DC with Kids Trip Report
Apr 8th, 2013, 06:15 PM
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DC with Kids Trip Report
So we went to DC for spring break. Obviously, there are major pluses and minuses about going there the week after EAster. Like the fact that the cherry blossoms could be in bloom and that there will be a ton of jr and high school students there on tours with their classmates for their spring break. ugh. But--its such an awesome place and that was the week we had, so we went!
My kids are 10 and 7. We are from Salt Lake City, so a 2 hour time difference. We flew into BWI and rented a car--it was so much cheaper than flying into DC. Like, beyond cheaper! We stayed at the Residence Inn on Duke Street in Alexandria--again, way cheaper than the one on Dupont Circle and it has a POOL!!! The hotel was great--friendly staff, just a block from Whole Foods, 2 blocks to the Metro, and Alexandria has a ton of restaurants. We never attempt to eat breakfast in the dining room--we just get breakfast foods and eat in the room which is much easier. The hotel was very crowded with families just like us!
Day One: it was supposed to be warmish, so we opted to see all the monuments. We made a big loop starting at Washington and around to Lincoln then to Jefferson. Somehow we missed the Vietnam Memorial--husband and I have seen it before so we were ok. The Lincoln never, ever fails to amaze me. It is truly awe inspiring and to stand on the steps where Dr. King stood is something else. We stopped for lunch at one of the food stands because I wasn't walking blocks to look for something else to eat. Then the Korean memorial, which really brought home how young and exhausted those men were. The MLK monument was just awesome. So very awesome. Wow!!! FDR was good-but almost more like a museum. It really did bring home all that he did for our country. The idea that the president would give inspiring chats once a week--just so different when all we had were radios. By the time we got to Jefferson, the weather turned and it was cold and windy and rainy. I like the Jefferson monument better at night. All those poor people on paddle boats in the Tidal Basin were getting blown around in the waves! That took us a good 3 hours I think including lunch.
Then, my son and husband went through the Natural HIstory museum. My daughter was done so she and I headed back to the hotel via the trusty Metro. Dinner that night was take out from Quattro Formagio, which was pretty good.
Day 2: The Zoo. We got to see a panda eating bamboo and the gorgeous gorilla family. Nuff said!! I think that's the last time we make the zoo a must see. (this is our second time to DC). We did the trick where you get off the Metro up hill of the zoo and walk down to the entrance. I thought we could walk out the back of the zoo and go downhill to the other metro stop. Nope, we had to climb back up the stupid zoo hill to the main entrance and then to the Metro. Hint-----Walk past all of the exhibits to the END of the zoo. Then you can stop off to see things as you make your way back to the entrance. That way, when you are done, you are right there, ready to leave! We had lunch in the zoo, which is atrocious, but convenient. Dinner that night was take out from Whole Foods.
Day 3: The American History Museum. Awesome museum and so much fun. We really enjoyed it. Hint--out the back door of the museum on constitution avenue, there are vendors. We had the best dang street hot dogs!!!! Much better than waiting in that crazy cafeteria line. Dinner that night was at Eamonns Dublin Chipper. Oh my. That was fantastic. Just get there early or you won't get a seat.
Day 4: Mt Vernon. Easy drive from the hotel. The kids really liked it. See if your local library has the book "George Washington's Cows". My cousin gave it to us for a birthday gift and my kids loved it--its more of a picture book. It has great scenes of life at Mount Vernon and my kids kept relating the book to the real thing. Lucky for us, spring means baby animals. Lots of lambs there--so cute!! And one of the hogs had 7 piglets--they were beyond cute in a little piggy pile. The museum and education center were really great. It is a very peaceful place and not so crowded once you get out of the mansion. I really enjoyed it. Dinner was from Cosi--I wanted a salad. It was good. We got timed tix on line the day before--smart move.
Day 5: Baltimore Aquarium. We got timed tix online that morning. Good idea. This was something else. It was opening day for the Orioles so parking was interesting. The Aquarium was PACKED. Like you could barely see the exhibits. We all really liked the dolphin demonstration--reallly neat. But it was so crowded you could barely see--not the best day. AFter the aquarium, my husband and son went on the nearby submarine. Dinner was at Houlihanns nearby. Serviceable.
Day 6: We walked to Old Town Alexandria and went through the Torpedo Factory. AWESOME. The small archeology museum is not to be missed. And my kids loved the various art items. We wanted to see more, but we got side tracked!! And then it was time to drive back to BWI.
We probably could have packed in more if we got up earlier, but 7 am DC time is like 5 am for us, so that was NOT happening. If I would change one thing, it would have been to put in a day of rest in there somewhere. We really went non stop and got really tired. We liked everything we saw, but it was a bit much to be going all the time. We were in bed by 9 and up by 8! We didn't have the energy to go out for dinner, which is too bad, but I can't really relax at dinner with kids anyway. The only time the Metro was a pain was when we went to the zoo--because it really is a ways away. Otherwise, it was wonderful staying in Alexandria!
My kids are 10 and 7. We are from Salt Lake City, so a 2 hour time difference. We flew into BWI and rented a car--it was so much cheaper than flying into DC. Like, beyond cheaper! We stayed at the Residence Inn on Duke Street in Alexandria--again, way cheaper than the one on Dupont Circle and it has a POOL!!! The hotel was great--friendly staff, just a block from Whole Foods, 2 blocks to the Metro, and Alexandria has a ton of restaurants. We never attempt to eat breakfast in the dining room--we just get breakfast foods and eat in the room which is much easier. The hotel was very crowded with families just like us!
Day One: it was supposed to be warmish, so we opted to see all the monuments. We made a big loop starting at Washington and around to Lincoln then to Jefferson. Somehow we missed the Vietnam Memorial--husband and I have seen it before so we were ok. The Lincoln never, ever fails to amaze me. It is truly awe inspiring and to stand on the steps where Dr. King stood is something else. We stopped for lunch at one of the food stands because I wasn't walking blocks to look for something else to eat. Then the Korean memorial, which really brought home how young and exhausted those men were. The MLK monument was just awesome. So very awesome. Wow!!! FDR was good-but almost more like a museum. It really did bring home all that he did for our country. The idea that the president would give inspiring chats once a week--just so different when all we had were radios. By the time we got to Jefferson, the weather turned and it was cold and windy and rainy. I like the Jefferson monument better at night. All those poor people on paddle boats in the Tidal Basin were getting blown around in the waves! That took us a good 3 hours I think including lunch.
Then, my son and husband went through the Natural HIstory museum. My daughter was done so she and I headed back to the hotel via the trusty Metro. Dinner that night was take out from Quattro Formagio, which was pretty good.
Day 2: The Zoo. We got to see a panda eating bamboo and the gorgeous gorilla family. Nuff said!! I think that's the last time we make the zoo a must see. (this is our second time to DC). We did the trick where you get off the Metro up hill of the zoo and walk down to the entrance. I thought we could walk out the back of the zoo and go downhill to the other metro stop. Nope, we had to climb back up the stupid zoo hill to the main entrance and then to the Metro. Hint-----Walk past all of the exhibits to the END of the zoo. Then you can stop off to see things as you make your way back to the entrance. That way, when you are done, you are right there, ready to leave! We had lunch in the zoo, which is atrocious, but convenient. Dinner that night was take out from Whole Foods.
Day 3: The American History Museum. Awesome museum and so much fun. We really enjoyed it. Hint--out the back door of the museum on constitution avenue, there are vendors. We had the best dang street hot dogs!!!! Much better than waiting in that crazy cafeteria line. Dinner that night was at Eamonns Dublin Chipper. Oh my. That was fantastic. Just get there early or you won't get a seat.
Day 4: Mt Vernon. Easy drive from the hotel. The kids really liked it. See if your local library has the book "George Washington's Cows". My cousin gave it to us for a birthday gift and my kids loved it--its more of a picture book. It has great scenes of life at Mount Vernon and my kids kept relating the book to the real thing. Lucky for us, spring means baby animals. Lots of lambs there--so cute!! And one of the hogs had 7 piglets--they were beyond cute in a little piggy pile. The museum and education center were really great. It is a very peaceful place and not so crowded once you get out of the mansion. I really enjoyed it. Dinner was from Cosi--I wanted a salad. It was good. We got timed tix on line the day before--smart move.
Day 5: Baltimore Aquarium. We got timed tix online that morning. Good idea. This was something else. It was opening day for the Orioles so parking was interesting. The Aquarium was PACKED. Like you could barely see the exhibits. We all really liked the dolphin demonstration--reallly neat. But it was so crowded you could barely see--not the best day. AFter the aquarium, my husband and son went on the nearby submarine. Dinner was at Houlihanns nearby. Serviceable.
Day 6: We walked to Old Town Alexandria and went through the Torpedo Factory. AWESOME. The small archeology museum is not to be missed. And my kids loved the various art items. We wanted to see more, but we got side tracked!! And then it was time to drive back to BWI.
We probably could have packed in more if we got up earlier, but 7 am DC time is like 5 am for us, so that was NOT happening. If I would change one thing, it would have been to put in a day of rest in there somewhere. We really went non stop and got really tired. We liked everything we saw, but it was a bit much to be going all the time. We were in bed by 9 and up by 8! We didn't have the energy to go out for dinner, which is too bad, but I can't really relax at dinner with kids anyway. The only time the Metro was a pain was when we went to the zoo--because it really is a ways away. Otherwise, it was wonderful staying in Alexandria!
Apr 9th, 2013, 05:32 AM
#2
As a former very long-time resident of the area I am always happy to hear that visitors were amazed at what some of us (obviously foolishly) think is pretty ordinary.
Glad you had a great trip and thanks for posting this excellent report.
Glad you had a great trip and thanks for posting this excellent report.
Apr 9th, 2013, 06:32 AM
#3
I sympathize with the crowds and the gaggles of youth. When we lived in DC we usually took the opportunity to leave the area and be tourists elsewhere during the spring holiday. 
Yes, Zoo food is atrocious. But, the children's meals lunch bags from the "Mane Cafe" have served us well over time.
What did your guys think of Natural History? Although we like the modern style of the museum well enough, now that we are living in Vienna with its Natural History Museum being galleries of beautifully displayed cases of nature, absent of the modern hands-on element, we have found the old-school style to be much more to our liking.
Yes, Zoo food is atrocious. But, the children's meals lunch bags from the "Mane Cafe" have served us well over time.
What did your guys think of Natural History? Although we like the modern style of the museum well enough, now that we are living in Vienna with its Natural History Museum being galleries of beautifully displayed cases of nature, absent of the modern hands-on element, we have found the old-school style to be much more to our liking.
Apr 9th, 2013, 06:32 AM
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Thanks so much for your trip report! My daughter, SIL, and 2 gsons (15 & 12) are going to DC next week (spring break here in New England) so know it will be crowded. I am trying to put together an itin for them and will use your suggestions. My 15 yr old gson loves history so know he will love the Museum of Natural History and possibly have time to do American History Museum.
It was difficult finding an affordable hotel for them but I booked LeMeridien, which is in Arlington, VA, for 3 nights. Hotel got excellent reviews but no pool! That will be a minus for the gsons.
They are flying in so will have a full day to sightsee that day, giving them 4 days all together. There were no flights home so they will rent a car and drive the 8 hr. drive to New England. I thought about Alexandria but wasn't familiar w/ the area so booked Arlington instead. My husband and I stayed in Arlington a couple of years ago at Sheraton Pentagon city and found that to be convenient to metro. We took the metro from Pentagon City.
Does anyone know which metro stop the LeMeridien would be closest to and which stop they would get off for Smithsonian?
I would love to have them go to Mt. Vernon as I know the boys would love seeing it. My husband and I drove there heading south after DC. We really enjoyed touring there and especially walking out to see where George Washington is buried, very moving! Not sure they will have time. Saw a Potomoc River cruise that went to Mt. Vernon so that might be a possibility but that would encompass a full day.
Any other suggestions would be much appreciated.
It was difficult finding an affordable hotel for them but I booked LeMeridien, which is in Arlington, VA, for 3 nights. Hotel got excellent reviews but no pool! That will be a minus for the gsons.
They are flying in so will have a full day to sightsee that day, giving them 4 days all together. There were no flights home so they will rent a car and drive the 8 hr. drive to New England. I thought about Alexandria but wasn't familiar w/ the area so booked Arlington instead. My husband and I stayed in Arlington a couple of years ago at Sheraton Pentagon city and found that to be convenient to metro. We took the metro from Pentagon City.
Does anyone know which metro stop the LeMeridien would be closest to and which stop they would get off for Smithsonian?
I would love to have them go to Mt. Vernon as I know the boys would love seeing it. My husband and I drove there heading south after DC. We really enjoyed touring there and especially walking out to see where George Washington is buried, very moving! Not sure they will have time. Saw a Potomoc River cruise that went to Mt. Vernon so that might be a possibility but that would encompass a full day.
Any other suggestions would be much appreciated.
Apr 9th, 2013, 06:43 AM
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http://www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeri...ropertyID=3774
Above is the map from the LeMeridien website which shows the Rosslyn Metrorail station right nearby.
www.wmata.com has a trip planner which is very useful
Above is the map from the LeMeridien website which shows the Rosslyn Metrorail station right nearby.
www.wmata.com has a trip planner which is very useful
Apr 9th, 2013, 07:18 AM
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Thanks so much! I will definitely take some of your tips for future trips. The hotel sounds like a great option. Was parking free? We generally stay in Arlington, but Alexandria sounds like it would be a lot easier with a car.
Apr 9th, 2013, 09:41 AM
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I agree with SF. Go American History Museum first. Simply amazing museum.
As for the Zoo, we walked out the back entrance last year and took a bus back up the hill to CT Avenue. This worked very well and saved a lot of backtracking. The bus was on Adam's Mill Road - was offered a lot of money for that sign as the bar I go to at home is Adam's Mill...
Sounds like a great trip for the OP and glad you enjoyed it.
As for the Zoo, we walked out the back entrance last year and took a bus back up the hill to CT Avenue. This worked very well and saved a lot of backtracking. The bus was on Adam's Mill Road - was offered a lot of money for that sign as the bar I go to at home is Adam's Mill...
Sounds like a great trip for the OP and glad you enjoyed it.
Apr 9th, 2013, 11:06 AM
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Hotel parking was $18 a night-ugh. As for the Natural History Museum-I really only saw the Ice Age part and we zoomed through it. I like going to see things I couldn't see in "real life"-dinosaur bones, etc. I don't like seeing taxidermied specimens--would rather go to a zoo or aquarium or in the real world. My son loved the Orkin bug zoo!! I will admit that the elephant in the entry is always impressive!
Apr 9th, 2013, 02:50 PM
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Thanks guys, for the corrections, so noted. I was in a hurry to post and didn't re-read. I think that they may have time to do both but will definitely recommend American History Museum first and then Natural History Museum which I think 12 year old will enjoy. He's not the history buff!
Thanks for the info on Rosslyn Metro.
I am sure that whatever they do they will love it!
Thanks for the info on Rosslyn Metro.
I am sure that whatever they do they will love it!
May 17th, 2013, 05:19 AM
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An update - my family visited DC during our April vacation break - April 17-20. They had a fabulous time and all went well. I was very happy they were not here in Boston at that time.
They booked the LeMeridien Arlington hotel and got a great rate on it. Location was close to metro but my daughter said there were not many restaurants in the area. The hotel was lovely and they enjoyed their stay but would probably not stay there again. My gsons thought it was too fru fru for them (they are 15 and 12). They were able to walk to Georgetown the first day they arrived for lunch (about 15 min. walk). There was a CVS nearby and they would purchase water, some cereal, milk so the boys could have breakfast in the am and save time doing this. The hotel served its purpose as a place to sleep.
They loved DC and all of its attractions, they walked til they dropped.
They absolutely loved American History Museum (everyone was right) and Natural Museum of History 2nd! I asked my 12 yr old gson what his favorite thing was and he said the Changing of the Guard at the Arlington National Cemetery. They visited all the monuments - Lincoln (were very impressed w/ the size), and the War Memorial Monuments as well.
All in all, they had a wonderful first visit to DC. Thanks to all for your advice. They drove home (rented a car) because there were no flights available and stopped at Gettysburg as a final sightseeing venue. Boys loved visiting there and especially seeing where Lincoln recited the Gettysburg address. All in all, they had a very memorable spring break.
They booked the LeMeridien Arlington hotel and got a great rate on it. Location was close to metro but my daughter said there were not many restaurants in the area. The hotel was lovely and they enjoyed their stay but would probably not stay there again. My gsons thought it was too fru fru for them (they are 15 and 12). They were able to walk to Georgetown the first day they arrived for lunch (about 15 min. walk). There was a CVS nearby and they would purchase water, some cereal, milk so the boys could have breakfast in the am and save time doing this. The hotel served its purpose as a place to sleep.
They loved DC and all of its attractions, they walked til they dropped.
They absolutely loved American History Museum (everyone was right) and Natural Museum of History 2nd! I asked my 12 yr old gson what his favorite thing was and he said the Changing of the Guard at the Arlington National Cemetery. They visited all the monuments - Lincoln (were very impressed w/ the size), and the War Memorial Monuments as well.
All in all, they had a wonderful first visit to DC. Thanks to all for your advice. They drove home (rented a car) because there were no flights available and stopped at Gettysburg as a final sightseeing venue. Boys loved visiting there and especially seeing where Lincoln recited the Gettysburg address. All in all, they had a very memorable spring break.
May 17th, 2013, 06:58 PM
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hybegr: We walked the whole thing!! It was cherry blossom season so the traffic around that area was crazy--faster to walk. My kids did great. My son kept going because he was so enthralled with the Natural History Museum. So as long as its not too hot and humid, I vote for walking!
May 17th, 2013, 08:44 PM
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Great trip reports from you both. Always good to see more TRs from families so that others will will find them in their research.
I too agree that a pool is really a great way for kids to end the day. Funny how visiting a place at different times of year colors our perceptions. We really gratefully appreciated our soldiers who keep guard at Arlington. It was definitely memorable, as it was 100 degrees out and we couldn't fathom being in those dress wools.
I too agree that a pool is really a great way for kids to end the day. Funny how visiting a place at different times of year colors our perceptions. We really gratefully appreciated our soldiers who keep guard at Arlington. It was definitely memorable, as it was 100 degrees out and we couldn't fathom being in those dress wools.
May 18th, 2013, 06:12 AM
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Forgot to mention that LeMeridien Arlington does not have a pool and this was the major complaint from the 2 grandsons. LOL It was very warm the week they were there so a pool would have been nice after a long day of sightseeing.
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