Why not see if there are any peformances for kids or for families at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts while you are in town?

Irene: We eliminated the Holocaust Museum after much discussion because of the age of our children...we're not ready to have that discussion with them at their ages. We'll have to catch it another time. I hear that it is very well done and moving. The BEP(Bureau of Printing and Engraving) is the US Mint and is on my list for sure.

I have tried to find family performances at the Kennedy Center (or any other place) but with no luck. I had thought it was like NY and you could get tickets to a "broadway" type of show but no luck. I guess when it gets closer I may be able to find some smaller shows but not sure whether we will bother as we are somewhat booked.

Also, we left the children's museum off on purpose too as we have a membership at the hands on museum here at home which is VERY good.

Thanks guys...

Roger, what did you mean about Lincoln? I must have missed the mass murder part in my textbooks at school.

These replies are Great!!!

Why not see if there are any peformances for kids or for families at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts while you are in town? www.kennedycenter.com. They only have the calendar up through May 19th at the moment, but the kids stuff looks great. Search for performances for families. Kennedy Center is like Lincoln Center. No need to dress up, but neat and clean is appreciated. We will be there from June 7 - 9 for part of the Sondheim Festival. Have fun!

Here's my opinion for what it's worth.

Air and Space, a must, including IMAX. There's also IMAX at the Natural History Museum, we saw the Galapagos which was great, don't know if it's still on. American History Museum - interesting too. All these museums being free, you can wander in and out for as short a time as you like if the kids are tired.

Arlington Cemetery, also a must for at least a short visit.

All the memorials: Lincoln, Vietnam, Korea (don't miss out Korea, the sculptures are hauntingly beautiful) and FDR are quite close together. I love the FDR memorial, beg to differ with Roger on this. If we miss out one, it is the Jefferson. Although for the kids, you might like to combine the Jefferson with a ride on the nearby pedal boats in the Tidal Basin.

I would leave out the Hirshhorn. Have heard that the BEP isn't worth visiting though haven't actually been there.

Wouldn't bother with the National Archives (if they are open). I think it's a real shame the Newseum has closed, kids really loved it.

The Old Post Office Pavilion is good if you can't get to the Washington Monument, otherwise leave it out.

Think the White House is only open to school parties, not sure about the Capitol. I think your kids would enjoy the FBI if it has opened, and do try to get to the Ford Theatre if it has not yet closed, there are activity packs for kids.

Mount Vernon is a nice day out, perhaps you could get a boat trip from Alexandria. Do take time to go down the hill at M.V. to George Washington's Model Farm, kids like that - also the slave quarters round the side of the house.

The Zoo? Well it doesn't compare to San Diego, for sure - as a previous poster has said, it looks a bit sad and run down apart from the Pandas' living quarters - but again, I'm sure the kids would like it. I would leave it out myself.

The Cathedral - well, as a Brit who is used to 900-year-old cathedrals, I find it a strange place, it's trying so hard to look old and traditional. All our visitors have enjoyed going there however. Give husband and kids an afternoon off in the hotel pool, Sonya, and go on your own - take time to visit the Bishop's Garden round the side which is lovely - roses should be in bloom.

Navy Yard? Well, I haven't been there either!

Union Station - yes, the food court is good, lots of nice little shops. Post Office Museum - OK but nothing special.

Holocaust Museum - there is a section for children, but really much better to wait for another visit.

Free evening band concerts on the Mall are great. Get a Friday edition of the Washington Post, the Weekend section, for everything that's on.

I guess the best thing is to be flexible, you don't know till you get here how tired the kids will get or how interested they will be.

A news story last night indicated White House is open only to school groups currently. May change by summer. We have older kids, but when we travel, we use the same concept as buying a house - there are a very short list of things that are MUSTS, then in declining order things that would be nice. I would try to rank things on your list and leave time to veg-out with your kids, hopefully at hotel with a pool. This is a vacation and we find that 24-hours/day together gets a little tense fast.

Sonya, you must have gone to public schools. I remember the usual dishonest pap the schools called history but was really indoctrination- Lincoln wonderful, Lee evil. But I became a history major and learned that what America's indoctrination center (aka schools) taught about Lincoln was a pack full of lies and distortions. Lincoln was the closest this country has had to a dictator and the 650,000 dead from the Civil War can largely be laid at Lincoln's feet. John Wilkes Booth didn't shoot Lincoln soon enough.

Poor Sonya! What a lot of opinion to sort through! To which, of course, I'll add my own: if weather permits, consider just walking past the White House and the Capitol. Personally, I like the tours, and both the White House and the Capitol have resumed offering them, but if they seem too boring or time-consuming, do at least cruise by, because they're beautiful and historic sites that really remind you you're in the Federal city. I also cast my vote for skipping the Navy Yard and Old Town Alexandria. And lastly, eating in the food court and taking in the view from the top of the Post Office Pavillion is fun with kids; just check the hours that the observation deck is open. Your planning sounds great--have an awesome trip!

You have a big list.

I would recommend that you stay in one area and visit many places. In N.W. you listed Am. History, Nat'l History, Old Post Office, Ford's Theatre, Petersen House, and FBI. All of these are in close proximity of each other. So tour these places one day.

Another day, go to Old Town Alex and Mount Vernon (this alone could take all day, Washington has alot of property).

On another day do Union Station, Capitol and Air & Space. You could, from Union Station, which is on the Red Line, go to the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. If you are Catholic you would really like to go there.

Do some map research and see where all the stuff is before going in all directions. Barnes & Noble has laminated maps (I have one) which notes where all the tourist places are.

Surprised at the number of people who don't like the D.C. zoo. I think its one of the nicer ones I've visited (and I'm *from* San Diego). It's nestled in Rock Creek Park and makes a nice shady excursion. Of course, it's better to go first thing in the morning or late afternoon... fewer people, more active animals.

Union Station is worth a quick stop. As a stunning example of Beaux Arts public architecure it's pretty unique. Plus, its on the metro, so it will only take you 15 minutes out of your way to see the main hall.

I don't know anyone who's ever gone to the Washington Navy Yard for a vacation! Who knows... maybe its fascinating... but it certainly isn't one of the more common sites.

You might also consider a trip (2-3 hours) to Great Falls, up the Potomac about 30 minutes. It's a great chance to have the kids romp around outdoors, and the falls are spectacular (well... spectucular for the Mid-Atlantic at least).

Sonya,
Definitely take the Washington Navy Yard off your schedule. They are now limiting access to visitors - from their web site: NOTICE: Due to increased security at the Washington Navy Yard, visitor access to the Naval Historical Center is limited. Government employees, active duty and retired military personnel, and their dependents should contact the branch they wish to visit before coming to the Yard. Detailed information on the Navy Yard's status is available on the Naval District Washington web site at http://www.ndw.navy.mil/Emergency/Em...nformation.htm. I really love the Jefferson, its beautiful, especially in the evening, and the kids would like the paddle boats on the tidal basin during the day. If you're trying to give them a sense of history and government, try to go to the Capitol and Supreme Court. For a great view of Washington, go to the rooftop bar of the Hotel Washington (15th and Penn) for a drink/snack. Probably a budget buster for a full meal, for not great food, IMO. Old Ebbit Grill around the corner on 15th would be better for dinner. Enjoy!

Sonya:
Have a great time! Definitely put the Holocaust museum on your list for a later visit. Perhaps a visit to the Navy Memeorial might be in order too. I throughly enjoyed it. ( I come from a navy family) Great statue of the Lone Sailor outside and some great fountains. I hope they are operating while you are there. I was a bit disappointed with the American Museum. I am not sure what I was expecting but it was a short visit there. The Air and Space museum was great!
One thing that I noticed was the tight security everywhere. You will be searched going into the musuems, etc and go through metal detectors in most. There are huge planters and fences everywhere. Very safe believe me, there were military and law enforcement personnel visible everywhere. Imagine what we couldn't see? Wear comfy shoes, bring extra socks and enjoy your self!

I have two kids about your age, have lived in DC and come back to visit and have done the tourist thing.

My recommendation for any trip like this is to do the following:

Ask each family member to pick ONE must have from the list.

Go into each day somewhat spontaneously, and make sure you are getting to the must haves.

You will never see it all and will not enjoy yourself trying to do it all.

The only thing not on your list is ensuring that you enjoy this special time together, asssumed, for sure, but is incompatible with doing it all.

I support your idea to go to the Post Office, those who critique it have never seen the view.

I also support the Jeff Memorial for kids, particularly if you are just wandering and do the paddle boats (season permitting) in the water nearby.

Say hi to George and the gang!

TJ

I hate to agree with Roger on anything, but the view at the Post Office Pavilion is just as good as the Wash Monument, and you don't have to wait very long to go up the tower.

As for the rest of Roger's ramblings, this is a man who's favorite restaurant is Benihana. Enough said.

To add my two cents worth as a D.C. resident and as someone whose 8 year old nephew is coming to visit this May:
The National Cathedral is beautiful, but I don't know if children would appreciate it. I second the opinion that you should take an afternoon to yourself and visit it without the family.
The National Zoo is a wonderful free zoo that as a resident I love. It absolutely doesn't compare with the San Diego zoo, but it is still fun and many children love seeing the pandas.
I also think the FDR memorial is wonderful, as are all of the memorials. FDR is particularly good for kids in my opinion.
I honestly cannot imagine visiting the Navy Yard voluntarily. I would seriously reconsider that.
Have a great time, and remember to enjoy everything. Take your time!

You've gotten a lot of great advice. MY advice for you is to go to the Air and Space Museum early on the day you choose and immediately check out the schedule for the IMAX movies. They might show TO FLY twice during the day, another popular show twice, and several others only once. The shows usually sell out. Buy tickets for the show you want early in the day, and see the Museum until your show starts. If you have several hours, you may want to go straight across the mall to the National Gallery of Art. Your kids might enjoy seeing the statue of Mercury under the rotunda, that is, they might enjoy it for 30 seconds. Young kids don't care much for art, usually, but they need to be exposed to it gradually. Turn right from the Mercury fountain and go down to the garden room, then turn right again to see the four beautiful Thomas Cole paintings depicting the stages of life. Your children might enjoy that room for all of five minutes. Then head back across the mall for your IMAX film.

Someone recommended a long list of places to visit in one because they're "near" each other. The list included the Museum of American History and the Museum of Natural History. I don't see how anyone can "do" more than these two places in one day, except to have lunch and maybe go somewhere else in the evening. You're going to get tired; your feet are going to get sore. Sit down once in a while and relax. All the museums and galleries have cafeterias, by the way--not great, but OK, and right THERE.

I would say yes to the FDR, Lincoln and Vietnam and Korean memorials, and no to the FBI, White House (even if it were not so hard to get in now), the BEP (I didn't know what that meant until you explained it), and the Navy Yard. Have a great time!!

P.S. I forgot to say that I too have had the gigantic cockroach experience at the Insect Zoo at the Museum of Natural Hisory. I was a parent accompanying an elementary school field trip with my son's class. Volunteer teens brought out various insects for the kids to see close up and "pet" if they wanted to. I passed up on "petting" the tarantula (!), but I thought I would lose face with my son and his friends if I was too chicken to pet anything, so I "petted" a two-inch-long cockroach!

Poster, your children would probably enjoy the insect zoo. It's on the second floor of the Museum of Natural History.

Ok, ok, ok....The Navy Yard is OFF the list. I was going by my "unofficial" guide book which gave it a big thumbs up but I am getting so many thumbs down I will nix it.

It's good to be able to eliminate things without the guilt that we are missing something spectacular. I appreciate all of the feed back sooo much.

We are going on a "monuments by moonlight" tour to see all the monuments and sights lit up at night. Don't know how many we will actually get back to during the day but we aren't going to kill ourselves to get back to all of them. All of those will at least be seen in a 2 1/2 hour shot which will greatly shorten my list too.

Keep it coming guys!

Sonya-

Where can I get info on the monuments by moonlight tour? That sounds like something I'd like to do, if you don't mind sharing! We'll be there the 1st weekend in May. Thanks!!

Candy,
Monuments by moonlight is run by Old Town Trolley, there is also a night time tour done by tourmobile and one done by Grayline...after reading and comparing all three, the monuments by moonlight looks the best to me. They probably all do basically the same thing which is cruise by some of the sights to see how pretty they are at night and stop at some of the sights where you can actually get off and check them out. Monuments by Moonlight is $25 per adult, $13 per child and lasts 2 1/2 hours leaving from Union Station at 7:30pm nightly.

Hope this helps! We are finalizing our plans and I will post back shortly with revisions to the plan and possibly more requests for help. Thanks to Everyone!

Well, I have worked out kind of a day to day plan of what we are hoping to see during our trip and I think it will work...we'll see. We want to enjoy ourselves and not be wiped out, so all of my planning is more of a rough guide to be sure that if we have the time we don't miss any "must sees". Now for my new questions if anybody has answers:
1)I hear the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is back to the "come stand in line and get tickets for that day" thing. Does anybody know if this is so and also, what time does one need to get in line for this?
2)Does anybody have a firm date on when the FBI reopens for tours other than "early June"? Or any info on how to get these tickets?
3)Anybody know for sure when Ford's theater is closing for renovations?
4)Anybody ever done the "tourmobile" thing or the "tourmobile to Mt Vernon" thing? Feedback would be appreciated.
I think that's it for now. Thanks everybody for the great help on my upcoming trip.