DC, nothing but history???
 

I'll be visiting DC this month with a 10-yr old and a 16-yr old for 6 days. I am a little concerned that they will get tired of daily trips to museums and monuments. Any ideas on how to break up the culture with some other activities? Is a tour of the Kennedy Center worth doing, for example? Will going to Annapolis, Arlington or Mt Vernon be different enough? Are there any great parks, movie theaters, or other hang-outs to explore? Or, should we head to the beach for a day or two to experience something different?

While the museums do have a lot of history - there is also a lot of stuff that is just fun to look at.

But I would definitely recommend taking them to the International Spy Museum. It isn't cheap but my kids LOVED it. Actually, DH and I loved it too.

Mt Vernon is quite nice and while there is a lot of "history" in the tour of the house, the grounds are really nice to walk around.

You could spend days in the Smithsonian & the many diffreing types of items should keep even your 16 year old interested. Annapolis is also a cool little city.

What about the Zoo, Nationals game? There is a ton to do besides museums.

You could go to Union Station and catch a 1 hr Marc commuter train (Camden line) to Baltimore. At Baltimore, the Inner Harbor is fun for shopping and food and outdoor performers, and the National Aquarium right at the harbor is wonderful. IMO, the Aquarium would be a great break for all of you. Check it out online.

http://www.mtamaryland.com/index.cfm

http://www.aqua.org/

Take your kids to the Holocaust Museum. There is a way to tour from a child's perspective. It's an important part of history and should be able to convey the import of knowing about "history".

BTW~your post made me smile. Two friends each took their teens to Paris and Mexico. The comments went (In Paris)" why do we have to just walk around?" In Mexico: "there is nothing to eat here but Mexican food!"

Is there a commuter train into Annapolis, as well?

No. You have to drive to Annapolis. A fun thing there we did when our kids were younger was take the boat tour from the main dock. I think the tour of the Kennedy Center might be fun, but of course I'm all about the arts!

There used to be a book (probably still exists) about things to do in DC with kids. Maybe you could get it from Amazon...?

I don't think there is commuter rail to Annapolis, but others will correct me if I'm wrong.

How about renting bikes and biking the Mount Vernon Trail, stopping along the way to watch planes take off and land at National Airport? The C&O Canal Path barge rides (seasonal schedule) and IMAX movie theaters at the Air & Space and Natural History also come to mind.

When we see a performance at the Kennedy Center, we make a point to go to the roof terrace for the view, weather permitting, and it never fails to delight. The guided tour is fine--a little bit of JFK and Center history, plus a peek into the theaters.

Are they boys?? girls??

I always recommend the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy out next to Dulles Airport - it offers a lot planes, space shuttles and things kids would like. Makes for a great afternoon.

There is also a Six Flags park in Largo Md very convenient to the Metro and a great place for kids for the day.

Another idea would be to take the cruise down the Potomac to Mount Vernon - real special for kids (and grownups).

Then if you have perhaps two days - rent a car - head east on route 50 thru Maryland and in about 4 hours you'll be in Ocean City where a great beach is located with boardwalk.

If you decide not to go that far - stop at Annapolis about an hour outside of DC and enjoy the Naval Academy and all the great tourism and restaurants there. Sorry - there's no subway to Annapolis.

The Washington Zoo on Connecticut Ave (right off the Metro) is one of the best zoos in the country IMHO - very enjoyable to adults and kids.

Then if I still had time - I would head to Union Station and take the Marc up to Baltimore and see the National Aquarium cause it's usually spectacular.

Some people include the FBI tour, Bureau of Engraving tour (printing money) the Holocaust. I don't generally recommend these for children. The interest level seems to wane on the first too and, sorry if I offend some, the Holocaust can be rough on youngsters - I prefer to take adults. Just my opinion folks.

<i>Some people include the FBI tour, Bureau of Engraving tour (printing money) the Holocaust. I don't generally recommend these for children.</i>

FWIW (obviously, every kid is different), it seems to me kids like the Bureau of Engraving more than adults do, and my kids loved the FBI tour (do they still give tours?). The main part of the Holocaust Museum is not appropriate for the 6-year old, but there is a special children's exhibit. My kids also enjoyed Mount Vernon (house, ok, but grounds especially).

Oh, what about Ford's Theatre?

sf7307-no six year old. It's six days in DC, ages are 10 and 16.

I think your kids would really enjoy the Smithsonian. Take time to look at information on what each museum offers and let them choose what they would like to see. These ages are old enough to take an active role in planning the trip. The Air and Space Museum is a hit with almost everyone. And the Natural History Museum has something for everyone, from the dinosaurs to the Hope Diamond. The National Zoo is good. The monuments will probably interest them more than you think. The scale of these sights makes them more impressive in person.

The main attractions are fairly close together but there will still be lots of walking involved in seeing DC. Be sure you all wear comfortable shoes. I hope they each have a camera or video camera. They are more likely to be engaged if they are recording their trip to share with friends back home. Have a great trip!

If they are boys they would love the NRA museum.

Do they like soccer? Take them to a DC United game. If the weather is nice, they might enjoy a ride on the DC ducks.

http://www.dcducks.com/

Museums do not equal history. How about Air and Space? Natural history? the zoo? A Nationals game? Or Orioles if the former is too depressing. I think there are also boat rides on the Potomac.

BTW, there haven't been tours of the FBI for years.

We just got back from 4 days of monuments and museums in DC with an 11 and a 13 year old and as we were driving away from the hotel they were planning what they wanted to see on their next trip - including the 11 year old who claims not to like museums! Each kid is different, but don't assume your kids will be bored by the museums - DC is a fabulous place to visit with this age kids! I second the vote for Spy Museum - that was one of their favorites. We spent over 3 hours there. Museum of American History is also great and has lots of exhibits reflecting popular culture. There are great IMAX films at Air and Space. You could take a bus to Georgetown for shopping, restaurants or to walk around campus. The National Archives has many interactive exhibits (not what you'd expect - it's not only about seeing the Declaration of Independence, although that is pretty fantastic!). If they (or you) have any interest in art the National Sculpture Garden is terrific and a beautiful outdoor setting. There's also a great little quirky art museum across from the White House - unfortunately the name escapes me but it's a craft museum and the name starts with an "R". We loved it and we are not particularly art-y people. Most of the museums are free (but not Spy Museum) so you can go in, see what you like, leave when you've had enough. My #1 recommendation is to take your bikes - it is hands down the best way to get around the Mall and is fun for the kids (and you!). And don't miss going to the monuments at night. It's beautiful and a very different feel. Have fun!

I should also add that my 13 year old was in DC recently with her school, and many of the museums that she said were "boring" on her school trip she loved when we went as a family. With the school, most of her friends raced through the exhibits and never read anything or really understood what they were looking at, then rushed on to the gift shop (so, of course, since her friends were doing that, she did the same - she's 13, right?). With our family, when we took the time to really read and learn about what we saw, she loved it.