Help me plan a trip to DC this summer

S

Son of a Son

1,000+ Posts
I am planning on a trip to DC this summer with the wife and 7 yo daughter. I know we want to see the Aerospace Museum and Natural History Museum, as well as the Declaration (National Archives?) and many of the momuments.

Any tips, tricks, thoughts, etc., are greatly welcomed.
 
do the monuments the frst thing in the morning unless you like heat stroke.

all the museums have decent food courts for lunch..the best is the Amercan Indian Museum..

Best Museum - International Spy Museum...it's a must.
 
It may be tough to get a 7 y/o interested in all the things that DC has to offer, but suggestions so far are pretty good. Just about all the museums, monuments, and notable buildings are on or near the Mall so it's just a matter of negotiating which sound most interesting in the time you have. Mt. Vernon is a short drive away. Your daughter may not enjoy it, but it's probably worth going anyway.

Expect long lines and humidity (the Mall honestly sometimes reminds me of Disneyworld in this regard).
 
I actually prefer the lincoln, jefferson, and korean war memorials at night; they make more of impact to me. I'd try to get a hotel close to the metro so you can get around easier. The air and space museum now has two buildings: the main one on the mall and a newer one out by dulles. Be sure to check outThe Link Some of the museums have food (cafes, mcdonald's etc.), but better places can be found just a few blocks up from the mall. Bring comfortable walking shoes.
 
Purchase a National Park Passport before you leave, or at the first National Monument/Site bookstore that you get to.

It is a really neat tool to get kids interested in national sites. Each site should have a "cancellation stamp" --- old fashioned inkpad/rubber stamp that has the name of the site and the date visited.

The Passport is broken down regionally and contains general information about the sites in each region.

It is all very self-explanatory once you get one, and it is a lot of fun to keep up with, and look back at the cancellation stamps with your kids. We've had ours for over 2 years.

Washington D. C. was our first destination with the passports, and needless to say, there are countless cancellation opportunities there.
 
A great hotel, location-wise is the Holiday Inn Capitol.

Really, it doesn't get any better than that. I've stayed there several times on business. It is about a block from the entrance to the Air and Space museum, and about halfway between the Capitol and the Washington Monument. Perfect location for walking to most of the sites.

www.hicapitoldc.com/local_attractions/
hookem.gif
 
Just got back from a 10 day trip there. Stayed at the key bridge marriott....excellent hotel
try to see the Capitol, try and do the monuments at night, your daughter might have fun at the "International Spy Museum", and try and see the National cathedral and don't miss Arlington national Cemetary.
depending on how long you are there a two hour trip south to Colonial Williamsburg is well worth the time.
 
I think your young daughter would enjoy Williamsburg a lot. I remember really liking it when I went with my family when I was only a few years older.
 
A 7 year old will love Generous George's in Alexandria (Duke Street). It is tacky and filled with things children love and think the outside is pink if I remember right. Large pasta dishes and fish bowl beers are what I remember. Its a great place off the regular tourist path

Plus kids eat free on Monday nights.
 
Annapolis is about an hour east (IIRC) of D.C. It's a nice little town with a pretty cool old downtown area. (and of course, the Naval Academy)
hookem.gif
 
Arlington Cemetery is a must in my book. I don't know if your 7year old will appreciate the changing of the gaurd, but it will be a great experience for your and the mrs.
Another place I always enjoy going is the National Cathedral.
I would definitely recommend taking the metro everywhere.
 
Got to second the visit to the Naval Academy. Park on Dock Street by the Alex Haley Memorial and walk there...its only like four blocks, then walk back to the old downtown and stop by Riordan's for lunch...the crab dip is the best in the world. In the world.
 
You might also check Craigslist for a short term rental. Many people will rent out their apartment for a few days or weekend when they are going to be out of town. Often their prices would be better than a hotel and the apartments are more comfortable and have a better location than some suburban hotel.
 
I live on the Senate side by Union Station, so here's my advice:

contact your Rep. and Senators' offices to help you schedule tours. check their websites to see what all they can schedule, as it's limited. Ask for a Capitol tour from an intern, as it's much better than waiting in line with the sweaty masses, and the intern will most likely be from TX. Schedule the tour for the morning so you can grab a tasty and cheap breakfast in the Dirksen Senate cafeteria before you arrive for your tour. Then go check out the Library of Congress (set your Rep. or Sens. to set up a tour) and the Supreme Court. For lunch, Armand's Chicago pizzeria on the Senate side has a $5.99 all you can eat lunch buffet during the week. Walk over to Union Station and you can hop on a trolley tour of the city. I recommend the Park Service's night time tour of the monuments but the other trolley tours are pretty good. you can hop on and off all day, and you can do a separate Mount Vernon day trip. Beware, the DC Duck is a waste of time and money.

Eastern Market on the House side of the Hill is great for shopping and breakfast on the weekend.

Beware of hard hit grounders and long balls while walking on the Mall in the evening. Softball is very serious business.

Arlington Cemetary to see the changing of the guard, JFK eternal flame, etc.

Army Old Guard has twilight tattoo near the Washington Monument in the Summer on Wednesday nights. Marine Corps has one at 8th and I on Friday nights (you need a reservation) and sunset parade at Iwo Jima on Wednesday nights. Navy Band has a free summer concert series on the Capitol steps on Monday nights during the summer. Air Force band does them on Tuesday nights at the Capitol and Friday nights near the base of the Washington Monument.

WH public tour is overrated and you have to be in a group of 10 or more to get tickets. Best bet is if you know someone that can hook you up with a West Wing tour, or if you find out when the WH Summer Garden Tours are and plan around that.

If you can't get to the top of the Monument, go to the tower of the Old Post Office Pavilian for a comparable view.

Ford's Theater on 10th Street. There are several t-shirt shops on that street if you want to pick up cheap and cheaply made souvenirs.

Check out the National Cathedral if your in NW. I'd pass on Georgetwon with a 7 yr old.

General Caveat about the Metro - on the escalator stand to the right, walk to the left.
 
Savvy's got some great idea, but the best by far is the Spy Museum. It's not a part of the Smithsonian so there's a $15 fee (might be less for the little one), it's a really cool museum for people of all ages. It's located just across the street from the Gallery Place metro near the Verizon Center. Eastern Market's great too, it's got a really cool open air market on weekends.
 
Savvy's comment about the Old Post Office for viewing is right on target. It is probably the most under-rated place in DC, at least in the mall area. It gives you a great overview of the layout of the mall area.

His other comments are right on target as well. I second, third and fourth the idea about seeing the monuments at night, if you can. I never thought much of the Jefferson until I went at night. Also, the view from the Iwo Jima as it is lined up with the Lincoln, Washington and Capital is really cool in either day or night.

Good luck.
 
Savvy got it. I just moved from DC a few months back. My then 5 year old daughter liked the Natural History museum out of all. The others, air and space, american history art etc.. can't hold a young girl that much. The restuarant at the Natural History museum is also good. It also has an IMAX.

Even though the monuments are nice at night, be wary of crime. Last year they had a string of robberies/killings at night that were out in the open.

Also, check out the national aquarium in Baltimore. Not too far and worth it for the kids.

The National Zoo was under going renovations, not sure if they are finished. Parking is difficult there. There are two red line metro stops close by.

Curious George's on Duke is a riot.

The Embassy Suites near 22nd and M is nice. The managers reception in the evening takes the edge off. Most hotels in the DC area in the summer are expensive. If you go south to near Woodbridge VA you should get a better rate, if you don't mind driving in or grabbing the Metro in Springfield.
 
No one was killed last summer, but there were several robberies and one rape. The perps were caught and the ringleader was recently sentenced to 41 years in prison.
The Link

National Park Police and Metro PD stepped up patrols on the Mall in the wake of the attacks, and are expected to do so again this spring/summer.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Weekly Prediction Contest

* Predict HORNS-AGGIES *
Sat, Nov 30 • 6:30 PM on ABC

Recent Threads

Prediction Results Threads

2024 Schedules

Back
Top