Top 5 things to do with kids in D.C.
 

Going to Washington DC the 2nd week in June with my husband and 2 kids ages 6 & 9. What are the top 5 things to do with the kids. We don't want to miss anything that is an absolute must. Also, any secret tricks for getting good tickets or tours, it sounds complicated. We are researching the area with one of those "unofficial" guides and hopefully will be well informed but I would really appreciate any inside info or things that your your kids particularly loved. Is there anywhere we should (or shouldn't) eat?<BR><BR>Thanks so much!!

I've been to DC several times with my kids, who are now 14 and 16. Their top 5 are:<BR><BR>National Zoo<BR>Smithsonian -American History<BR>Smithsonian-Natural History<BR>Lincoln Memorial (preferably at night)<BR>Postal Museum<BR><BR>The good news is that all of the above are free, don't require tickets, etc. All those special tours etc. would not be in my top 5 in any case, but especially not for younger kids like yours. I'm sure they'd rather see the pandas or do the hands-on things at the Postal Museum than see stuffy old houses or political sites.

MUST -- Air and Space Museum. The zoo, too. I'd also recommend one of the tourmobile or trolley tours -- good way to get around, see EVERYTHING, hop off at attractions that will interest the kids. The ride is fun on one of the open-air trolleys in the summer.

Does anyone have info on one of these washington after dark type of tours that takes you to the monuments at night? Do you get off the bus and go up to the monuments or just drive by? Any info is appreciated. Also, do you know if the FBI tour and the white house tours have reopened?<BR>Thanks!

Of course, the Smithsonian (particularly the Air & Space); river ride down the locks by the Park Service. Check with your congressperson for free tickets--even exhibits that have fees other places are free in DC.

Sonya, I don't know about the "official" after dark tours, but if you multiply the cost of such a tour by the number of people you have, you might come to the same conclusion that I did: take a cab. It could easily end up being less expensive and you certainly CAN stop anywhere you want to look things over. With luck, you'll get a friendly, talkative driver like I did. You can cover a lot of ground at 9 or 10 p.m. :o)

We spent a full week in DC as a family last summer. Before we left, we got a great book at the bookstore - "Fodor's 68 great things to do with kids in DC"<BR>Our favorites were Ford's Theater, The FBI Building tour (you get to meet a real FBI agent - very exciting for kids), Arlington Cemetery White House tour (not sure if you can still do that), and the Treasury Building tour where you get to see how they make money. For tickets for special tours, contact your Senator and they will provide tickets. <BR>All very easy to get around to - buy a metro pass, don't try to drive all around. Its very clean, fast, easy, and safe to ride the Metro.<BR>Hope you enjoy the trip.

Regarding the contact your congressman thing, I did that and was informed that since September 11th they are not able to get you in the VIP tours and of the FBI, Capitol, White House, Etc. They informed me I should call one week before I go and if there was anything they could set up, they would do it at that time. Does anybody know whether this is correct or whether I got responded to by a misinformed aid?

My kids were a bit older but enjoyed Ford's theater (where lincoln was assasinated). Across the street from the theater was the house where they took him after he was shot. When we went we were the only people to visit the house. The tour guide answered tons of questions and filled us in on some stories we'd never heard of. it was fascinating. The new FDR memorial is also great although your kids may be alittle young for that. Also the Hirshhorn museum and sculptor garden is good.

Sonya...you received the correct information. <BR> I called my senators office on Friday (Barbara Boxers office) about our trip to D.C in April and was told that the FBI building, White House, Pentagon, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and some others are all closed for tours. The B of E & P will reopen in March but it will be to late for me to get passes at that time for an April visit. (It should be open for your June trip) <BR>Christy (at Boxers office) said to show up early and stand in line. <BR> <BR>From what I understand, the Capitol is open but you have to go with a guide and a policeman so they can keep tabs on all the visitors. I was told that I am on a list and to call 2 weeks before we go in April.

You know what I just realized...I asked for stuff your kids loved that I should be sure to do but probably an equally good question would be...IS there anything that your kids really hated doing or seeing or were bored with. That way I can avoid the real duds. Everybody is so nice and helpful here, much better than many other boards including the frommers one. You are all so quick to share advice...Thank you

I recommend NOT eating at the cafeterias in the museums, not very good food and very expensive. By June the weather in D.C. should be very nice, as long as it's not raining. Pack a picnic and eat on the mall. <BR><BR>There's a carousel that your kids might enjoy if they're not too old for that. I think the Air & Space is a must see, also my child loved the Lincoln Memorial. There was a docent there that gave a great speech about Lincoln's presidency and the civil war. The FBI Building sounds great, but I've never been there to offer you a first hand opinion. A couple other sites that I recommend, but aren't particularly for the kids (although I do think they are old enought to appreciate them) are the National Archives, the Capital Building and the Library of Congress. The Zoo is nice, but wouldn't be a "must see" for me; By all means go if you have time, but if something needs cut from the list that would be my choice to skip.<BR><BR>Finally the art collection at the Smithsonian is wonderful. IF you are at all into art, go. You can involve the kids by making a list of things to find (ie, painting of a dog, painting with someone holding money in their hand, etc.) like a treasure hunt. Just an idea.<BR><BR>I also just thought of one more thing... The air & space museum has an IMAX theater. You might want to get tickets ahead of time for the more popular shows if you think you might want to go.

The Smithsonian is a must--the History and Science (aviation) sections were the best! (I took my children when they were 3rd & 6th grades. They also enjoyed the FBI building. We viewed the Vietnam Memorial, (very meaningful to me), but the one thing that was the most meaningful to ALL of us was the CHILDREN'S part of the Holocaust Museum. It was very well done, and should NOT be missed. Plan something light and fun for after that. I did not view the real museum, but got a lot our of the children's section, myself.<BR> GO!

National Zoo - the line to see the pandas is usually long, but if you go to the Panda Cafe (I think that is name) an outdoor snack area, it is built OVER the panda enclosure. When we went last year we discovered this by accident, and had a birds-eye view of the pandas as they strolled in their grassy enclosures in late afternoon. <BR>DO contact your Senator / congressperson's office and ask if they have any staff members who give guided tours of the Capitol. This was pre-9/11, but a few years ago we went and on Senators staff was lovely lady who gave us an excellent personal guided tour of the capitol.<BR>Eat one lunch at Reeves Bakery on H Street (I think), waitresses call you honey, crowded, inexpensive, kid friendly, my cousin who works at Treasury eats lunch there a lot.

Great suggestions so far!<BR><BR>If you own a National Parks Passport, be sure to take it along. The children will enjoy the task of cancelling the passport at the many places of interest managed by the National Parks Service. The dated rubber stamp and ink pad are found at the ranger's desk at the sites--Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, to name a few. The passport itself lists the sites where the validation can be done.<BR><BR>National Parks also sells a sheet of stamps highlighting parks within each region. Issued annually, each sheet has ten stamps that may be inserted in the passport.<BR><BR>The Smithsonian website (www.si.edu) lists special exhibits and events in their many museums. There may be something of particular interest to your family. (I agree with the previous poster who suggested avoiding the Smithsonian cafeterias.)<BR><BR>On the Mall, but not part of the Smithsonian, is the National Gallery of Art--traditional, classic-looking West Building, sleek and modern-looking East Building, and outdoor sculpture garden that the children may enjoy walking through. BTW, the cafeteria on the below-ground level of the NGA is decent and the best of any of the cafeterias on the Mall.

Sonya- the congressional tours are at the choice of your representative or Senator, so it depends on which state you are from. Call ALL of yours as some do and some don't! One thing we enjoyed in DC was going canoeing on the Potomac. Just north of georgetown there was a place you can rent rowboats or canoes by the hour. We had so much fun, because the river has no visible development along that stretch, so we could imagine being back in the "old" days. Of course mine are city kids. if you are from the country this might not be as special!

What is a national parks passport and where does one get one? This sounds like something to get the kids interested in viewing each site. How do you know which ones have the stamps? They should do something like that including all attractions. What a good idea. More info please. Also, what does it mean on this site when you see a message that says "topping"? Thanks!

When I was younger I enjoyed the Natural History Museum and the IMAX theatre. Another of my favorites was going to the top of the Washington monument.

Sonya, we went 9 and 2 1/2 years ago (my daughters were the same ages as yours the 2nd time). Availability of activities post 9/11 may be different. My sister was living in the D.C. area at the time and made arrangements with my congressman's office for a tour of the Capital Building. The neatest thing my girls remembered was the little 12" marble circle that is the "center" of the Capital. The second neatest thing was the underground trolley ride from the office building to the Capital. We also did all the other monuments and some of the Smithsonian. We found out that tickets for tours of the White House need to be arranged months in advance through your congressman's office. As far as the Air and Space Museum goes, it's a great chronological history of flight from past to present. There are other museums with far more extensive space exhibits.<BR><BR>We went to the National Zoo on a trip to D.C. 9 years ago in late June. It has been my experience that the hot summertime is the most miserable time to visit a zoo. The animals are all hidden in the shade trying to stay cool. The concrete walkways for the people have absorbed the heat and are radiating it. Small children typically can't see over the barriers and have to be held to be able to see the animals. My 2 memories of the National zoo are the letters of condolances from school children at the death of one of the pandas and the MISERABLE HEAT!<BR><BR>When you go through Lincoln's memorial, you might mention to your children that while he freed the slaves in the Southern States during the Civil War, women did not receive the same rights for at least another 50 years.

It's true that the zoo can get very hot, BUT the original poster plans to be there in early June, which will probably not be too bad. The people-misters are fun!<BR><BR>The old pandas a few years ago were indeed a sad sight. But the new young pandas are a hoot. I took my 13 yo son to DC last February for 5 days and he actually chose to go to the zoo TWICE because we enjoyed it so much.<BR><BR>Here are a couple of zoo tips:<BR><BR>Get there early in the AM; it's less crowded and the animals are more active. As another poster mentioned, the animals behave more sensibly in the heat than people do. The grounds open at 6 in the summer, and the buildings open at 10.<BR><BR>Get off at the Metro stop AFTER the official zoo stop (Cleveland Park rather than Woodley Park); it's about the same distance but the walk is downhill rather than uphill so you don't get to the zoo already hot and tired.<BR><BR>Bring water and lunch, the offerings at the zoo are expensive and not very appealing.

Sonya--<BR><BR>The National Parks Passport is a spiral-bound, dark blue soft-covered little book that measures 6" x 3.5". There are several pages for each of the sections of the country: North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, National Capital, Southeast, etc. The first page for each section lists the parks-managed sites where you can get your free Passport cancellation, followed by several pages of description.<BR><BR>My Passport (purchased in 1994) lists these DC sites: Constitution Gardens, Ford's Theatre, Fort Washington Park (MD), Frederick Douglas National Historic Site, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Lincoln Memorial, LBJ Memorial Grove, Mary McLeod Bethune Council House, National Capital Parks, National Mall, Old Post Office Tower, Rock Creek Park, Theodore Roosevelt Island (McLean, VA), Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington Monument, White House. And there are cancellations available at the Korean War Memorial and the FDR Memorial (both opened after my purchase of the Passport).<BR><BR>The Passport and the annually-issued pages of stamps may be purchased at the visitors center/ranger desk/book store of these sites. The page of stamps is $3.95; sorry, I don't recall the price of the Passport. Proceeds from the sale of Passports and stamps go to the National Parks Service.

Thank you so much for the info on these passports-what a cool idea. I just ordered 2 at www.eparks.com. They also sell the stamps you guys were talking about but I didn't order those, thought I would look at the books first. The passports are only $6.95 each.<BR><BR>On another note: no one who has responded has mentioned Mt Vernon or Old Town Alexandria as must do attractions, I was under the impression they were both not to be missed. Will the kids enjoy either or both?<BR><BR>Thanks Again!

For a lunchtime unwinding spot, the old Postal Building is great. It's been converted into a food court & indoor mall. There is also the tower, which has a view that rivals the Washington Monument.

I took my older daughter on the cruise to Mt. Vernon many years ago. It was a delightful trip, but took up most of the day and yet somehow didn't allow enough time there, though the Potomac was lovely. If I were in DC with a car, I'd include it. There's also a public transit bus that goes in that general directoin, I believe. But for a one-week trip, it's surely not in the top 5.<BR><BR>Alexandria just doesn't have enough to interest elementary-age kids.<BR>

There is a water park in the area. With children that age, they (and you) might appreciate the break/change of pace in mid-week to let the children go run, splash, and play to blow off the excess pent-up energy.<BR><BR>I have been buying charms for a charm bracelet as souvenirs for my daughters. It'll be more meaningful in the long run than cheap toys that break.<BR><BR>I went to Mt Vernon about 10 years ago while TDY in the area. I enjoyed it. Didn't see that it was an all-day event. But I don't remember any impressions about the interest level it would hold for children.

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Hi,

Sorry, hit the wrong button or something, don't know what happened there. Anyway, wanted to restate my question again about the evening tours of the monuments. Do you get off at the monuments or just drive by. Is it worthwhile to do? Everyone says the monuments are better at night. Is one tour company or another any better at these tours? <BR><BR>Has anyone taken the 4 hour tourmobile thing out to Mt Vernon? I think Grayline does it too.<BR><BR>Many thanks. Keep those recommendations coming!

What about DC ducks? Is it any good?

hi there, I don't know about Vernon but what I miss in all the replies is a redommendation to visit to the National Geographic institution. My kids -aged 8 and 11-enjoyed it very much. Also we had great meals at the Union Station food court (we are dutch and for us that is a new phenomenon ( right word?)). For transport we took a 1 day busticket on the tourbus that drops you off almost anywhere and an other day a 1d metro ticket for some other points not covered by the bus. I woulf aldo advise you to find a hotel with a pool. Very nice to relax after a hot day on the town!

Have been there several times, have seen ads for DC ducks but never done it nor seen the boat/van around. It must be popular, its been around awhile I think.<BR><BR>Anyone?<BR><BR>Also, Mt Vernon & Alexandria are worthwhile trips but maybe not in the top 5 for kids

Well, the reason that you didn't see National Geographic on any of my recommendations was that we thought it was a total waste of time. They offered great photography, which we could see staying home and looking at our subscription, and very little else in the way of displays or information.

Wow, such differing opinions on this national geographic thing. Are you referring to "National Geographic Society's Discovers Hall"? My guide book gives it 4 stars (out of 5) for grade school kids and says it has "well done exhibits that aren't overpowering". So, should we see it or skip it?<BR><BR>On another note, how is the Capital Children's Museum. We have a fabulous hands on Museum here at home in Sarasota, Florida so I'm not sure it is worth it. Is there something special about this one or should we skip it?

We've been to the National Geographic Explorers Hall a number of times, with our children when they were school-aged and later, without them. <BR><BR>Our decision to visit would be based on our interest in the special exhibit that was on-going. On different visits, we saw the Ice Maiden (yes, frozen, probably sacrified hundreds? of years ago in the Andes); raptors and birds of prey; environmentalism and the Cheasapeake Bay; photos from space explorations, and others. <BR><BR>It's smaller than any of the Smithsonian museums, more manageable and do-able. I would agree with your guidebook--it's well-done and not over-powering. And, except for the Ice Maiden when we had to wait in a l-o-n-g line to enter, in our experience, Explorers Hall is not so crowded as the Smithsonian.<BR><BR>Do your children have any special interests? There might be some places in DC that have particular appeal...

My humble opinion. Your kids, especially 6 and 9 year olds, will probably be too "museumed out" to enjoy the National Geographic Explorers' Hall. Do the Smithsonian museums, all that you can, as much as they can, and they will be wiped out from that -- though they are wonderful. I wouldn't recommend the Children's Museum either, if you have a fabulous hands-on museum in your own town, because D.C.'s isn't All That.<BR><BR>Look for active/interesting, especially in beautiful June. Your kids would enjoy running around the Franklin Roosevelt monument/park given the fountains, things to climb on, and beautiful setting. You'll like it, too. They'd love running up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and turning around for the breathtaking view. Not to be sacriligeous but I think 6 and 9 would be bored with waiting on line to go to the top of the Washington Monument and looking out the teeny tiny window. That's more 10-12 year old speed. Ride the metro, take the trolley, ride the merry-go-round outside/near Air and Space Museum, see an Imax when it's hot and tired. I like the zoo a lot, if it isn't 90 degrees. I think your kids are young for FBI, White House, and the like, and there's a lot of line-standing, waiting around. Do that when they're older. Just one Mom's opinion!

Went to D.C. last July. My 10-yr old son's must-see/do list: metro, tidal basin paddleboats, Air & Space Museum, cruise at Mt. Vernon, Bureau of Printing & Engraving, Ford's Theatre.<BR><BR>His dislikes: White House tour, much of the Smithsonian, Holocaust museum children's section, most of Mt. Vernon.<BR><BR>Where to eat with kids: Definitely Union Station<BR>

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Sonya:<BR><BR>Took my 11 year old daughter and her friend to DC last summer. Taking my 13 year old next month. Their ABSOLUTE FAVORITE thing was an evening carriage ride of the capitol. It's not the cheapest thing we did but it was charming and a fun way to see the sites. I would definitely do it again. The "company" we used was Carrieages of the Capital 301-407-0007. I will be making plans to take my 13 year old on the hour trip this time (we did 1/2 hour). Also, the girls loved the natural history museum... Hope Diamond, a COOL photo op with green screen was a big hit. Another $$$ though. Ignore the aquarium. Best dinner was probably Hard Rock cafe (their opinion, not mine!!)

Thanks LRK, that sounds really great. I appreciate the phone number but thought it would be cool to look at the website. A search of the net found nothing, do they have a website? The kids would enjoy a carriage ride I'm sure. When you said evening, did you mean in the dark when the monuments are lit or did you just mean like after dinner?<BR><BR>Thanks for your input!

Hi, Sonya.<BR><BR>DC should be lovely in June. My kids are 10, 7 and 4, and I'll give you a quickie list of things they love and hate:<BR><BR>They do NOT like:<BR><BR>The Postal Museum (just not sufficiently hip)<BR><BR>Six Flags (ick, ick, ick)<BR><BR>The Children's Museum (underfunded and not up to the standard of other Museums in town)<BR><BR>Bureau of Printing & Engraving (really not very interesting for anyone)<BR><BR>Things my kids love:<BR><BR>Natural History<BR>American History<BR>All outdoor monuments<BR>Baltimore Aquarium<BR>Outdoor Sculpture Garden<BR>The Zoo (although you might wish to pass if you do zoos regularly or if it is too hot)<BR>Washington Monument<BR>Arlington Cemetery (take the tram and tour)<BR>Ford's Theatre (very underrated)<BR><BR>Have fun!