Interesting places to visit in DC
 

Hey fellow GCers,

I have a question for you. My Mom is going to be visiting my brother and his children this month. He lives about 10 minutes from DC. Do you know of any kid friendly (and possibly free) places that she can take the kids to go a visit. The children are ages 10, 7, 3, and 9 mo. old.

Any places that you list would be a great help to me.

Thanks for all of your help!:p

Of the Smithsonian museums (ALL FREE), the National Museum of American History is a winner. (http://americanhistory.si.edu/)

Here are some other suggestions from the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/dc...ctivities.html

Thank you Gamma -- I will pass this along to her!

For kids that age, I might choose Air and Space or Natural History of American History (even though the American History Museum is my favorite).

And remember that the National Zoo is part of the Smithsonian and, therefore, also free.

And there are the memorials along the Mall -- Lincoln, Jefferson, etc. I know my kids got a kick just out of going to the Lincoln Memorial and then looking at a penny (or $5 bill) and saying "that's where we are."

And it doesn't cost anything to walk by the White House.

Everyone overlooks this place- but it is SO cool, and the kids will love it.

http://www.spymuseum.org/

Yes, the tickets cost a bit, but the two youngest will be free.

I was going to mention the Newseum, but probably not with a toddler.

Paging ADQtiPiMel!

i *always* take out of towners to the Spy Museum. Tickets are definitely worth the price, and they just opened a new exhibit (villians of bond movies).

I love that Museum, and my kids did when they were 8 and 11. But I wondered if 3 and 7 was too young to appreciate it. I dunno.

Thank you all for your help. I will pass this along to my Mom. We have scheduled a tour for the Fredrick Douglass Museum and for Ford's Theater. I think she wants to do a tour of the city by bus (she's 67 years old (thank God) and she doesn't want to walk around so much).

I know that she wants to see the Smithsonian. I will pass along which one is the best for her and the kids. This will be her first big trip since 2004 (when she went out to LA for a cousins funeral). She's uber excited!

Me, I'll be at home with the dog (don't like to leave the farm with no one one it). Unemployment sometimes has it's kicks.

My brother hasn't lived in MD for too long, so he doesn't know all his way around the city.

But thanks for all of the suggestions and please keep them coming. She leaves on the 20th and will be there on the 21st through the 24th. Please keep the suggestions coming so that I can help her plan out some more of her trip.

Libramunoz

So sorry, Mystic Cat, Bluetang, Pheonix, and Honeychile--Thank you as well (soooo soorrry didn't give ya'll the individual shout outs)

LM

Hop on/hop off tours work great to get an overview of a city. I found 2 in Washington DC and the price seems good. If they're going to go into the city 2 days in a row, I'd really consider the 2 day pass. That way you can do the full circuit the first half day and do more hopping after that. But the rules generally require those 2 days to be consecutive.

Thanks Dubai Sis--my Mom just looked it up and found out about the trolley tour and she's thinking about taking them.

The Zoo in winter is not a winner.

Good point -- though if it stays as warm as it's been the last week or so . . . .

Truth! Make sure that you take the bus that goes into Arlington Cemetery, or connects to it. The changing of the guard is absolutely breath taking! We usually park at Union Station, and catch it right out front - no time for kids to cry that they're tired! If you take the Old Town Trolley tour, they have pop quizzes, and the winner gets an "Executive Decision Maker" - a large coin to toss. It does the northern end of DC, including Embassy Row. Either one gives you a HUGE overview of our Capital City.

If they do Ford's Theatre, go right across the street to the Petersen House, where Lincoln actually died. It's free, and if you're lucky, you'll be able to see the pillow where his head rested. It really personalizes history!

That's the one that she's planning to do--the Old Town Trolley tour! She is working on getting the tickets now! I know that she's going to be taking my brother and all of the children--and yes--she wants to see Arlington National Cemetery. I will definetly tell her of the pop quizzes! She'll love it!

She does plan on going to the Petersen house as well!

Thanks both (DubaiSis/Honeychile) for all of your help.

Gamma and Mystic--I mentioned the zoo to her--and let's just say that her response was, well, how to best put it--one of "are you crazy or are you really my daughter?" I don't think the zoo is something that she really wants to do. It's one of those-if the kids want too-type of things. But thanks for all of your help and suggestions.

Yes, I would definitely recommend the Trolleys! My dad used to be the manager of the branch in DC; they're a lot of fun. Also, I know Baltimore is about 30-45 minutes away, but if they're willing to drive the Aquarium is so much fun, and something kids of any age would enjoy. I guess since I have lived in the DC area my whole life I just don't find any of the museums there interesting anymore :p

Also, I can't help but think that if your family is 10 minutes outside of DC they might live in the same town I do!!

LOL. I completely understand. I don't enjoy zoos at all. But like your mom said, if the kids really want to . . . .

I liked Busch Gardens as a kid, but traditional zoos, even the better ones, I find depressing. I'll save my animal watching for the first time I get to go on safari, which I hopefully don't have to wait too long for. I have the tour operator selected, the countries to see, I just need the money and the time!