Doe anyone allow for the possibility that the OP knows his kids better than you do? The certitude with which complete strangers are telling him his kids will hate his idea, but will love something totally different, is ridiculous.

But then, none of these knowitalls seem to have noticed the OP has never returned to read their advice, lol.

One last bit of hilarity: guess who is all over the National Mall all summer long, walking all around the monuments, year after year? People with their kids. Might not be what I would do, or what you would do, but millions of people have done it and lived to tell the tale. Next you'll tell me they all hated every minute, lol!

" In addition to all of the museum and galleries, there are facilities at the Jefferson, Lincoln, and FDR Memorials as well as the little visitor building near the Washington Monument."

Thank you for the additional information. I was unaware of the FDR Memorial location and I only discovered the Jefferson location on my last trip.