Thanks MaC.

Really like the frisbee idea!

Sam

Here's a list if things to do in DC:
http://familyroadtrippers.blogspot.c...ington-dc.html

Dan
www.familyroadtrippers.blogspot.com

Good hotel choice for the price. The value is very high and the Chinatown area has really blossomed over the past 10 years or so.

Bureau of Engraving was my least favorite of the stuff on your list. Not all that impressive but the bags of shredded bills in the gift shop were cool -- give cheapskates a bag of that and a bottle of glue :)

If you're up on Capitol Hill, walk past the Supreme Court and peek into the Library of Congress. The library is one of the most impressive buildings in town.

Also, your hotel will be an easy stroll to Ford's Theatre. If the boys are trustworthy and need a break, they could visit the ESPN SportsZone (don't eat there) while you tour the theatre. Most teens, however, will find Ford's fascinating.

Also, if the adults want a nice night out. Send the teens to Union Station, where there is a food court and movie theatre. Union Station is two Red Line stops from the Chinatown/ Gallery Place stop.

Depending on the amount of rope you want to give them, the adults could eat there at a place like B. Smith's
http://www.bsmith.com/restaurant_dc_home.php
or have a pick of many great dining options in the Chinatown/Penn Quarter areas.

Great suggestions ... Rockville is probably a solid 30 minute metro ride from downtown. My family stayed at the marriot embassy suites when they visited me. 4 blocks from the white house - very nice & not $$.

If you are looking to get a little art in - I suggest the Hirshorn modern art museum. They have a cool light exhibit right now that my 15 year old brother loved. The great thing about the museums is they are free (except the spy museum) and you can leave when ever you feel bored. Sometimes I'll just pop into the National Art Museum just to look at a Cezanne and then leave. Or into the Natural History museum to look at the insect zoo.

One thing about the mall - there's not a lot of options for lunch. The cafeteria at the National Museum of Art is probably the nicest. And the Native American Museum is supposed to have some interesting food. But otherwise it's all pretty gross.

Also, if you have a car and it's a crappy day - you might want to visit the Air & Space Museum out by Dulles airport. OMG - it's amazing. It's in a huge hangar - they have a concord jet and a space shuttle. I'm typically bored senseless with the air & space museum on the mall, but the one out by Dulles is unbelievable.