There you are in the National Archives, admiring the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, and—it’s toddler meltdown time.
To avoid this scenario, make sure every day of your Washington visit includes time in a place where kids can run, jump, climb, and touch. Here are some spots that Washington-area children know and love.
The National Zoo
At the Washington Zoo, there’s plenty of open space for kids to run around. Giant pandas, prairie dogs, orangutans, and tigers, too. Check the zoo’s online schedule for daily programs such as elephant training, Amazon fish feeding, and octopus enrichment. Afterward, enjoy lunch or dinner at one of the many family-friendly restaurants near the DC Zoo.
Museums on the National Mall
Everyone knows about the free Smithsonian museums in Washington. There's too much to see in a day or a week, so you have to choose. Two of the most popular museums for families:
- The Museum of Natural History. Be sure to visit the O. Orkin Insect Zoo on the second floor, where volunteers conduct tarantula feedings and work with live insects that visitors can touch and hold. Natural History also has an IMAX theater that shows films about dinosaurs, penguins, and other creatures; check the website to see what’s playing.
- The Air and Space Museum. Kids love the airplanes and spaceships, especially the ones they can climb into and through. Air and Space also has an IMAX theater; be sure to catch the long-running favorite To Fly.
Before or after the museums, take the kids for a spin on the Carousel in front of the Smithsonian “Castle.”
The Building Museum and the National Cathedral: Amazing Indoor Spaces
The Building Museum is much more fun than its name suggests. Young visitors ages 2 to 6 can build with giant Legos, drive play bulldozers and construction trucks, and dress up in a hard hat, tool belt, and goggles.
The National Cathedral and its grounds are an awesome place to explore. Kids love the whimsical stone gargoyles that decorate the cathedral’s façade. Search for the gargoyles that look like a frog, alligator, cat, skeleton, or dragon, or sign up for the Gargoyle Tour.
Outdoor Activities around Washington
Sometimes kids just need to blow off steam. These places are most easily reached by car, but worth the trip:
- Glen Echo Park. Just outside the District line, this historic park offers craft making, puppet shows, children’s theater, a playground, and the famous Dentzel Carousel.
- Great Falls, where the Potomac River plunges into a rocky gorge. The Virginia side is best for viewing the falls. The Maryland side has the Canal towpath, ideal for an easy family hike. Both sides have picnic areas and exhibits on local history.
- Rock Creek Park. The open area around Peirce Mill is good for ball games and Frisbee, picnicking, and watching ducks paddle in the creek.
- Playgrounds. In Washington, try “Turtle Park” at 4500 Van Ness Street, NW. Bigger playgrounds include Wheaton Regional Park in Wheaton, MD; Cabin John Regional Park in Rockville, MD; and Candy Cane Park, on Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park.
A Word about Washington Weather
In their wisdom, the Founding Fathers (and Mothers) built the nation’s capital on a swamp. From mid-June through August, the city’s toxic brew of heat, humidity, and pollution can make a short walk outside—never mind a day of sightseeing—a misery.
To beat the crowds and the heat, get going early. Spend the morning touring and then grab a quick lunch. As the day begins to sizzle, head back to your hotel for a dip in the pool.
Then venture out again in the early evening for dinner and maybe a show. Some of the Smithsonian museums have evening hours in summer. And the best time to see the monuments may be on a summer night, when they are illuminated.
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