Family Travel: Washington D.C.

The next time you are planning your family travel, consider Washington D.C. Visiting the capital of our country, Washington, D.C., is an educational and memorable experience for families. My family of five spent a week exploring the nation’s capital when my children were in elementary school to educate them on our country’s rich history, as well as enjoy top attractions and nearby cities. Here are some tips to help you plan your family’s vacation in Washington, D.C.

Time of Year

Although July is a great time for a family vacation because kids are out of school for the summer break and many working parents celebrate Independence Day holiday, it’s not an ideal time to visit Washington D.C. We learned this lesson the hard way! Many Americans travel to the nation’s capital for the Fourth of July festivities, and it’s very hot. Therefore, museums, monuments, and streets are crowded – more so than usual. Also, there is a great deal of walking in the city to and from attractions, so our children got tired under the hot sun and needed breaks and more rest than normal. I recommend planning your visit in less popular times and when the weather is cooler to get the most out of your visit. 

Monuments and Memorials

While there are some fantastic tours available for families, we decided to utilize the city bus system as part of our family travel in and around the city. The bus stops at most major attractions with a wait time of less than 30 minutes. It’s clean, safe, and much less expensive. We stopped at the major monuments and memorials including the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, National World War II Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial, and Jefferson Memorial. Our children were amazed by all the names of soldiers listed at the war memorials, the amazing sculptures, and sheer magnitude of them all. We spent about 30 minutes learning the history, the creation, and the meaning for each one. There are maps available to offer walking directions to each one as most are in the same vicinity and the grounds are beautiful to wander through. Most structures are surrounded by water features where you can sit and enjoy the view while taking a break and talk about what you’ve learned. The Washington Monument is a must-see attraction. And, it’s hard to miss standing 554 feet making it the world’s largest obelisk structure created mostly of marble, granite, and blue stone. It’s on the National Mall at one end of the large reflecting pool opposite the Lincoln Memorial. We walked from one end to the other and thoroughly enjoyed the awe-inspiring spectacle. 

Museums

Washington D.C. has a plethora of museums for all ages to enjoy. What’s more, most of the museums are free! I highly recommend stopping at The Smithsonian, which is a group of museums, galleries, gardens, and a zoo that provide education, history, art, animals, and more. Our favorite Smithsonian museums were the National Museum of Natural History, National Air and Space Museum, and Smithsonian American Art Museum, as well as the National Zoo and the Smithsonian Gardens. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is an enlightening, sobering experience as you walk through each exhibit and learn about the atrocities Jewish people endured during the Nazi regime and war. Some exhibits are recommended for older children as they are quite devastating. Our children thoroughly enjoyed the National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, VA, where they learned about human space flight, vertical flight, WWII aviation, and much more. You can go up to the 360 degree view observation tower and watch as planes take off and land from Dulles International Airport, as well as learn how the U.S. air traffic control system works. The kids will love the simulation rides and IMAX theater, too. We spent a few hours there and it was worth the quick drive to Chantilly from Washington D.C.

The White House, Capitol Building, and National Archives Building

Be sure to make a stop at The White House, Capitol Building and National Archives Building while in the capital city. You may even get a glimpse of the president or other politicians while you’re there! The White House is where every American president has lived since John Adams, and it’s history from how and why it was built is fascinating. The Capitol Building is located on Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall. The magnificent white dome atop the building has become an icon of American legislature. Inside is a museum of American art and history. The National Archives Building houses the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. These milestone documents can be seen up close, yet roped off and under bullet-proof glass, to educate your children on our country’s treasured history and those who created them. There are kids’ activities, games, and a scavenger hunt that your children will enjoy while there. 

Alexandria, VA

We took a quick trip south of Washington D.C. to visit Alexandria, VA, known for its Old Town where the 18th and 19th century brick sidewalks line the streets. Located along the Potomac River, Alexandria was named one of the Top 5 Best Small Cities in the U.S. in 2020 by Conde Nast Traveler and one of the South’s Best Cities by Southern Living. There are numerous boutiques and shops, art galleries, as well as parks and playgrounds along the waterfront. One of the best stops is at George Washington’s Mount Vernon  – the most visited historic estate in America. Your family can tour the home, farm, gardens, and final resting place of our nation’s first president. We spent several hours discovering life in colonial America first hand. Taking a day to visit Alexandria was a great addition to our Washington D.C. trip.

As you plan your Washington D.C. vacation, take time to research the top attractions you think your family will enjoy. Be sure to add in time for walking and exploring the city outside of the museums, monuments, and buildings. We found excellent dining options from countries across the globe and experimented with our palates every day. Diversity is plentiful – even in America’s capital – so explore the many options in shopping at unique boutiques to sampling cultural delicacies. We hope you find our tips for visiting Washington D.C. helpful and let us know how it goes. Will you share your advice, photos, and videos of your trip to our nation’s capital with us? Connect with us on Instagram @MapsCookingKids or on Twitter @MapsCookingKids. Until next time, agape, be kind, and happy parenting.