Washington DC after Christmas

[100AcreWood]

We're surprising the kids with a trip to DC for Christmas. Any advice? We've never been. I'm sure it will be cold. We are hoping to sight see all the touristy stuff and spend most of our time at the smithsonian.

 

[heathrow42]

What kind of advice are you looking for? Do you know where you are staying? Will you have a car? It will be cold here. If you aren't driving the metro is pretty easy and much cleaner and safer than NYC.

If you want something off the beaten path, the National Museum of Health and Medicine is fascinating: www.medicalmuseum.mil

Depending on when you get here, you might still be able to see the Mormon Temple Lights -- they have a light display outside, and an exhibit inside (one year it was trees and dolls from around the world) and a concert each night: http://dctemplelights.lds.org/ It's about 15-20 minutes outside the city, so you would need a car.

The National Zoo also has a light display: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/activitiesandevents/celebrations/zoolights/

Rock Creek Park is a local favorite -- check out the schedule to see what's going on while you are here. They have a planetarium. http://www.nps.gov/rocr/planyourvisit/things2do.htm

Again off the beaten path, not a lot of folks know if you plan in advance you can tour the Naval Observatory. You can see one of the master clocks (how the USG officially keeps time) and one or two of their large telescopes. http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/tours-events/tour-information

See a show at the Kennedy Center -- they have kid friendly performances too: http://www.kennedy-center.org/index.cfm

Where to eat.. Open City Diner is fab -- and you get animal crackers with your coffee/cocoa. Fantastic brunch - gets crowded on the weekend, but the wait usually isn't bad: http://www.opencitydc.com/

Old Ebbit Grill is classic DC: http://ebbitt.com/ They will probably still have these amazing giant nutcrackers standing guard out front.

Ben's Chili Bowl is a landmark: http://benschilibowl.com/

What else would you like to know?

 

[100AcreWood]

Thanks for all of your suggestions! They're great. We will have a car. Plan to use the metro and smart cards I think they are called? We're staying at the embassy suites Chevy chase. We have three kids so we wanted the suite plus we are using some hotel points. We are planning to see the zoo so the zoo lights sound awesome.

Are there Christmas tree displays to see? Will anything be closed for the holiday break?

 

[RebeccaB]

We've been a couple of times - driving down from Maine. Don't miss the spy museum, you do have to pay to get it that one, but my daughter loved it and I think she was 11 the year we went.
We've never used the metro so can't help you there. We parked at the Ronald Regan building which is just off the national mall, easy-peasy.
We enjoyed the national zoo - its fun to watch the orangutans on their travel line across the zoo.
We've done the Museum of Natural History and all the monuments.
We've only gone over April vacation, but I'd imagine it's pretty darn chilly in DC in the winter.
Have fun!

 

[kandb]

Thanks for starting this OP, we plan on going to DC between Christmas and New Year's as well. We plan on driving as well. Can anyone tell me how much parking at Ronald Reagan, across the mall is? Is it super busy at this time of year? Thanks for all the info.

 

[soccerchick]

Ages of kids?

The nice thing is that the Smithsonians are free! The national Christmas tree, menorah, yule log, and state trees will be on the Elipse. Take a picture in front of the White House while it is decorated with roping and wreaths.

I'm pretty sure the Smithsonians are open every day except Christmas. WE often go in on NY Day. si.edu

Be patient with street parking. It could take a while to get a spot. Use the mobile app (will have to look on DH's phone to see what it's called). Lets you pay by CC and warns you 15 minutes before it expires. Used it yesterday.

If you are sports fans, check the basketball/hockey schedule for Verizon Center. Ford's Theater has A Christmas Carol.

Sign up for Living Social and Groupon for DC. They often have Spy Museum and the Museum of Crime and Punishment tickets at a discount (my kids loved both). I've seen the Newseum on there too (one of my favorites), but not in a long time. Oh, and the Washington Post has something called the Capitol Deal, but I haven't used that.

Arlington National Cemetery will (hopefully) still be covered in wreaths. It's beautiful all the time, but even more so at the holidays.

Oh, and the zoo is on a hill. Some people are surprised by this and the amount of walking. If you drive, you have to pay to park (maybe $12 or $16?).

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

.......

If you want something off the beaten path, the National Museum of Health and Medicine is fascinating: www.medicalmuseum.mil

......

Warning - this museum is not appropriate for many children or squeamish adults!

 

[100AcreWood]

My kids are 11, 7 and 5. You are giving me great ideas! Thanks!

I'm also interested in hearing more about parking at Ronald Regan vs. using the Metro for smithsonian.

 

[ShayBells]

Zoo is a nice little zoo. Definitely worth a trip. The Smithsonian is amazing!!! Definitely see an IMAX movie in there. They are really good.

And Lincoln is always worth a visit (you can walk to it from the Smithsonian.

Be careful on the metro lol. It confuses the heck outta me haha.

National Harbor is a little cool place to check out. I recommend eating at Ketchup (very good!!)

Gosh there's a lot to do there! If I think up anything else I'll come back but I'm drawing a blank right now lol

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[disney4us2002]

Can I ask if this is something your kids have inquired about or do you think it's something they will enjoy? I have to cringe when I see posts about people surprising their kids with "educational" trips. We thought our kids would enjoy Williamsburg when they were close to your kids ages. Wow, were we disappointed. They were bored out of their minds and complained nonstop about all the walking. Of course, you know your kids best, but we never made that mistake again and they still talk about the worst ever vacation to Williamsburg.

 

[Colleen27]

I can't offer much in the way of personal experience because it has been years since I've been to DC, but I can share some of the notes I have for our trip over the holidays.

Udvar-Hazy in Chantilly gets rave reviews. We're not going to have a car but have heard enough good things that we're renting one just for a day to go out there. It is part of the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum but has hanger space and displays of full-sized craft including a shuttle. They charge for parking but like the other Smithsonian museums admission is free.

We're planning on a day for the zoo lights as well. I remember loving the National Zoo when I was there as a kid (around 10ish) so I want to take my kids, and the lights just make it better.

Another thing that came highly recommended when I asked around was the US Botanical Garden and their holiday displays. They have a model train display that sounds almost Disney-esque - the scenery is all created from plant materials - along with an indoor Christmas tree, poinsettias, and other holiday décor.

Mount Vernon is supposed to be nice at Christmastime but we decided against trying to fit it in. We're staying at the Embassy Suites Downtown and between the car rental cost, the price of parking if we have a car for two days, and being so close to so many other attractions, it just didn't make the cut. If we'd decided to drive down I'd have planned to see it for sure.

All of the Smithsonian institutions are open 364 days a year, with Christmas Day their only closure, so the holidays really don't get in the way of exploring the city. And from what I've read, if you don't mind the weather it is a nice time to go because it isn't a very popular time to visit plus a lot of the business of the city is on holiday hiatus so things aren't even normal-busy.

 

[mumto2]

We took a slight detour driving up over spring break and spent the night in Charlottesville so we could tour Monticello. We loved it, and so did the kids (14 and 8). After lunch at Michie Tavern, we drove to DC. Went straight to American History, peaked near the monument and did the peaking app - brilliant! - then went to the hotel to check in and have dinner (we were staying in DC). Next morning, we drove to Georgetown to get to the cupcake store before it opened (we were about sixth in line so virtually no wait, but by the time we left it was insane) this was on DD's must-do list. It was early, so we got ours to go for later. If you want to do this, I would definitely get there early, otherwise it will be a long cold wait outside.

DS enjoyed the spy museum, DD did not. To be honest, it felt like a Ripley's type of tourist trap to me. DD and I enjoyed the Newseum, but we thought. DS wouldn't, so DH and I used the divide and conquer approach and they went to Air and Space.

We got a lot of use and planning info from some apps we downloaded (DC for kids was one, but there were a couple of others), and they also helped on the drive.

We loved the trip and the kids are asking to go back.

Have a great time!

 

[RebeccaB]

We parked at the Ronald Regan building, and it was very easy to locate, and a super quick walk to the mall. In fact, when we came out of the building we could see the mall. Just note which street you come out on as it's a big building. It couldn't have been too expensive bc I don't recall being shocked at the price.
However, we did manage to arrive in Washington DC about 20 minutes after the Boston bombings. Therefore, (or maybe not, we'd never parked there before), they went over our car with a fine toothed comb - trunk, using mirrors to look under the vehicle, etc. That was an interesting time to be in DC .

 

[elaine amj]

Too funny. We are thinking of takong the kids for a short 3 night trip that week too! Plan to focus on the free Smithsonian places. It will be my family's first time. Plan to fly into BWI, stay in Arlington, and use public transportation the whole time.

 

[Eureka]

In Georgetown by the Washington Harbor hotel they have ice skating starting at I think noon. I don't know the cost, but people looked like they were having fun. It's outside, so dress warmly.

Forgot to mention, if you drive, the parking garage I use (I work a couple blocks away from the hotel) is Colonial Parking/The Foundry, the entrance is on 30th St between K and M streets. It's $20 for a full day, less depending on how long you're there. And it's a short walk, just a couple blocks, to the skating and lots of shops (NOT budget! Lol) and restaurants. I would recommend Clyde's or Mr. Smiths as good family places to eat, they are both on M street.

And one last edit: Baked and Wired, a bakery/coffeehouse on Thomas Jefferson St (next street over from 30th) is much better than Georgetown cupcakes, their stuff is more moist. I work right next door, very bad for my wallet and waistline!

 

[Eureka]

Zoo is a nice little zoo. Definitely worth a trip. The Smithsonian is amazing!!! Definitely see an IMAX movie in there. They are really good.

And Lincoln is always worth a visit (you can walk to it from the Smithsonian.

Be careful on the metro lol. It confuses the heck outta me haha.

National Harbor is a little cool place to check out. I recommend eating at Ketchup (very good!!)

Gosh there's a lot to do there! If I think up anything else I'll come back but I'm drawing a blank right now lol

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

We did not like Ketchup at all, but I think it's not even there anymore. At National Harbor we like Cadillac Ranch for burgers, ribs, etc. and don't forget the Peeps store for goodies The Gaylord hotel there has an Ice sculpture thing called ICE!, again, I don't know prices. Plus the Tanger outlets just opened too. I have not checked them out yet.

 

[soccerchick]

Two ideas others added that I want to second: Ice at the Gaylord at National Harbor and Mount Vernon.

Went to Ice this past Wednesday and the kids loved it. We also saw Santa and did dinner at Rosa Mexicana. They have a breakfast there with the characters from Madagascar but we did not do that. Check out Living Social to see if they have a deal - that's what I used. I think the regular price is around 29/30$.

Mt. Vernon opens the third floor for the Christmas tours. They also have a few more things, like camels, that they don't have normally. Mt. Vernon is a lovely site any time of year, but I really enjoyed the holiday decorations.

Also, I wouldn't take young kids to Crime and Punishment museum that I recommended earlier.

 

[heathrow42]

If you want Georgetown Cupcake without the Georgetown, they have another location in Bethesda - closer to where the OP is staying. Check their twitter first thing in the morning to get the secret flavor of the day. They make 100 per location of the secret flavor and give them away for free (my DD LOVES whispering the secret password to them!) There is rarely a line (sometimes on weekends, but it goes quick) There is a parking garage across the street. Nearby is a Pain Quotidien - they are a chain, but have a nice brunch.

There is also ice skating in front of the national gallery of Art: http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/visit/ice-rink.html

You can tour the National Cathedral: http://www.nationalcathedral.org/visit/calendar.shtml

Check out this list of 100 things to do in DC with kids:
http://aparentinsilverspring.com/category/100-things-to-do-in-dc

Oh yes, Eastern Market.

More places to eat.. Mia's Pizza in Bethesda (and if you go, you MUST order the s'more for dessert -- its mind blowing and in many ways better than a real s'more)

For pizza in DC -- 2 Amy's is theeeee place to go. It's very near the National Cathedral.

Founding Farmers is pretty awesome - fresh, fresh food. Candied bacon, need I say more?

Cava Mezze is very good. Matchbox gets rave reviews, it used to take weeks to get in, (they've opened more locations, so you can get a reservation easily) but I don't get it. If you are from somewhere that doesn't have one, there is a Shake Shack (Burgers) in Dupont Circle and one on F street.

 

[100AcreWood]

So we're getting closer to our trip! And I have one more question.

For sight-seeing like the White House, Lincoln Memorial, etc. should I walk or get a tour bus? The tour buses are really expensive (we're a family of 5) but my husband thinks it would be easier on our 7 and 5 year old kids.

Opinions?

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Parking at Ronald Reagan Lot.


http://www.itcdc.com/Visitor-Information/Parking.aspx