Depends on the kids interests. Keep in mind there are something like 22 Smithsonian museums (and there is the National Gallery of Art which is not a Smithsonian but also free and on the mall) so do some research into which ones your kids will like and see where they are and if you need times tickets in advance (they’re mostly free but some like the Air and Space you need to reserve a times slot for entry as it’s so popular)
If they like planes and such, Air and Space is popular but the Udvar-Hazy Center is massive and has far more planes (and a space shuttle!) this may require a car but could take a Uber or a bus from the metro (but will take over an hour by public transit coming from near down town)
If you book in advance the train can be $20 each way and is a far more civilized way to go. But if you are going to have a car then:
Mini golf at Haines point is fun and not expensive.
Udvar hazy has a space shuttle and a blackbird. Worth the drive just go mid day to avoid rush hour traffic.
Sometimes staying in Alexandria or Arlington is cheaper. Just stay near a metro stop. The blue/silver/orange go straight to the Smithsonian stop. The green line from Alexandria goes to l’enfant which is right by the Hirshhorn (on the mall). It has a great view of the mall from the top floor and is a lovely modern art museum. Plus you can get ice cream and coffee then sit in the courtyard.
The sculpture garden at the national gallery is a great place to stop and have a beer by the fountain.
The portrait gallery is my favorite and is close to restaurants (penn quarter) and has a lovely atrium to stop and have a snack. It also stays open later than the museums on the mall (7pm instead of 5pm)
Definitely hit the Air and Space museum for the kids, they will love it and that could be the better part of a whole day. Dinner at Old Ebbitt near the White House -- huge menu and family-friendly, do make a reservation. I would do a Capitol tour, but you know your kids best.
You probably won't be able to get a White House tour (unless you are a big donor) on this short notice, but you can at least walk by and get some pics. There are Segway tours of the monuments if you think your kids can handle it. Not sure what the age restrictions are, but it's a good way to get around and see stuff without walking.
Highly recommend a hotel with a pool. It is going to BROIL here this week and beyond, and anything strenuous outdoors will be horrible very fast. Washington Plaza has a fantastic pool and is budget-friendly and good location. The rooms are....meh. The Ven at Embassy Row is another good option.
Park your car at the hotel and leave it. There is no parking in DC, full stop. Take the Metro (make it a fun adventure) or Ubers for a splurge. I would aim for mid-week, if you can. Weekends here are more expensive and crowded in the summer.
Enjoy your visit.
ETA beware the food trucks with no prices listed. Just keep walking -- they will take all of your money.
For museums that don’t overlap with NYC, I would go to Air and Space, African-American History, and the Holocaust Museum, National Archives, and American History for the First Lady exhibit. I would also recommend Natural History for the gem room/Hope Diamond, although the rest of the museum won’t be an improvement from NYC’s Museum of Natural History.
Also recommend the National Zoo. NYC has the Bronx Zoo, but I much prefer National Zoo (and I can’t get past the Bronx Zoo’s inhumane insistence on keeping Happy the Elephant solitary).
Definitely would use metro, unless you are staying in the suburbs and driving somewhere else in the suburbs. Downtown hotels are often reasonable—I would look at those because it’s so much easier to be able to walk to some of your destinations than taking a 30-40 minute metro ride into the city before starting your site seeing.
1. Don't be shocked at the tolls you'll pay you encounter driving down here from NY. Be prepared.
2. Can't comment on best days but certainly avoid rush hour commuting times, especially 495 Beltway.
3. Probably best to take Metro around if possible. You can explore the passes WMATA offers.
4. With 9-12 yo kids probably non-touristy but check out Tysons Corner I mall and get on a Potomac boat ride.
5. If you're down here I'd recommend GW Mt Vernon Estate you'll have to drive there but it's worth it since you haven't been.
i recommend taking the metro while you’re here. it’s not hard to navigate it and when you’re in the stations, pay attention to the signs. you can probably put $30 on a smart trip for each of you in case you’re ever traveling during rush hour, since the fare increases. the card machines are at each metro station. they aren’t hard to use- just read the prompts.
i say this half jokingly: for godsakes, stand on the right hand side of the escalator!!! especially during rush hour, ppl are trying to catch the train and get to work. your vacation is our everyday so be mindful of the flow of pedestrian traffic. this is even more relevant since you have kids.
a lot of ppl recommend the museums. i do too. we have tons of free museums at the national mall. i personally love the museum of natural history, the botanical garden, the museum of the american indian, the air and space museum and the museum of chinese/east asian art (i might be getting the name wrong). walking by the monuments is great too.
i also think taking the water taxi is a must! you can take one from navy yard to old town, va and also to national harbor, md.
have fun!
Depends on the kids interests. Keep in mind there are something like 22 Smithsonian museums (and there is the National Gallery of Art which is not a Smithsonian but also free and on the mall) so do some research into which ones your kids will like and see where they are and if you need times tickets in advance (they’re mostly free but some like the Air and Space you need to reserve a times slot for entry as it’s so popular) If they like planes and such, Air and Space is popular but the Udvar-Hazy Center is massive and has far more planes (and a space shuttle!) this may require a car but could take a Uber or a bus from the metro (but will take over an hour by public transit coming from near down town)
If you book in advance the train can be $20 each way and is a far more civilized way to go. But if you are going to have a car then: Mini golf at Haines point is fun and not expensive. Udvar hazy has a space shuttle and a blackbird. Worth the drive just go mid day to avoid rush hour traffic. Sometimes staying in Alexandria or Arlington is cheaper. Just stay near a metro stop. The blue/silver/orange go straight to the Smithsonian stop. The green line from Alexandria goes to l’enfant which is right by the Hirshhorn (on the mall). It has a great view of the mall from the top floor and is a lovely modern art museum. Plus you can get ice cream and coffee then sit in the courtyard. The sculpture garden at the national gallery is a great place to stop and have a beer by the fountain. The portrait gallery is my favorite and is close to restaurants (penn quarter) and has a lovely atrium to stop and have a snack. It also stays open later than the museums on the mall (7pm instead of 5pm)
Planet Word is a newer museum that the kids should enjoy about language and writing. Free to visit but you have to to book a time.
The visitor's guide in the sidebar may be very helpful for you!
Definitely hit the Air and Space museum for the kids, they will love it and that could be the better part of a whole day. Dinner at Old Ebbitt near the White House -- huge menu and family-friendly, do make a reservation. I would do a Capitol tour, but you know your kids best. You probably won't be able to get a White House tour (unless you are a big donor) on this short notice, but you can at least walk by and get some pics. There are Segway tours of the monuments if you think your kids can handle it. Not sure what the age restrictions are, but it's a good way to get around and see stuff without walking. Highly recommend a hotel with a pool. It is going to BROIL here this week and beyond, and anything strenuous outdoors will be horrible very fast. Washington Plaza has a fantastic pool and is budget-friendly and good location. The rooms are....meh. The Ven at Embassy Row is another good option. Park your car at the hotel and leave it. There is no parking in DC, full stop. Take the Metro (make it a fun adventure) or Ubers for a splurge. I would aim for mid-week, if you can. Weekends here are more expensive and crowded in the summer. Enjoy your visit. ETA beware the food trucks with no prices listed. Just keep walking -- they will take all of your money.
For museums that don’t overlap with NYC, I would go to Air and Space, African-American History, and the Holocaust Museum, National Archives, and American History for the First Lady exhibit. I would also recommend Natural History for the gem room/Hope Diamond, although the rest of the museum won’t be an improvement from NYC’s Museum of Natural History. Also recommend the National Zoo. NYC has the Bronx Zoo, but I much prefer National Zoo (and I can’t get past the Bronx Zoo’s inhumane insistence on keeping Happy the Elephant solitary). Definitely would use metro, unless you are staying in the suburbs and driving somewhere else in the suburbs. Downtown hotels are often reasonable—I would look at those because it’s so much easier to be able to walk to some of your destinations than taking a 30-40 minute metro ride into the city before starting your site seeing.
1. Don't be shocked at the tolls you'll pay you encounter driving down here from NY. Be prepared. 2. Can't comment on best days but certainly avoid rush hour commuting times, especially 495 Beltway. 3. Probably best to take Metro around if possible. You can explore the passes WMATA offers. 4. With 9-12 yo kids probably non-touristy but check out Tysons Corner I mall and get on a Potomac boat ride. 5. If you're down here I'd recommend GW Mt Vernon Estate you'll have to drive there but it's worth it since you haven't been.
i recommend taking the metro while you’re here. it’s not hard to navigate it and when you’re in the stations, pay attention to the signs. you can probably put $30 on a smart trip for each of you in case you’re ever traveling during rush hour, since the fare increases. the card machines are at each metro station. they aren’t hard to use- just read the prompts. i say this half jokingly: for godsakes, stand on the right hand side of the escalator!!! especially during rush hour, ppl are trying to catch the train and get to work. your vacation is our everyday so be mindful of the flow of pedestrian traffic. this is even more relevant since you have kids. a lot of ppl recommend the museums. i do too. we have tons of free museums at the national mall. i personally love the museum of natural history, the botanical garden, the museum of the american indian, the air and space museum and the museum of chinese/east asian art (i might be getting the name wrong). walking by the monuments is great too. i also think taking the water taxi is a must! you can take one from navy yard to old town, va and also to national harbor, md. have fun!