My brother and family (2 adults, 2 kids - 3 & 7) are planning to visit DC for a couple of days. Wanted your advice on kid-friendly things to do.
Also, what's the best way to visit the Smithsonian museums and monuments? I remember it being a good amount of walking (from one to another). Are there better ways to get around?
Thanks.

Is your brother with or without car? Also where are they staying? If you're talking only Downtown, I'd recommend the Zoo, the Air and Space Museum, the Natural History Museum, Eastern Market, and the Botanical Gardens.

If you have a car, go see the Udvar-Hazy center. Its truly amazing.

The museums are walkable as long as you stay within a range of museums. Going from Natural History on 12th to the American Indian museum on 5th is a haul (same thing for the Botanical gardens).

Yes, we will have a car. I'd love the Udvar-Hazy visit. Not sure about the kids though! Not decided where to stay yet. Probably downtown. There's nothing in Georgetown that would make it worth it for kids right?

There's not much in Georgetown that would interest a 3 and 7 year old, other than perhaps walking along the riverfront? However, there are other, better things that will be accessible to you if you have a car - like Theodore Roosevelt Island. If the kids like nature, pack a picnic and head over there (you have to drive into VA to get there unless you go by boat, but the island is technically in DC). There are walking trails, marshland, and good views across the river from the ends of the island.

Along those same lines, the National Arboretum in Northeast DC is very pretty and also has lots of open space if the kids need to let off some steam. Keep in mind that the location is somewhat off the beaten path and can be difficult to find, so this probably isn't worth the haul unless you have a lot of time to kill...there's nothing else even remotely interesting to a tourist near it.

I've got a 3 (girl) and 7 (boy) year old and live in DC. They're favorite places to go are (in order):

1. The National Zoo - It really can't be beat.
2. Air and Space Museum - I think it's dated, but the kids move it.
3. Natural History Museum - Dinosaurs and more
4. National Sculpture Garden (next to the Natural History) - lots of cool to touch and a fountain.
5. FDR Memorial - For some reason, the kids love this place

The best way to visit the museums is just to park near the Mall and walk around. Just break up the Mall into days. Day 1 is everything east of the Washington monument, Day 2 is west. There's lots of places to take breaks. it's really not a "haul" as another poster said.

Best place to eat on the Mall is in the Museum of the American Indian (next to the Air and Space museum). An unbeliveable cafe was interesting and kid-friendly food. Definitely beats the McDonalds in the Air and Space!

Other places the kids might like, but cost some $$ include:
- Spy Museum
- Newseum

The Udvar-Hazy is nice.. but waaayyy out there. Same with the Botanical Gardens.

Other possibilities:
- National Postal Museum (next to Union Station) - Some good exhibits
- National Geographic Building - they usually have a good exhibit or two there, but it's uptown a bit.

+1 for Theodore Roosevelt Island. Good place.

Good luck!

How is it that the Botanical Gardens are way out there but the National Geographic Building isn't????

The USBG is on Independence and 1st. Thats closer to the Mall than the Postal Museum!

The kids will love Udvar-Hazy. Even my wife who is not a fan of jets and planes thinks its pretty impressive. If you get there after 4:00pm, you do not have to pay the parking fee (either $12.00 or $15.00).

Other places to consider eating include Old Ebbitt on 15th and any of the restaurants in Penn Quarter/ChinaTown.

Maybe the poster meant to say the Arboretum and not the Botanical Gardens. The Arboretum is pretty far off the beaten path.

http://www.history.navy.mil/about/navy_yard.html

this is the naval history museum and the destroyer uss barry. the circulator(bus) goes there. free parking on weekends.

the museum is very enjoyable, and touring the uss barry is really great.

Sorry... I was thinking of the National Arboretum. I think that's what a previous poster had mentioned.

I've done the barry. Fun. But, IIRC, you need to request permission about a week in advance to get on board at the Naval Yard - heigtened security procedures.

i cannot believe they did not put that on their website.

"hi, me and the family just came down from peoria to see the museum"

"COME BACK IN A WEEK!!!"

Already mentioned but I'll add my reccommendation for the Zoo. Kids will love it! Also already pointed out, the Museum of Natural History is another kid favorite.

Well, I'm never one to be shy about being the voice of opposition, but I'm just not a fan of the zoo. Granted, I've only been once with my kids but it was a hot day in the spring and very few of the animals were out and about...it was pretty boring.

And I'm not sure that the Museum of the American Indian cafeteria is that great. Yes, better than McDonalds, but a little pricey. (I worked for a year at HHS across the street and had eaten there many times.) They do have the standard kids fare of chicken nuggets and pizza, and the regular menu has nice variety, but the food tends to be overcooked.

The other suggestions seem good.

+1 for the zoo. But beware that parking starts at $10 and maxes out at $20 for 3 hours or more.

Udvar-Hazy parking is now $15, but free after 4:00pm. Note that Udvar-Hazy is open until 6:30pm during the summer. But if you arrive after 4pm you might not be able to take the kids up to the "control tower" which has a great elevated view of IAD operations.

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