I've been pricing the tours available for seeing the national monuments at night with the lights. But we have a group of 10 and it would cost a good $250. I'm just wondering if anyone has a good plan (or links to websites) for parking or taking the metro, and a decent route to take in the major highlights.

We don't mind a leisurely walk, and I assume we'll have to cover a good 2+ miles. But we will have grandma and grandpa, and 4 kids aged 8 and under (plus stroller and baby carrier).

If fewer than all 10 are interested (e.g. one adult stays behind with the very little ones) DC taxis can be hired for $25 per hour. Two hours and two cabs would cover the area nicely for $100 plus maybe $20-30 for tips, but the challenge is getting interested cabbies. Perhaps your hotel can help with that.

I know this may not be what you were looking for, but I'm throwing it out there just in case, and for future reference -- it is a good option for a family of four.

Im heading to DC next week and we are planning on cabbing it to the Jefferson Memorial then walking from there to FDR, Korean, Lincoln and Vietnam. Hitting WW2 and the Washington Monument a different night. You could then continue up to the White House. Biggest challenge would be getting to the Jefferson Memorial as it is a hike from the closest Metro stop.

"But we will have grandma and grandpa, and 4 kids aged 8 and under (plus stroller and baby carrier)."

Then don't do it alone. You will regret it, unless you are willing to use cabs. There is a significant distance between the monuments and inconvenient parking. After playing tourist all day, this will feel like a death march unless you use some cabs. You also need to factor in weather.

I just did the night tour on a double decker bus. There were a few kids under the age of 15 and most of them were completely bored and clearly did not enjoy the tour. I would not try to walk that area with your entire group. There are parts that are very dark and as another poster said, it is quite a walk.

also , you are balking at $25 each to ride in relative comfort vs walking with elders and babies? No contest....

I think I'm with everyone else. If you are going all the way to DC and balking at the cost of doing the things you want to do, then perhaps you shouldn't do it at all.

For what it's worth, the real value of the night tour (and I'm not generally a big proponent of these) is that the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and Jefferson Memorial are not really all that close to any Metro stops. They are certainly walkable (and the walk from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument is quite nice), but I don't think it's really workable with two seniors and four kids under 8. Frankly, I think trying to do the whole thing on foot is crazy. The $25 per person cost doesn't seem that bad to me, but it is worthwhile to leave one of the adults behind with the kids, who will simply not enjoy the tour that much, walking or not.

Thanks, Everyone. Now that I've actually traced the path on Google Earth, I can see why walking would be tough. It wouldn't be so bad just getting there but the trek all the way around and then back to the metro would be, as Mike T put it, more like a death march and not so enjoyable. I'm going to rework the budget a little and see what we can squeeze in!

I'll disagree with those who say that the walk is too much. I live in the DC area and have walked the sites dozens of times. The Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean, and WWII memorials are all within a short distance of each other, and the Washington Monument is easily seen from those monuments (in can't be missed). The walk to the Jefferson and FDR memorials is a little walk away, but they are close to one another. I'm not sure what other monuments you want to see, but I imagine that if you're staying in DC for a few days, your site seeing will take you near the White House and Capitol. The toughest thing about the monument walk is - as was mentioned before - that they aren't really near any metro stations.

A general rule to remember is that is it one mile between the Lincoln and Washington monuments and one mile from the Washington monument to the Capitol.

Most people don't realize how long the Mall actually is....

If your group enjoys walking, then walk. If you are not walkers, then take a tour.

When we were there last summer, my uncle outwalked us all - he is a grandpa 4 times over - so I don't necesarily assume that having grandparents along will slow you down.

I think that the tour by bus is worth every dollar but maybe not for the little ones. Because there is so much to see and do, the commentator may remind you of things to look for at the museums you pass or other landmarks. We totally missed the display of the Fonze's jacket and Edith and Archie Bunker's chairs in the Museum of American History. When the bus driver mentioned it both me and my friend said we had to go back.

Also, some of the monuments have a completely different feel at night. The night we took the tour it was raining off and on. The Korean War memorial was rather spooky at night with the lights and the fog. Made you think of what those men endured during that war.

Don't forget Iwo Jima on the VA side if possible. It is an amazing site and has some fantastic views of DC at night. When I lived in DC, I would take visitors there at night for the memorial, but also for the great view of the DC skyline, one that is hard to get from other angles. Just a thought...

gardendiva~I, too, found the Korean War memorial eerie at night. I found the Vietnam Wall more somber at night; the WWII Memorial more grand and majestic, giving a feel of how immense that war was in geography and cost, at night; and standing at Lincoln's feet at night was more humbling........The monuments and memorials definitely have a different feel after sunset.

pupchic, I am fortunate enough to have a family member attend conferences in DC every May, and I tag along. I believe after that recommendation, I will add the Iwo Jima Memorial to my itinerary for my next visit!

There was a postcard photo I recall with a night scene where the Washington Monument and and Capitol Dome line up so you see them both on a diagonal line...sort of looking out and down upon them...I always thought it was a gorgeous view - I FINALLY discovered where the photographer must have been - Iwo Jima...enjoy!

And, of course, the story of the Memorial is equally inspiring...

Mozell, please do not take offense, but I would seriously rethink a bus tour for your kids. The narration will be very important. I do not know your kids' tolerance level, but our tour was 3.5 hours, and if your children cannot remain relatively quiet and still, they may interfere with other's enjoyment. Our tour did not end until 10:30 pm.