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

  • Sep06

    How do I find a kid friendly restaurant in DC?

    Posted in: Apps, Restaurants | No Comments

    Ah, the challenge of eating out with kids. How do you find a restaurant that you can enjoy and is appropriate to take your kids to?

    I was having dinner with a friend the other night who pointed out a very important point, not all cities have the benefit of Open Table and so for some of you visiting DC this is a new and fabulous tool that takes a lot of the guess work out of finding a restaurant and making restaurant reservations.

    Open Table  allows you to make restaurant reservations online and read restaurant reviews from patrons. It is available on your computer and as an app on your phone. You simply enter in the time you would like to make a reservation for and for how many people and open table pulls up the restaurants with availability both at that time and around that time. You are able to do further searching by area which is great if you want to stay close to your hotel or grab a bite after touring a museum. You can also search by type of restaurant or for a specific restaurant, both within DC and the surrounding areas.  Open Table gives you a price scale and the reviews are a great way of getting a sense of whether the restaurant is appropriate for your kids.

     

    A newer online reservation site to DC is CityEats. This website was created in partnership with the Food Network (which I love). It is available on your computer and as an app and works on the same principle as Open Table. Select your time and number of people and CityEats will pull a list of available restaurants together for you. You are also able to narrow down your search by area or type of restaurant. The site has great pictures of the restaurants and reviews written by the website staff, but also includes helpful reviews from patrons. Two of the kid friendly restaurants that came up in my search were Cafe Bonaparte, great for fancy pancakes (more commonly known as crepes, but remember it’s all how you sell it to the kids) and Hill Country BBQ, banana pudding – need I say more?

     

    TIP: Don’t forget to cancel your reservation if you decide to go somewhere else, or the kids have a break down and you just can’t swing it. As the daughter of former restaurant owners I know how important this is.

     

    Another great site to check out is Out To Eat With Kids.  Type in your city and state (not just Washington, DC – try your hometown too) and find restaurant deals in the area that are tailored to kids and families. Two of our favorite DC area restaurants that participate are Red Hot & Blue and Chicken Out. Watch for the KidsLiveWell logo next to restaurants that offer healthy kid’s meals and be sure to check out the Out To Eat With Kids blog for even more tips on healthy eating for your kids at restaurants and at home. Sign up to receive information about their giveaways too.

    What are your favorite restaurants in DC to visit with kids?

    Would you like the the Kids Will Travel weekly blog delivered to your inbox? Click here and sign up.

     

     

  • Aug24

    Quack Quack

    Posted in: Restaurants, Top Attractions, Tours | 1 Comment

    I love to be a tourist in my own town and that’s just what I was today. We joined some friends and headed downtown for a tour of Washington, DC with the DC Ducks.

    The DC Ducks is a unique tour of DC in a converted WWII DUKW amphibious vehicle, which means after you take a drive past the major sites you’ll splash down into the Potomac River for a unique view of the city from the water. You may have seen similar tours in Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore or Seattle.

    You can buy your tickets for the tours online (at a discount), but you are not able to choose a specific tour time. The vehicles leave from Union Station and are filled on a first come first serve basis. It is best to arrive early in the morning (9:00 am) to get your name on the list. If you don’t make the first car/boat at 10:00 am you can choose a later tour and come back. Union Station is near the Capitol and the National Mall so you will find you have plenty of options to fill your time if you end up on a later tour. We arrived at 9:30 am and were able to get on the first tour, but it is August – not the height of the tourist season.

    We were with kids ranging in age from six to eight. It was a slow start (literally) as we were driving through DC traffic and the kids were a bit antsy and hot, but Captain Kent, our tour guide, kept it light and funny and the kids listened and asked questions. The tour is light on heavy history and heavy on fun facts.

    Once we splashed down into the Potomac and headed out onto the water the kids got more into it, especially as the they were allowed to drive the boat. How cool is that!

    And we watched as the planes landing at National airport flew right over us, cool and loud.

    But it was about to get louder! Once we got back on dry land Captain Kent passed out the Quackers and we quacked our way back to Union Station,

    Past the Jefferson Memorial

    And the Air and Space Museum

    And the Captiol.

    After singing/quacking happy birthday to Captain Kent, it was his 49th birthday, we disembarked and I asked the kids what they thought. They gave it a thumbs up and we happily quacked our way back home.

    Quick Facts:

    • Visit the DC Ducks website for complete information.
    • The tour is 90 minutes long and departs from Union Station. This is not a hop on/hop off tour, but the driver will stop after you exit the water for a bathroom break.
    • There is a metro stop and parking at Union Station. The DC Ducks ticket desk is just in front of you as you enter the main entrance of Union Station.
    • Tours run every 30 minutes from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, 7 days a week from mid-March through October. Tour buses do not run on Memorial Day, the 4th of July or the day of the Marine Corp Marathon.
    • Tickets may be bought in advance on the DC Ducks website for a discount or you may purchase tickets at Union Station. Tickets are $39.00 for adults and $29.00 for children under 12.
    • You can take food and water on the tour. It is advised to leave your strollers behind the ticket desk in Union Station.
    • There are lots of food options both in and around Union Station. Click here for some ideas.
    • And a final tip, for the best pictures sit on the right hand side.

  • 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.

     

  • Jul26

    Yards Park – so much more than a park

    Posted in: Parks, Restaurants | 1 Comment

    I am always excited to learn about something new in my hometown and earlier this summer some good friends invited us to their daughter’s first birthday party where we discovered D.C.’s Yards Park. I am a huge fan and am doing my best to spread the word about this new treasure in the city!

    Yards Park is located near the National’s baseball stadium. The Navy Yard metro stop is within walking distance and although there is street parking available, save yourself the hassle and hop on the metro. Click here for a metro map.

    Whether you’re looking for a picnic spot, want to let your kids run through a fountain, watch an outdoor movie or listen to live music, this spot has it all.

    Yards Park sits on Washington’s other river, the Anacostia River and is a great mix of serene gardens, a walking path along the river and a huge wading pool complete with fountains and a waterfall for the kids.

    The wading pool is only 11″ deep so you won’t need your bathing suit, but your kids will definitely want to crawl around and go through the fountains so I would pack one for them. (Don’t forget the swim diaper!)

    In addition to the great green space and the water, there are free outdoor activities throughout the year. Click here for a full schedule and start times.

    There is a lunch concert each Wednesday through September 5th located at The Fairgrounds on Half Street, SE across from the Navy Yard metro station. Click here for more information.

    Another fun lunch time activity in the area is the Truckeroo Food Truck Festival held every Friday starting at 11:00 am, also at The Fairgrounds. Food Trucks are a recent phenomenom in D.C. and each Friday some of the most popular gather at the Fairgrounds for a street party of sorts.

    There is an outdoor movie each Thursday located at the corner of New Jersey Avenue, SE and Tingey Street, SE on Tingey Plaza. Tonight’s movie, Muppet Treasure Island, is the last movie for the summer, but if you’re planning a trip to D.C. next summer be sure to check the calendar for upcoming movies. Keep in mind the Thursday movies, although geared towards families, start at sundown or approximately 8:45 pm. This activity may be better for older kids, dependent on bedtimes or just how much your child can sleep through.

    The concerts on Friday evenings are located along the Anacostia River, just off Water Street. Click here for a map. Concerts run through September 14th. You can pack a picnic or take advantage of the food provided by Red Apron Butchery, Buzz Bakery, ChurchKey,  Luke’s Lobster, STIX and BBQ Bus.

    If you decide you want to pack a picnic these three grocery stores/markets on Capitol Hill will be the most conveniently located: Eastern Market, Yes! Organic Market and Harris Teeter. Eastern Market and Yes! Organic Market are both located at the Eastern Market metro stop and Harris Teeter is located one stop further at the Potomac Avenue metro stop. All three are on the Orange and Blue line. Click here for a metro map so you can plan your trip.

    Yards Park is a hopping spot in the summer. Check their calendar before your trip for upcoming events and even if you’re visiting D.C. during another season Yards Park is still a must do.

     

  • Jul19

    Take me out to the ballgame…

    Posted in: Restaurants, Sports | No Comments

    DC is home to the winning Washington Nationals and the Nat’s stadium is located in a great newly revitalized area of the city. When the Nats are at home grab a ticket and take your kids out with the crowd!

    To get there it is best to take the metro to the Navy Yard station located on the metro’s Green line. For more information on navigating the metro click here. Parking passes are often for sale on the Washington National’s website along with tickets. Click here for the Nats website. If you decide to drive and park keep an eye out for the pedicabs (or rickshaws) around the stadium and hop on for a short ride.

    In addition to the actual baseball game and the required popcorn and cracker jack, Nats stadium has a Build-a-Bear workshop where you can build your own Nats mascot, Screech the Eagle, and a playground. Both of these are located near the stadium’s main entrance.

    Be sure to be back in your seats for the fourth inning when you’ll see the very popular President’s Race. Four mascots representing Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt race against one another in a hilarious lap around the field.

    Click here for more information about the tradition and get ready to cheer for poor Teddy, who has never won a race.

    The best kid’s activity at the ballgame is the running of the bases, which kids can do after Sunday home games. Click here for a schedule.

    All kids ages 4-12 can participate and my advice is to line up during the 7th inning. The line begins on the steps to the left of the playground. Don’t be intimidated if the line looks long, once the kids start running it moves very quickly. And what a thrill to run the bases on a real baseball field!

    Just outside of the ballpark, the Fairgrounds hosts a Family Carnival on Sundays from 11:30 am until 2 hours after the game. This open air venue is located on Half Street, SE. You’ll find mechanical & inflatable rides, games, children’s activities and adult diversions.

    If you’re looking for dinner after a game, hop on a pedicab and head to near by Barrack’s Row on 8th Street, SE where you’ll find a variety of family friendly options. Click here for a complete list of restaurants. Two of our favorites are Ted’s Bulletin and Matchbox Pizza. The Eastern Market metro stop is near by so you can head directly back to the hotel after dinner.

    A day at the ballpark promises to be a fun adventure for the whole family and I bet you have no trouble getting the kids to sleep at the end of the day.

    Go Nats!

     

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