I'm taking my 8-year old son to DC for short break. We're staying at friend place (close to IAD) for two nights and then at a hotel near DCA for two nights. We arrive IAD at 5am. I don't want to knock friend's door at that hour so I am looking at my options.

We can get a rental car and drive downtown. It should be OK for find a parking place since it is early. But I don't think those museums are open until 9/10am. I heard if we want to visit White House, we have to be there very early to get a ticket. Maybe that is an option so we spend like half day before driving back to friend's house.

Anyway, I really don't have any ideas so I am open to suggestions, please!

WJ

LOL - welcome to DC. if that's a weekday, I guess I'll be the first one to tell you that rush hour starts around 4:30 and picks up considerably by 6am, and then continues through 9:30 or 10am. You'll avoid most of that as you're on the airport lanes on the toll road and then have 2 or more people in the car so can drive on I66 inside the beltway. Not sure what morning parking rules are, but my guess is it won't be as easy as you're thinking although over by the mall is likely the best bet.

Here's one idea, if you and your son are interested: drive directly to the zoo. I don't know what time of year you'll be here, but the grounds are open at 6 am. It's really a great time to visit-- less crowded, less hot in the summer, and the animals are more active.

GoingAway and Quaker325, thanks for your replies. Looks like I under-estimate the traffic in DC.

FYI, we'll arrive at DC on Aug 21st - Tuesday.

I like the zoo very much but my son is not interested in it any more. We live in San Diego and has a pretty good zoo here. This is the first time in 5 years that we did not join the zoological siciety in San Diego, because he's had enough for now :( I'll sell the idea to him to see what happens.

WJ

Actually you'll be fine with traffic - you'll likely be in your car by 6am and just get on the Dulles Access road which will have very little traffic. Take you all they way to the eastern edge of Falls Church where it merges with I66 and that's when the traffic starts, but it won't be terrible since that part is HOV (you're ok since you have your son). Drive into DC and up to the Zoo. Just be sure to leave by 3pm or you'll hate life going west.

If you actually get in on time and in your car by 6AM you'll be OK. I made the drive for years and it was generally OK that early.

You might want to visit the monuments, walk around the Lincoln, Vietnam, Roosevelt, WWII, Korean War, and Jefferson. They open very early (not that memorials like the Vietnam ever actually close).

If you actually get in on time and in your car by 6AM you'll be OK. I made the drive for years and it was generally OK that early.

You might want to visit the monuments, walk around the Lincoln, Vietnam, Roosevelt, WWII, Korean War, and Jefferson. They open very early (not that memorials like the Vietnam ever actually close).
I agree the drive will be generally okay but where should the OP leave the car? That's the part that will be more difficult, IMO.

OK, just to clear something up, if you are coming from the airport, it does not matter if you have a 2nd person in your car on 66 during the morning. Likewise in the afternoon you can use 66 if you are going to the airport and use the access road.

I agree the drive will be generally okay but where should the OP leave the car? That's the part that will be more difficult, IMO.

There are 2 free lots near the Jefferson Memorial, off Ohio Drive in East Potomac Park. They're right along the Potomac, between several spans of the 14th Street Bridges. From there, you can walk to the memorials suggested by gre. It's not a short walk, but may be welcome after all the sitting you'll be doing on the flight. In fact, the early morning is probably the best time to visit the memorials in August, before the heat and humidity drain you too much.

I agree the drive will be generally okay but where should the OP leave the car? That's the part that will be more difficult, IMO.I think (though I cannot be certain) that if the OP gets there by 6:30 or so street parking might be found on (or just off) Independence down by the Tidal Basin?

There is also some parking on Basin Drive right around the entrance to the FDR memorial. I imagine that there would be spots there at 6:30 am on a weekday. That should put you closer to the mall than parking in one of the lots off of Ohio Drive by the Jefferson Memorial.

I heard if we want to visit White House, we have to be there very early to get a ticket. Maybe that is an option so we spend like half day before driving back to friend's house.

Anyway, I really don't have any ideas so I am open to suggestions, please!

WJ

The only way to visit the White House is to arrange a tour through your member of Congress or Senator. I believe you must have a group of 10, but I am not 100% sure about that.

You definitely can't just line up for a ticket any more. You can, however, do that for the Capitol tour.

I'm taking my 8-year old son to DC for short break. We're staying at friend place (close to IAD) for two nights and then at a hotel near DCA for two nights. We arrive IAD at 5am. I don't want to knock friend's door at that hour so I am looking at my options.


Just a thought, but have you asked the friend if he minds having you arrive that early? Given what you've learned in this thread about our wonderful DC traffic, you may find that he's well into his morning routine by the time you'd arrive at his place...

Thanks for all the wonderful ideas. This is truly a wonderful community.

The zoo doesn't sell well with the kid. For now we are determined to get a rental as quickly as possible and drive downtown to walk around the monuments and visit museums once they are open. It looks like we could even find FREE parking space. For example:

-. 2 free lots near the Jefferson Memorial, off Ohio Drive in East Potomac Park
-. street parking on (or just off) Independence down by the Tidal Basin (are they free or I need a lot of coins?)
-. some parking on Basin Drive right around the entrance to the FDR memorial (free?)

If we are lucky, we could have a wonderful first day at DC and head back to friend's place early in the afternoon. This is far better than knocking the door at 6am. Plus, we don't want to spend the whole day in their house anyway since we only have 4 and half days in DC.

WJ

Keep in mind that by and large on-street parking in the district during the day is limited to 2hrs, regardless of whether it's free or metered. Enforcement walks around and takes note of what cars are parked where - you'll get a ticket if they come back in two hours and you're still there. Technically you'd have to move the car a few blocks every two hours...

Keep in mind that by and large on-street parking in the district during the day is limited to 2hrs, regardless of whether it's free or metered. Enforcement walks around and takes note of what cars are parked where - you'll get a ticket if they come back in two hours and you're still there. Technically you'd have to move the car a few blocks every two hours...

Thanks, chtiet.

This means the street parking is really not an option for us since we do not want to move the car every two hours, considering the chance to find the next open slot seems slim.

WJ

If your flight arrives punctually and you secure a rental car quickly, you may get into DC early enough to snag a ticket for one of the more popular attractions. Timed-entry tickets are completely free but are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Lines start around 6am for tickets that become available starting at 8am.

My son is 9 so I have firsthand knowledge of what kids that age like. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is wildly popular (get there early for the tickets!) if your kid likes watching money being printed. The Washington Monument tickets also go very quickly.

All of the museums are free as well! No tickets necessary for any of the Smithsonian Museums. The American History Museum is closed for renovations right now but the Air and Space (most popular museum in the USA) and the Natural History Museum are great fun for an 8 year old. Across the street from the Natural History Museum is the National Archives. Long lines form early as many want to see the Constitution, Declaration of Independence and many other priceless documents.

Other spots worth noting are the Native American Museum, and walks (be aware this is an awfully long walk on a hot day with a kid) to the Lincoln Memorial, WWII and Vietnam Memorial and/or White House. It is my opinion that the National Holocaust Museum is inappropriate for kids under 12 and the Library of Congress would produce cries of "this is boring!" lol

I dunno - if you're flying from San Diego that means you'll be arriving at IAD at 2am PST. I find it hard to envision any 8-year-old being eager to hit the ground running and do the full-blown tourist thing at that time, even if he does sleep the entire flight (flights?). Adults may be able to plow through (with some difficulty), but an 8-year-old? I think there's a high potential that the average child that age (although I'm sure your's is "above average";)) would enter the meltdown phase rather early on. I've seen plenty of kids (and teens) being dragged to the tourist venues during the early morning rush hour and most are NOT happy campers, even after a full night's rest at the hotel.

That said, I think you are better off finding a parking garage rather than risking street parking. You should be able to get the "early bird" rate. The International Spy Museum (7th & F Streets, NW) is VERY popular, but some of it may be lost on younger children. I read that they've postponed the renovation of Ford's Theatre (10th between F & E Sts.), so it may be open for tours again. It may be more practical (and less grueling) to take the Duck Tour on your first day and get a nice overview of the city, noting sites that you and your son may want to go back and visit.

If your flight arrives punctually and you secure a rental car quickly, you may get into DC early enough to snag a ticket for one of the more popular attractions. Timed-entry tickets are completely free but are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Lines start around 6am for tickets that become available starting at 8am.

My son is 9 so I have firsthand knowledge of what kids that age like. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is wildly popular (get there early for the tickets!) if your kid likes watching money being printed. The Washington Monument tickets also go very quickly.

All of the museums are free as well! No tickets necessary for any of the Smithsonian Museums. The American History Museum is closed for renovations right now but the Air and Space (most popular museum in the USA) and the Natural History Museum are great fun for an 8 year old. Across the street from the Natural History Museum is the National Archives. Long lines form early as many want to see the Constitution, Declaration of Independence and many other priceless documents.

Other spots worth noting are the Native American Museum, and walks (be aware this is an awfully long walk on a hot day with a kid) to the Lincoln Memorial, WWII and Vietnam Memorial and/or White House. It is my opinion that the National Holocaust Museum is inappropriate for kids under 12 and the Library of Congress would produce cries of "this is boring!" lol

Thanks for the wonderful idea of all these museums. We are going to visit most of them on your list. We probably will skip the Holocaust Museum since I agree with you that it is too much for 8-year old.

If I read your post correct, we should be there early for these places:
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
The Washington Monument
the National Archives
We'll try to put these as the first thing in the morning during our DC visit.

WJ

I dunno - if you're flying from San Diego that means you'll be arriving at IAD at 2am PST. I find it hard to envision any 8-year-old being eager to hit the ground running and do the full-blown tourist thing at that time, even if he does sleep the entire flight (flights?). Adults may be able to plow through (with some difficulty), but an 8-year-old? I think there's a high potential that the average child that age (although I'm sure your's is "above average";)) would enter the meltdown phase rather early on. I've seen plenty of kids (and teens) being dragged to the tourist venues during the early morning rush hour and most are NOT happy campers, even after a full night's rest at the hotel.

That said, I think you are better off finding a parking garage rather than risking street parking. You should be able to get the "early bird" rate. The International Spy Museum (7th & F Streets, NW) is VERY popular, but some of it may be lost on younger children. I read that they've postponed the renovation of Ford's Theatre (10th between F & E Sts.), so it may be open for tours again. It may be more practical (and less grueling) to take the Duck Tour on your first day and get a nice overview of the city, noting sites that you and your son may want to go back and visit.

I know exactly what you are talking about, Rampo.

I rated my son "above average" in many areas :) but I am not having high hopes for the morning after red-eye. Regardless, it's better to have something planned rather than just hit to friend's house and sleep most of the day. We're going to take it easy. I'd be happy if we can have a decent half-day downtown. If nothing else, my son would learn his lesson since he chose to fly red-eye.

Thanks also for the parking suggestions.

WJ

If I read your post correct, we should be there early for these places:
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
The Washington Monument
the National Archives
We'll try to put these as the first thing in the morning during our DC visit.

WJ

As all of these are popular and lines form very early in the day, I would suggest picking one. Keep in mind the entry tickets are not all at one place. Washington Monument tickets are located in a hut on the east side of the monument, Bureau of Engraving tickets are on the west side of the massive building and then the timed-entry line forms on the east side of the building. No timed entry tickets for National Archives but the line snakes around outside. Once you've visiting a sight, the lines for the others may be too long. After visiting one of the above, it would be a good time to visit one of the Smithsonians.

You can also try to get advance tickets from the office of your Congressional Representative or U.S. Senator. Given the short notice and popular time of year, you may be out of luck, but you can try. There should be some info at your Rep's Web site at www.house.gov.

Frankly, after a red-eye, I would want a shower and breakfast. The question might be where you can get both. Unfortunately, I don't have a good answer.

You can also try to get advance tickets from the office of your Congressional Representative or U.S. Senator. Given the short notice and popular time of year, you may be out of luck, but you can try. There should be some info at your Rep's Web site at www.house.gov.

Frankly, after a red-eye, I would want a shower and breakfast. The question might be where you can get both. Unfortunately, I don't have a good answer.
the shower can be had with a day pass to WorldGate gym in Reston - there are other threads in this forum that discuss that option ... and I have to agree after a red eye, I wouldn't last all that long in the summer heat of DC running around to see the sites without a shower, nap or something.