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

  • Nov09

    Holidays in Washington, DC

    Posted in: Current Events, Holidays, Uncategorized, Winter Activities | No Comments

    banner

    Halloween is over which means the holidays will be here before you can blink. Here are some things we are looking forward to this holiday season.

    Glen Echo Park Puppet Company

    nutcracker

    For younger children there is a Nutcracker puppet show at Glen Echo Park beginning on November 27th. Click here for more information on times and how to buy tickets.

    Old Town Alexandria

    old-town-alexandria-black-friday-shopping-tree-lighting

    On November 27th Old Town Alexandria will be kicking off the holiday season with their tree lighting. Click here for additional details on this free event.

    ICE at National Harbor

    ICE

    Bundle up and experience ICE at National Harbor. There will also be fireworks and a Christmas Tree lighting at National Harbor on November 29th. Click here for more information on dates, times and tickets.

    Wolftrap

    Holiday-Sing-640

    On December 5th the Wolftrap Center for the Performing Arts is hosting a holiday sing-a-long at 4pm. The event is free and you can find more information here.

    Kennedy Centerfamily-christmas1

    The Kennedy Center is hosting a Family Christmas Concert on December 13th at 2:00pm. For more information and to purchase tickets click here.

     National Botanic Garden

    Photo Credit: Architect of the U.S. Capitol

    Photo Credit: Architect of the U.S. Capitol

    The train display at the National Botanic Garden is a must for any age and is free. The display opens on November 26th and closes on January 3rd. Click here for details.

    National Zoo

    National Zoo Lighted Elephant

    The holiday light display at the National Zoo is a fun activity for families and is also free.The display opens on November 27th and runs daily through January 2nd from 5pm-9pm.  Click here for more information.

    Ice Skating

    National Sculpture Gallery Ice Rink

    There are lots of spots in the city to ice skate. Here are a few we love to visit.

    Mount Vernon

    Christmas at Mount Vernon

    Our first President George Washington’s home Mount Vernon is beautiful during the holidays and definitely worth visiting. Click here for information about the holiday schedule.

    Happy Holidays from Kids Will Travel!

     

  • Aug10

    August Staycation

    Posted in: Current Events, Uncategorized | No Comments

    Are you in Washington, DC during the month of August? Are you looking for things to do with your kids before they head back to school?

    August is actually a great time to visit DC. You can look forward to weather 2 degrees cooler than July and shorter lines everywhere! On this website you can find information about all of the museums, attractions and restaurants available in DC year round and below are three ideas for some activities available as we approach the end of summer…

     

    Peter Pan Tysons Corner

    Peter Pan: Live in the Threesixty Theater

    Full disclosure, we haven’t been to see this show yet, but we do have tickets. It looks like Cirque de Soleil meets live theater and I can’t wait!

    • Where: Tyson’s Corner: International Dr and Chain Bridge Rd, near Tysons Corner Center
    • Tickets: You can buy tickets online and the prices range from $30 – $105
    • When: The show has been extended to run through August 23rd
    • Click here for dates and times

     

    National Geographic Museum

    National Geographic: Indiana Jones and the Adventures of Archaeology

    Do your kids love mysteries, adventure and the movies? Here is an exhibit for you, and you may be able to sneak in some learning too.

    • Where: National Geographic: 1145 17th St NW, Washington, DC
    • Tickets: You can buy tickets online and prices range from $10 – $15
    • When: The exhibit is currently on display through January 3rd, 2016
    • Click here for more information

    National Building Museum DC

    The Beach

    This is the much talked about summer exhibit at the National Building Museum. You may remember last year’s maze or the DC themed putt putt golf course two year’s ago. This year the museum has created an ocean of balls – the biggest ball pit you have ever seen. It is fun for all ages, but watch young children as it can be hard to stand up and the balls can swallow you up.

    • Where: The National Building Museum:  401 F St NW, Washington, DC
    • Tickets: You can buy tickets at the museum or online. Prices range from $3 – $16. Online tickets will only be sold through August 24th.
    • When: The exhibit runs through September 7th. The exhibit is open Monday through Saturday, 10 am–5 pm, and Sunday, 11 am–5 pm. The last tickets are sold at 4pm on weekdays and 3pm on Weekends. Note that on Wednesdays the Museum stays open late until 9pm, but you will find older kids and adults there at this time so it may not be the safest time to take young children.
    • Click here for more information.

    Have fun and enjoys these last days of summer!

     

     

  • Feb10

    Spy in the City

    Posted in: Holidays, Uncategorized, Winter Activities | No Comments

    Spy Museum DC

    Will you be here for the long President’s Day Weekend? Looking for a family friendly activity in DC? How about a game of spy? The Spy Museum has a great interactive game that sends you out into the city armed with an interactive GPS device that leads you from clue to clue as you work to track down spies that are trying to steal American national intelligence. It is great fun for all ages.

    Spy Museum DC

    Go online to the Spy Museum website to reserve your GPS device. The cost is $14.95 per device and one device is recommended for every four people, as it gets hard for many more people to crowd around the screen to see and hear. The spy mission takes about an hour and you will walk about a mile.

    After you have completed your mission spend the afternoon at the Smithsonian Museums on the National Mall or stop into Madame Tussauds Wax Museum to snap a picture with your favorite celebrities. Got kiddies with grumbly tummies? There are plenty of family friendly restaurants in the area. Click here for a few of our favorites.

    Have fun and watch out for spies!

     

     

  • Dec20

    Santa’s Workshop update

    Posted in: Uncategorized | No Comments

    Thanks to our friends at KidFriendly DC for the update on the holiday hours at Santa’s workshop on the White House Ellipse. It seems the workshop has not been open consistently due to it being staffed by volunteers this year. Read the KidFriendly DC article for more information: What’s Going on at Santa’s Workshop?

  • Dec10

    Top 5 Holiday Activities for Kids in DC

    Posted in: Current Events, Holidays, Winter Activities | No Comments

    It’s that time of year again…the time of year when the kids are out of school and you are looking for things to entertain them, not to mention the family that you have coming to visit as well. Here are my Top 5 activities for kids over the holidays in DC.

    Photo Credit: U.S. Architect of the Capitol

    Trains at the U.S. Botanic Garden

    I have mentioned this event before, but it is still one of my favorites. Trains take over the Botanic Garden during the holidays and turn it into a magical place. Click here for more information. The Botanic Garden is one of the few places open on Christmas Day so after the presents are unwrapped and you are looking for an activity, head down to the national mall. You’ll have the whole place to yourself, which is fabulous!

    Washington Capitals

    Washington Capitals Practice at Kettler Ice Rink

    Got a hockey fan? The Washington Capitals hockey team practices every morning at Kettler Ice Rink. The start times vary between 10:00 am and 11:00 am based on the Caps evening game schedule so be sure to visit the website before heading out. Also keep in mind that there is often a public skate time at the rink directly after the Caps practice so your kids can try out the new moves they have learned. Click here for more information on the Caps practice schedule and click here for the Caps game schedule. And for more general information on the public skate times at Kettler click here.

    National Harbor Holiday

    Christmas on the Potomac

    Each year National Harbor is transformed into a dazzling Christmas extravaganza. Be sure to get tickets for ICE, a winter wonderland made of 2 million pounds of hand carved ice sculptures, including two slides. While you are there take a spin on the recently installed ferris wheel, which is especially pretty at night.  Pack your patience, as it is a popular destination, even with a timed entry ticket lines can be long. Click here for more information on all of the seasonal activities and a list of the shops and restaurants at National Harbor.

    Santa White House

    Santa’s Workshop

    In the shadow of the White House and the National Christmas tree is Santa’s workshop – a well kept secret in town. Through December 21st, on Friday – Sunday Santa’s workshop is open from 12:30 pm – 9:30 pm. While you visit Santa you can also see model trains and the 50 Christmas trees representing each of the 50 states and decorated with ornaments made in that state. Click here for more information.

    Christmas at Mount Vernon

    Christmas at Mount Vernon

    Want to sneak in a bit of learning over the holiday break? How about a trip to President George Washington’s home, Mount Vernon. During the holidays you can tour the home during the day and visit the rarely opened third floor of the mansion or you can take a candlelight tour during the evening where you will be welcomed by Mrs. Washington herself. You may even see a camel, as rumor has it Mr. Washington once brought a camel to the house over the holidays to entertain his guests. Click here for more information.

    Need More?

    In addition to these fun activities, there is ice skating, the Nutcracker, an indoor trampoline park and our wonderful Smithsonian museums. Two other great websites with weekly postings on current events are Red Tricycle and Kid Friendly DC.

    Have fun and Happy Holidays!

    Christmas Tree Washington DC

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

« Previous Entries

Next Entries »