Two days w/ 8yr old. Suggestions?..
 

Our first trip to DC, only have two days unfortunately Sat/Sun Feb 23/24
Party consists of myself and 8 yr old daughter. Any suggestions what to do/see/eat in such short time.

Thanks

Take the Old Town trolley.Paul

Our favorite things were touring the Capitol, the White House, and seeing all the monuments. Arlington National Cemetery was beautiful too. Some of the Smithsonian Museums would be wonderful as well. We saw an exhibit of all the first ladies' dresses there. Also loads of art museums, but I'd give those a pass since you're so limited on time.

Get tickets to do the Washington Monument http://www.recreation.gov/tourParkDe...p;parkId=77811
they are free but i think you pay a small service charge.
Also walk around the Mall and see the Capital, Smithsonians, etc (if is there isnt enough time to visit.)

Maybe go to one Museum - check out which one is best suited to your child's tastes. My kids loved Air & Space - Very cool!!

The Capital is great - call your local rep or senator's office to get in for a private tour - there interns give them and even if you can only do 1-2 hours it is really worth it. These tours are easier to get than those in the white house. While you are on the phone you can ask if the White House Tour is available - these usually get booked 3 months in advance - the capital is about 1 month.

All the momuments are so beautiful day or night - Lincoln, Jefferson, etc.

A friend of mine just took his 7 year old son for a quickie weekend - they did some kind of Night Bus Tour of the Monuments that they rally liked - check that out.

The Zoo takes a lot of time out of your day - I'd only if you are a HUGE Panada person.

Ford's theater is also a great short thing to do - very interesting for kids. CHeck tour times in advance, http://www.nps.gov/foth oh looks like it is closed for renovations . . .Check on it before you go.

Also really loved seeing the Declaration of Ind. and Constitution - I am sure it will be a big hit if your child saw National Treasure. Lines are long - its at the National Archives - look into it. One last thing that we really wanted to do and didnt get to was the Mint. You have to wait on line for tickets at some ungdly hour in the am. When we got there at 8 am it was sold out.

Everyone told us to go to the Old POst Office - dont waste for precious time.

i Love DC - Have fun!!!

Wow Thanks. Great ideas
On the night bus tours is it a hop on hop off type, do you get to stop and get out?

I really like the idea of night bus tour, it must be beautiful w/ monuments and such all warmly lit up. But then again I'd like to see them in day as well :-)
Oh, decisions, decisions

Another reason to see the monuments at night is that almost everything else closes by 5:30. Exceptions are private enterprises like the Spy Museum.

Your daughter may not either be ready or interested in anything like the art in an art museum BUT the food court underground between the East Wing and the National Gallery is a great place for lunch (fun below-ground view of the fountain/waterfall), and she might enjoy the kids sections of the gift shops in either wing.

For special fun, show her the above-ground glass pyramids in the plaza between the two buildings, tell her to look at the fountain/waterfall and then look down into the pyramids and see where you're going. Then go inside (recommend the East Wing, just for the big atrium with the Calder mobile) and go downstairs for lunch.

The night stop trolley lets you off only at a few places like near the monuments(Vietnam...)Paul