It's a sophisticated, international city of culture and high style. Parks and commons are beautifully landscaped. A national festival, parade, street fair, or flea market takes place every weekend. Hotels are comfortable and reasonably priced, and excellent ethnic restaurants are plentiful and cheap. Public transportation is safe, inexpensive and fun. Despite a childhood of tedious educational trips to our nation's capital, Washington D.C. has become one of my favorite family destinations.
What have we learned from eight trips with family, friends, and both sets of grandparents, in the past three years?
Family Touring
The capital's gone crazy when it comes to getting around. We love DC Ducks (
202/832-9800), the group whose WW II amphibious vehicles waddle by the Mall and into the Potomac on a guided 90-minute romp around town. DC Ducks closes for the winter months, and re-opens in mid-March.
Old Town Trolley Tours (202/832-9800) circle the D.C. tourist area, and are a welcome choice for parents or grandparents touring with energetic toddlers. In Georgetown, the C&O Canal Barge Rides (202/653-5190) are hauled up and back a narrow canal by teams of mules, steered by costumed guides. Odyssey Cruises' (866/306-2469) 600-passenger vessel offers dining, dancing, and brunch along the Potomac.
Family Attractions for All Ages
The first visitor's guide we picked up listed 80 different attractions within DC itself. What's worth the wait for most families? Let's concentrate on the Smithsonian Institution's (
202/633-1000) many free-admission venues which encircle the Mall, then look elsewhere. All Smithsonian museums listed are open daily from 10am to 5:30pm.
Paul and Pam Rosenblum of New York, who visited with their 4-year old during Easter told us, "We read through a lot of guidebooks and tried to fit in everything. The National Air and Space Museum (202/633-1000) was definitely Sam's favorite place." The displays of singed space capsules, lunar landing probes, a space station you can actually walk through (where wax astronauts sleep upright strapped to cots), and many multimedia areas really fascinate kids. Grandparents who recall WW II will find several early airplane models in an excellent historic overview. Nearby, at Washington's Dulles International Airport, the Udvar-Hazy Center (202/633-1000) , opened in December, 2003 as an adjunct to the National Air and Space Museum's collection. This spacious facility allows for the display of many more examples of aviation and space artifacts including the space shuttle Enterprise.
On October 17, 2006, the 1903
Wright Flyer—the world's first airplane -- returned to its hanging position in the museum's central Milestones of Flight gallery following the end of its special eye-level display on the building's second floor. [Editor's Note: The Wright Flyer has temporarily been moved to "The Wright Brothers & The Invention of the Aerial Age" and will return to Milestones of Flight after the special exhibit closes.] Opened in 2007, "America by Air," traces the history of air travel in the US. In 2008, a new exhibit entitled "In Plane View" will feature large-format photographs of some of the National Air and Space Museum's famous aircrafts.
Several IMAX films rotate continuously, but you must buy reserved-show tickets as early as possible. The cafeteria is mobbed and mediocre.
The National Museum of American History (202/633-1000) closed in September 2006 for major architectural renovations and is scheduled to re-open during the summer of 2008. But don't worry, you can still see invaluable Americana such as the original Kermit the Frog puppet (said to be cut from Jim Henson's mother's old winter coat) and the ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the 1939 Wizard of Oz film at a special exhibit opened November, 2006 at the National Air and Space Museum. Entitled "The Treasures of American History," the exhibit features over 150 of the most popular objects from the National Museum of American History.
The National Museum of Natural History (202/633-1000) presents a wonderful collection of dinosaur bones, insects, and stuffed African animals. With over 125,000,000 objects on display, make sure to agree on how much time you can spend before you enter!
The Freer Gallery of Art/Arthur M. Sackler Gallery (202/633-4880) and the National Museum of African Art (202/633-4600) are both underground and super modern. The former displays exquisite Asian arts, and the latter, striking masks, woodworking, and instruments. We like to visit the gift shop to buy postcards and ethnic music CD's, and on the way, our son always gets hooked by some exhibit. Similarly, the East Wing of The National Gallery (202/737-4215) is always worth a look. The sparse I. M. Pei-designed building is stunning, their moderately-priced cafeteria is surprisingly good, and the exhibits, whether of interest to your kids or not, are consistently fine.
Beyond the Smithsonian, The Mall itself is a huge open-air treat (with a small carousel opposite the History Museum) where families can fly model airplanes bought at the Air and Space Museum, or shop for T-shirts. Take some time to view the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (202/426-6841; open daily from 8am to midnight). Don't miss the black granite wall engraved with the names of the 58,249 people lost in the Vietnam War. Younger children will remain clueless, but teens should know that sculptor Maya Ying Lin was just a senior at Yale when her submission for this very powerful design was selected.
A lanky, 19 ft. tall Mr. Lincoln sits at the heart of The Lincoln Memorial ( 202/426-6841), surrounded by marble etched with both his Inaugural and Gettysburg Addresses. An unforgettable sight for adult viewers, it's tedious for younger ones. The Washington Monument, the obelisk opposite, is beautiful at a distance. If you have time and stamina, you can join the often 45-60 minute waiting line to ride to the top.
The Explorer's Hall at the National Geographic Society (202/857-7588; open 9am-5pm from Monday to Saturdays, 10am to 5pm on Sundays) features fascinating photography shows and exhibits. New Canaan, CT parents Chuck and Melanie Berman (Ned-2, Dan-6, Brooke-10) said, "It was the best thing we did, really interactive and the kids loved it. There were a ton of exhibits and we would list it in the Top 5 things to do."
The National Zoological Park (202/633-4800) offers a fine collection and display of wildlife, and is one of the few zoos in North America to house giant pandas, but it's not the reason to come to D.C. However, if you're here for a week and need a no-brainer activity, go!
Family Attractions, 6 Years and Up
The Treasury Department presses turn out billions of dollars in bills annually, making The Bureau of Engraving and Printing, (202/874-2330) one of the capital's most popular (and most crowded) attractions. Free weekday tours require same-day tickets during peak season. Says Melanie, "The mint wasn't worth it. We had to wait on line 45 minutes and the kids lost their energy to go through it. They loved watching money being printed but, all in all, I'd suggest it for older kids."
Though anyone touring the capital should see its premier residence, The White House (202/456-7041) it remains more of a grown-up than a kid site. Unless your state representative can get you tickets for a guided tour, take your kids around to the White House Visitors Center instead.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (202/324-3447) is very high on our list. There's a well organized guided tour of the bureau's crime labs, confiscated loot, and DEA evidence, plus a firearms demonstration. Free tickets are distributed early, unless that connection of yours can get some advance ones. This tour is truly worth waiting for. [Editors Note: The FBI Tour is currently closed for renovations.]
The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum (202/488-0400; open daily from 10am to 5:30pm) has been widely praised. Two problems here: totally unsuitable for kids under 12 (although you could consider the exhibit "Remember the Children: Daniel's Story" which is the museum's main exhibit for children in elementary and middle school), and very long ticket lines. If this is a must-see for your family, before you go, call 800/400-9373 for advance reservations.
The National Museum of the American Indian (202/633-1000; open daily from 10am to 5:30pm) sits on the last available space on the National Mall in a uniquely-designed building created in conjunction with Native Americans. Opened in September, 2004, exhibits explore the struggles, ceremonies, spiritual beliefs and contemporary world of Native peoples.
Last but not least, the U.S. Capitol (202/225-6827; free guided tours every 15 minutes from 9am to 4:30pm, Mondays through Saturdays), which requires early bird tickets at a neighboring kiosk, is the home of the House and the Senate. The awesome marble-domed lobby is worth a stroll.
Family Travel Tips
Plan your itinerary carefully, to accommodate all the family's interests. Although most museums are open daily, most federal buildings and government tours are closed weekends and national holidays.
Contact your travel agent or the Washington, D.C. Convention and Tourism Corporation (800/422-8644) for more information about attractions, transportation, special events, and lodging.
