Final questions for my DC trip (I hope)

[castleview]

Ok, it's looking like rain on Friday so I'm thinking we should do the memorials on Saturday. We'll be staying near the King St. Metro in Old Town and we'd like to do the Air & Space Museum and either the Museum of Natural History or Museum of American History on that day. Are they close to each other? I'm also not sure if the Smithsonian or L'Enfant metro stop is the best.

On Saturday, I was hoping to get a lot of the memorials in. My children are ages 4-9. Can they survive the walking or is Tourmobile a good idea? Also hoping to get in the Washington Monument and/or Capitol one of these days. If anyone has a clue how to incorporate that into the schedule, please let this clueless girl know.

Is the metro stroller accessible? I was thinking of doing without it, but I'm not sure how the four year old will handle it all.

We plan on spending Easter at the Zoo and then doing whatever we want for the rest of the day. If anyone knows of anything else kid friendly on that day, I'd love to know.

 

[LaraK]

Use the Smithsonian stop for the museums. All three are on the mall. Air and Space on one side and American and Natural History Museums on the other side. You can take strollers on the Metro...they have handicap accessability.

 

[The Hendies]

You may want to double check on the American History Museum. I think it may still be closed for renovations. Not to worry. Lots to see and do, and most of it free. Also be aware that there is a bag check at every museum. pack accordingly. I pack a very small bag with just the bare necessities.

 

[lvanleer]

You may want to double check on the American History Museum. I think it may still be closed for renovations. Not to worry. Lots to see and do, and most of it free. Also be aware that there is a bag check at every museum. pack accordingly. I pack a very small bag with just the bare necessities.

Actually the American History Museum reopened I believe in February and according to their website is open for visitors....my favorite of all the museums on the mall.

 

[PlutoPony]

DC is a LOT of walking - on par with a day at WDW, depending how how ambitious your plans are for any given day. So a stroller might be useful - but imo only if it's something like a lightweight umbrella that can easily be folded and carried by one of the adults. We never used one when my son was that age (too much hassle) but our trips were just for the day and we always had a seat on Metro since we get on at the first stop. The metro stations in the City are way underground and you take long escalators down to get to them (and often those aren't working so you have to walk up and down).... there are elevators that can be used to access the stations but they can be a challenge to get to and/or use. Plus most of the memorials and museums have a number of steps to get into them.... again, there are handicapped ramps but in many cases it would be much easier to just fold a stroller and walk.

Slightly OT, the paths around the mall area are a mixture of cement sidewalk and cinder type material - the kind of stuff that gets in sandals and can bother little feet. I'd recommend comfortable shoes and socks for touring DC

Today is upper 70's and gorgeous! Flowering trees are in full bloom and turning to just past peak as the leaves are starting to pop out. Temps will moderate as the week goes on but it should still be comfortable here for playing tourists. Have fun!