My family(husband, 11 & 16 year old) and I will vacation in D.C. July 20-24. So far,our only "set" plans are a Capital tour (thru our representative)morning of 21st and one day at the Smithsonian museums. Want to include a trolley tour of monuments,Spy Museum, Arlington Cemetery, Mt. Vernon, National Cathedral, Archives, and Engraving. We're staying at the Radisson Barcellona in Dupont Circle area. Can we have some suggestions about how to arrange our schedule? Which "must-see" things have we left off from our schedule? Please help and thanks!!

While in Arlington Cemetery, don't miss the Arlington House, former home of Robert E. Lee, and a magnificent view of DC. If you think your 11 y/o can handle it, the Holocaust Museum is really something -- unimaginable that something like that could (and still does) occur.

While I don't understand it, many kids, especially boys, seem to like ESPNZone -- in fact, friends of mine who had planned to ALSO drive to Kings Dominion didn't after all, because her 14/17 y/o wanted to spend the day at ESPN. I liked staying at Radisson-Barcelo -- nearby convenience store, and I'd have breakfast in a bagel shop across the street. While you're at Archives, nearby is Ford Theater, and Old Post Office Building (not to be confused with Smithsonian Postal Museum) that has free clock-tower tour for one of the better views of DC. Every night at 6 (or 7??) there is a free concert at Kennedy Performing Arts Center, which runs free shuttle every 15 min from Foggy Bottom Metro station.

I wouldn't miss the national zoo if your family likes animals at all - how often do your kids see real pandas?

Karen

I looks like you have enough to fill your time available.

The trolly tour might be good on the 20th to orient yourself - it will also take you to Arlington Cemetary. Touring all the monuments and the cemetary could take a while.

Consider seeing the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court after your tour of the Capitol, they are right there. Ask your Capitol guide to direct one of the congressional office building cafeterias - good food and a great bargain (because your taxes subsidize them). Print this map for reference: http://www.house.gov/house/Maps.html For a relaxing time, consider walking from the Capitol east on Independence to Eastern Market(maybe to the Ben & Jerry's or the like)
http://www.stationmasters.com/System.../easternm.html

Mt. Vernon and the National Cathedral are best reached by car (July 22nd?). Consider combining these two and taking your car out of the garage that day (you'll likely have to pay an extra $15 or so to remove your car for the day but it will be well worth it).

The Smithsonian buildings (July 23?) close at 5:00 pm. Walk up to the restaurants along 7th street after they close, have dinner (I like Jaleo.com) and then walk two blocks east to the Spy Museum, which closes at 8:00 pm.
http://www.si.edu/
http://www.spymuseum.org/index.asp

Metro to both the Archives and Engraving and Printing on the same day (24th?). This might be a day to also hit places you missed (zoo?) or other places to revisit.
http://www.stationmasters.com/System.../archives.html
http://www.stationmasters.com/System.../smithson.html

Plan to have dinner most evenings close to your hotel - it's ground zero for restaurants. Also a great area just to walk around at night. Ask your hotel once you've checked in to suggest/reserve places that meet your specific needs. You might need to reserve if they are places that are >$15 for an entree.

Hope this helps.

Many Smithsonian buildings do not close at 5PM in the summer: American History is open until 6:30, Natural History until 7:30 (most days). Check specific museums at www.si.edu as bardo suggested.

Evensong at the National Cathedral is wonderful; if you get there early enough you can sit up in the choir stalls.

If you can get reservations for Hillwood--and your children are open to looking at art, gardens, and magnificent furnishings--you might add that to your itinerary. It's a beautiful estate, and you can see it in about 2 hours.

What about a White House tour?

Thanks so much to everyone! I feel that we can better prepare now to get the most from our trip. Great suggestions and advice!

I know we all have different tastes, so for what it's worth....although my parents were fasinated by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, my kids (14,12,9, and 6) were bored to tears. It might have held their interest if it moved faster, but the line was long and slow and they still remember that as the one mistake of the trip.
On the other hand, I could spend an entire day in the American History museum, and we had to drag my kids out of the Air and Space museum. We never had time to get to the Natural History museum. Next time we're allowing more time for museums.
We do the trolly everytime we're there (because the classic monuments never get old) an with all the on-and-offs it fills an entire day.