We're going to D.C. For a week on Monday. Family of four with two kids (13 and 11) and grandma in tow. What are your favorite things to do and places to eat?

Thanks in advance!

A good place to eat lunch while sightseeing on the Mall is the Cascades Cafe located underground between the National Gallery of Art East and the National Gallery of Art West. (You can enter either museum to get there.) There 's a nice variety of good quality food at reasonable prices and the underground waterfall and the nearby art installation of blinking lights over a moving sidewalk make it fun for all ages.

Well going on the spur of the moment you will be shut out of the White House and probably Congress - but do give your Congressperson's office a call to see if they can help.

If you are from a city without a large zoo you should try that. Then there are all of the monuments (see then during the day AND at night) and the various arms of the Smithsonian. I would also definitely see Mount Vernon - but pick a day with nice weather.

I would get a good guide book immediately and read it to see which things will interest your group most.

With kids, I'd recommend the zoo, the monuments, and museums...especially Air and Space, American History, Natural History. Ford's Theatre has a great visitor's center and docent talks, and Mount Vernon does also...you can get there by boat from Alexandria. Ride one of the hop-on hop-off bus tours (I really liked Tourmobile) for a good overview.

Thanks for your suggestions. We were able to secure a White House tour, still working on Capitol. What would you recommend for dinner?

There is no reason to go through your congressman to tour the Capitol, just reserve a tour on the website:
http://www.visitthecapitol.gov/

You can book ahead online also for:
Ford's Theater
Washington Monument
Holocaust Museum
Imax at Air and Space and Natural History Museums
Planetarium at Air and Space
National Archives
International Spy Museum

For dinner recommendations it would be good to know where you are staying.

Thx for the info.

We’re at Residence Inn next to Pantagon City (Mall), but have a car and a Metro (subway) pass.

We went to Ebbitts last night – really good…

Mon. eve. we ate at Tony Chengs in Chinatown – good also



Georgetown, Old Alexandria and Eastern Market areas look interesting…