DC kid-friendly trip ideas- need advice ASAP
May 14th, 2009, 02:01 PM
#1
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DC kid-friendly trip ideas- need advice ASAP
I'll be travelling to DC with my 10 year old son and 9 month old daughter. We'll be touring the city Monday- Friday and I wanted to get some ideas for places to take them to, Metro routes/cost (should I get a special kind of pass??), cheap places to eat at/near recommended tourist attractions etc? Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Thanks!
May 14th, 2009, 03:51 PM
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There's a slew of books about travel to D.C. with kids. I got one from my public library just this week so that I could pass on some info to my SIL who's coming this summer with her 10-year-old. So check the library or your bookstore for these books--they'll have all the info you need.
In the meantime, check out the websites for the Smithsonian musuems, the National Zoo, and the Metro (www.wmata.com)
In the meantime, check out the websites for the Smithsonian musuems, the National Zoo, and the Metro (www.wmata.com)
May 14th, 2009, 03:55 PM
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If you search below there are several threads on kids in DC.
Obvious for the 10 year old (I don;t think the 9 month old will notice as long as she gets nap time and some down time during the day -the mall and reflecting pool are great as long as you're not there in high summer) are
The zoo
Air/Space Museum
Natural History
The various outdoor monuments
Mount Vernon
White House (you have to get invites in advance from your representative)
Tour of Congress (ditto)
I believe there is some sort of boat ride on the river
For decent inexpensive places to eat lunch the museums et al all have cafeterias - and getting out and finding other places will be a pain. for dinner you have many more choices - but would assume near where you're staying (you dont say_ with kids.
What is the 10 year old interested in:
Sports - go to a baseball game
History (or parts of) head to /smithsonian
Obvious for the 10 year old (I don;t think the 9 month old will notice as long as she gets nap time and some down time during the day -the mall and reflecting pool are great as long as you're not there in high summer) are
The zoo
Air/Space Museum
Natural History
The various outdoor monuments
Mount Vernon
White House (you have to get invites in advance from your representative)
Tour of Congress (ditto)
I believe there is some sort of boat ride on the river
For decent inexpensive places to eat lunch the museums et al all have cafeterias - and getting out and finding other places will be a pain. for dinner you have many more choices - but would assume near where you're staying (you dont say_ with kids.
What is the 10 year old interested in:
Sports - go to a baseball game
History (or parts of) head to /smithsonian
May 14th, 2009, 03:59 PM
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Sorry -
Make sure the 10 year old has the basics of American history before you go so he understands what all the monuments are about.
I find the Lincoln Memorial the most moving - but it requires some basic knowledge to appreciate that - and the others.
And be sure you have a good guide book to give you info to help everything come to life. Last time I visited the Lincoln I was telling someone about the concert given there by Marion Anderson when the DAR wouldn't let her use their hall, which had been booked in advance, because she was African American. And a bunch of the other tourists there were completely unaware - and since they were young - didn't realize how much the world has changed in the relatively few years since then.
Make sure the 10 year old has the basics of American history before you go so he understands what all the monuments are about.
I find the Lincoln Memorial the most moving - but it requires some basic knowledge to appreciate that - and the others.
And be sure you have a good guide book to give you info to help everything come to life. Last time I visited the Lincoln I was telling someone about the concert given there by Marion Anderson when the DAR wouldn't let her use their hall, which had been booked in advance, because she was African American. And a bunch of the other tourists there were completely unaware - and since they were young - didn't realize how much the world has changed in the relatively few years since then.
May 15th, 2009, 05:57 AM
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You're the only one who knows exactly what your children will enjoy since they're all different. Here's a short list of the top ten Washington DC attractions to get you started.
http://what-are-the-best.com/the-bes...tractions.html
http://what-are-the-best.com/the-bes...tractions.html
May 15th, 2009, 06:50 AM
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Just be sure to plan breaks in cool places. DC does get hot and humid and kids want more breaks and pool time than most adults account for.
There is a carousel on the Mall, the steps of all the museums are fun to fun up and down if no one is around. There are paddle boats in the basin. the zoo is great but hilly so little feet can get tired. the museums have food courts with reasonable prices but can get crowded. Union Station has a food court too.
There is a carousel on the Mall, the steps of all the museums are fun to fun up and down if no one is around. There are paddle boats in the basin. the zoo is great but hilly so little feet can get tired. the museums have food courts with reasonable prices but can get crowded. Union Station has a food court too.
