Need help with my Washington DC itinerary!!!

Old Oct 1st, 2008, 05:34 AM
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In regards to the Gallery of Art, I think (in moderation) it would be a great art museum for your daughter. On the website or at the entrance to the museum, they have an art "scavenger hunt" where you look for a number of the paintings. They even highlight for the child as to which wing the piece would be located. I'm not sure if any of the other art museums offer anything similar.
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Old Oct 1st, 2008, 08:16 AM
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I called my senator and congressman a couple of weeks ago. My congressman has secured a capitol tour... although the email says that I will get detailed information within two weeks of my trip. I know that I will have the tour on Monday; however, they haven't given a time of day. Does anyone know when they typically do the tours?
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Old Oct 1st, 2008, 12:55 PM
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For what it's worth, my 7 year old half-sister loved both the National Galleries and the Portrait Museum.

I like both the Corcoran and the Phillips museums, but I think it's important to note that they, unlike those on the Mall, are not free. One of the great joys of the Smithsonian and NGA, especially with young children, is that you can see as much or as little as suits your mood, and it's FREE! So if there's something you missed, you can always go back, or you can just change your mind and head to the next museum, without having lost anything. I also second the recommendation to eat at the American Indian Museum.

As for Capitol tours, I believe they're scheduled between 8:00 and 3 PM. Have a great time!!
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Old Oct 1st, 2008, 02:13 PM
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This may be a stupid question but... do you think Washington DC will be extremely busy over Veteran's Day weekend?

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Old Oct 1st, 2008, 03:55 PM
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Great info for my first trip to DC the very same time. Thanks all!
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Old Oct 1st, 2008, 05:16 PM
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The FDR Memorial is stunning and I saw children there having a great time. It is now my favorite site in D.C.
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Old Oct 2nd, 2008, 03:39 AM
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bookmarking
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Old Oct 2nd, 2008, 05:12 AM
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Lots of good advice above. Some additional thoughts from a father of a 7-year old:

--National Portrait Gallery and Museum of American Art are in the same building, and the Portrait Gallery in particular is accessible for young children, especially one who likes art. And it's located in Penn Quarter with lots of fun restaurants around.

--I second the Two Amy's recommendation near the Cathedral. Also don't miss the Bishop's Garden along the right side of the Cathedral (as you face the front of the Cathedral--it's the side you exit out of from the Cathedral's gift shop), and the little garden shop next door.

--Skip the Washington Monument by all means and make sure you eat something before the Trolley tour. There are lots of places to eat in Union Station (although not particularly inspiring ones).

--Skip the Zoo tour, just do it on your own. See the pandas for sure. Try to make it all the way down the hill and around to the Amazonia building. There is lots of construction going on around the Elephant House, so I'm not sure they have the elephant demonstrations going on right now.

--Your Day 3 is really heavy. Definitely skip the Library of Congress. Natural History is great for your daughter's age--dinosaurs, mammals, new oceans exhibit, insect zoo, Hope Diamond. As much as I think the Capitol building is great, it's a longer walk than you think to get from Natural History to the Capitol.

--Personally, I'd skip Arlington Cemetery on Veteran's Day. It's not that interesting for a small child, and it either involves LOTS of walking, or (on a busy Veteran's Day) waiting for crowded busses.
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Old Oct 2nd, 2008, 05:18 AM
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Where is your hotel?

I missed that you got a Capitol tour through your Congressman. That should be good, although it's much more interesting when Congress is in session.

I missed my usual lunch recommendation of the cafe in the National Gallery's Sculpture Garden, which is located along the mall across from the Archives and between Natural History and the National Gallery of Art.
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Old Oct 2nd, 2008, 06:26 AM
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DancingBearMD,

We will be staying in the Penn Quarter/Downtown area.


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Old Oct 2nd, 2008, 12:20 PM
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Then you will be well-fixed with plenty of eating places around, and in a good location for sightseeing. Enjoy!
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Old Oct 2nd, 2008, 12:45 PM
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A kid-friendly place to eat one block from the Portrait Gallery / Museum of Am. Art in Penn Quarter is South Austin Grill. It's Tex/Mex food, casual atmosphere. It's on E St. NW between 7th and 8th. (Portrait Gallery/Am Art occupies the block bounded by G (north side) and F (south side) and by 9th (west side) and 7th (east side). (If you happen to be staying at the Hotel Monaco, the Monaco is in-between that & Austin Grill.)

BTW, another sightseeing spot in Penn Quarter that your daughter might enjoy is the Spy Museum (on F at 9th, across street from Portrait Gallery/Am Art). I'd suggest checking its website. As I recall, it has quite a number of kid-focused exhibits. It's a private museum, & so has a $$ admission charge (unlike the Smithsonians, which have no charge).

Just north of Penn Quarter, around 7th & H, is Chinatown. Not a big Chinatown, but still, several very kid-friendly Chinese spots & a whole bunch of non-Chinese spots. The Chinese stuff (what's left of it) is mostly along H, the non-Chinese stuff is mostly along 7th between G and H.
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Old Oct 2nd, 2008, 03:50 PM
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I've been considering taking her to the Spy Museum. It will, quite literally, be within a couple of blocks of where we are staying. In creating the itinerary, I just wasn't sure what I would cut to fit it in.
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Old Oct 2nd, 2008, 07:26 PM
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Good for you and your daughter...I love that she likes art. I agree on the National Portrait Gallery as a good spot to visit. One thing I found that it's worthwhile to check in advance on the Smithsonian website for special exhibitions (or maybe your daughter can do it.. can 7 year olds?) For example there's a special exhibit on posters at the National Portrait Gallery that looks good. The National Gallery is huge, so the smaller Art museums may be easier to handle, or you could just pick out a few sections to visit. Which actually is a good thing to do for all the museums.

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Old Oct 3rd, 2008, 03:52 AM
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Can you bring a sketch pad and colored pencils, etc. to the art museums? In reading the websites, there are many things that you CANT bring... no photography, large purses/backpacks, no strollers, but no mention about art supplies? Maybe that's supposed to be a no-brainer?
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Old Oct 3rd, 2008, 08:56 AM
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I sometimes see people sketching in the museums. I do not think they need special permission, as is required for setting up easels.
If your supplies fit in a reasonably sized purse/tote, why not try? the worst that could happen is that a guard asks you to stop.
And photography is permitted in some museums, National Galery at least, though it may be banned in specific exhibits. I've taken photos of the interiors of both buildings, but I have never aimed the camera at a specific painting.
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Old Oct 3rd, 2008, 09:44 AM
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I just got back from DC over Labor Day weekend with my 7 year old son.
I agree with other posters that you have too much planned, especially day 3.
A 7 year old girl may be different than a 7 year old boy, but we spent a lot of time in National Air & Space Museum. They have TONS of stuff to see including some IMAX movies and Flight Simulators.
We also spent time in the Museum of Natural History. She'll love the Butterfly Farm. My son loved the dinosaurs.
Make sure the BEP is open. It wasn't on our weekend.
Great that you have tickets to Washington Monument saves a long line and time.
Are you using taxis to get around? There's a lot of walking involved.
Don't know your daughter but I'd take off the Zoo, Archives, Capital and Art Museum for one or two of the museums.
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Old Oct 3rd, 2008, 12:21 PM
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Thanks for all of the posts and information.

AttyWSW,
We will not be renting a car, so... it will probably be a combination of metro, taxi, and walking.

We're also visiting the BEP on a Monday... I set up a VIP tour that morning at 8:15 am. I'm hoping that, although my itinerary is packed (and slightly unrealistic), I have scheduled and pre-purchased enough to minimize wait times.

It's just so hard to whittle it down.
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Old Oct 4th, 2008, 06:31 AM
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I second one of the other posters responses that you should keep your current itinerary. If you're not able to do everything, you could always make some last minute cuts.
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Old Oct 4th, 2008, 08:07 AM
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Hi kmt,

DC is such a great place to visit, you will love it! I spent a week there with my son..here are my thoughts:

Energy is good though most of the main sites are within one square mile, so not a HUGE amount of walking.

Day 1. The monument will only take you about an hour to do, its a very small viewing area at the top and your daughter will most likely be interested in the gift shop up there I would not waste money on a tour bus. The city is very, very safe, even at night and there is virtually no traffic. I am assuming you are not bringing a car (its madness to drive it in the city during the day). But if you did, you can easily park it along the Mall at night. If not, ride the metro there and walk around yourself. Its the most beautiful thing to see the monuments at night.

Day 2. The National Zoo was a disappointment especially if you've ever been to any other big city zoo. Kids like animals of course, but the downtown city aquarium is nicer, in my opinion. Also, the zoo is very, very hilly with virtually no water fountains, make sure you bring your own supply. The National Cathedral is simply breathtaking..and I disagree with the poster who said your daughter won't appreciate it. She definitely will, especially since she loves art..its a phenomenal building. Sign up for one of the tours, they'll point out some very cool gargoyles I would allow at least 2 hours here. Remember, the museums close most nights at 5pm and won't be open on Veterans Day, I don't think.

Day 3. I'd skip the engraving and printing, it was pretty boring besides seeing big stacks of money. Do not skip the Archives, very interesting...even for kids. Natural history is a great museum with lots and lots to see. Do you have a tour of the Capital arranged? This is a HUGE building and very cool..but it takes a few hours to do. I would not be so sure if they were even open that weekend. If I were you, I'd do Arlington on this day..as V-Day is going to be jammed packed with visitors and ceremonies. Enjoy DC!
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