Hi, my family has the offer of a condo for one week in Alexandria. I have never been to Washington DC and would love to visit this area but we have a two year old daughter, who would be less interested in trailing around museums! Is it a good idea to take up this offer, are there things to do for kids in the DC area. Thanks Alison

As you say you've never been to DC yourself, I'd say that you should go ahead and come and enjoy what you can. There isn't all that much around that's built especially with a two-year old in mind, in my experience.

But on the other hand, my kids always had fun making their own fun when we visited things in DC. So, while I would marvel at the beautiful buildings on the mall, for instance, they would play in the rocks and dirt. The great thing about DC is that many of the popular museums are really noisy, busy places (like Air and Space and natural history), so your child probably won't bother anyone with typical 2-year old behavior.

As for specific things to do, two things come to mind right away. There are two outdoor scuplture gardens -- one at the Hirshorn museum and the newer one on the opposite side of the mall (can someone remind me of the location?) My kids find them both interesting. Second, there is a carousel at the center of the mall.

Anyway, this is one of the rare circumstances where I would advise you to just do what you wish to do and take the child with you. Just be advised that young kids aren't welcome in the Holocaust museum, and they probably won't do well on things like the White House tour and other tours.

Good luck!

If you stick to outdoor monuments and the monster museums like the Smithsonian, you (and your daughter) will have lots of fun. Part of the fun of Washington is just the City itself-the Mall, river, etc. If she naps in the stroller you can sneak into the National Gallery...all the museums are free, so there's no danger of paying, enduring a tantrum, and having to leave.

The Washington Post has a column called Saturday's Child about things to do with kids. I don't have kids, so I don't know if its geared for 2 year olds.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...aturdayschild/

You might want to check out the National Zoo or the National Aquarium. Your daughter might enjoy either of those.

Be aware that there are 2 "National" Aquariums in this area. The bigger and more famous one is in Baltimore. Washington has an aquarium in the Commerce Dept building.