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There are hundreds of free and low-cost attractions in America's capital, the place to celebrate all presidents and their legacies.

For general information, contact the Washington DC Convention and Tourism Corporation at 800/422-8644. Please keep in mind that visitors are subjected to a baggage search at many of the Washington attractions, so try to carry as little as possible. One of DC's unique perks for families is Children's Concierge (877/888-5462), a special service that plans individual, supervised itineraries for visitors of all ages, all needs, and with all interests.

Great Fun for the Kids

(Toddler to Age 8)

National Zoo
3001 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20008
202/673-4800
Open Daily: 10am to 6pm from April-October, 10 am to 5pm from November- March.
Established in 1889, the National Zoo is home more than 2,000 animals of 400 different species, many of whom are rare or endangered, including the Giant Panda. Young children love wildlife, but you'll have to bring a stroller to enjoy one of the nation's largest zoos. It's a beautifully maintained, landscaped 163-acre park, not far from the center of the city. A note of advice though; during the summer months, when Washington is hot and humid, the zoo is not the place to be. Trust us on this.

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing
14th & C Streets, SW
Washington, DC 20228
202/874-3019, 866/874-2330
Open Monday through Friday: 9am to 10:45am and 12:30pm to 2pm with tours every 15 minutes. The Treasury Department presses turn out billions of dollars in bills annually, making "The Money Factory" one of the capital's most popular (and most crowded) attractions. The sight of a room full of printing machines spewing money is one that won't soon be forgotten by an older child (or adult, for that matter). However, the rushed guided tour is not as satisfying as lingering in the money museum and superb, reasonably priced gift shop. Free tours require same-day tickets during the peak season from March to August.

Washington Monument
15th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20001
202/426-6841
Open Daily: 9am to 10pm. Rising 555 feet above the ground, the Washington Monument stands as a symbol of the capital city. A painless elevator ride to the observation deck at the top offers a magnificent view of the entire city, and all of the other landmarks that will be part of a DC visit. Tickets can be reserved by calling 877/444-6777, or earlybirds can get free tickets the morning of their visit at kiosks on the grounds.

Postal Museum
2 Massachusetts Ave., NE
Washington, DC 20002
202/633-5555
Open Daily: 10am to 5:30pm. Blessedly far away from the tourist masses huddling on The Mall, this is a fascinating and engaging small museum where your kids can climb into an original Pony Express mail wagon, make their own photo postcards and learn some trivia about stamps, their design, and how the postal system changed America's history. Follow up your visit with lunch at the historic Union Station train terminal across the way.