Family Trip to D.C. Any Suggestions?

macpatti

Ben's Chili Bowl and Georgetown Cupcakes. Lines can be out the door and down the street, though. Soooo worth the wait! (Ben's Chili Bowl only takes cash)

tig_ol_bitties

Definitely go to Sticky Fingers Bakery! I go there every time I'm in town...they won Cupcake Wars last year, and just two weeks ago one the Cupcake Wars All-Stars...you WON'T be disappointed!

cleach29

ah! i used to arrange trips for constituents as part of my job! i'm biased but - tour the capitol! and the bureau of engraving and printing is neat, especially for kids (www.moneyfactory.gov) -- although call your member of congress to get reserved tickets for both since you'll be traveling in a busy time! you should inquire about a white house tour, but that isnt guaranteed (tickets are limited and requests approved by the white house based on availability). the library of congress is gorgeous.

everyone is right - stay within walking distance of a metro and use it! wear comfortable shoes, you'll do a lot of walking. but that's good for MFP!

AwesomeForever

I have stayed at the Holiday Inn on C Street. I would leave the hotel in the morning go left to the road and straight ahead would be the Air & Space Museum. I love all the little museums down that street. You can go from one to another. You will have fun if you plan on going to the museums in the day time and the cafes at night.

We totally enjoyed the Chinese Friendship Gate and at Mongolian food that we selected which was cooked on a grill right in front of our eyes. I think the best thing was walking around the Mall at night to see the Lincoln Memorial all lit up. All I can say about the National Gallery of Art is that the grandchildren used the audio guides which are free and listened to both the short and extended versions of the adult and children's guide for each picture and statue.

We loved the American History Museum. You will love the gems in the Natural History Museum. On Tuesdays, get there early and go to where the Butterfly Exhibit is as it is free on Tuesdays! I think my grandson totally enjoyed every museum but had the most awesome time in the Capital. They keep you in close check in your group. I loved the National Archives. My two oldest grandchildren have been to DC with me several times. It was my 7 year old granddaughters first time to go. She saw us use a cab to get from the airport to the hotel. We put our things in the room then went to the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Next, we took a cab to The Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial. I think because she lives in a rural area that she thought we were going to be driven everywhere. No, from our hotel, we could walk all around the mall.

We had been on long trips other years and I did not want to overwhelm Maya. I think the boys loved going to the places that served the best food and kept checking in as we got near their favorite places to see if I was hungry yet! You may want to eat at the Mitsitam Cafe at the National Museum of the American Indian.

I hope I have given you some ideas.

I agree with the others and know that you will have a grand time no matter where you go.

I intend to go back again. It is my favorite destination.

If you take side trips, Arlington National Cemetery is a must. I totally enjoyed Mount Vernon. It was too warm for most animals by the time we managed to get to the National Zoo. Maybe you will have better luck.

I love exploring and finding out what interests my grandchildren.

Linda

KimmyEB

I agree with everyone who has said to get a metro pass and use that as transportation. We used to live just outside of DC, and I made the mistake of driving through it one time. NEVER EVER AGAIN! That is the ONE city that I will never drive through ever again. The metro can be hell in the evenings when you have to fight for a seat/place to stand, but it's easier than driving.

I also wouldn't bother with the zoo...it's nice and all, don't get me wrong, but it's really small. The only thing really worth seeing are the pandas (both giant AND red!)...otherwise, it's kind of a bust. And every time I've gone there, the monkeys are having huge orgies. So....possibly be prepared to explain to your daughter what's going on, haha. I've been there 3 times, and each time at that exhibit, sure enough, they were all getting it on, and all you hear is "Mommy, what are they doing?" and flustered parents. :laugh:

applebobbrush

You all are so awesome thank you so much. I have a growing list

rammsteinsoldier

When I visited DC my favortie place was the FBI Museum. It was fascinating. My other favorite stop was Arlington Cemetary. It is such a great city. Have a wonderful time.

baycat107

Our family went there a couple years ago. Definitely use Metro. The Holocaust Museum was amazing. We spent the entire day there. After seeing so many pictures of Arlington Cemetery, it was really cool to be there. And the Changing of the Guard was inspiring, solemn, and a cool thing to see. We toured the White House and Pentagon, but you have to have security clearance months in advance. DC is a fun place to visit and history abounds. Have fun!

wildcat808

i heard the cathedral is amazing! i didnt get a chance to check it out on my trip. the monuments of course... museums will take a lot of your time (theyre huge!) i only went to one and didnt manage to get through the entire thing. you wont run out of things to do on that mall ... not in one trip!

IndigoVA

I live just outside of DC. The Holiday Inn on C St. is nice and usually pretty decently priced for its location. It's right behind the Air and Space Museum, so in easy walking distance of all the Smithsonian museums. Be prepared that you could spend days in each Smithsonian museum and still not see the whole thing. I'm not exaggerating here! As others have said, the Holocaust Museum is truly one of the best, but they're all pretty good. They're also all free! Some, like the Holocaust, require timed tickets to get in, but you don't have to pay for those. They only do tickets to make sure there aren't too many people in the museum at the same time. In addition to the Holocaust Museum, I would also see Air & Space, Natural History, and American History. Some museums (Newseum, Spy Museum, Corcoran) are not part of the Smithsonian Institution and do cost money. I really like the Newseum, but doubt I would bother with it if I were only going to be here a short time. I would also recommend avoiding Madame Tussaud's. The DC one really isn't worth the entry fee.

Regarding Metro, you can get a Smartrip card which will give you reduced fares on the Metro or local buses. However, the card itself costs $5, so unless you're going to be using public transportation a lot, it's probably not worth the money.

Other places to see...Georgetown (not Metro accessible, but worth the trip if you like shopping), OId Town Alexandria (beautiful, and where I live, so I have to give a plug).

chanstriste13

make sure to visit the newseum! very cool.

http://www.newseum.org/exhibits-and-theaters/index.html

formersec

If you don't have a hotel, may I suggest the Holiday Inn at Key Bridge. It's actually in Rosslyn/
Arlington, Virginia. The bridge takes you to Georgetown and the Metro is about a block away. Also, usually less expensive than downtown DC hotels, but the Metro makes it very convenient to get you to wherever you want to go.

I don't know if it's changed since I was there last, but I bought a visitors pass for the Metro. I loaded it for however much money you want and then every time I came to the turnstile at the station, I would swipe the card, and the fare was automatically deducted. No need to fish around for money. The trains are clean and I believe they run 24/7. Certainly better than driving.

Mallory0418

If you can, meander over to Georgetown and vist Georgetown Cupcakes! They're on that show "DC Cupcakes" on TLC I believe. YUMMY!