Ten Things to Do with Kids in Washington D.C.
Washington's Smithsonian, Mall, Monuments, Museums Are Kid Favorites
Jan 24, 2009
Washington D.C. is a living history lesson. Smithsonian museums and monuments commemorate America's past with educational exhibits on everything from espionage to space
Washington D.C. is a great family destination. There’s the educational aspect of it: No visitor can help but be aware of how Washington D.C. commemorates American history. But it’s also just plain fun.
Ten Favorite Washington D.C. Destinations for Families.
- D.C. Ducks Tour. Start with a tour to get oriented. The D.C. Ducks tour of Washington takes visitors around in a restored World War II amphibious vessel. The tour includes a land section, then the tour “bus” splashes into the Potomac river. It comes back to land at Ronald Reagan International Airport.
- The Air and Space Museum is near the top of most kids’ hit list. It covers the history of aviation, and includes exhibits from the Wright Brothers to the first moon landing. It can be crowded, so be there when it opens.
- Museum of Natural History. The requisite dinosaurs are here, along with a host of other displays of animals, plants, and minerals – everything from orchids to jellyfish, evolution to African exploration. New exhibits are always being added.
- Museum of American History. Pop culture displays, like Kermit the Frog and Dumbo the Elephant, are popular with the younger set. Displays include exhibits telling the stories of the American presidency, the first ladies (and their gowns), and Americans at War.
- International Spy Museum is another kid favorite. It offers a series of different programs for adults and kids, including scavenger hunts and other interactive activities that let kids try out the life of a spy.
- Ford’s Theatre, where Abraham Lincoln was shot, also makes it to the top of kid lists of requested places to visit. Closed for renovations in 2008 until February, 2009, the newly renovated theatre once again hosts tours, exhibits on Lincoln and the Civil War, as well as performances.
- The Washington Zoo is a great outdoor space, perfect for a break from too many museums and too much history. Especially appealing to children are the baby animal exhibits, which include panda cubs, young western lowland gorillas, Sumatran tiger cubs, sea lions, and Asian elephants.
- The C and O Canal. Another wonderful outdoor space is the C and O Canal, which starts in Georgetown and runs 185 miles west to Cumberland, Maryland. Biking and jogging are popular along the canal towpath, which parallels the Potomac River.
- Holocaust Museum. The main exhibit is not recommended for children under 11, and for tweens and teens, some sensitive pre-visit discussion is recommended, because this is a tough subject. The exhibit, “Remembering the Children: Daniel’s Story” is highly recommended for younger kids (and everyone else). Passes are required for the main exhibit during the busy March through August tourist season; they are available in advance, or can be obtained for a same-day visit (which could require standing in line).
- Major Monuments. Most of the major monuments, many of the Smithsonian exhibits, and the most famous government buildings are located along the Mall. Washington's signature outdoor space. The Mall is bookeneded by the Lincoln memorial and the Capitol Building, with the White House and Washington Momument in the middle; it is flanked by the Smithsonian museums. Don't try to do it all in one day!
Washington has enough to keep kids and adults interested for at least a week (ff not more). The best way to avoid overwhelming everyone is to take frequent breaks from the museums and monuments to walk around the city, and enjoy its outdoors and neighborhoods as well.
The copyright of the article Ten Things to Do with Kids in Washington D.C. in Washington DC Travel is owned by Karen Berger. Permission to republish Ten Things to Do with Kids in Washington D.C. in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
