Tell me about Washington DC with kids

[lisaross]

Riding the metro was a fun experience for the kids.... The zoo is fun - also liked the mint where money is made the kids would definitely enjoy that

Yeh that is what I thought, which is why the Metro does not appeal to me. I don't like being squished with other people. Is there anyplace good to park instead? Maybe we will just try the zoo first.

 

[AidensMommy3]

Has anyone biked around Washington?

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

I recently read an article about the Dinosaur exhibit being closed starting in April for renovations. And it's going to be closed for quite awhile.
We are a Air Force family briefly stationed here and do enjoy going to the museums.

Thank you so much! I did not know and it will be closed for 5 years! We will definitely need to check it out before it closes!

 

[laura3773]

A few points: Regarding the zoo - it is about halfway between two metro stops. If you get off at the one AFTER the "zoo" stop, you can walk downhill to the zoo, then walk downhill to the official zoo stop after. Right now the zoo has a baby panda!

A lot of travel to the area is business, so hotels are often cheaper for weekend visits.

The American History Museum has a hands-on science room on the bottom layer. When I was a kid, I did a thing where we separated the DNA strand out of a strawberry. They also had Geiger counters to play with and I think some sort of hands on dry ice thing. It's free and really fun if your kids like science.

At the far end of the mall by the US Capitol is the National Botanical Gardens. They're part of the Smithsonian so they are free, and they are fun to visit - they have all different rooms with different climates so you can see all sorts of plants from all over.

I also like the US Postal Museum, which is in an old post office across from Union Station. Not a lot of people know about it, and it's kind of a niche thing, but they have exhibits with stamp collections, about the postal inspectors, and the history of the post office. It's also part of the Smithsonian system.

We like to use the metro. I'm not fond of driving in DC. People here can't drive and there's always all sorts of construction. During the week you pay to park at metro stations but weekends have free parking, and you can buy a daily pass if you plan on using the system for more than one round trip.

 

[Swimalie]

The American History Museum has a hands-on science room on the bottom layer. When I was a kid, I did a thing where we separated the DNA strand out of a strawberry. They also had Geiger counters to play with and I think some sort of hands on dry ice thing. It's free and really fun if your kids like science.

We were just there a few weeks ago and there isn't anything open on the bottom floor except simulators. Half of the museum is still closed for renovations.

 

[seenellie81]

We have taken our kids twice to dc for vacation. The first time they were 2 and 6. The last time they were 7 and 11. They loved it both times. We stayed in the embassy suites downtown last time. We have done the 4th of July both times and there is nothing better then celebrating the 4th of July in DC. Of course we did the zoo and the duck boat tours the natural history museum etc that the kids loved. But they also loved all the other museums and monuments. We walked a lot and took taxi's. We kept the car parked at the hotel most of the time. When we traveled outside of the downtown area we did take the car and had no problems finding parking. I am often amazed at what the kids find interesting and entertaining on trips like this. Its not always the expected. My son loves the Lincoln memorial. My daughter loved all of the museums. One night we drove over to the national harbor. My kids really loved playing in the sand there and getting ice cream. It was very relaxing! Cute little restaurants and shops.

 

[laura3773]

We were just there a few weeks ago and there isn't anything open on the bottom floor except simulators. Half of the museum is still closed for renovations.

Oh that's a bummer. I hope they reopen the kids room when they finish. It was so much fun.

 

[Kimmumum]

We went several years ago when my boys were 13 and 9. They loved it! We were there for a week. We saw monuments, cherry blossoms, the national church, Arlington National cemetery, Monticello, etc. We walked most places ( not to the church, cemetery or Monticello)

The boys also liked flying kites, frísbees and playing football on the Mall. I brought/bought little footballs and kites at Home.

Go! Have a great time!

 

[minnie10]

I too was worried my son of age 10 would be bored. The best thing that I did was to purchase him a decent camera for the trip. ($75). He took pics of everything. This helped to keep him interested. Then he was the star of the class when he went back to school and showed off the pics that he had taken. Just an idea.

 

[Networth]

We just were in D.C. last October had a very fun time. We used the Metro to go everywhere. I learned something that know one has brought up yet. On the Metro escalators stay to the right if your not going to walk up/down but just stand, we were told this by friends thinking nothing of it. Than when we got their we saw they were serious this was even more true around rush hour.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

We just were in D.C. last October had a very fun time. We used the Metro to go everywhere. I learned something that know one has brought up yet. On the Metro escalators stay to the right if your not going to walk up/down but just stand, we were told this by friends thinking nothing of it. Than when we got their we saw they were serious this was even more true around rush hour.

That's true for escalators everywhere, except in countries where they drive on the left (such as GB, then you stand to the left and pass on the right).

 

[danygirl]

It may be true elsewhere but believe me, if you stand on the left and block those trying to walk up the escalators you will find folks are NOT friendly! DC is a working town and people are rushed and busy. If you like to just stand on the escalator stand on the right hand side. Folks will be walking up the left side of the SAME escalator. Some of the metro escalators are really steep.

 

[Networth]

I've been all over the world and D.C. Is the only time I was cursed at(to my face) because I stood on the left side durning rush hour not thinking. They take that serious as the PP mentioned once all those buildings empty(looks like a mass exodus) the metro becomes crazy. That rossyland (sp?) station on the VA side had those extremely long steep escalators too I would be aggravated too if some tourist couldn't just stay to the right instead of waiting 5 minutes to get to the bottom and miss my train home.

 

[bdcp]

I've been all over the world and D.C. Is the only time I was cursed at(to my face) because I stood on the left side durning rush hour not thinking. They take that serious as the PP mentioned once all those buildings empty(looks like a mass exodus) the metro becomes crazy. That rossyland (sp?) station on the VA side had those extremely long steep escalators too I would be aggravated too if some tourist couldn't just stay to the right instead of waiting 5 minutes to get to the bottom and miss my train home.

It's Rosslyn. There are many long escalators for the DC metro. I have traveled many places besides DC where you better stand to the right so people can walk up the left side. I tend to walk escalators because I like to walk stairs. Escalators are moving stairs, not elevators and a lot of people do walk them. It's pretty standard to stay right.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

I've been all over the world and D.C. Is the only time I was cursed at(to my face) because I stood on the left side durning rush hour not thinking. They take that serious as the PP mentioned once all those buildings empty(looks like a mass exodus) the metro becomes crazy. That rossyland (sp?) station on the VA side had those extremely long steep escalators too I would be aggravated too if some tourist couldn't just stay to the right instead of waiting 5 minutes to get to the bottom and miss my train home.

Yup, this is why I have avoided DC like the plague...does not sound relaxing. I feel bad for people who commute in from here everyday...they might get paid more but their quality of life suffers. Traffic , a bunch of people in a rush etc.

 

[kpgriswold]

On the weekends as long as their isn't a major event going on, metro is a breeze. The only bad thing is the entrance to the zoo from metro is downhill on the way in and up hill on the way out. There are benches along the way but that can be a big task for adults and kids sometimes after walking all day.

I have taken my daughter to DC since she was a baby. We have done the Christmas trees, the zoo and the museums. She loves the museums and wants to visit the monuments this year. There is a lot to look at and keep busy in DC your kids will be very entertained!

Actutally, it is possible to take Metro to the zoo and walk downhill both ways! Get off at Cleveland Park, and walk down the hill to the zoo. At the end of your visit, walk further down the hill to the Woodly Park station on the same line. It works great!

My family lives in Northern VA, and we LOVE being so close to DC. There are more amazing FREE things to do in this city than in any other in the USA. In addition to all of the Smithsonian museums -- those alone could take you a week -- there are monuments to climb up, fountains to slop in, and free festivals (kites in March, Cherry blossoms in April, Folk Life in July...).

Hop a trolley or double decker bus tour. Hike Roosevelt Island. Rent a paddle boat in the Tidal Basin. It really is a great place for kids!

 

[danygirl]

Actually quality of life is VERY high on DC. In addition to all the monuments and parks we have a ton of major universities and they all have arts prgorams, there are many theaters and music venues, professional sports teams in all the major sports, and in close proximity mountains, beaches, and more. It is not magical like Disney, but the day my kids saw the Jonas Brothers play at the White House was pretty amazing. And seeing the sunset over the city from one of the rooftop restaurants is pretty amazing, too

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Actually quality of life is VERY high on DC. In addition to all the monuments and parks we have a ton of major universities and they all have arts prgorams, there are many theaters and music venues, professional sports teams in all the major sports, and in close proximity mountains, beaches, and more. It is not magical like Disney, but the day my kids saw the Jonas Brothers play at the White House was pretty amazing. And seeing the sunset over the city from one of the rooftop restaurants is pretty amazing, too

It all depends on what you like. I know people who live 5 miles away from their job in DC and it takes 30 minutes to get there. We live less that 40 miles to DC and if you commute at the wrong time you will be in traffic for 2 hours. So like I said, we avoid it. But being close to DC and Baltimore we can go and enjoy concerts and all the areas have to offer without living in or too close to the cities. Cost of living is insane here, I imagine even worse closer to DC, depending on the area. Not worth it IMO. We are looking to migrate south at some point and to have some space between us and our neighbors. ...oh and someplace that does not tax the rain!

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Actually quality of life is VERY high on DC. In addition to all the monuments and parks we have a ton of major universities and they all have arts prgorams, there are many theaters and music venues, professional sports teams in all the major sports, and in close proximity mountains, beaches, and more. It is not magical like Disney, but the day my kids saw the Jonas Brothers play at the White House was pretty amazing. And seeing the sunset over the city from one of the rooftop restaurants is pretty amazing, too

What beach? ?

 

[bdcp]

What beach? ?

Ocean City, MD is less than 3 hours from DC. Easy drive as long as you go at the right times.