Washington Dc & Kids

[tutoringmom]

Has anyone taken their children to DC? We are going in next month and was wondering if anyone had suggestions on outings withthe kids there. Thanks!

[karaoke]

Buzybee- I was trying to rememeber some things I liked most when i went to dc way back in high school. I found a link using Google that looks pretty good. It has popular things to do in the area if you have kids.

The National Zoo has pandas and it says admission is free. The Air and Space musuem hasd a lot of interesting things. They recommend the Bureau of Engraving, but seeing money get made may be kind of boring for kids. I know it was to me. It used to be that you could take a tour of the oval office, but I don't know if you can any more since 9/11. Hope this is useful - http://dc.about.com/od/childrensactivities/a/15bestforkids.htm

[momof2boys]

I am going to sound like a worldly traveler, which I am not, but I was there last September and then again in April for the Cherry Festival. I would not recommend going during the Festival--way to busy!

My son's are 10 and 4. There are a few places we just loved.
1. All of the monuments can be seen in 1 day. It requires a lot of walking to see them all. When I went in September I did not have to wait for passes to go up the Washington Monument.
2. National Museum of Natural History (1 day). This has all kinds of animals (dinosaurs and current species), different kinds of rocks, and of course the Hope diamond.
3. National Air and Space museum (1 day). This place has many "first" planes and space ships.
4. The Awakening at Haines Point (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Awakening_%28Johnson_sculpture%29) (few hours). Don't try walking it is about 2.5 miles to the sculpture.
5. Mt. Vernon (my 4 year old still talks about going there!) (1/2-3/4 day). This is President Washington's final estate. If you don't have a rental car you will need to take a bus out there, which is not that big of deal, but if you are not use to public transportation (like me) it can be a bit intimidating.
6. Zoo (1/2 day?). Both times I went I ran out of time and could only see the Panda's and had to leave. I guess I am spoiled with the Henry Doorly Zoo that I didn't feel it was a priority to see anything other than the pandas.
7. The other sites if you have time is the National Portrait Gallery, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, National Archives and Records.

The metro is the best way to get around and probably the cheapest. My kids loved riding on the train.

Have fun!:)

[tutoringmom]

Thanks so much for your suggestions! Your tips are helpful!