The amount of things to see and do in DC is overwhelming........

For our upcoming trip, we booked tickets to see Hello, Dolly! at Ford's Theatre. :) This will be my first time in that theatre!

Wow, D.C. over July 4th, now that is a feat CaroBird.

Hello Dolly looks really fun tenthumbs.

I will post my new and streamlined itinerary here. I've come along way in planning with half of my original items eliminated, until our next trip. Heck, the destination my kids are talking about most is the pool at our BWI Hilton. : O

I might have to disagree with google on the distance from the Metro to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Maybe because it is hilly it seemed longer but I would say that it is a good city block or 2 from the Metro to the entrance of the cemetery. However, of all the things you can see in DC I believe that this is a must see.

I have only been to DC in the fall so this may not hold true in the Spring but there were not options for food or drink once you get near the Lincoln Memorial area. Depending on when you go you may want to carry a snack and bottled water.

Oh good to know because hydrated kids are happy kids.

I just heard from the DC Taxicab Commission and am unsure if they're giving the ok to break the law of D.c....

Thank you for contacting the DC Taxicab Commission regarding the use of car seats in DC taxicabs in your email dated March 28, 2013. The DC Taxicab Commission does not have special rules regarding travel with small children in DC taxicabs. Taxicab drivers are not required to have child safety seats in their taxicabs, although some drivers do. However, your child must be in a seat belt. You may contact Mr. Jeff Schaeffer of District Cab to discuss your travel plans if you require use of taxicab service with a child safety seat or booster seat at (202) 398-0526. He may have a driver in his fleet available with a car seat to meet your needs.

I don't think he's giving you the ok to break the law. I think he's telling you DC cabs aren't required to provide child safety seats but that the DC law requires everyone, including children, to be appropriately secured.

Here is a link to the DC Metro Police Dept's website regarding child safety seats. See the first paragraph about restraints. See the paragraph at the bottom of the page which states cabs are not exempt.

http://mpdc.dc.gov/node/211362

I'd go for that inflatable one from Target -- could be a pass along to another family in a couple of years or a shared cost with other traveling families.

I've never been stopped for not wearing a seat belt in a DC cab but it can happen as another poster has stated (as does the link). That is me as an adult on a short cab ride, no excuse offered, just lazy. But with my kids, I would be the one at Target buying the booster seat or borrowing one.

I'm baaaack. With rain predicted our first few days in D.C. next week, I’ve lowered my itinerary expectations a bit more. Feedback is appreciated. We would love more good food tips too.

Thursday
SuperShuttle to Sofitel
Metro or Sofitel Town Car to Thomas Jefferson Memorial and possibly Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
If rain…Holocaust Museum
4:15pm Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Washington Monument
Carousel by Smithsonian Castle close at 5:30pm
U Street: Ben’s Chili Bowl or Full Kee and Chinese Arch at H St & 7th St

Friday (order unsure)
Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans, Korean War, 56 Signers of the Declaration of Ind Memorial, WWII Memorial, MLK Memorial
National Museum of American History 7:30pm close
3pm Capitol tour
Dinner: Good Stuff Eatery or Ted’s Bulletin

Saturday
Cherry Blossom Parade
Sakura Matsuri (Japanese Street Festival)
Arlington National Cemetery
Boy Scout Memorial
White House Visitor Center

Sunday
11am Ford’s Theatre
Air & Space and/or whatever we missed

Monday
Pickup at Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Washington National Cathedral
12:00pm Holy Eucharist
12:30pm Organ Demonstration
Darth Vader Gargoyle and The Bishop's Garden
Lunch: Two Amy’s
Zoo
Check-in Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport for early Tues departure

A couple of comments:
The Washington Monument is closed for repairs to damage caused by the 2011 earthquake.
The Holocaust Museum requires timed tickets, so if you don't have them already, you may need to save this for your next DC visit.

"Thursday
If rain…Holocaust Museum"

Assuming you mean to take your children in, the section suitable for children is open without the tickets. You just wait on the line to get in (security often backs up) and you can go in that section and the special exhibits w/o tickets.

http://www.ushmm.org/
"If you wish to see exhibitions other than the Permanent Exhibition, or if you already have a pass, you do not need to wait in the pass line."
http://www.ushmm.org/visit/

A children's area, oh, good thought. I better look into this.

I suppose we'd just read the Washington Monument plaque and take a photo.

rain, rain, go away....

RE: White House Visitor Center. I plagarized this from their website:

The White House Visitor Center closed for renovations starting Monday, July 23, 2012. The closure is expected to last 15 months.

A temporary visitor center will open on July 28, 2012 at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion near the corner of 15th and E streets NW, just southeast of the White House, and will remain open until the renovation project is completed.

This may have been mentioned upthread (too lazy to look) or on another DC thread.

For your Friday itinerary, if you have scheduled a 3pm Capitol tour, you might want to do the Museum of American History first, then the Capitol tour, then the monuments. The NMAH is my absolute favorite, and I could easily spend 4 or 5 hours cruising the four stories of exhibits. You may not have enough time if you wait to visit it after your Capitol tour; the monuments are open all the time.

rain predicted...when r u going?. Last forecast I heard locally as rain tonight Into Friday am and then nice weather finally.

Thanks tenthumbs! Maybe we should hit the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion first on Thursday. With Cherry Blossom parade weekend I think the crowds would increase as the weekend hits. I've noted the temp location, thank you!

NMAH does sound wonderful...I saw a pic from NMAH on FB yesterday with a black band around Kermit's arm which was honoring Mrs. Henson's death. It was a connection I could make with the kids and our soon-to-be trip.

yestravel, we'll be in D.C. next Thursday. It appears to be great weather up until that day. Shoot.

Any suggestions for kid-friendly restaurant ideas around the White House?

At the north end of the Ellipse near the Zero Milestone you have a great view of the south side of the White House.
Just SE of the Washington monument is a red brick building that looks out of place among all the marble. It is the information center for the US Forest Service. Inside you will see Smokey Bear sitting at his desk.

<b>>>Any suggestions for kid-friendly restaurant ideas around the White House?<<</b>

Old Ebbitt - a DC institution. They have a kid menu.

Point Chaud Cafe and Crepes

Farragut Square - Food Truck heaven during lunch hours

Cascade Cafe - underground between National Gallery east and west wings

<b>>>It appears to be great weather up until that day. Shoot. <<</b>

You're a week away, a lifetime in weather forecasting. It could change for the better -- just have back up plans, like you're doing.

Thoughts on your schedule:

Holocaust Museum - You know your children best, obviously, but mine at age 5 and 8 didn't have the historical context to appreciate the children's exhibition. As mentioned there is also the issue of the free but timed tickets which may have been distributed for the day by the time you arrive. You can get them online as well for a small processing fee.

Another choice, consider heading instead to one of the many Smithsonians on the mall, all of which have kid themed things to see and kid "trails" to keep the younger ones interested. Alternately not on the Mall is the Postal Museum (also Smithsonian) which is across the street from Union Station. That is great museum for younger kids and often less crowded since its off the beaten path at the National Mall. Union Station is on the red line which you can get at metro center near your hotel.

I agree with obxgirl about young children and the Holocaust museum. We went with another family whose daughter was around 8; she was in tears just going through the children's section, which is the story of the Holocaust through the eyes of a young Jewish boy (I believe his name was Daniel). The museum is horrifying and sobering; perhaps they should see it when they're a bit older.

Thanks for the great advice on the Holocaust museum, sounds like a good idea to skip. The nearby US Forest Service sounds like a great plan....who doesn't like Smokey the Bear!

Thank you for all the restaurant tips obxgirl!

Has anyone been to the Cherry Blossom Parade? Any recommended spots to watch (I don't want to pay for bleachers).

If you are in the NGA, then the Cascade Cafe is ok, but I think it's over priced for what you get. Stick to a restaurant. I would definitely seek out the food trucks...great food at great prices. U have your pick of lots of variety in food types.

Agree that a week in weather world is an eternity. This year the forecasters have notoriously been wrong with their predictions for snow storms even a day out. Hope u hit good weather. At least it seems we r turning the corner finally into springtime, so you should have mild weather even if u experience showers.
Have a great trip!

I would certainly return to the Holocaust museum at a later date when your children are able to understand the historical significance. It is my belief that everyone should see it.

Reading all of this is getting me excited about my trip to DC next month! Have a great time, Googs, and let us know how your trip went when you return. Here's hoping for cooperative weather!

The Sofitel sent me a glad-you're-coming email with the weather forecast during our stay. It looks sunny in their world. I had to chuckle as this is the same you all are telling me...we're still days away. Heck, it snowed in mn yesterday, so game on.

Thank you for all the tips, this'll be so great, I'll let you know all when I return.