Washington, D.C. for Kids
Family-Friendly Things to Do in Washington, the Nation's Capital
Washington, D.C. makes an ideal destination for families. The free, high-quality Smithsonian museum system is reason enough, but there are also many other reasons.
Washington, D.C. is a great city for teaching kids about history, art and culture without spending a fortune. Here are some family-friendly things to do in Washington, D.C.:
Smithsonian Museums for Kids
This is easily the biggest and best feature of Washington, D.C. as a family destination. The Smithsonian system features several museums, and many of them are actually enjoyable for kids. Here are some must-see museums for kids:
- National Air & Space Museum is a great place to see real-life aircraft, ranging from old airplanes to space shuttles.
- National Zoo is one of the rare places to see real-life panda bears. This is also a class-act zoo with a wide range of animals on display.
- National Museum of Natural History might sound dull and drab, but this is a fun spot filled with life-sized elephants and whales, various rocks and minerals, and other cool and fun stuff for kids.
Other Washington Kid-Friendly Museums
D.C. isn't just about the Smithsonian, however. There are also some ultra-cool museums that kids, particularly older kids, will enjoy. The International Spy Museum is a great choice, and the gift shop alone is fun for finding hidden cameras and spy pens.
It's just around the corner from the MCI Center, which features a Modell's sports shop selling sports items from the Capitals and Wizards. There is also a Discovery Channel store in MCI Center, and the ESPN Zone is a couple blocks away.
Hit the Mall with the Kids
In Washington, going to the Mall has a whole different meaning. In D.C., this is the grassy stretch of two miles that lines Constitution Avenue. It's well-situated for museum-bound families, as it's along the same street as many museums. This is a great place to picnic, let kids run and play, and just enjoy a little taste of nature in the big city.
Unique Shopping with Kids
You can actually hit a real mall, although in Washington there is no need to settle for something typical. Kids will enjoy the unusual setting of the Old Post Office. As the name implies, this is a former post office that was converted into a shopping arcade. Be sure to take the kids up the 315 feet to the clock tower for an amazing view of the city.
If trains are more to your kids' tastes, visit Union Station. More than just a train station, this hub of activity also features several shops on one level and restaurants on another. It's a fun place to shop and to people-watch.
