jgg:

the first day is kind of slow. if you are around the national archives area if you could go on an FBI tour that would be a good thing to do. would be fun for the kids. within walking distance is the Washington Monument and The Wall which would kind of fill in the p.m. of the 1st day. or you could spend all p.m. at Mt. Vernon Geo Washington's home and then maybe go over to Old Towne Alex for a little while. however wouldn't try to do both p.m. things (VA and wall/washington monument). if you around the archives too go to the Old Post Office lots of variety of fast food eateries and there is usually good souvenir shops inside along with a show around lunchtime to entertain the eaters.

The FBI hasn't given tours in several years. Please take Stephanie's advice with a grain of salt.

Hi jgg,

Sorry I missed this until now. You have gotten some great suggestions so far.

I think the Holocaust Museum is amazingly done - really moving and probably the best of its kind that I have visited. It does leave you emotionally drained so I'd suggest leaving a little time for a quiet transition and a bite to eat before moving on to something else....it is a little hard to switch gears (at least it was for me).

DC is much quieter at night than NYC, but if you are looking for an evening activity on one or two nights, you could check to see if there are any shows at the National Theatre or Kennedy Center or one of the others in the area. Also, you could take in a Nationals baseball game or a DC United soccer game depending on the schedule.

I agree that Dupont Circle area is great, but would love to hear from others who stay in the DC area what they think of staying in the Penn Quarter area as an option.

Happy planning! :-)

Definitely contact your Congressman or Senator ASAP and ask for the staff led Capitol Tour...he can also get you tickets to Bureau of Engraving and Printing and White House. (BEST way to see the Capitol) Call the National Park Service for Washington Monument tickets...you pay $1 or $2 and it is very worthwhile..they're timed and I think they're open to 11 pm in the summer so it doesn't take as long as it used to.
Hard Rock Cafe is right on the corner of Ford's theater...about 1/4 of a block away...same street. Teens usually like this spot. FBI was going to be opening in 2007 Spring last time I heard.
I'd put the White House on with the Old Post Office on Day 1. This is an easy walking distance all on the same side of town.
Holocaust Museums is excellent but there is alot of reading and you will not come out feeling Happy, Happy....Joy, Joy. Perhaps rent a comedy movie or something uplifting for the evening.
I agree with other posters...Air and Space Museum is great with the National History Museum...plan some free time in the "Mall" Area...there's no shopping here kids but it's fascinating especially in the late afternoon.
I wasn't impressed with the American Indian Museum now were my kids..and the Air & Space Museum at the Dulles Airport (30-45 minute drive) is phenomenal.
Arlington Cemetery....make sure you visit Robert E. Lee's home....very interesting...and hopefully the Iwo Jima Statue is not still under construction.
National Cathedral is impressive also....the shopping in DC isn't.
If you have a day to Bike the Sites.....this is a great way to see the Memorials...because they cover alot of area and DC is GREAT on bikes!
I usually take groups of exchange students to DC in the summer.

rbud - Thank you for your tips, particularly about biking through the Memorials. That sounds like a fun idea! According to the FBI website it states "No date has been set for its reopening" (for tours). Also, wondering if we do the Spy Museum if it would seem similar. I was on the FBI tour many years ago, but have never done the Spy Museum.

As soon as we solidify the dates will contact our Congressman or Senator for the Capitol tours.

Thanks again everyone!

Just a heads-up: The Smithsonian AMERICAN History Museum is closed for renovations. But the Smithsonian NATURAL History Museum is open. Check the Smithsonian web site for special exhibits, hours of operation, etc.

http://www.si.edu/

Hi jgg - I'm jealous, DD and I made the trek to D.C. last spring and LOVED it. We mixed it up around town also and thought we got a real feel for the area. The reason I responded to this post is because we stayed on Dupont Circle in a Bed and Breakfast.

It was extremely close to the metro and had a very "homey" kind of feel. One night we got off the metro to group of musicians playing in the circle,the crowd was clapping and dancing and all of the traffic had there windows rolled down. What a blast we had.

If you can stay in that neighboorhood, do it. It was an important part of what made our trip so wonderful. Have a great time!

FLmom- Thank you for confirming that DuPont Circle is a good location. Can you recommend the B&B and what was the name of it?

I haven't been to the FBI building, but I have been to the SPY museum. I'm not sure if the FBI been open since Sept. 11th. (maybe sporadically) As for the SPY museum, the kids enjoyed it, dd was 11 or 12....some reading and some very fascinating gadgets and stories and displays.
Bests wishes for a great trip. Bike the Site had bike rentals for about $20 for the day since we drive in we take our own bikes along and park down along the Potomac close to the Jefferson Memorial. It's free.

We stayed at the Dupont at the Circle, in the Canopy Room. http://www.dupontatthecircle.com/
DD (13) and I still talk about that bed; it was a special experience for us to stay in an old house like that. We made concessions in other places along the way in our vacation to stay in an “historical” house while we were in D.C., for us; it was part of the experience.
We flew into Norfolk, rented a car, and spent 4 days doing Busch Gardens, Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg and Yorktown. We spent ½ a day at Mt Vernon (very special place) on the way to D.C., where we dropped are car off at Regan National Airport and used the Metro exclusively for the rest of trip, 4 ½ days in D.C.
Feel free to ask anything that comes to mind, I’m happy to help in anyway I can. I’ve got a lot of websites and info for planning a trip to D.C.

Try not to miss the new American Indian museum. Its cafeteria is terrific and probably IMO the best place for lunch in the area - much better than the other museums and many restaurants. Chinatown is also an easy walk from the mall area.
When in Williamsburg, don't miss Jamestown. Also, if you want to maximum your Williamsburg experience, there are some small hotels located in the center of the historic area itself, not to be confused with the large hotels near the visitor's center. Williamsburg at night takes on a completely different character. You may also want to consider the nearby Busch Gardens theme park for a day if you have the time. It is one of the nicer ones around.

rbud - thanks for the Bike Rental name (Bike the Site - I love it!)

FLmom- Looked up Dupont at the Circle and it looks very nice, we may consider it. You and basingstoke both gave me the idea of looking on Trip Advisor under B&B/inns instead of hotels and I found a great B&B in Williamsburg called Cedars at Williamsburg. It is rated #2 on TA and has connecting rooms with a Queen and two twin beds and one bathroom. It is in our price range. I was so happy as the Williamsburg Inn was just too expensive and I did not want to stay in one of those large resorts there.

We LOVE Chinatowns so will definitely take a walk through the one in DC.

Also thanks for the suggestion of Mt. Vernon on the day we drive from Williamsburg to DC. I had just written that day off, but with only a 3 hr. (or so) drive we ought to be able to fit that in. THANKS!!

Keep your expectations somewhat low for DC's Chinatown. Some great restaurants, but the area's revitalization has brought a lot of non-Chinatown like places, including a Hooter's and a fun Irish place ...

It's a great part of town, I work nearby and love it, but don't expect SF or NYC-like Chinatowns. Some great dining there and in nearby Penn Quarter.

Thanks for the heads up repete! We are mostly about Chinese food. Any good Chinese restuarants to recommend? Don't necessarily have to be in Chinatown. Also, does any place serve Bubble Tea?

Wow-what a great trip. Our children visited all of these places at similar ages and loved it all.

We also did Williamsburg, Jamestown, Mt.Vernon, and Monticello. They loved all of it. I'm not sure how much time you have after your 5 days in DC.

Regarding the shopping, i think your daughter would enjoy Georgetown more than the Pentagon City mall. It is very charming, quaint, etc. with cute boutiques and major chains. Good restaurants, too.

Try to squeeze in the FDR memorial. I agree with the others that it is very special.

I wouldn't plan on spend too much time in Arlington Cemetary. That would give you a lot more time on day #4.

I don't think your days are too jam packed.
have a great trip.

dina