Favorite Things to Do in Washington DC with Kids
We have always wondered, when is the “right” time to take our children to the nation’s capital? When will they take away the most from the experience? Will they be able to enjoy all of the museums and understand the history or will it just be a wasted effort? One of the most attractive things about Washington DC with kids is that many sights are free. So if your kid throws a major tantrum or complains of boredom, you won’t feel guilty leaving and returning later (or saving it for another time).
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Washington, D.C. is fairly simple to navigate due to the numerous monuments throughout the city. It is helpful to use them as navigation points if you are ever lost.
Most of the Smithsonian museums and major monuments are centrally located along “The Mall” which heads west away from the Capitol Building. It’s easy to walk between the sights, take a tour bus, ride a boat, use the metro, or even borrow a bike.
However you get there is up to you, but know that getting there is half the fun. Just be sure to bring your comfortable walking shoes.
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Where to Stay in Washington DC with Kids
- Kimpton Monaco – located near Convention Center and National Portrait Gallery, lovely property with larger guest rooms for families. Click here for rates
- The Willard – beautiful, historic luxury hotel with an excellent location next to The White House. Easy walk to National Mall and Smithsonian Museums. Click here for rates
- Embassy Suites – another property that is good for larger families, this DC hotel is located in the Penn Quarter, 15-minute walk to National Mall, and close to restaurants and the metro. Click here for rates
- Conrad – close to convention center, easy walk to attractions, and good access to shopping and restaurants. Click here for rates
- Hilton Garden Inn Downtown -walking distance to the mall, the White House, Chinatown, restaurants, and most attractions. Spacious rooms and lovely staff. Click here for rates
10 Things to Do in Washington DC with Kids
1) Head to the Yards Park
Washington DC has plenty of museums, so why not entertain kids with something outdoors? Yards Park sits on the Anacostia River and has a ton to do for all ages.
There are dancing fountains for young ones to splash in, kayaks and canoes for rent, and seasonal events like movies on the lawn or concerts. Be sure to build some time into your schedule for having fun!
2) National Air and Space Museum
From the minute we walked in, there were “oohs” and “aahs” from everyone (adults included). When visiting Washington, D.C. with kids This place definitely ranks high on our list. Numerous planes hang from the ceiling, spacecraft are within easy reach, and jets are right there. It was like the kids had died and gone to air and space heaven.
The National Air and Space Museum has the Wright Brothers’ plane, Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis, an Apollo lunar module, and many more artifacts that were key in the development of air and space technology.
The museum does a wonderful job of explaining the who, why, and how of America’s air and space history. There are demonstrations throughout the museum, as well as an IMAX theater and planetarium. Afterward, the kids enjoyed the astronaut ice cream in a bag in the museum gift shop.
3) Museum of American History
Another free Smithsonian museum, the National Museum of American History contains everything from Dorothy’s red slippers to the Star Spangled Banner.
There are rooms dedicated to the ball gowns of the first ladies, different forms of transportation, and odds and ends of American history. The museum is fairly simple to navigate and provides a fun history lesson for everyone. It’s easy to spend half a day here and still have plenty of time to visit another attraction.
4) International Spy Museum
If spies and the history of espionage sound exciting, this is the perfect museum. The International Spy museum is not free, so if your children are little or can’t read, save yourself the money. If you’re visiting Washington DC with teens, this museum is a must.
It is very interactive and our kids loved adopting a false identity and pretending to be spies. The gadgets were intriguing and the details of each one were fascinating. We spent three hours here and the kids still asked to return the following day.
5) White House tour
To see inside the White House it is necessary to make a tour request through a local member of Congress. Requests can be made up to six months in advance and tours are given on a first- come, first-served basis. During the spring or fall, check out the White House garden tours. They don’t include a visit inside the house, but the garden is simply beautiful.
6) Capitol Building
This is another tour that requires some planning but is well worth the effort for a tour of the Capitol. Admission to the building is free but pre-book your tour online for admission. Be sure to allow for extra time for security.
The history of the building is fascinating and the tour guides are excellent. To visit the galleries of the House or Senate it is necessary to secure a gallery pass from a Representative or Senator ahead of time. Who knows, you may even get lucky and see a famous member of Congress strolling past your tour group!
7) National Museum of Natural History
If the Hope Diamond, a giant African elephant, mummies, and dinosaurs interest your kids, the National Museum of Natural History is for you. In addition to these fabulous exhibits, this free museum also has a butterfly pavilion (there is a fee for this), an insect zoo, and a hands-on discovery room for kids. Once again, Smithsonian puts together a museum that entertains adults and children alike!
8) Night Tour of Monuments
Washington, D.C. is stunning at night. There are so many different ways to see the monuments during the day, but nothing beats seeing their majestical beauty in the moonlight. We enjoyed seeing the sights on the water, but you can see them by bus as well. Book a tour and hit the town at dusk. Spectacular!
9) Climb the Old Post Office Clock Tower for a view
An alternative to the view of the city from the Washington Monument is from the Old Post Office Clock Tower. Visitors get sweeping views of the city from its 280-foot-high clock tower. Reservations aren’t needed and tours run every 5 minutes.
10) National Archives
There is so much history in this one building, it is almost difficult to believe. The Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and The Constitution are all on display in this museum making it a popular tourist destination.
Admission is free, but lines always seem long. Save time by booking ahead online and skipping the line. Inside the museum, there are many other exhibits, and a couple of hours should be plenty of time for kids. No photography or video is allowed and be sure to check out the gift shop, they have some really unique souvenirs!
Where to Eat in Washington DC with kids
Old Ebbitt Grill
This historical restaurant located near the White House has a great vibe, centrally located, with fantastic food and service. Lots of televisions for watching games (and entertaining the kids) and cheering on the local teams. The kids enjoyed burgers and mac and cheese while we enjoyed pasta and crab cakes. Lots of menu choices and they are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Oyamel
This is a great authentic Mexican food spot not far from the National Archives. Think Mexican tapas and tacos, so order some to share with the kids. Mom and dad would enjoy the margaritas and local beer after a long day of exploring the city.
Founding Farmers
Quite possibly one of my favorite restaurants, this place prides itself on serving food fresh from the farm. Their menu clearly states their dishes that are vegetarian-friendly, vegan, or contain nuts and all of their dishes are kid friendly.
We went for breakfast and the chicken and waffles were to die for, as was the stuffed french toast, and wait for it…the beignets. Those were definitely worth the wait. I kind of wish I was there right now, yum.
Lauriol Plaza
This restaurant was recommended by one of my friends from D.C. Located in the Adams/Morgan area, this restaurant is a bit more convenient for those staying near the Dupont Circle area. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating which is wonderful on a day with good weather. They serve a unique mix of Tex-Mex and South American cuisine.
Everything was reasonably priced, the service was decent, and the food was better than expected. If you have never had maduros (sweet plantains) try them as an appetizer. The frozen margaritas were definitely worth the calories. The place is loud and crowded, but when you have kids, that’s what you want.
It is easy to be overwhelmed when planning a visit to Washington, D.C. with kids. This list of attractions is only the tip of the iceberg, and there are many more we have yet to discover. There is something for everyone, regardless of age, and there are more attractions than you could ever imagine.
On your first trip to Washington DC, be sure to plan ahead, reserve your hotel room early, and book tours as needed. A trip to our nation’s capital gives you monuments and museums, parks and politics, but most importantly, it gives you an appreciation for the history of our great nation.
Looking for more Washington, D.C. information? Check out Top 5 Family Friendly Things to Do in Fairfax County, Virginia or some of our favorite books to read with kids before visiting:
