Discover why Washington D.C. is a great place for a family vacation.
  • Museum

  • Nov29

    Choo Choo – Holiday Trains at the U.S. Botanic Garden

    Posted in: Current Events, Holidays, Museum, Uncategorized | No Comments

    One of my favorite places to take guests during the holidays is the U.S. Botanic Garden. Located next to the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, the garden is great any time of year, but is extra special during the holidays.

    Photo Credit: Architect of the U.S. Capitol

    Each year the East Wing of the building is transformed into an amazing model train display. Both you and your child will be entertained as you watch the trains chug along more than 800 feet of track in an Enchanted Forest.

    Photo Credit: Architect of the U.S. Capitol

    This year the enchanted forest has outgrown the East Wing and you’ll find other treasures hidden throughout the gardens. See if you and your children can find the wizard’s house, the Fairy-Go-Round or the sneaky snake.

    You can’t miss all of the beautiful poinsettias throughout the gardens and you’ll want to take lots of pictures of the amazing replicas of DC landmarks made out of over 70 natural materials. You’ll see the U.S. Capitol, the Washington Monument, the Supreme Court and my favorite, the Lincoln Memorial, just to name a few.

    Photo Credit: Architect of the U.S. Capitol

    While you’re there be sure to stop in the West Wing to visit the permanent interactive exhibit focused on the senses. Your children can sniff plants and herbs from different cultures and learn about how plants are used in everyday life.

    The U.S. Botanic Garden can be a busy place during the holidays. We advise visiting during the weekday rather than the weekend or even better plan a visit on Tuesday or Thursday evening. The gardens are magical at night, the crowds are gone and the museum stays open late with live musical performances from 6pm – 8pm. Visit the U.S. Botanic Garden website for a schedule of performances. Also before or after your visit you can stroll over to the grounds of the U.S. Capitol to look at the National Christmas Tree which is beautiful when it is lit up at night.

    • U.S. Botanic Garden: www.usbg.gov     100 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington D.C.
    • Metro: As always the best way to get to the U.S. Botanic Garden is by metro. The closest stop is the Federal Center SW station on the Orange and Blue Line. Exit the station, walk north (left) along Third Street SW for two blocks, cross Independence Avenue and continue one more block to Maryland Avenue. Look toward the Capitol and you will see the glass dome of the Conservatory. The Conservatory entrance is on Maryland Avenue.
    • Hours: The museum is open daily from 10am – 5pm. On Tuesday and Thursdays during the holidays the museum has extended hours until 8pm. The museum is open on Christmas Day and there is never a crowd. This would be a great activity once the presents have been unwrapped.
    • Restaurants: Visit our Capitol Hill Restaurants webpage for restaurant suggestions in the area.
    • Strollers: There is no stroller parking available at the U.S Botanic Garden. Strollers are allowed, but passage ways are narrow and if at all possible it is recommended you not bring a stroller.

    Do you know about other holiday train displays in the Washington area? Tell us where you love to visit…

     

  • Sep13

    The National Book Festival

    Posted in: Current Events, Festivals, Museum, Restaurants | No Comments

    The 12th Annual National Book Festival sponsored by the Library of Congress will be held next weekend, September 22-23, 2012 on the National Mall. This is a great opportunity for your kids to meet their favorite author and get excited about reading.

    To get a copy of this great poster email bookfest@loc.gov with your name and address.

    This year the National Book Festival will host over 100 authors. Various pavilions will focus on different topics ranging from Fiction & Mystery, History & Biography, Children & Teens, Poetry, Home & Family, Urban Fiction and Graphic Novels. Click here for a complete list of authors and don’t forget to check out the Target Family Story Telling Stage and the Let’s Read America pavilion sponsored by PBS Kids and Lego Duplo.

    Various authors will read from their books throughout the weekend. Click here for a schedule so you can plan your trip around hearing your favorite author and having your favorite book signed. You may purchase books at the festival or bring your own book to be signed. At our house we are especially excited about meeting Mary Pope Osborne, author of “The Magic Treehouse,” and Marc Brown, author of “Arthur.”

    National Book Festival hours are Saturday from 10:00 am – 5:30 pm and Sunday from 12:00 noon – 5:30 pm. The festival will be held on the National Mall (home to the Smithsonian Museums) between 9th Street and 14th Street, NW. The National Mall will be especially busy and parking will be tough. The best thing to do is take the metro to the Smithsonian stop.

    It’s a big festival so download the map here to help you navigate among all of the different tents and look for a volunteer who can also help you find your way around. One of the great hands-on sponsors of the event is the Junior League of Washington who will provide over 550 volunteers, for the 11th consecutive year. Keep an eye out for one of these ladies in the bright pink shirts if you need some help.

    Need a bite to eat while you’re there? Most Smithsonian Museums have cafeterias, click here for a list. Or visit the Kids Will Travel restaurants page for suggestions on spots in Penn Quarter and Chinatown. It’s a short walk from the mall and there are lots of kid friendly options. And finally check out our blog from last week for more tips on eating out in DC with kids.

    So who are you and your kids excited about meeting at this year’s National Book Festival?

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  • Aug16

    Escape the August heat

    Posted in: Museum, Top Attractions | No Comments

    We have escaped the stifling August heat in DC and are enjoying the cool mountain air in NC. There is nothing better than sleeping with the windows open and spending the entire day outside, with no humidity.

    If you do find yourself visiting DC this month, skip the walk and catch a ride on one of the many pedicabs found around the city, take in an IMAX movie at one of the Smithsonian museums or try your skills at the indoor putt putt course at the National Building Museum.

    I hope you’ll enjoy these last long lazy days of summer no matter where you are!

     

     

  • Aug03

    Art Museums with children…go ahead take them with you

    Posted in: Art, Museum, Restaurants | No Comments

    Visiting art museums with children doesn’t necessarily conjure up feelings of enjoyment, but contrary to what you may believe, visiting an art museum can be fun for all of you.

    Many art museums in DC offer special programming for children. From family days to museum guides designed specifically for children, there are lots of options to help kids enjoy looking at art.

    DC’s Corcoran Gallery of Art offers a great handout for families. In it are helpful tips for visiting art museums with children. Here are some of my favorites.

    Play I spy. Come up with a few items you and your children are going to look for in the paintings while you tour the museum: dogs, crowns, flowers, for example. Or play I spy with your child while you look at a specific painting. I spy the color red, or circles, for example.

    Create your own scavenger hunt. Make the gift shop your first stop at the museum and pick up postcards of works on display, then explore the galleries and look for the paintings. You can mail the postcards to your friends and family after the visit.

    Re-title the painting. Ask your child what they think the title of the painting should be.

    Jump In! If you were inside the painting what else might you see or hear or smell.

    I love these ideas!

    Below is a list of our favorite art museums to visit with children.

    The National Gallery of Art

    • Metro Stop: Smithsonian
    • Hours and Tickets: The National Gallery of Art, located on the National Mall between 3rd and 7th Streets at Constitution Avenue NW, is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. The Gallery is closed on December 25 and January 1. The museum is free so no tickets are necessary.
    • Food: There are several food options within the National Gallery. Click here for more information. There are also lots of family friendly options in the Penn Quarter/Chinatown area which is within walking distance of the museum. Click here for a list of some of the restaurants we enjoy.

    The National Gallery of Art is made up of two buildings. The West Building houses European art from the 13th century through the 19th century as well as American paintings and sculpture from colonial times to the early 20th century.

    The East Building houses modern and contemporary art.

    The two buildings are connected underground and you get to walk through this awesome tunnel. What kid wouldn’t love this?

    Along the underground corridor connecting the two buildings you will find the more formal Cascade Cafe and the kid friendly Garden Cafe.

    The underground corridor is also where you will find the ever popular gift shops which are filled with great toys, books and art themed activities for kids.

    The National Gallery of Art offers ongoing family programming throughout the year. Click here for a list of upcoming performances and drop-in programs. If you decide to take a quick look around, stop at the visitor’s desk to pick up a free children’s audio tour designed for children 7-12. Click here for more information. The museum also offers a NGAKids website with lots of interactive art activities for the kids.

    American Art Museum

    • Metro Stop: Gallery Place – Chinatown
    • Hours and Tickets: The American Art Museum, located at 8th and F Streets, N.W., is open daily from 11:30 am – 7:00 pm. The Gallery is closed on December 25. The museum is free so no tickets are necessary.
    • Food: There is a small cafe within the atrium at the American History Museum and like the National Gallery of Art, the museum is within walking distance of lots of great restaurants in the Penn Quarter/Chinatown area. Click here for a list of some of the restaurants we enjoy.

    The Smithsonian’s American Art Museum houses only art created by American artists. The works span the life of our country and include photographs and folk art in addition to traditional paintings. This is where you will find every U.S. President’s portrait. The American Art Museum offers ongoing family programming throughout the year. Click here for more information. If you aren’t planning to visit the museum during a time when a special program is being offered you can still go online to download themed scavenger hunts to tackle during your museum visit. There is a beautiful atrium at the American Art Museum with a small water feature. A great place for the kids to run around, but you’ll have to watch they don’t get wet. The atrium also has a small cafe, perfect to stop, sit and enjoy a snack.

    The Renwick Gallery

    • Metro Stop: Farragut North or Farragut West
    • Hours and Tickets: The Renwick Gallery, located at 1661 Pennsylvania Avenue NW (at 17th Street), is open daily from 10:00 am – 5:30 pm. The Gallery is closed on December 25. The museum is free so no tickets are necessary.
    • Food: Right around the corner from the Renwick on Connecticut Avenue is one of our favorite cafes, Teaism. The Renwick is located in downtown DC so for other options in the area we recommend you visit our restaurants page.

    Across the street from the White House is the Renwick Gallery, home to the Smithsonian’s American craft and decorative art collection. Don’t miss Wendell Castle’s Ghost Clock, my favorite piece in the collection. The museum is small so you can tour it quickly and offers a kid friendly scavenger hunt at the front desk so be sure to pick one up on your way in.

    The Corcoran Gallery of Art

    • Metro Stop: Farragut North or Farragut West
    • Hours and Tickets: The Corcoran, located at 500 17th Street NW, is open Wednesday – Sunday from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm with extended hours until 9:00 pm on Thursdays. The Gallery is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Tickets are required and can be purchased at the door. Adults are $10.00 and children under 12 are free.
    • Food: See the above Renwick recommendations as the two museums are very close to one another.

    Just around the corner from the Renwick is the Corcoran Gallery of Art. The Corcoran houses traditional and modern American and European art from the 18th, 19th and 20th century. As I mentioned above, the museum offers a great handout at the front desk for families. It is full of coloring pages and craft ideas, but the best part is the tips page.

    I hope you’ll take advantage of the opportunity to expose your children to some wonderful art while you’re in DC. And remember the Smithsonian museums are free so if the kids just aren’t in to it you can leave without wasting any money.

     

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