to various museums and monuments around the Mall. I think she would have a better time if she can hop in the stroller when her legs start to get sore and rest for a few minutes and it would let the rest of the family to wander the sites on the Mall if she needs a nap.

Are there any places on the Mall that do not allow strollers? My son and husband will be going to the Capital one afternoon and I'm going to take our daughter to an IMAX movie at the Natural History Museum during that time since she can get a little fidgety and we don't want her disrupting the tour group at the Capital. So we don't have to mess with a stroller there.

I also have a question about my camera bag. It's 9.5 "x 9.5" x 7". I know it doesn't fit the minimum size requirements for the capital Building, but I won't be going inside the building. Are there any other buildings on the mall that restrict bag sizes and if so, do those places have a bag check where I can leave it while we are touring? It's not a huge bag, but it is wider than what the Capital permits. We'll be visiting Smithsonian Museums, The Bureau of Engraving and Printing, The Library of Congress, and the National Archives. I'm not bringing a tripod on this trip.

And lastly, are there casual places within walking distance of the JW Marriott to grab fairly family friendly dinners? We'll be fine grabbing lunch out and about, I'm just not sure what is open in the area for dinner.

Thanks in advance!

Many of the museums on the mall are part of the Smithsonian--

www.si.edu/Visit/Security

I don't think you'll need a stroller. Your hotel is 3 blocks from the Mall where there are many benches and places to sit and rest if need be - both indoors and out. So, yes, there is a lot of walking (especially touring the monuments), but there are many shady places to sit and rest all along the way (reflecting pool, constitution gardens, the museums and monuments themselves).

Camera bag - ??

There are hundreds of places of all varieties to eat near your hotel. I like the chain Pret a Manger a block away at 11th & F for a great, cheap breakfast.

For family friendly dinner, a few thoughts:
Jaleo at 7th & E http://www.jaleo.com/ A HUGE menu offers something for everyone from the most discerning epicure to a picky 5 year old. My absolute favorite restaurants for the last 20 years. Great atmosphere and GREAT food.

Potenza at 15th & H http://www.potenzadc.com/ Upscale Italian cuisine and great pizza. Not as laid back as Jaleo but not TOO stuffy.

If you can take Metro one stop (to Farragut West - 18th St. exit), I love the pizza at Luigi's. Super casual, inexpensive Italian. VERY family friendly. http://www.famousluigis.com/

The greatest concentration of downtown restaurants is along 7th St. between D st. and I st. You should walk it once to see what is to your liking.