With Kids!

First of all: DO IT!  D.C. is an excellent city for all people. Period.  The memorials, gardens, museums, and even the zoo, are free!  Granted, parking, food and hotels are a little more on the pricey end – but there are ways around all of that.  The city is clean, it’s historic and modern simultaneously… or in different parts, and there is always plenty to do.  So, now that I’ve convinced you to go, here are some tips to help you make the best of your trip!

Hit some memorials

You will love them, you will learn things, and even really young kids are impressed by the grandeur of something so different than the norm. The memorials are all free (with the exception of going to the top of the Washington Memorial). The memorials are also all handicap accessible. Even the Washington Memorial elevator is scheduled to be up and running this spring (2019)!  Don’t try to see them all in one day.  It’s too much.  I recommend you make a prioritized list and double check it on a map.  There are a lot of things that you can catch in passing while walking along the perimeter of the mall, including a castle, gardens, sculptures, galleries, and the carousel. 

Pick one museum per day

We’ve done more than one in a day, but one museum has plenty to keep you occupied for a full day, and saves you on rushing around trying to cram everything in. If you only have a short visit, it may just be best to prioritize what you want to see. The natural history Museum is amazing for kids. They have an aquarium with a coral reef, a butterfly room, live bug exhibits, dinosaur bones, a giant whale hanging from the ceiling, and lots of other fun things that kids love.