Discover why Washington D.C. is  a great place for a family vacation.
  • Travel Tips
  • Aug23

    Sad to think summer is coming to an end. Someone once told me you really only have 18 summers with your kids so make the most of them. That has stuck with me! We started our summer with a trip to Florida with friends and ended it in the Colorado mountains with family. Although we had some great trips, the highlight of our summer was showing off our hometown to my niece and nephew who are 11 and 6. They came up for five days in July and we had a ball. If asked I think they would say the water balloon fight was the best part of the trip, but we loved showing them some of our favorite spots and trying some new things together too.

    Georgetown Cupcakes DC

    Our family arrived in the early afternoon so we started the visit with a trip to Georgetown Cupcake (of TLC fame). We got lucky and the line wasn’t too long so we picked up a dozen cupcakes to fuel us through the next 5 days. I’m not saying they actually lasted five days...(Georgetown Cupcake: 3301 M Street, NW)

    Washington National Cathedral

    Getty Images

    The next stop was the Washington National Cathedral. Not many towns have such a spectacular building you can walk through on your own. The Cathedral is open daily from 10:00 am – 5:30 pm, with tours offered from 10:00 am – 11:30 am and 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. If you are there later in the day, Evensong is sung every day at 5:30 pm. Click here for a calendar of upcoming tours and events. For families with older children think about walking to the top of the Bell Tower. Children must be 48″ to walk the steps and infants in carriers or arms are not allowed. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased online by clicking here. This is an amazing view of the city any time of year, but especially in the Fall. (Washington Cathedral: 3101 Wisconsin Avenue, NW)

    After the tour you can walk to many family friendly restaurants for dinner. Our favorite is Cactus Cantina (3300 Wisconsin Avenue, NW). They have lots of seating and a mean swirl margarita. Other options, also within walking distance,  include Two Amy’s Pizza (3715 Macomb Street, NW) and Cafe Deluxe (3228 Wisconsin Avenue, NW). All are good family options.

    Elephants National Zoo

    The next morning it was time to hit the Zoo, while you’re there don’t miss the new Elephant House, the carousel and the baby tiger cubs. Click here for more information to help you plan your visit. If you have an early bird in the bunch keep in mind you can walk through the zoo as early as 6:00 am, but the exhibit halls don’t open until 10:00 am. (Smithsonian National Zoo: 3001 Connecticut Avenue, NW)

    After the zoo we headed downtown to the Smithsonian Museums on the National Mall. The museums are metro accessible, just take the red line from the Cleveland Park metro stop to the Smithsonian stop on the orange and blue line. Click here for more information on navigating the metro (DC’s subway).

    There is a lot to see at these museums and we found it can very easily take you half a day to go through the Air and Space Museum or the Museum of Natural History. For more information on the exhibits at each of the Smithsonian museums visit the museums section on the Kids Will Travel website. We spent the afternoon at the Museum of Natural History and in addition to checking out the dinosaurs and the Hope Diamond we also made time for an IMAX movie. The movies are always a great break for your feet! (National Museum of Natural History: 10th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW)

    After the Natural History Museum we called it a day and headed home, but it you find you are on the National Mall around dinner time head over to Penn Quarter for lots of restaurant options. From Mexican to Chinese to pizza, there is something to satisfy everyone in the family.

    Star Spangled Banner

    Day Three it was back to the National Mall and a visit to the American History Museum. Although definitely third in a list of favorites behind the Natural History Museum and the Air and Space Museum, it is still worth a visit (especially if your child is studying America History). It’s here you can learn about the Presidential election process, view the dresses worn by the First Ladies to the Inaugural Balls and see the original Star Spangled Banner. (National Museum of American History: 1300 Constitution Avenue, NW)

    We spent that afternoon at the Spy Museum, always a huge hit. As you tour the museum you can assume a secret identity and work to crack the secret code. The kids love this place. The Spy Museum is not part of the Smithsonian so there is an admission fee, but it’s worth it. Click here for more information. The Spy Museum is within walking distance of the National Mall and is located in the previously mentioned Penn Quarter so there are lots of dining options nearby. (International Spy Museum: 800 F Street, NW)

    Fort Myer

    That night we did something that was new for all of us, the Twilight Tattoo at Fort Myer, right next to Arlington Cemetery. The Twilight Tattoo is an hour-long military pageant held every Wednesday from May – August at 7:00 pm. We all had a great time. It is a mix of military history, impressive military formations and cannons! Click here for more information. (Fort Myer: 204 Lee Avenue Building 59, Fort Myer, VA)

    Smithsonian Air and Space Museum Dulles

    Day four we took a road trip to the Air and Space Museum at Dulles. If you have a car I highly recommend this amazing museum. This is where you can watch the planes take off and land from the observation tower, fly a fighter jet in a flight simulator and get up close and personal with a space shuttle. It is part of the Smithsonian so like all Smithsonian museums it is free. (Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center National Air and Space Museum: 14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy, Chantilly, VA)

    Rebounderz Sterling VA

    After that it was time to burn off some energy at Rebounderz. Again, if you have a car this is a great spot when you need a break from touring. Rebounderz is an indoor trampoline park and arcade, need I say more? Click here for all the details. (Rebounderz: 22400 Davis Dr #180, Sterling, VA)

    Day Five was spent back downtown in DC at the Newseum, a museum dedicated to the history of news. The museum is home to a section of the Berlin Wall and Pulitzer Prize winning photographs, but most importantly you can pretend to me a news reporter. Awesome, right? I have to admit the all glass elevator was a big hit too. Click here for all the details. (Newseum: 5555 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW)

    After that it was time to head to the airport and we sadly said good bye to everyone until the next visit.

    There was so much more we could have done, but you always have to have a reason to come back – right?!

    Did you visit DC this summer? Tell us what your favorite part of the visit was…

     

  • Jul10

    Lincoln Memorial, check.

    Jefferson Memorial, check.

    The U.S. Capitol, check.

    If your kids are feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of the touring then take a side trip to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum for a little bit of fun, pop culture and history (snuck in there quite cleverly!)

    Never heard of Madame Tussauds? She was a famous French artist who created wax models popular with the family of the famous King Louis XVI. She began a museum to exhibit these models and it still continues around the world today. Quirky, yes, but also lots of fun.

    The museum is now home to models of our present day rich and famous, think Tiger Woods, Angelina Jolie and JLo. The museum in Washington, DC is also is home to models of all 44 U.S. Presidents. Your children can get their picture with George Washington crossing the Delaware or sit with President Lincoln in the famous Presidential box at Ford’s theater.

    Madame Tussauds DC

    There is also a special section dedicated to the current president where you can take questions from the podium during a press conference or make a call from the Oval Office.

    Madame Tussauds wax museum DC

    In addition to posing with our favorite presidents, movie stars and singers, the best surprise was actually getting a wax mold made of our hands. Very cool!

    Wax mold Madame Tussauds

    It took us about an hour to go through the museum (plus time in the gift/candy shop.) There is a video when you first arrive explaining how the molds are made.  It was a bit off to the side and we missed it when we first walked in so watched it before we left. I would definitely recommend watching it though as it was really interesting…and narrated by Beyonce.

    All in all the museum was a big hit with the kids. We enjoyed looking at the different styles of clothes all of the presidents wore and commenting on who was tall and who was short. We struck our most fierce pose with Madonna, pretended to walk on the moon and gave Katie Couric a few reporting tips. The kids gave it two thumbs up and we have the wax mold to prove it!

    • Location: 1001 F Street NW (Corner of 10th and F Street)
    • Metro Stop: Metro Center on the red, blue and orange lines
    • Hours: The museum is open 365 days a year and opens at 10:00 am. Closing times vary depending on the time of year so check the website for current hours.
    • Tickets: It is advised to buy your tickets online in advance as they are less expensive.  Tickets can be even less expensive if you plan to visit during non-peak hours during the day. The prices range from $12-$20 for adults and $10-$14 for children ages 3-12.
  • Apr22

    Based on feedback I have received on the website – which I love and appreciate by the way – I have added a new section to the website focused on itineraries. I am pleased to bring you the first itinerary today which focuses on a weekend in DC with kids. I will be adding more regularly so check back often!

    Itineraries

    DC with Kids

     

  • Mar28

    If you are planning a trip to DC then the Washingtonian Welcome Guide is a must read. The magazine is full of tips on what to see, where to eat and where to shop. With hints from the locals throughout, even I learned some new things. Skip to page 14 for 8 itineraries, 3 of them focus specifically on spending the day in DC with kids.

    Washingtonian Welcome Guide 2013

    If you have an ipad then be sure to download this version for easy reading.

  • Mar18

    It is that time of year again, the cherry blossoms are about to bloom and the crowds are making their way to DC. This is a beautiful time of year to be in the city and a popular time. If you are planning a Spring trip be sure to pack your patience as there will be crowds, but there will also be lots to do!

    Washington DC Tidal Basin Jefferson Memorial

     Cherry Blossom Festival 2013

    This year’s Cherry Blossom Festival will run for four weeks from March 20th – April 14th with the peak blossom viewing days anticipated on March 26th – 30th. The best place to see the Cherry Blossoms is at the Tidal Basin. This is the area near the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the Jefferson Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. My favorite viewing spot is at the MLK Memorial looking over the tidal basin with the Jefferson Memorial in the background. It’s just beautiful.

    My advice is to call your member of congress and request an early morning tour at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The BEP offers a great tour of the production plant where the paper money is printed. Start out early that morning and walk around the tidal basin to see the cherry blossoms before you take your tour of the BEP. You’ll beat the crowds and enjoy it so much more. Can’t get a ticket to tour the BEP through your member of congress? The BEP begins handing out daily tickets each morning at 8:00am.

    So what else is going on during the four week Cherry Blossom Festival?

    The National Kite Festival will be held on Saturday, March 30th on the National Mall at the base of the National Monument. Didn’t remember to pack a kite? No problem. The Smithsonian Museum gift shops all sell kites so pick one up as you are touring the museum.

    National Kite Festival

    The Corcoran Gallery of Art is offering a kite making class on Saturday, April 23rd in preparation for the National Kite Festival and there will also be stations on the National Mall where you can make a kite during the festival.

    The Tidal Basin will offer Paddle Boat rides daily from 10am – 5pm. You can make a reservation in advance by calling 202-479-2426 and the rate is $12-$19 an hour.

    Tidal Basin Paddle Boats

    The Cherry Blossom Parade will be held on April 13th at 10am. You can find a spot to watch along Constitution Avenue or call ahead for $20 grandstand seating. 1-800-745-3000

    Click here to visit the official Cherry Blossom website and find a complete list of activities. You can also download a free app that gives you even more information about daily activities and offers coupons at area stores and restaurants. Another resource is the Washington Post Going Out Guide which has a list of Cherry Blossom activities in the area. The Going Out Guide is a great resource for current events in the city at any time of year.

    And remember, as always, the best way to make your trip less stressful is to leave the car at home and take the metro. The metro is safe and easy and will take you to all of the major tourist sites. Click here for more information on taking the metro.

    Have a great time exploring the gorgeous city and don’t forget your camera!