yes, after dark, everything lit... beautiful. No website that I know of. Got their name from the hotel.

For a break from museums, you might want to go to the Great Falls. Another thumbs-up for the Natl Geographic.

Announcement in today's Washington Post that Ford's Theater will be closed from June through November for electrical renovations.<BR><BR>And hey Steve, although I totally disagree with you about National Geographic for 6 and 9 year olds, good thought about Great Falls. It's a SPECTACULAR place to visit, very near town, and one would never imagine such a huge, wild natural place existed in D.C. Why hasn't it been recommended before?! Great for the kids to hike and run and be totally awestruck by the falls and rapids.

Wow, I'm sad to hear that Ford's theater will be closed during our visit. It was one of the things we were definitely interested in. I wonder if maybe it is just not putting on any shows but will still be open for tours? Any info? Also, I heard there was a house across the street that is somehow related...is this any good?<BR><BR>Thanks for the fabulous info!<BR><BR>Also, would we need a car for Great Falls? We won't be renting one and will be relying on the Metro.<BR><BR>Thanks!

After he was shot, Lincoln was taken across the street to the Petersen House, which was a rooming house (in which John Wilkes Booth had stayed!). Lincoln died there, and a couple of rooms on the first floor were on display when we visited. Check before you go, as I have heard that this site was also closed for renovations.<BR><BR>

In answer to the question about DC Ducks, we took the tour with our kids about 3 years ago. They were 6 and 9 at the time, and both really enjoyed it. The driver let them drive the "duck" (old amphibious military vehicle) a little way along the Potomac. <BR><BR>Some tourists were drowned about 3-4 years ago on a duck (in Boston?). The ducks are open above the rails on each side, like most boats. The drivers roll down plastic side windows from the roof for warmth or to keep people dry. Apparently the deaths occurred when a duck went down in shallow water, but the plastic windows prevented escape. Now they keep the plastic windows up anytime they drive into the water. We felt safe.<BR><BR>My kids really enjoyed taking the metro. They liked the Smithsonian museums' special activities for children, especially one invoving bugs. (I'm glad I wasn't there to watch my daughter handling a giant cockroach.)

Topping my own message.<BR><BR>Hoping for some more great tips!<BR><BR>You guys are all awesome!

Isn't there an IMAx movie at one of the museums? Is it free too or do they charge for that? Is this a good thing to do with kids?

Recently visited Wash DC again end of January. The Capitol, White House, FBI building, Bureau of Engraving were all closed for tours due to 9/11. We stayed in Alexandria (due to husband's conference) but the kids and I were able to take the Metro all over - make sure if you plan to ride it more than 1 or 2 times to just get the pass. Makes life much easier. Not much for kids in Alexandria but there are great restaurants. Metro stops at Arlington and my kids really enjoyed seeing that. Monuments are a plus and the best thing they love is the Air and Space. Spent 3 hrs in there. Don't plan to do Everything in one day.Be prepared for concrete barriers all over the city and intense police presense.

According to their web site, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is giving tours again. You have to call in advance for tickets.<BR><BR>http://www.moneyfactory.com/locations/index.cfm/3<BR><BR>

werwer..thanks for the info, the site says to call up to one week ahead to get tickets. I will definitely do that before our trip in June. I'm excited to hear that one of our must see attractions will be open<BR><BR>Any news on FBI, white house, capitol or getting tickets from your congressmen?<BR><BR>Also, is Ford's theater going to be open for tours in June?<BR><BR>Thanks all of you Washingtonians and informed travelers, I appreciate all of the great info we have received on this forum!

1. Dinner at Go-Lo's Restaurant. This is a historic site- it is located in the old Surratt boarding house where John Wilkes Booth planned his execution of Abraham Lincoln in 1865.<BR>2. Antietam Battlefield in western Frederick County, MD. Greatest one-day slaughter of American soldiers. Not too touristy. Nearby, there's Grottoes Cavern-- a two-for visit. Harper's Ferry isn't far from here. You can make it a three-fer'.<BR>3. Anacostia, to see how the other half lives in America. Tour this only in the daytime. A wonderful little slum; a great learning experience. Marion "Cokehead" Barry's strongest support comes from this part of town.<BR>4. The National Zoo. Everybody likes animals. Too bad guests can't throw marshmallows to the bears like in the old days. A few cretins spoiled that years ago.<BR>5. White's Ferry in upper Montgomery County. Rent a canoe for you, papa and the kids and see a beautiful part of the upper Potomac River. Be sure to bring a couple of beers for your husband.

Topping for "DC with 2 Young Kids"<BR><BR>Hope these ideas help!

Mr Bizarro<BR><BR>Thanks for your response...didn't see it until now.<BR><BR>Most of the things you've mentioned sound like they are outside of DC though. We are not renting a car, are these things accessable by metro?<BR><BR>Tell me more about this Go-Los restaurant, sounds entertaining, food, cost, kids?<BR><BR>Thanks!

Please ignore Mr. Bizarro. Take it froma native.

I discovered that washingtonpost.com has links to lots of the standard washington sights and many have updates on what is open, security, etc. For example, White House tours are currently open only to school groups. I expect Sen./or Rep's office would know.

I grew up outside of DC, and though I can't think of 5 things to do, I would not miss the Air & Space museum and the Zoo. Also, I always enjoyed playing on the mall and seeing the monuments.<BR><BR>Have a wonderful trip!

Mr. Yikes, I've lived in the DC area my whole life, Buster. I know more about this area than you ever will. I've eaten at Go Lo's and it's pretty good food- Americanized Chinese and real Chinese were available when I last went. There's a plaque on the outside of the building commemorating the building's historic significance. Sorry for your lack of wheels, Sonya. I guess that makes Antietam a no-go. Too bad. It's the one battlefield I've been to not heavily desecrated by tourist shops or, given the Washington demographics, dirtied by too much sprawl. Grottoes Cavern and Harper's Ferry are fun visits too. Ditto the National Zoo. As I have memories of being a kid in DC and going to many of the museums mentioned, let me tell you that if you spend too much time in the Smithsonian museums, your kids are going to get cranky. And let me stand up for White's Ferry. I've fished and canoed there at least fifty times and it's a great family time on the river. A splendid part of the country.

Mr. Bizzaro, I've lived here for 35 years. Can't speak for the restaurant, and your other suggestions are worthy ones IF you've done everything else in D.C. and are looking for out-of-town things to do, like some posters here are. However Mom, Dad and the 6 and 9 year olds are coming to DC to do the "DC thing" in June and the things you describe require wheels, some major mappage and a lot of time. If you've lived here all your life you'd know that kids LOVE the mall and museums ... so long as they can get outside and run around and throw popcorn at the pigeons and ride the merry go round and not look at old dead people's stuff all day. I still say, Sonya, Bizarro is offering you DC - The Alternative, and I don't think that's what you're looking for.

Gee, I don't know, maybe you should look at:<BR><BR>http://www.fodors.com/familytravel/<BR><BR>and click the WAshington DC link in the lower right?