Washington D.C. sightseeing
Oct 18th, 2004, 10:35 AM
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Washington D.C. sightseeing
Message: Soryy I posted this earlier with a very non-specific title and realized that no on would know what my question was about. So, anyway, my husband, 2 sons, and I are visiting Washington D.C. for the first time this weekend. I looked at the recommended 3-day visit on this website and I think it had good ideas, but wanted some additional input.
We will have a 1/2 day Thurs, and full days on Fri and Sat. The website suggests walking the entire Mall and looking at everything there one day, then on the next day visit two museums, the third suggestion is visiting Georgetown to shop, eat, and do a bit of sight seeing. I don't think that will interest our 10 and 13 year old, and I'm not sure it's making the best use of our very limited time. Any further suggestions?
Thanks!
We will have a 1/2 day Thurs, and full days on Fri and Sat. The website suggests walking the entire Mall and looking at everything there one day, then on the next day visit two museums, the third suggestion is visiting Georgetown to shop, eat, and do a bit of sight seeing. I don't think that will interest our 10 and 13 year old, and I'm not sure it's making the best use of our very limited time. Any further suggestions?
Thanks!
Oct 18th, 2004, 11:11 AM
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Since you have limited time, I would suggest using the Tourmobile on the day you "walk the entire mall."
My husband and I took the evening monument tourmobile and it was great, too.
I also recommend the spy museum in addition to the Smithsonians.
Have a great time-- we love DC.
My husband and I took the evening monument tourmobile and it was great, too.
I also recommend the spy museum in addition to the Smithsonians.
Have a great time-- we love DC.
Oct 18th, 2004, 11:23 AM
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How about the National Zoo? It is a beautiful zoo, and it has the pandas and the new tiger cubs. And the weather should be pretty nice this weekend.
Kids (and adults) usually like the National Air and Space Museum. Spy Museum is fun, but it is not part of the Smithsonian so it's not free.
I'd probably skip Georgetown also.
Hope this helps a little.
Karen
Kids (and adults) usually like the National Air and Space Museum. Spy Museum is fun, but it is not part of the Smithsonian so it's not free.
I'd probably skip Georgetown also.
Hope this helps a little.
Karen
Oct 18th, 2004, 11:40 AM
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I just did Georgetown and the zoo this past weekend with my daughter -- but she's in college. The only places of interest in G'town would be the ice cream parlors and a couple of fabulous comics stores. Plenty of better places, including the Spy Museum.
Be warned, the zoo is all torn up -- they're building a huge new exhibit right at the entrance, and as a result several exhibits and key pathways are closed or otherwise affected.
But the pandas and tiger cubs are great. The earlier you get there, the better -- the tiger cubs are out only in the mornings (starting at 7:30!) and usually the pandas are most active right after they're let outside for the day -- at 10:00 this time of year. (9:30 in summer) Our other favorites are the orang utans and the Small Mammals House.
If you go to the zoo, get off the Metro at Cleveland Park and walk downhill, rather than getting off at Woodley Park and walking uphill -- there are enough hills AT the zoo! Since it's free (part of the Smithsonian), don't feel bad about a brief, targeted visit.
For kids this age, I would pick a couple of specific places (two Smithsonians, two monuments) to see in some depth instead of trying to see everything quickly. You can get more suggestions by checking past posts here under Washington DC and searching on "kids".
Be warned, the zoo is all torn up -- they're building a huge new exhibit right at the entrance, and as a result several exhibits and key pathways are closed or otherwise affected.
But the pandas and tiger cubs are great. The earlier you get there, the better -- the tiger cubs are out only in the mornings (starting at 7:30!) and usually the pandas are most active right after they're let outside for the day -- at 10:00 this time of year. (9:30 in summer) Our other favorites are the orang utans and the Small Mammals House.
If you go to the zoo, get off the Metro at Cleveland Park and walk downhill, rather than getting off at Woodley Park and walking uphill -- there are enough hills AT the zoo! Since it's free (part of the Smithsonian), don't feel bad about a brief, targeted visit.
For kids this age, I would pick a couple of specific places (two Smithsonians, two monuments) to see in some depth instead of trying to see everything quickly. You can get more suggestions by checking past posts here under Washington DC and searching on "kids".
