Washington DC in March with teens?

[danjoealexis3006]

I know this is a bit off topic but my dh wants to spend our spring break in Washington DC. We have a 17 and 14 year old. We were planning on spending a few days in DC and then going to Disney for a few days. We have never been to DC but have been to Disney many times. I am wondering if there would be enough to keep teens interested for a full week? Any input would be appreciated!

 

[TwoMisfits]

Depends what your kids like...if they like theme parks and riding rides, and if they are bored by museums and history...DC will probably get boring...but they could easily spend more than a week having fun in DC...if it were me with kids this age, I'd do it and I'd do a mix of activities (free museums, free government sites, pay museums, "fun" activities like the escape rooms, trampoline parks, paddle boats, etc)...I'd also make sure to see the Cherry Blossom activities b/c you will be in DC during that time...

 

[Flight]

The more we teach our kids about the rich history of the United States, the more they will enjoy the journey through the nation's Capitol.

Walk through the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. Watch in respectful awe at the Changing of the Guard. Spend time in the home of the Custis family and Robert E. Lee.

Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Both of them. The museum on the Mall and the Udvar-Hazy museum near Dulles Airport. Each is a fantastic exploration into the history of flight - both here on earth and beyond the orbit of our planet.

National Archives - See on display many of the most important documents of this country.

Smithsonian Museum of American History - Well, a phenomenal museum highlighting everything USA.

Smithsonian Museum of Natural History - Diamonds! Gems! Dinosaurs! And much, much more!

Lincoln Memorial, Fords Theater... - There are several more places around the city relating to President Lincoln. I enjoy the Lincoln Memorial at night. While there, look for the plaque on the steps indicating the spot where Dr. Martin Luther King stood while delivering his "I Have a Dream" speech. Should be studied in detail by ever school child in this countr as should the Gettysburg Address and Lincoln's Second Inaugural speech craved just feet away.

Walk of ride the path along the banks of the Potomac which lead down to Mt. Vernon, George Washington's home.

The National Portrait Gallery, U.S. Naval Memorial Plaza and Museum, National Building Museum (beautiful interior), Spy Museum, Library of Congress....

Goodness, this is just a partial sample. Yes, your teenage children will enjoy Washington, D.C. and the surrounding area.

 

[JLPugs]

I think half a week would be great for teens; more time depending on how much they like history. DC is great because there are so many free resources and activities, along with wonderful restaurants and shopping (especially downtown and in Georgetown). What I like best about DC is that you don't necessarily need to have a detailed itinerary for your trip--you can see how you feel each day and decide what would be best. You won't miss out on anything by spending extra time in a museum you really like or sitting down from some gelato at Dolcezza.

 

[PlutoPony]

Be prepared for it to be winter + snow OR spring..... March is usually a wacky weather month.
IF we get snow, the city pretty much shuts down. Even if YOU can drive in snow, a whole lot of other people can't so I'd advise to stay off the roads if you value your car (and your life).

When in March were you planning? Cherry Blossom Festival starts March 20 so there will be some interesting events connected with that. Tourism will start picking up about then as will hotel prices. Weekends are cheaper than week days btw.

Couple suggestions with teens - DC United (soccer) as a home game or 2 in March, tickets aren't too expensive and it's good soccer. And Caps will be playing regular season hockey then. Don't know if any of the dates work for you though....

 

[Tay N Evie's Mom]

I think DC with kids at that age depends on their interests. I have 17 yo twins and DS would be thrilled going to DC (he has a passion for US history and will be his minor in college). DD would be bored out of her skull going to DC!

 

[danjoealexis3006]

Thanks everyone for your replies!

 

[TwoMisfits]

If it were me and I wanted to have a fun "non-boring" time for 3-4 days, I'd plan...
A Capitol Tour (Capitol Visitor Center) - preschedule online
A trip to 2 favorite Smithsonians (depending on kid interest - I would go for American History, Natural History, and Air and Space as my top 3, but if you have art buffs, go there - the art museums also are the least "dumbed down" and stay at teen age level and above - done on a whim whenever
The International Spy Museum (adding on Spy in the City or Operation Spy) and/or the Newseum and/or Madame Tussauds (whichever is of greater interest to your kids - get a deal on tickets - they are always around) - all these museums cater well to this age group instead of "dumbing down" all of their exhibits - again, do these on a whim - if you have to pick one, pick either the spy or newseum
The Cherry Blossoms - I might rent a paddle boat http://www.tidalbasinpaddleboats.com/ or just take a walk on the Tidal Basin (seeing the Jefferson Memorial while there) and I'd check what events I could see
Some fun - the area trampoline parks or escape rooms could be awesome to add in

I'd do much more if it were a week (seeing the Archives, the Monuments, Mount Vernon, Arlington National Cemetary, the Supreme Court, BEP, Holocaust Museum, etc) and my kids were totally into history...but you can overload on history and museums that are "museumy" - what I suggest above gives you a bit of everything to try and gets your appetite whet to come back to see the rest on a future visit...most of the museums should each take a 1/2 day if you're gonna really explore them and you should enjoy each one as they are rather than rush, rushing through everything...

 

[TwoMisfits]

Oh, and other things I would do...
If you go, the one Smithsonian Museum you should eat in is the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian - while the food is not cheap, it is very good and very unique (and try the unique items!) ...I would tour one Smithsonian and then walk to eat in the other...it's worth the walk!https://nmai.si.edu/visit/washington/mitsitam-cafe/
I would also eat at Ben's Chili Bowl (just for history's sake and I would try the acres of food trucks another day.
Finally, I would spend the money and eat at one of Jose Andres restaurants...they are worth the money and they are an experience in themselves (Oyamel or Jaleo's would be great choices)...

 

[tabrizia]

If you do Air and Space it is worth it to drive out to the Udvar Hazy campus rather then the one in the city. The Udvar Hazy campus is great. The one in the city is smaller and nice, but we find Udvar Hazy is far nicer.

 

[Rosey_Rosetta]

My parents took me to DC for a week when I was fourteen and I absolutely loved it. And I hate history

I'd definitely spend a week in DC because there's just so much to do. We didn't even get a chance to see all of the monuments lit up at night. We also would have loved to explore more of the Smithsonian. A week is definitely a good amount of time, but my parents and I would have loved to have more time there.