We dared to risk going to DC on Prez's weekend
 

Could we get into anything? And the bigger question, could we entertain two museum adverse teens that had seen most of the DC sites? My two top choices, the IMAX U2 film and the butterfly exhibit were sold out for the entire weekend.

Delayed by traffic on 95, yet again, we picked up DS outside of Union Station where he arrived on Amtrak from Philly.

We headed over to our motel, the Marriott Residence Inn, near Dupont Circle and parked around the corner on 22nd St. Our suite was large, two bedrooms each with a queen and a pullout in the large living area. The hotel was very quiet and staffed by friendly and helpful people. We didn't eat breakfast there but saw that it included make-your-own waffles, eggs, sausage, pastries, etc.

We ate dinner at Urbana across the street. It was the perfect choice, high energy, young crowd, great food and, absolutely the nicest wait staff and hostess I have ever encountered.

Breakfast the next day was at Martin's Tavern in Georgetown. Luckily I had called ahead because the place is very popular. No grits though.

The kids didn't moan and groan when I mentioned the National Archives so that was our first stop. The lines weren't too bad. Everyone was over at the Natural History museum looking at butterflies. The archives are a must for anyone over the age of 10. The rotunda is such a powerful room, containing the very words that gave most of us our freedoms.

I thought I would also be safe recommending the Building Museum. It was somewhat entertaining to my two. I think younger kids might enjoy it even more. There is a fun room with activities and building blocks for young ones.

It was a quick trip and I don't think I bored my kids too much. I am a firm believer in cramming as much culture down my kids' throats as I can get away with.

Yes, Birdie, I'm all for cramming culture down my kids' throats too! My kids are older teens/young 20's now and I think they now actually appreciate all the museums, cathedrals, battlefields, etc. that we have dragged them through over the years.
A couple of suggestions for your next trip to D.C.--the International Spy Museum and the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum. We've been to the Udvar-Hazy Musuem a couple of times and my teens enjoyed it (even the one who isn't a plane fanatic). Look for the space station model from the Star Wars movie--the model builders included some little surprises. And who isn't impressed by a space shuttle and a Blackbird!
We haven't made it too the International Spy Musuem yet but have definte plans to go over Spring Break. (We were planning to go this weekend and to see the Steven Colbert portrait at the National Portrait Museum, but teen got called into work.) The "Operation Spy" exhibit there now sounds particularly fun.

Hi Birdie, I am another crammer of my sixteen year old son. Thanks for your trip report and restaurant recommendations on the other thread. I have had several tips to go to the Spy Museum so far, so i will have to try and squeeze that in.

After reading a few threads on DC, I see I will be very busy for the four full days I will have there. Not including travel days of course. I am a glutton for punishment when traveling!

I am glad you had a great time!

How old are your children?

thereyet

Thanks, Longhorn. I have been to the Udar-Hazy. It is great. I missed the Star Wars model but the Enola Gay brought me close to tears. Thereyet, it is definitely worth taking the shuttle with your son over to it.

The Spy Museum is still on our list too. I didn't want to risk it on this busy weekend.

I threw out the idea of the portrait museum to the kids. It is one of my favorites in DC and the portraits of hiphop artists exhibit sounded fun but no go with my crew. I think it is a riot that a museum played into Colbert's joke and then hung his portrait near the bathroom. Our waiter at Urbana told us there was a cool installation at the Hirshorn that was worth seeing. We didn't make it to that either.

Thereyet - I have an 18 yo son attending Drexel and a 17 yo daughter. You will enjoy DC and feel like you barely scratched the surface when you leave.

<<You will enjoy DC and feel like you barely scratched the surface when you leave.>>

I was afraid of that!

thereyet