Sharing the U.S. Capitol and the White House with your children may be a tempting option, but it’s one that requires a bit of planning. Tours of the White House are only available by advance reservation through your Congressional representative; you may make your request as early as six months before your trip. Same-day tours of the U.S. Capitol are available, but be prepared to wake up early and wait in line. You can beat the line and arrange your Capitol tour in advance by contacting your representative’s office.
The National Zoo is another must-see. Make sure to visit the famous pandas, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian. The panda pair is one of the prime attractions in the Asia Trail, where they share a home with sloth bears, fishing cats, red pandas and other animals. Kids can also lend a hand tending goats, cows and chickens at the Kid’s Farm, an on-site facility designed to teach children about the importance of the agricultural world.
With so many free, fun and educational attractions, DC always earns high marks from family vacationers. Kids of all ages love the National Air and Space Museum, home to huge planes, hands-on experiments, flight simulators, and even a moon rock. Dinosaurs, insects, life-like mammals and dazzling jewels are on display at National Museum of Natural History, while the Sackler Gallery’s ImaginAsia program complements the museum’s featured exhibitions with hands-on art projects, Asian storytelling and more.
Families and aspiring architects will have a ball at the National Building Museum. The breathtaking Great Hall lends to hands-on activities like arch construction, bridge design, egg drop competitions and more. They’ll also enjoy the magnificent design of the Washington National Cathedral, which introduces kids to its magnificent gargoyles through regularly-scheduled tours. And you’re almost certain to find a kid-friendly special exhibition on display at the National Geographic Society Museum.
Visit the National Archives to see the original Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Before you leave, stop by Public Vaults, a permanent exhibition that gives visitors the sensation of walking into the Archives' behind-the-scenes vaults and stacks. Kids can step into the boots of soldiers on the front lines, follow the original investigation into the sinking of the Titanic and even listen in on the deliberations of presidents as they faced some of the country’s greatest challenges.
For another “official Washington” experience that doesn’t require so much planning, visit the Library of Congress. It’s a treasure trove of Americana, packed with artifacts like the Wright Brothers’ flight logs, Bob Hope’s collection of jokes and Harry Houdini’s catalog of magic tricks.
The Newseum dazzles and delights with exhibits designed with future journalists in mind. Kids can deliver the weather forecast in front of a green screen, get critiqued by a professional photojournalist after snapping photos of a news scene and view front page stories from all over the globe.
The International Spy Museum is always a hit with older children and parents alike. It explores the history of espionage with interactive exhibits and an hour-long program for visitors ages 12 and up. Operation Spy, which combines live-action video characters, special effects and hands-on activities, makes for an intrigue-filled adventure based on an actual case drawn from the files of U.S. intelligence. The International Spy Museum also offers Spy in the City™, a new GPS-based interactive experience that allows participants to embark on a series of exciting self-guided outdoor missions using GPS technology.
For kids, getting there may really be half the fun. DC’s safe, efficient and color-coded Metrorail system offers easy access to most points of interest, and for many kids, navigating the Metro is an attraction in itself.
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