DC with Kids

[preppy]

We just booked a hotel in DC for 5 nights for the kids spring break. They will be 6 and 7. On the to do list so far they want to go to the Zoo, Air and Space museum and the Natural History museum. Also thinking a stop to the American Girl store there? 

We will be there for Easter so I am waiting for the lottery to open for the White House Egg Roll and hoping I can get tickets to that but I am not holding my breath I am sure that is popular and hard to get. 

Any other must do spots with kids in this age range? I usually go for work so I really only know my favorite after work drink and dinner spots haha. 

Thanks!!

[fortnightlily]

That sounds like a good itinerary. I would also look into going to the top of the Washington Monument as well plan to head down by the Tidal Basin (the Jefferson Memorial) and see the cherry blossoms - nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/event/2023-national-cherry-blossom-festival-dates/.

[jaycee]

What about a White House or Capitol tour? Capitol tours can be made online and White House tours must be made through your Senator. Are they good eatersf - we always do a food tour in big cities while on vacation. My sons have been as young as 8 and have loved the food tours.

[preppy]

Jan 3, 2023 10:54:27 GMT -5 jaycee said:

What about a White House or Capitol tour? Capitol tours can be made online and White House tours must be made through your Senator. Are they good eatersf - we always do a food tour in big cities while on vacation. My sons have been as young as 8 and have loved the food tours.

I think a white house tour would be great. Do you usually just call the senators DC office? 

They are not great eaters, the 6 year old exists on air so while I think that would be fun for me she would not be into it but I might need to do one without the kids sometime!

[mrshandy]

The American Girl store is in Tysons Corner which you can access by metro or car. But it is a little bit of a hike and plan ahead so you don't hit traffic going to and from. Also there are some HOV restrictions at certain times on 66. If you are out that way, you might consider going to the Air and Space Center at Dulles. I think some parts of the current one are still closed.

The American History Museum is pretty cool as well.

You can get have relatives and friends enter the Easter Egg roll to increase your chances and both you and your H can enter.

It's definitely a fun experience and would highly recommend.

The Cherry Blossoms may be in peak at that time. It varies by year. But lately it's been earlier usually at the end of March.

[MrsE]

Dupe
ETA: deleted because my response said the exact same things as mrshandy 😊

[countthestars]

We went when my kids were 6 and 8 and they also liked seeing the Declaration at the National Archives (we watched National Treasure before we went!) and the first lady dresses. IF you go to White House Gifts at 701 15th St NW, they gave us free photos at their little photo studio that makes it look like you're in the Oval Office - you can see people's photos in the google reviews. My kids really loved that (we may have bought something to "qualify?" I doubt we spent more than $20 in the store).

[jaycee]

Jan 3, 2023 11:12:51 GMT -5 preppy said:

Jan 3, 2023 10:54:27 GMT -5 jaycee said:

What about a White House or Capitol tour? Capitol tours can be made online and White House tours must be made through your Senator. Are they good eatersf - we always do a food tour in big cities while on vacation. My sons have been as young as 8 and have loved the food tours.

I think a white house tour would be great. Do you usually just call the senators DC office? 

They are not great eaters, the 6 year old exists on air so while I think that would be fun for me she would not be into it but I might need to do one without the kids sometime!

I googled my senator's name with white house tour and an online form came up.  I did this one year ago for spring break '23 trip, they told me to call them in October, then in October they said call back in January, so now that it's January I better get an answer soon!

[bookqueen15]

We recently moved to the DC area earlier this year and my kids are almost 5 and 9. They both LOVED the Air & Space Museum in DC when we went in November, but it is on timed entry tickets right now that you need to reserve in advance. My DD has also enjoyed the Girlhood exhibit and the first ladies dresses at the American History Museum, which is right next door to the Natural History Museum, so easy to do both of those the same day with a snack/lunch break in between.

Also, the Museum of the American Indian is right next door to the Air & Space Museum and has a very interactive kids area that mine enjoyed. Planet Word is a really interactive museum near the White House (and by a little playground) that was a HIT with my kids, we just went a few weeks ago.

I was able to do an online request for White House tour tickets through our congressman, we were able to submit for three dates at a time. We went in September and my DD really loved it! She still talks about it.

As others mentioned, the American Girl Store is not in DC but at the Tyson's Corner Mall in Virginia. Would need to Metro or drive over if you'll have a car. We went recently over winter break and found it a little underwhelming.

I've heard that the Spy Museum is fun for kids but we haven't been yet.

[countthestars]

Jan 3, 2023 12:21:29 GMT -5 bookqueen15 said:

We recently moved to the DC area earlier this year and my kids are almost 5 and 9. They both LOVED the Air & Space Museum in DC when we went in November, but it is on timed entry tickets right now that you need to reserve in advance. My DD has also enjoyed the Girlhood exhibit and the first ladies dresses at the American History Museum, which is right next door to the Natural History Museum, so easy to do both of those the same day with a snack/lunch break in between.

Also, the Museum of the American Indian is right next door to the Air & Space Museum and has a very interactive kids area that mine enjoyed. Planet Word is a really interactive museum near the White House (and by a little playground) that was a HIT with my kids, we just went a few weeks ago.

I was able to do an online request for White House tour tickets through our congressman, we were able to submit for three dates at a time. We went in September and my DD really loved it! She still talks about it.

As others mentioned, the American Girl Store is not in DC but at the Tyson's Corner Mall in Virginia. Would need to Metro or drive over if you'll have a car. We went recently over winter break and found it a little underwhelming.

I've heard that the Spy Museum is fun for kids but we haven't been yet.

We did the spy museum last year and it was a little old for my 6 and 8 year olds - I would wait until both can really read well! 

[aspentosh]

I think that's a pretty good plan. My kiddo loved the Washington Monument at that age as well as just walking around the tidal basin (keep an eye on the cherry blossoms!). We did the National Archives this summer and she was super into that as well (but she's 10).

As others have said, the AG store isn't that close and you'd need to drive or metro.

[karinothing]

If your kids like art, my kids really love the Hirshorn.

The National Botanical Gardens are also a fun quick then to do. I probably wouldn't go to the American Girl store unless your daughters are obsessed, its a bit of a hike from DC adn the traffic around that area is annoying. But if you decide to go you could go to the Udvar-Hazy on the same day. This is part of the Air and Space Museum (the space shuttle is there so it's pretty neat).

[sju1982]

We spent 5 days in DC this past summer, while my kids were 4 & 7. Air & Space was still closed, so we drove to the one in VA and hit Tysons Corner on the way back for a late lunch & the American Girl store. That was a nice day. The Spy museum was really cool, but my kids were a little too young. There is a ton of reading, and you have to wait in line for each of the clues to participate in the interactive portion. It's a cool concept, but we didn't get much out of it. Maybe in a few more years? The Wharf is really nice, and we went there for dinner most nights. The Boardwalk Bar & Cafe had a bunch of arcade games, ski ball, etc., which the kids enjoyed while we had cocktails. We also did a boat tour one afternoon. It was nice being on the water, and the kids loved how close the planes fly overhead.

[preppy]

Jan 3, 2023 11:14:42 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

The American Girl store is in Tysons Corner which you can access by metro or car. But it is a little bit of a hike and plan ahead so you don't hit traffic going to and from. Also there are some HOV restrictions at certain times on 66. If you are out that way, you might consider going to the Air and Space Center at Dulles. I think some parts of the current one are still closed.

The American History Museum is pretty cool as well.

You can get have relatives and friends enter the Easter Egg roll to increase your chances and both you and your H can enter.

It's definitely a fun experience and would highly recommend.

The Cherry Blossoms may be in peak at that time. It varies by year. But lately it's been earlier usually at the end of March.

Good to know! I will have my H and in-laws sign up too to help me get a better shot. 

[preppy]

Jan 3, 2023 12:04:19 GMT -5 jaycee said:

Jan 3, 2023 11:12:51 GMT -5 preppy said:

I think a white house tour would be great. Do you usually just call the senators DC office? 

They are not great eaters, the 6 year old exists on air so while I think that would be fun for me she would not be into it but I might need to do one without the kids sometime!

I googled my senator's name with white house tour and an online form came up.  I did this one year ago for spring break '23 trip, they told me to call them in October, then in October they said call back in January, so now that it's January I better get an answer soon!

Thanks! I just filled out the form - my senator is Sheldon Whitehouse so the Whitehouse tour google was funny cause it was the whitehouse tour with whitehouse office haha. 

[gardengal]

Important note: not only is the Air & Space museum on the mall requiring timed tix, half of it is still closed. We went & spent just over an hour there but were disappointed more wasn’t open.

In general, I suggest not overlooking some of the smaller Smithsonians. Previously mentioned, the Hirshorn & Native American museums are great. The Postal Museum is also well done. Check out & see if the Castle/Arts & Industries building has something going on.

If you’re doing a Capitol tour, peek inside Library of Congress. It’s so, so beautiful.

At mention of American Girl store, if your kids like to be “fancy” maybe consider afternoon tea? The Ritz iirc has a kids option that is both cheaper & not adventurous for picky eaters.

You may find additional ideas here: www.kidfriendlydc.com/

[shaynaatl]

Following. DH and I were just thinking about doing DC for spring break instead of our original Florida beach plan.

Our kids will be 5 and 9 so I'm a little worried about the younger one and all the walking. But the weather should be great around that time.

[sju1982]

Jan 5, 2023 8:29:06 GMT -5 shaynaatl said:

Following. DH and I were just thinking about doing DC for spring break instead of our original Florida beach plan.

Our kids will be 5 and 9 so I'm a little worried about the younger one and all the walking. But the weather should be great around that time.

We were worried about our youngest and all of the walking, too.  She was almost 5.  We brought our BubbleBum car seat, and used it a handful of times for quick Uber rides around DC (so not on the highway).  She did really well with walking, for the most part, but it came in handy at the end of the day.  Our 7.5 y/o was totally fine with the walking.

[boiler717]

My son loved walking around to the monuments and the Spy Museum. I wanted to do the Georgetown to Arlington boat ride but the weather didn’t work out for the day we had planned it.

[blue]

I highly recommend udvar hazy air and space museum. MH, DD (5.5 at the time) and I all thought it was way cooler than the one downtown .