Washington DC

[9outof10mms]

Taking the family on a trip next spring, just after the Cherry Blossom Festival. Looking for tips from those who've been there recently. We're staying in Crystal City across the street from the Pentagon and don't plan to venture outside of the limits of the Metro and tourist areas. I know to not wander outside of the tourist zone there.

Anyone have any "don't miss" places to see? Little-known tours or memorials to see? DC has hundreds of things to see/do. we'll have four kids ranging from 11 to 14, so it's got to keep their attention. Already ruled out the Spy Museum as it looks too wordy and "learned." Don't want to be stuck in place for an hour+ with bored kids.

Places on our list so far:
Capitol Tour
Bureau of Printing & Engraving
Air & Space
Udvar-Hazy Air & Space
WWII Monument
Lincoln Memorial
Arlington Natl Cemetery
Natl Zoo
Smithsonian
Vietnam Memorial
Jefferson Memorial
USMC Memorial

Things we're NOT going to do:
Washington Monument: you can look at it from the ground, everywhere...and they don't let you take the stairs anymore
White House tour: politics aside, I'm not dressing up to walk around DC...we'll walk by it to see it and that's it
Spy Museum

Maybe's:
Smithsonian Natural History
National Archives

Don't really need food recommendations as we'll be on a budget. Unless it's someplace that feeds a family of four for $60.

 

[Burt Gummer]

The places you listed will give you days of sights to see and MILES of walking.

 

[9outof10mms]

The places you listed will give you days of sights to see and MILES of walking.

Yeah--I've already told everyone good shoes and be ready to walk. I'm hoping to do the area in sections. Like the Capitol and whatever else is within 1/2 mile of there. I've got no delusions of doing a Capitol to Lincoln to Jefferson day!

 

[turkeydance]

we were there this May.

these resulted in bored kids looking at their phones:
Vietnam Memorial, WWII Memorial, and all other statues or structures.

the kids paid attention and took pictures at these:
Air&Space, Smithsonian, Zoo, American Indian Museum, and the Metro fascinated the younger one.
(no one else liked the Metro, but we gave everyone ONE choice and that is what she wanted)

 

[Jeppo]

Contact your Congressman for a “behind the scenes” tour of The Capitol.

 

[shackleford]

Contact your Congressman for a “behind the scenes” tour of The Capitol.

That part might not be "kid friendly".

 

[noway2]

Your list looks pretty comprehensive to me. The Smithsonian museums are worth visiting, especially air and space (*). The natl zoo is good and has some unique exhibits, e.g. for the longest time it was the only place to see pandas. The memorials sound like good places to have a short, but somber lesson with the kids.

* I’ll try to be oblique, but I worked for a company that sent people there for work during a renovation while the museum was closed. They were told, the guards are going home, you’re on your honor to not abuse the exhibits. Our company rep, climbed up into the bomb bay of the Enola Gay and had a buddy take his picture.

 

[beamernc]

My daughter and son in law are headed to DC tomorrow for a long weekend and one of the main things they want to go see is the spy museum.

 

[Timfoilhat]

It's been years since I've been in DC, but last time I was there my wife and I visited the Holocaust museum. It's eye opening, sobering and leaves an impression. If there was ever a lesson to be learned about not giving up your guns, that's the place to teach it. Could be a good lesson for the kids.

 

[wvsig]

Yeah--I've already told everyone good shoes and be ready to walk. I'm hoping to do the area in sections. Like the Capitol and whatever else is within 1/2 mile of there. I've got no delusions of doing a Capitol to Lincoln to Jefferson day!

I also highly recommend using the Lime scooters, there are also other brands, you download the app pay for 15 minute jump on and ride around. It is an awesome way to get around.

 

[Car0linab0y]

Smithsonian has tons of buildings. I would recommend the original "castle" brick building, Air and Space, and Natural History.( dinosaurs to diamonds...) American history museum, referred to as America's attic.

Holocaust museum... if the kids are old enough. Somber but necessary. Imho...

 

[wvsig]

Taking the family on a trip next spring, just after the Cherry Blossom Festival. Looking for tips from those who've been there recently. We're staying in Crystal City across the street from the Pentagon and don't plan to venture outside of the limits of the Metro and tourist areas. I know to not wander outside of the tourist zone there.

Anyone have any "don't miss" places to see? Little-known tours or memorials to see? DC has hundreds of things to see/do. we'll have four kids ranging from 11 to 14, so it's got to keep their attention. Already ruled out the Spy Museum as it looks too wordy and "learned." Don't want to be stuck in place for an hour+ with bored kids.

Pleases on our list so far:
Capitol Tour
Bureau of Printing & Engraving
Air & Space
Udvar-Hazy Air & Space
WWII Monument
Lincoln Memorial
Arlington Natl Cemetery
Natl Zoo
Smithsonian
Vietnam Memorial
Jefferson Memorial
USMC Memorial

Things we're NOT going to do:
Washington Monument: you can look at it from the ground, everywhere...and they don't let you take the stairs anymore
White House tour: politics aside, I'm not dressing up to walk around DC...we'll walk by it to see it and that's it
Spy Museum

Maybe's:
Smithsonian Natural History
National Archives

Don't really need food recommendations as we'll be on a budget. Unless it's someplace that feeds a family of four for $60.

Don't skip the Natural History Museum. The dinosaur exhibit alone is worth the trip. The Hop Diamond etc.... It is still one of my favorites.

The National Mueseum of American History is great.

The National Arboretum is cool.

Lots of good food trucks line the mall. Get yourself a Half Smoke it is a DC food tradition.

13 Hearty Half-Smokes Around D.C.

Where to find the District’s signature sausage

dc.eater.com

If you are over by the National Zoo which is the Woodley Park Metro station you can walk over to Adams Morgan. It is a great area for DC culture but it is a bit of a walk.

I know you said you didn't want food recommendations but check these list out anyway.

12 Places to Eat and Drink in Crystal City

Feast on 24/7 kebabs and classic paella

dc.eater.com

16 Excellent, Affordable Dining Options in the D.C. Area

Tacos, hefty sandwiches, and hot pots for a fraction of what it costs to eat elsewhere

dc.eater.com

​

 

[Car0linab0y]

Forgot... but the NRA museum is right there as well; only problem is they had to follow me around wiping the drool off of the display cases. Stuff there that I have only seen pictures of...

 

[ronn47]

Smithsonian has tons of buildings. I would recommend the original "castle" brick building, Air and Space, and Natural History.( dinosaurs to diamonds...) American history museum, referred to as America's attic.

Holocaust museum... if the kids are old enough. Somber but necessary. Imho...

My youngest daughter and her girl friends were in DC a couple months ago.
She said the Holocaust museum was a shock to the system, they knew about it but had never seen much in the way of photos.
She said the shoes got to all of the girls in the group.

 

[wvsig]

My youngest daughter and her girl friends were in DC a couple months ago.
She said the Holocaust museum was a shock to the system, they knew about it but had never seen much in the way of photos.
She said the shoes got to all of the girls in the group.

The shoes..... 😢

 

[Car0linab0y]

My youngest daughter and her girl friends were in DC a couple months ago.
She said the Holocaust museum was a shock to the system, they knew about it but had never seen much in the way of photos.
She said the shoes got to all of the girls in the group.

I lived in Israel for 3 years... shoes aren't the worst thing to see.

 

[ronn47]

I lived in Israel for 3 years... shoes aren't the worst thing to see.

I was there in'94 at a jobsite, saw some ink on several people.

 

[Car0linab0y]

I was there in'94 at a jobsite, saw some ink on several people.

Went to school- 5th to 7th grade. Janitor was a survivor; met a lot who were.

Their museum in Jerusalem pulled no punches.

 

[VA_GENTLEMAN]

Air and Space Museum is AWESOME...

Holocaust Exhibit is pretty powerful...

 

[MrBitey]

We went with our two daughters when they were around the same ages. Everyone liked the zoo. Air and Space was great! Both kids could relate to things at the American History museum. The older daughter really liked the National Gallery of Art across from Air and Space, and the underground Cascade Cafe and gift shop were fine. Even better for food between museums was the Pavilion Cafe next to the sculpture garden, but it's small and I imagine crowded at regular meal times.

We actually enjoyed the spy museum.

The main thing I wish we'd seen is the other Air and Space museum out at Dulles, which I see you have on your list.

When we were there they were still working on the African American History and Culture museum. Reviews seem really positive, architecture is cool, and I'd be interested to see how a brand new museum compares with the old standards.

 

[wvsig]

We went with our two daughters when they were around the same ages. Everyone liked the zoo. Air and Space was great! Both kids could relate to things at the American History museum. The older daughter really liked the National Gallery of Art across from Air and Space, and the underground Cascade Cafe and gift shop were fine. Even better for food between museums was the Pavilion Cafe next to the sculpture garden, but it's small and I imagine crowded at regular meal times.

We actually enjoyed the spy museum.

The main thing I wish we'd seen is the other Air and Space museum out at Dulles, which I see you have on your list.

When we were there they were still working on the African American History and Culture museum. Reviews seem really positive, architecture is cool, and I'd be interested to see how a brand new museum compares with the old standards.

Oh yes go and look at the East Wing of the National gallery building. It is an IM Pei. The building itself is amazing. It is current closed for renovation. When I was in HS we would go down and stand into front of the corner of the building on the right of the pic and look up. It was a cool optical illusion. The building seemed to move in the breeze.

 

[Sleipnir]

The National Gallery houses one of the most remarkable paintings of the 20th Century, Salvador Dali's Sacrement of the Last Supper. Your kids probably will not appreciate it however.

 

[Diablos]

You have to dress up to go on the white house tour?

 

[wvsig]

The National Gallery houses one of the most remarkable paintings of the 20th Century, Salvador Dali's Sacrement of the Last Supper. Your kids probably will not appreciate it however.

When I was in HS we would go down and stare at this painting for what seemed like hours. It is stunning.

 

[MrBitey]

Oh yes go and look at the East Wing of the National gallery building. It is IM Pei. The building itself is amazing. It is current closed for renovation.

Definitely worth a look, even if just from the outside! I.M. Pei is best known for the glass pyramid and the Louvre, but also for the Hancock Tower and the JFK Library. The pyramid was very controversial at the time but has become an icon of Paris.

 

[MrBitey]

If you need to get to the other end of the mall, the pedicab is fun. We used it a couple of times and learned some history along the way.

 

[9outof10mms]

You have to dress up to go on the white house tour?

I don’t believe they do walk-up tours anymore. It’s all through your elected people. And those do require at least business casual.

 

[Jeppo]

Udvar-Hazy Center is great. This is what you see straight ahead when you walk through the entrance hallway and come out into a raised area in the main hangar:

An SR71 with a space shuttle behind it.

 

[YeeHaa]

climbed up into the bomb bay of the Enola Gay and had a buddy take his picture.

This him?

 

[HMP]

The SPY Museum is really good, and interactive bits too.
And they have the pick axe that was buried into Trotsky's skull.

DO go to the Natural History, it's REALLY good.
Ive been to DC God-knows how many times in my life. Hell, about half a dozen times in the last three years or four. And I ALWAYS try to hit American and Natural History.

If youre at Lincoln then youre right at Vietnam - both on your list. Well (facing Abe) if youre willing to go right to get to Vietnam, go left and check out Korean War too. It's a two minute walk.
ALSO, youre right at the Albert Einstein statue, it's super close to Vietnam. Again, two minute walk max.

If youre at Jefferson then why not walk around the lake to MLK and FDR? FDR is a good exhibit, much more than just one statue (MLK and TJ)

Do you guys like nature? If youre at Arlington/Marine then Teddy Roosevelt Island is RIGHT THERE. It's an 80 acre preserve that used to be used as a training grounds for black soldiers and now has a huge monument to TR.
I hear it's also a good place to get engaged lol

Lastly, go to a baseball game. It's really cheap, probably get all four in for about 60 bucks and that's almost 3 hours of entertainment. Im not a baseball fan but enjoyed the time there.

 

[9outof10mms]

Lastly, go to a baseball game. It's really cheap, probably get all four in for about 60 bucks and that's almost 3 hours of entertainment. Im not a baseball fan but enjoyed the time there.

What tickets are you looking at?!?! Maybe the 500's section!

I would love to go to a Nat's game, but to get anywhere halfway decent it's gonna be $50 each. I might try to schedule an "unscheduled" evening and show up at a game a couple innings into the game. Scalpers will let the tickets go for nothing at that point. Only trick is I have 8 people total. Might be tough to score that many tickets.

My workaround for this cost when we were in Seattle was to do the stadium tour. It was only like $10 each and you go on the field, in the press box, private suites, and even the clubhouse as long as it's not a game day. We may end up doing this.

EDIT: welp, looks like the Nationals don't want me to visit. $35 each for their stadium tour.

 

[Miss Lily]

Mt. Vernon is a must see. Spouse and I spent most of a day there.

Also lthe Harbor cruise from Georgetown harbor is good fun. The National Cathedral and the Kennedy Center are an easy walk from the harbor.

 

[Les White]

Every museum has metal detectors.

I forgot and tried to carry a pocket knife into the air and space museum. Of course I alerted. The guys manning the metal detectors were 15ft away playing grab-ass and didn't notice/care. Later that day we went to Arlington, still had the knife on me. Put it in my backpack and sent it through the x-ray machine. Nothing was said.

 

[Jeppo]

Every museum has metal detectors.

I forgot and tried to carry a pocket knife into the air and space museum. Of course I alerted. The guys manning the metal detectors were 15ft away playing grab-ass and didn't notice/care. Later that day we went to Arlington, still had the knife on me. Put it in my backpack and sent it through the x-ray machine. Nothing was said.

Turn yourself in! 🤬

 

[9outof10mms]

Every museum has metal detectors.

I forgot and tried to carry a pocket knife into the air and space museum. Of course I alerted. The guys manning the metal detectors were 15ft away playing grab-ass and didn't notice/care. Later that day we went to Arlington, still had the knife on me. Put it in my backpack and sent it through the x-ray machine. Nothing was said.

Yeah I'd rather not end up in DC pound-me-in-the-ass jail for carrying anything. I'll only be carrying my two natural guns. It's been a few years since I've been to Arlington, but I've carried more than a knife in there without issue. Don't remember metal detectors last time I went.

 

[HMP]

What tickets are you looking at?!?! Maybe the 500's section!

I would love to go to a Nat's game, but to get anywhere halfway decent it's gonna be $50 each. I might try to schedule an "unscheduled" evening and show up at a game a couple innings into the game. Scalpers will let the tickets go for nothing at that point. Only trick is I have 8 people total. Might be tough to score that many tickets.

My workaround for this cost when we were in Seattle was to do the stadium tour. It was only like $10 each and you go on the field, in the press box, private suites, and even the clubhouse as long as it's not a game day. We may end up doing this.

EDIT: welp, looks like the Nationals don't want me to visit. $35 each for their stadium tour.
View attachment 488659

I didnt check for anytime soon - last season I saw tickets the day of for as little as 10 bucks. Ours were 17 so we werent at the very back ha
Also, I dont know where you were looking, but I used stubhub, very easy to buy on there and cheap - many people have season tickets and cant attend every game, they'll drop prices as the game nears

 

[HMP]

Every museum has metal detectors.

I forgot and tried to carry a pocket knife into the air and space museum. Of course I alerted. The guys manning the metal detectors were 15ft away playing grab-ass and didn't notice/care. Later that day we went to Arlington, still had the knife on me. Put it in my backpack and sent it through the x-ray machine. Nothing was said.

Holocaust found my knife.
It was in an altoids tin with some other things
She said, "Smart idea, its ok, it's below the limit"
I think it's 3" blade as the max.
CARRY

 

[Bloodyhands]

Monticello is pretty cool.

 

[VA_GENTLEMAN]

Udvar-Hazy Center is great. This is what you see straight ahead when you walk through the entrance hallway and come out into a raised area in the main hangar:

An SR71 with a space shuttle behind it.

I get aroused when I walk around that plane.... and I ain't kidding. Kelly Johnson was a frickin genius!

 

[wvsig]

What tickets are you looking at?!?! Maybe the 500's section!

I would love to go to a Nat's game, but to get anywhere halfway decent it's gonna be $50 each. I might try to schedule an "unscheduled" evening and show up at a game a couple innings into the game. Scalpers will let the tickets go for nothing at that point. Only trick is I have 8 people total. Might be tough to score that many tickets.

My workaround for this cost when we were in Seattle was to do the stadium tour. It was only like $10 each and you go on the field, in the press box, private suites, and even the clubhouse as long as it's not a game day. We may end up doing this.

EDIT: welp, looks like the Nationals don't want me to visit. $35 each for their stadium tour.
View attachment 488659

Go day of the game and buy tickets outside. I think I paid $30 for this seat