Washington DC with kids

[Shunpike]

Me, Mrs Shunpike and my 7 year old son are heading to DC

Any suggestions?

 

[Stryker44]

The Smithsonian museums for starters

 

[WV Cowboy]

Check with AAA or someone for tours.

There is so much to see, you might miss something if you try it on your own.

 

[CowboyDan]

Just to clarify, this is the Smithsonian museum you want: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
There's something else there named Smithsonian something or other and it's nowhere near as cool as the above mentioned. If you walk in and see an elephant, you're in the right place.

The National Air & Space Museum is excellent as well.

And of course, the Washington Monument, Reflecting Pool, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Lincoln Memorial.

Touring the Capitol Building was cool, too. But I don't think a 7 year old would find it all that interesting.

 

[arglebargle]

The Smithsonian museums for starters

Smithsonian for sure! I lived in the DC area one summer, and regularly went to the Smithsonian twice a week, without exhausting stuff to see.

Whatever you alls interests are, they'll have some amazing exhibits.

 

[Longboysfan]

Do they still offer the Mint tour - printing money?

 

[Longboysfan]

Then there's the National Zoo.

But I don't know if congress is in Session.

 

[CowboyDan]

I keep forgetting to check out the Spy Museum. That's gotta be cool.

 

[JD_KaPow]

Just to clarify, this is the Smithsonian museum you want: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
There's something else there named Smithsonian something or other and it's nowhere near as cool as the above mentioned. If you walk in and see an elephant, you're in the right place.

The National Air & Space Museum is excellent as well.

And of course, the Washington Monument, Reflecting Pool, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Lincoln Memorial.

Touring the Capitol Building was cool, too. But I don't think a 7 year old would find it all that interesting.

All good. But the Smithsonian Museum you want is the Udvar-Hazy Center (the "other" Air and Space Museum). That's where the Discovery is (and Enola Gay), and the place would blow you away even if the shuttle wasn't there. It's out by Dulles airport, so a pain to get to if you don't have a car, but it's absolutely worth the trip.

 

[dcdallaschick]

Do they still offer the Mint tour - printing money?

Yep. Haven't been in a looong time, but remember it as one of the cooler field trips when I was a kid (although not nearly as cool as the FBI building tour, which sadly they don't do anymore). It's also something you can do in about an hour--which if you're doing things with young kids (and short attention spans) can be just about right.

Gotta do Smithsonian (Nat History and Air & Space at a minimum, but tons of cool stuff at American History too). They have a Discovery Theater for kids on weekdays that's fun. I don't know that I'd schlep out to Dulles for the other Air & Space unless you're going to be in the area for a while and have a whole day to spend on one thing.

Spy museum is awfully cool, too. They have some features there to keep kids interested throughout, but plenty for the adults to enjoy, too.

It's free to get into the National Zoo. Not the best one I've ever been to, but kids always seem to enjoy it.

I've heard lots of good things about the Newseum, but haven't made it there yet.

 

[5Stars]

When I was there I visited the Holocaust Museum. There were hundreds of people in that building and you could hear a pin drop! Not a word was spoken that I can remember.

 

[CowboyDan]

When I was there I visited the Holocaust Museum. There were hundreds of people in that building and you could hear a pin drop! Not a word was spoken that I can remember.

Agreed. It's incredibly well done and very moving. I'm just not sure a 7 yr old would be in to it. I could be wrong though.

 

[5Stars]

Agreed. It's incredibly well done and very moving. I'm just not sure a 7 yr old would be in to it. I could be wrong though.

Well, I would not recommend taking kids to that museum.

Maybe something with the dinosaurs would be a better place, but I did not get to see that one.

 

[Meat-O-Rama]

We did Washington DC in the spring with our kids when they were 5, 8 and 11. We had a blast. We would take the metro from our hotel to the National Mall and walk from monument to monument and museum to museum. Aside from that we also visited Arlington National Cemetery, and headed south to spend a couple of days in Williamsburg, VA.

That was one of my favorite trips we've taken as a family.

 

[respectdatstar]

1) The White House
2) Dr. Mudd House
3) Nationals Game

 

[Phoenix]

LOL. I work right across the street from the Smithsonian Air & Space museum. I tour around at lunch time every single day. Been to just about all the places mentioned in this thread. Good recommendations. Add to that the Library of Congress...what an incredible place. Chinatown / Verizon Center is great with kids when the local teams are playing (they're not). You can also walk along the Potomac wharf and oooh & aaah at all the boats, and event take a boat tour along the river.

 

[Shunpike]

Guys and Gals

Thanks for all the suggestions.

We have decided on below activities. We will only stay 3 full days and didn't want to finish everything all at once.

Spy Museum
National Archives
Lincoln Memorial
Air and Space Museum(we are staying at Dulles anyway)

 

[TheKey]

Guys and Gals

Thanks for all the suggestions.

We have decided on below activities. We will only stay 3 full days and didn't want to finish everything all at once.

Spy Museum
National Archives
Lincoln Memorial
Air and Space Museum(we are staying at Dulles anyway)

I would suggest getting to the Archives about 20 minutes before they open. The lines can be over two hours if you don't hit it right!

 

[jubal]

We did Washington DC in the spring with our kids when they were 5, 8 and 11. We had a blast. We would take the metro from our hotel to the National Mall and walk from monument to monument and museum to museum. Aside from that we also visited Arlington National Cemetery, and headed south to spend a couple of days in Williamsburg, VA.

That was one of my favorite trips we've taken as a family.

Me too!! Was great.