I'm taking my 13-year old to DC for a week in April. Number one on her list is the Holocaust Museum. Other ideas I have are, Printing & Engraving Office, Georgetown nightwalk, either a boat ride in the canel or a boat trip to Mt. Vernon, US History Museum, Old Post Office, Vietnam Memorial. I'm wondering if we should try to do anything else after the Holocaust Museum or plan some down time afterwards. Any feedback about how to structure these plans or if there are any special events the week of 4/9-4/15 would be greatly appreciated. I heard a mention of Traveling Troubadours who play Celtic music but I don't know where they perform. . .

Thanks, Christy

Hello

As to your specific question on what to do after visiting the Holocaust Museum, a nice thing to do would be to walk atround the tidal basin (seeing the Jefferson Memorial, FDR Memorial, and Cherry trees). It is right outside the Holocaust Museum. Of course, you do not have to preplan what to do after leaving the museum - all of the other sights on the mall are close by, I would just suggest playing it by ear, and see what you all feel like doing at the time.

As for events - once you are here try to get a copy the the Washington Post's Friday weekend section or the City Paper - a free paper which lists lots of events. If you are an "active" family, you might want to rent a bike - there are mnay nice bike trails in and around the city.

Depending on how you and your daughter likes to go through a museum, you possibly could spend all day there. If you both like to read everything on display and spend time at all of the exhibits, it can take several hours to get through the Holocaust Museum. My mother spent 4 hours and only got half way through. I wanted to see everything, so I did the entire museum at the same time.

I would just plan to do to dinner or lunch afterward. It can be emotionally draining, and I think you'd just want to relax, and have the opportunity to talk about what you've just experienced.

A visit to Arlington national Cemetery would probably be very good for your teen. (I first visited it as a teen and it gave me new respect for those who died for my freedoms.) The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns is very popular to watch. Also, JFK and Jackie's graves with the Eternal Flame are memorable.

Great advice so far!

I'll add that you might wish to replace the Bureau of Printing with something else. Check out the thread "Been There, Done That, Don't Bother" for an explanation of why it isn't my favorite.

Two replacement ideas come to mind. The Capitol Tour is interesting. Also, Ford's Theatre is great -- they have an intimate museum underneath that houses the clothes Lincoln wore and the gun that assassinated him.

You'll have a great time. The weather should be super.

My first time to DC was when I was about 13 years old. My favorite things were the Smithsonians- mainly American History and Natural History. I think you can also get special White House tour tickets from your senator's office. Or maybe it's your rep's office, I can't remember. Anyway, that entitles you to a guided tour that isn't available when you just drop in. However, that was 10 years ago... For a 13 year old girl, the Air & Space museum may be a waste of time. I know it wasn't my favorite. We waited almost 2 hours to go to the top of the Washington Monument, which wasn't necessarily worth it. My "can't miss" recommendations are the Smithsonians, White House and Capitol. You'll have a great time!

You can get tickets for the White House by contacting either your congressperson or senators. However, you need to do it at least 3 months in advance.

When we were in Washington recently, my 15-yr-old and I enjoyed the Newseum - it's a relatively new interactive museum in Arlington - fascinating and free. He was also impressed with the Roosevelt Memorial on a trip with his class a couple of years ago. And wandering around Dupont Circle is a fun way to spend an afternoon. One of my favorite less-known things to do is Hillwood, the home of Marjorie Meriwether Post. It was closed for renovation for a while but should have reopened by now . . . and I jsut noticed that there's a free concert series 7 days a week at the Kennedy Center at 6 p.m.; no tickets required.

My grandkids enjoyed the Bureau of Printing and Engraving so I'd vote to keep it on your list. We did the free concerts at The Kennedy Center one night , get there EARLY if you want a real seat ,take turns staking out your seats and wandering around. Also the recommendation of Washington City Paper is good and you can look at it on line at www.washingtoncitypaper.com to get ideas befor you go. Might also want to look at www.washington.org for their events calendar. Would also highly recommend the Renwick Gallery , The Smithsonian American Craft Museum , which has always had neat exhibits when we have gone to visit. Has become one of our favorite places. I'm sure they have a web site to see what exibits will be there during your stay.

Just remembered. The view from the top of the tower at the Old Post Office Building is FANTASTIC. I think they open at 9am , it may be as early as 8:30 but can't remember. Anyway , earlier than any of the museums , so it's worth it to get there when they open and go up. There are lines for the elevator as the day goes on, but we were there for the opening and went right up. An interesting building in it's own right.

The Mall, from the Lincoln to the Capitol (a must) is an area that can take you a long time to work your way thru. The Hirshorn Museum (modern art) is cool, as is the Air&Space museum. The FBI tour is one of my favorites, say hello to Scully and Mulder! Every Wednesday nite at 6pm, there is a free performance on the Millenium Stage at the Kennedy Center. Go eat lunch in Dupont Circle (north side) and see the Chinese pandas at the Zoo (Woodley Park Metro)...

Christy,

We took 4 teens/adolescents to DC a year ago and had an incredible time. For "thumbs up" their opinions in relative order of really great were as follows:

The National Cathedral; we had a fabulous tourguide who was so fascinating and a wonderful storyteller of so many interesting things about the cathedral and its construction.

The Vietnam Memorial...I guess I don't neeed to say more here.

The Holocaust Museum which is really overwhelming and I'd say 3 hours is a maximum dose at one time.

The White House Tour, Congress, Library of Congress and Smithsonian were all good. The National Archives was pretty amazing too and we all enjoyed lots of the Smithsonian.

For "thumbs down" we all agreed that the Bureau of Printing and Engraving was not worth spendng more than 10 minutes in line for and I would forget it completely if the wait is 2 to 3 hours as is typical. Same for the FBI tour, totally jammed with obnoxious, rude and unsupervised school groups (First question to a Special Agent giving a very serious talk about firearms:"Were you really happy or really sad the first time that you killed a somebody?")

there is so much for everyone and it is hard to predict what you and your kids will most enjoy.

Good Luck!

Maria