what would you do in the DC area?

Of course the Smithsonian museums are a great (and free) activity. You might want to make pick one or two because you could spend months before seeing all the neat things in all the museums.

Grab a Capital Bikeshare bike (stations are all over) and ride around the Mall & Tidal Basin. If you are looking for a slightly longer ride, rent a bike from Bike & Roll and hit the Mount Vernon trail or C&O Canal towpath. Lots of cool things to see there.

My favorite time to see the monuments is at night. No crowds & its much cooler (and prettier). The Lincoln is my fav.

If you get a chance, catch a Nats game at the stadium.

Grab a copy of the City Paper(free) to find out what smaller events might be going on that you'll want to see/do.

The old post office clock tower is a must, the botanical garden is amazing. Just be really careful what areas you go in at night. I live near by DC and if you have any questions about traveling/metrorail or getting around feel free to PM me

I loved the National Zoo and the Smithsonian. It's been years since I last went to either, but best part of my trip hands down. Oh and if you like shopping...may I suggest Pentagon City?

DC Native. I've pretty much got "taking friends from outside DC around the city" down to a science.

Early morning, head to the FDR Memorial. Take a cab up to Paul bakery up on 9th Street NW and relax and enjoy breakfast and people watching right off of the Mall. About three blocks up [F and 7th] is the National Portrait Gallery. Walk over there...it should be about ten-thirty now. If you're only going to walk one wing, pick the President's wing on the second floor. You're with the family, so you can have fun learning as well as playing the 'Which President Had the Best Facial Hair' game [hint: It's Chester A. Arthur].

It's now about one or two. The kids are a little pooped, but there's so much of DC to see. Walk or cab down F Street to 15th and F and go to W Hotel. Take the elevator to the rooftop, POV Terrace, and have yourself a Pimm's Cup and your husband can enjoy a Godfather while you look at the entirety of DC around you. Oh, you can see Sasha and Malia playing in their White House bedroom through the window? Yeah, it's a good spot. [Keep in mind that you're with your kids and your at a bar. Don't let them run around and be respectful].

By now, it's mid-afternoon and you've explored a museum, seen a monument, and appreciated the wonderment of the city's architecture without standing in lines or appearing too touristy. It's the end of the summer, these are the weeks where people try to cram in memories so that the kids have something to tell their classmates when they are back at school. So skip the zoo and the kids exhibits and have a lovely experience rife with culture.

It's probably about time for you to head back to your family's place or hotel room now, drop of the kids, and prepare for an evening on the town. That's where the memories of DC are made anyways.
-wtk

Postscript: For restaurant recommendations throughout the DC Metropolitan area, PM me [and include price range].

Pssssttt!!! There is a Groupon for the Spy Museum that came out today!! 50% off per person! Here is the link...


http://www.groupon.com/deals/international-spy-museum-2?c=button&division=baltimore&s=body&utm_source=newsletter&date=20120815&utm_medium=email&pt=&utm_content=all-deals_baltimore&p=1&sid=11236488&utm_campaign=international-spy-museum-2&user=f54ff329c399ee4a68d7abf9c47bb5acd6c116197f29061874d4d6724187c473