Washington, D.C.?

[Soupermom]

Hello all. I'm looking for a little help in possibly planning a trip to Wash. D.C. for my family, maybe this summer. First, what are good ages to take kids to all of the major D.C. attractions...White House, monuments, etc. DD will be 11, DS will be nearly 8. I thought this might be the perfect summer to go. DH and I have never been and as we are teachers, this seems like a great place to go. Second, can anyone suggest where I can start looking for accomodations, passes, etc. on a budget. I thought I read on another thread some time ago that you can order tickets in advance to save wait time in lines. Any discounts for teachers? We live in E. Centeral Illinois and will probably drive out. Are there any other points of interest besides the govermental ones that someone can suggest for our group. I'm thinking a 9 day trip at the most, including travel. I believe we are maybe a 16 hour drive from D.C. Anything to see along the way? Which part of the summer would be best for visiting? Basically, I need a Dis-Board for D.C!

Thanks for any help you can give!

 

[tar heel]

I love Washington! The really cool thing about it is that almost everything is FREE!

As soon as you decide on your dates, contact your Congressman and Senator's local offices to get tickets for House and Senate sessions and the White House tour. It's virtually impossible to do the WH without the tickets -- and they are hard to get -- and tickets are required for Congress. I'm not sure how far in advance you can get tickets to the Halocaust Musuem. You have to get the Washington Monument ones that morning -- do that first thing b/c they get gone quickly.

DH and I love Washington and would gladly spend a week doing museums, etc., every day, but our kids like it in smaller doses. Make sure to build in some downtime and let them help you plan it. I'm also thinking about Washington for next summer (really want to do the American Indian musuem), so have been thinking about this some.

I've found pretty good deals on hotels in Washington. Just make sure to check out the location since some areas are not as safe as others at night. Last time we stayed at a Hilton Garden Inn a few blocks behind the White House for around $100 a night. Old hotel in decent shape near the subway system. Room had a refrigerator and a microwave. One time DH and I went and I got a convention hotel (Capital Hilton) for almost nothing b/c it was summer. Priceline has great hotels in Washington, but I've hesitated to use it b/c not all hotels offer on-site parking. If you have a car, expect to pay $20 or so a night to park it.

You might want to take them to see National Treasure since it's set in Washington.

 

[NC Belle]

I grew up in MD/DC/VA area. There is so much to offer. The Smithsonian museums, www.si.edu , are great to get out of the sun (Air & Space and Natural History are my all-time faves along with the National Zoo). The museums have a lot of hands on exhibits for kids. There are a lot of momuments that are must sees, but you might want to pace them out for the kids. I think a side trip to Baltimore would be great. The National Aquarium and MD Science Center have been hits with my nieces and nephews. The Metro is a great way to get around---sorry, I don't know the current rates off hand. If you want to go shopping, dining, or just see a movie---plenty of malls and shops all around. Mount Vernon is a good destination. I used to drive maybe 1.5-2 hours from No. VA to Richmond to go to Kings Dominion amusement park.

 

[NC Belle]

Just found some additional sites :http://dcregistry.com/sights.html
www.visitingdc.com

 

[TDC Nala]

www.wmata.com

for Washington Metro schedules and routes

 

[rockin_rep]

Scour this site: Fodors.com - an amazing travel site with tons on DC.

 

[PlutoPony]

Your children are at a pretty good age for this trip - but be prepared to walk A LOT!! Wear shoes not sandles as The Mall walkways are pea gravel/sand-not bad to walk on tho. Summer is hot and humid, so earlier is probably better than later. Since the Smithsonian Museums are free, you can walk in for a quick look and if your kids aren't interested, go on to the next one (we're really spoiled by that!). Make sure you go in the new Museum of the American Indian (Smithsonian), right beside Air and Space. On the other side of it (towards the Capitol) is a conservatory which is nice. Check out the outdoor scupture garden at the National Gallery, and the Archives is right behind it. Might also want to check the schedule for Imax films at Air and Space and National History museums (Smithsonian). Not sure I'd recommend Holacost for your age kids. Also, make reservations ahead of time to go up on the Washington Monument - go to the National Park Service web for that (don's know how far in advance but it's months). Outside of downtown, try Mt. Vernon, the new Air and Space Museum out by Dulles (Udvar-Hazy it's called - GREAT place), Manassas battlefields, maybe Harper's Ferry, and the list goes on.... Baltimore Harbor is nice, and they have a very good aquarium! I'd definitely try to see Monticello in Charlottesville- absolutely worth it! You could go I-64 one way and hit it then. Use the Metro if at all possible, driving and parking in DC is not pleasant. You should be able to get a ticket for ~$6/day that's unlimited use. If your kids are interested in sports, you might get baseball tickets (assuming we actually GET a team), or go to a DC United game or see the Mystics (women''s BB). We've lived here for 6+ years, and go in regularly (we're out near Manassas). DS thinks Air and Space is his 2nd home! So I"ll be happy to answer any questions - feel free to PM. We drive to Taylorville (DH's home) so have some knowledge of the drive also.
Sorry to go on and on - there's so much to do here!
Beth

 

[Beast]

You'll only be about an hour to an hour and a half south of Gettysburg when you're in D.C. This is definitly something you should consider adding for at least a day, but two would be better.

 

[Tina]

I'm pretty sure they have not yet resumed White House tours - except for children in school group tours. Be sure to check out the Spy Museum (not free). Its really really cool.

 

[laurie31]

I don't have any advice, but wanted to say my parents took me when I was 11 and I got so much out of it! I remember it vividly. We went to most of the Smithsonian museums and to the Capitol and White house (back when you could just get in line and tour - of course, now it's different ) and also to Mount Vernon, and we spent two days in Williamsburg, which was really cool. We plan to take our girls when the oldest is 11 or 12. It's a great family trip! Have fun!

Laurie

 

[PlutoPony]

I'm pretty sure they have not yet resumed White House tours - except for children in school group tours.

Think you're right on that, although I believe it's open for spring and fall garden tours. The website for the White House is good, as is the one for Smithsonian Museums - look at the special exhibits as they can be quite good.

 

[disney4us2002]

My kids are your kids ages (the younger two anyway) and they have enjoyed DC trips. We've never done it as a vacation per se since we can drive there anytime (1 hr away). While the 4th of July on the Mall is quite an experience, I would recommend against visiting then as the crowds are unbelievable!! The Spy museum is awesome but requires tickets in advance as it is always crowded. Possibly you could get them when you arrive for a few days later. We haven't been to the Halocaust museum as it seems to intense for the kids but unsure so no opinion for you. Unfortunately, I also don't recommend the National Zoo as we went in September and it was so disappointing. Too many exhibits were closed, too few animals were on display. I was hoping we hit a bad weekend but from friends I've heard similar comments beginning last spring. Hopefully, it'll pick up but you'd be better to plan for the Baltimore Zoo if you want animals. We don't typically stay in DC but dh and I have had romantic getaways to Georgetown and some of the hotels there are very nice. Unfortunately, Georgetown isn't connected to the metro so it would be a hike to the nearest stop or mean driving all the time.

Check your library for the Unofficial Guide to DC. The hotel and restaurant descriptions in it are quite valuable in determining possible stops.

 

[Soupermom]

Thanks for all of the input everyone...keep the information coming!

 

[DStar4cup]

I went to DC for the first time this Summer. We pricelined our hotels and got the the Hyatt Regency for $50.00 a night in Bethesada. The Metro entrance was right outside the hotel and DC has one of the cleanest and best subway systems that I have every been on.

 

[Jeafl]

We just did that trip this past summer. We went to Gettysburg for 2 days, Washington DC for a week and then on to Williamsburg for 5 days. I have 3 kids, 15, 11 and 9 and they really enjoyed it. Just remember that it is really HOT there in the summer. We survived though with a little planning.

We stayed at some really nice hotels for really great prices just by doing a little research. Snoopy and caitycaity are great resources for the Washington area, since they both live there. With their help, we were able to figure out which hotels were in good neighborhoods and convenient to everything. In Gettsyburg we stayed at the Gettysburg Travelodge, which is MUCH nicer than it sounds. It's also in a perfect location, walking distance to pretty much everything.

In Washington we stayed our first night at the Radisson on P Street (I think--I'd have to double check). HUGE rooms, more like a suite, average but adequate pool and FANTASTIC location. About half a block from the metro and a 2-minute walk to a million restaurants. We then moved to the Courtyard by Marriott Northwest for 3 nights which was also a great location. The rooms were also very nice, the hotel itself was beautiful and also walking distance to everything. The last three nights we moved across town to Loews L'Enfant Plaza Hotel. The hotel and pool were both beautiful, and the location was right across the street from the Smithsonian and right down the street (10-min. walk) to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The best part though was that there was a mall and a metro station in the basement of the hotel. We were able to get anywhere in Washington within minutes. We had a wonderful top floor room with a balcony that overlooked the Washington Monument in one direction and the capitol building in the other direction. It was a spectacular view, especially at night. The rates were really reasonable too. The only downside was there were no restaurants anywhere within walking distance, other than the one in the hotel. However, you are a short metro ride to a million restaurants.

If you want any information about the hotels, where we found the best rates, the metro, or any of the attractions (we saw EVERYTHING, and I mean EVERYTHING!), just let me know. I still have tons of information, brochures, guidebooks, etc I'd be willing to share.

 

[Beast]

I'm pretty sure they have not yet resumed White House tours - except for children in school group tours. Be sure to check out the Spy Museum (not free). Its really really cool.

I was in the White House on October 16th. (Yes, 2004) Myself, my wife and two of our friends. You have to do your homework, but it is possible. Barney (the Scottish Terrier) was even there. A Secret Service agent quickly got hold of him but everyone was very amused to see a "member" of the First Family.

 

[paras4ri]

Thought I'd give this thread a bump. We're also planning a trip to DC this summer and would love any and all tips.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

We went this past June, perfect weather. Only our last day was hot! I am not sure if anyone mentioned it, but you can preorder tickets to the Washington Monument and AVOID that long early morning line. I found the info online and called. May have been a $1 or 2 per ticket to process them, but VERY well worth it!
Do call and get the private Capital/White House Tours well in advance.
We also preordered through ticketmaster our tickets to the Spy Museum-the only thing we did with a fee! That was worth it too! The Spy Cafe had great hotdogs too!
We got a pass for the Metro-(7 day short trip pass) when we arrived at the airport. We were arriving the day of Reagans funeral so the metro was the quickest best way to our hotel. Kids loved that too and very easy to get on/off there.

 

[paras4ri]

How do we request tickets for the Capitol tour, contact our local congressmen?

 

[Planogirl]

I want to add that the metro in DC is one of the best transportation sources that I've ever seen. I recommend trying to find a hotel with close access to a station and using it for all city touring.

Also, Alexandria is very close to downtown DC. I thought that old Alexandria was very charming and interesting. It might be a nice place to have lunch given time.

Be sure to see the monuments at night if you can drive by them. They are stunning both day and night.