My family is traveling to DC for the week of July 4th. I have two children, ages 10 and 7. What are the things we must see and what can we skip on?

Must see smithsonian Air and Space Museum and Museum of Natural History. Shouldn't miss Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Arlington Nat'l Cemetery (see Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers and Changing of the Guard) There is a trolley that takes you to all sites. You can get off and see the sites and get back on at your convenience. Best way to see the sites without a lot of hassle.

Donna, I hope since you will be in DC over the 4th that you plan to take in the 4th of July fireworks. Go early with a cooler, blankets and sunscreen, enjoy the days happenings and than sit back for a great fireworks display.

Adding on to above: American History Museum, FDR Memorial, all the monuments at night, Iwo Jima (I've talked about the Silent Parade on Tuesday nights in other threads), Old Town Alexandria (take the boat trip up the Potomac to Georgetown. It's about 45 minutes, and it's $10 one way for adults, $16 roundtrip. Don't know kid prices); Capitol Building tour; Korean War Memorial; Einstein Memorial.

I would skip the Natural History museum, but then again, your kids might enjoy it. Also skip White House tour. Instead of trying to get up the Washington Monument (has it reopened yet?), go up the bell tower at the Old Post Office.

Great ideas so far.

Don't do the Capitol Children's Museum. Not too special or well-funded, and off the beaten path.

Skip the White House (too much of a time commitment for what you get), Supreme Court (kids often find it boring).

Have fun!

Thanks for the advice. We are planning on being on the mall for the 4th activities. I've read that the Washington Monument won't reopen until July 15, that was a disappointment to my kids. Also, is the FBI tour closed? I read that somewhere. My son is really into seeing that. What about the Childrens Capitol Museum, is it worth the price?

Donna: I happen to be a fan of the Capitol Children's museum. It is not a Smithsonian so it doesn't get the great funding and therefore it's more rundown. However, it's completely hands on and is fascinating. However, knowing just how much there is to do in DC for a first time visitor, I might save that museum for another time. Do not miss Air and Space and Natural History. If your kids aren't huge art fans, you all can still enjoy the sculpture garden around the skating rink and the one in front of the Hirshorn. FBI tour is great and the the waterfront area of Old Town Alexandria is also fun. The Torpedo Factory is now a working artisans studio where you can see artists working in many medias at work!

donna, i wouldn't even consider a trip to washington without doing the white house. it's worth the hassle - get vip tickets from your congressman/woman. In addition to the above excellent ideas, a drive down embassy row is nice. if i had to choose two don't misses would be white house and changing of the guard at tomb of the unknown soldier at arlington. enjoy -- it probably will be hot. Marie

I know there's been a lot of disagreement on this subject on this site, but I still maintain that the White House is not worth the effort. The tour is disappointing, at no point do you really feel like "Hey! I'm in the White House.", and you can get great pictures from outside. Plus, you'll have to wait absolutely FOREVER to get in around the 4th. If you can get VIP tickets, great, but I doubt you can this close to the 4th, as it's probably the busiest time for tourists in DC.

Reasonable people can differ on the Capitol Children's museum, but I'll elaborate a bit on what I wrote before.

The museum is inconveniently located -- you have to either take a cab or metro to Union Station and take a longish walk through a middle class neighborhood to get there.

The museum is generally run-down. One highlight is a large sandbox, for instance. I question the air-conditioning situation, as I always find myself really hot.

Too many rowdy day care groups go there.

They charge for admission, unlike the other museums you are considering.

It is hands on, but not like the Exploratorium in San Francisco or the Science Museum in Baltimore. In other words, the exhibits are kind of common and unspectacular.

Frankly, I wish someone would move this museum closer to the mall and pump up the funding several times over. Then it could compete with the other children's attractions in town.

My kid at a similar age enjoyed the FBI tour, bureau of engraving, Nat. Acrhives, White House, monuments.

I strongly recommend buying the City Pack - Washington DC. I think Fodors sells it. We used this as our bible. The map and metro guide was fantastic, plus the City Packs are ideal in answering your type of question - what are the must sees. If you buy it, make sure it is City Pack, there are many others.

One more thing. Take many, many pictures of the mall, as that specific view will be lost forever, as construction of the WWII Memorial will begin soon. Your kids and your family will be fortunate to see DC the way most people remember it.

I sould include a side trip to Mount Vernon, George Washington's plantation. Lovely view of Potomac and lots of history of how owners and slaves lived in colonial times. You could drive there, spend morning at Mount Vernon and go to Arlington Cemetary in afternoon. did you know Arlington was Robert E. Lee's plantatation originally?