by April
There’s no other city I visit as often as Washington DC and for the past few years my son, “J”, and I have traveled to our nation’s capital each spring. His first visit was at 5 years old so there’s no surprise he considers it his “home away from home”. There are no shortage of travel guides for families visiting DC, but since we travel to DC so often, we’ve been able to enjoy the must-sees like the Smithsonian Museums but we’ve also had the chance to get off the beaten path and discover some fun and kid-friendly places. I recently sat down with my now 9 year old son and as we reminisced about our past trips to DC he pointed out the things that really stood out to him along the way. Here are some notes from 5 years of travel to Washington DC from a kids’ perspective. In other words, things that make DC FUN!
While sightseeing on the National Mall take a break to ride the carousel!
at 5 years old – The Metro – You might think this is an unusual pick as a fave activity but it is a true illustration that for kids, “getting there is half the fun” when traveling. If you are from a town like mine that doesn’t have mass transit beyond buses, a system like DC’s subway, the Metro, can really knock a kid’s socks off. J was immediately smitten with the underground system of transportation, the huge escalators that take you beneath the city, the ticket turnstiles, the easy to read color-coded maps and the fun of popping up in a new location around town. It’s a love that continues to this day, and he still insists that we take the Metro as often as possible when we are in town. Is he a future transportation planner? Maybe. But when traveling with kids, I am surprised by the things that are memorable to them. Something like transit that adults see as ordinary can become a wonder for kids. The Metro is an inexpensive and easy way to navigate the city so If your kid takes to it like mine, let them take the map and figure out the route to get to your next destination!
Smithsonian National Zoo – if the weather is cooperative, the zoo is a great way to spend the day. Away from the National Mall where most of the tourist action is, but accessible by Metro, consider this stop on your itinerary if your kid (and you) have had enough of indoor museums. Just like the Smithsonian Museums, the admission is free and you and your kiddo can take in all the exhibits. Seek out some of the unique animals that may not be found in your local zoo, like the giant pandas.
at 6 years old – National Museum of the American Indian – each year, as with most kids, J’s museum tolerance time grows and his interests change. The Smithsonian Museums offer something for everyone and since most of them are located in close proximity to each other on the National Mall you can hop from one to the other (remember they are free!) in pursuit of an exhibit that will capture your kid’s particular interest. The National Museum of the American Indian is the one Smithsonian Museum that we have visited on every trip. The stories of American Indians show up early in elementary school curriculum so many kids will have a familiarity with different tribes. The museum also has a fantastic interactive section specifically for kids, the imagiNATIONS Activity Center, that includes a game show style quiz, traditional drums to play, a canoe balancing exercise and more. If you go, after you enjoy the kids’ section on the third floor, head to the 4th floor “Our Universes” exhibit that features animated traditional American Indian stories – it’s a nice and cool spot to relax and learn under makeshift stars!
Library of Congress Young Readers Center – the Library of Congress is an impressive building and worth a trip just to take in the architecture and elaborate decoration of the main hall, but with a kid in tow you may want to take some extra time and head down to the Young Readers Center. At 6 J enjoyed this break from traditional sight-seeing , read a few books, colored, and played with the puppets at this kid-sized stage.
at 7 years old – Nationals Park – If you are in town during baseball season consider attending a Nationals baseball game at National Park. This was J’s first major league baseball game experience, and it did not disappoint. While the game and the chicken fingers were great, J particularly loved the mascot race, when the racing presidents took the field.
Lincoln Memorial – depending on the age of your child when you visit, there will be something they are studying in history class that may influence what they will be interested in seeing in DC. For J at 7, this was the Lincoln Memorial. Already familiar with some stories of the life and death our 16th president, J found the statue impressive. When you are on the stairs of the memorial be sure to look for the marker that commemorates the place Martin Luther King Jr. stood while giving his “I Have A Dream Speech”.
at 8 years old – International Spy Museum – with so many awesome free museums to choose from, it is rare for me to recommend one that charges an admission fee but the International Spy Museum is worth the price of admission. In particular if you have kid or tween who may be skeptical of spending an afternoon in ANY museum, this is an interactive museum where you can adopt a cover identity, attend spy school, learn surveillance techniques old and new and test your spy skills throughout the multi-level museum. The museum has activities recommended for kids 10 and under and for families to do together as well as activities targeted for those 12 and over.
Great Falls Park – if you have access to a car during your stay you might consider venturing out of the district to one of the many sites in the DC area. If you are feeling like escaping the bustle of the city, consider Great Falls Park, a U.S. National Park in Virginia. It’s about 20 miles outside of the city but feels like worlds away, where you can check out the falls of the Potomac and one of the nation’s first canals. There is a visitors center, guided tours, and kids can take part in the junior rangers program. J enjoyed being in the great outdoors and we both marveled at the beauty of the falls.
at 9 years old– Smithsonian Museum of Natural History – we’ve popped into this museum on previous visits to the National Mall but never spent significant time there until our most recent trip when J’s current interest in deep sea creatures and ancient Egypt collided to make this a perfect spot to spend an afternoon. I don’t know the numbers for certain, but this museum seems to be one of the most crowded of the Smithsonians (tourist groups plus local school groups flood this place) so consider taking advantage of the late hours on Wednesday evening.
*Bonus tip – be sure to check museum websites to learn about their current temporary exhibits. We were lucky enough to be in town a couple of years ago for The Art of Video Games exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum…..playing video games is cool, playing vintage video games projected onto the walls of a museum is extra cool!! With a little online research you may find a temporary exhibit that appeals specifically to your little one. Have fun in DC!!!