How to plan a fun-filled, family-friendly itinerary for grandkids, parents, grandparents and all of your loved ones.
In the nation’s capital, monuments and memorials meet family milestones. Use this guide to explore Washington, DC with ease and maximize time for making memories.
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How to Get Around
Between Metrorail and bus, taxi and rideshare, and hop-on hop-off options like Big Bus and Old Town Trolley, Washington, DC is easy to navigate for families.
You can also rent your own wheels, from scooters and bikes to pedicabs, or enjoy the city’s walkability. DC’s neighborhoods, including the National Mall, feature plenty of stroller- and wheelchair-friendly routes. Learn more with our accessibility homepage.
Jump to our section on tours that we recommend for multigenerational trips.
Places to Stay
Hotels near Metro stations are extra convenient for families ready to get out on the town.
Just a little removed from the activity of downtown DC (but still accessible by Metro), the Omni Shoreham resort hotel in Woodley Park combines ample grounds, relaxing spaces, a gorgeous pool and family-friendly amenities to make it a standout option for multigenerational travelers. For kids, there are board games, a kids’ craft studio (open daily) and indoor bounce houses on Saturdays. A walk to the National Zoo is a 12-minute, stroller-friendly route on a slight uphill.
Spots like Hyatt House, Washington Marriott at Metro Center, Residence Inn and the Four Seasons all tout family-friendly amenities and pools.
Apartment-style accommodations at spots like Mint House are fantastic for larger groups, and you can find even more family-friendly hotels in our roundup.
★ Pro tip for families with babies or younger children (0-3): Book a hotel with a view so you can sit back and relax in a scenic setting while your kiddo takes their nap.
A few options include:
- Hotel Madera (Dupont Circle)
- Hyatt House and the Intercontinental (The Wharf)
- The Fairmont (Georgetown)
Guide to the National Mall
A trip to the National Mall means memorable family photos and lots of open space for families to explore and engage as they like.
With two miles of distance and an abundance of monuments and memorials to choose from, a little planning goes a long way when setting out with a group.
Mini-Itinerary 1 (1.5 miles)
Starting point: Washington Monument
- World War II Memorial (0.2 miles, 7 minutes)
Give your younger travelers clues to find their state pillar or the Kilroy cartoon etched in granite. - Constitution Gardens (0.1 miles, 3 minutes)
Pass by this peaceful pond and pay a visit to the ducks on your way to your next stop. - Vietnam Veterans Memorial (0.3 miles, 7 minutes)
- Lincoln Memorial (0.1 miles, 3 minutes)
Out front, spot the “I Have a Dream” inscription on the steps, the site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic speech.
From here, you can climb the steps to the Lincoln Memorial Chamber (where he sits) or take the elevator from the basement level, where there are public restrooms.
Add an extra leg to your trip, before or after (distance from Lincoln Memorial):
- The Albert Einstein Memorial (0.2 miles, 6 minutes)
A favorite with families, this memorial outside the National Academy of Sciences building includes a celestial map and a four-ton figure of Einstein that kids love to climb. - Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial (0.4 miles, 8 minutes)
Take in this milestone memorial and walk along the Tidal Basin to the Jefferson Memorial. - White House (1.2 miles, 30 minutes)
From here, you can view the South Lawn, a beloved family photo-op. Be on the lookout for Marine One, which shuffles the President between his home office and various sites in the area.
Family-Friendly Tours
Cover the Mall and beyond with any one of DC's family-friendly tours.
Choose from all kinds of topics, languages, locations and transportation methods. For instance, outings with Adventure DC Tricycle Tours allow families to go at their own pace from a tricycle-pulled pedicab (or two, or three).
Evening tours offer a cooler option, especially in the summer. Monuments and memorials take on a whole new perspective in the moonlight.
Ghost tours will captivate any teenagers on your trip and uncover the history of the nation’s capital for your whole group. Tours are offered year-round and often can be accommodated for various ages.
Museums for Families
DC museums – both on the Mall and off – provide interactive, kid-friendly elements alongside world-class exhibits.
The International Spy Museum, the National Children's Museum and the National Museum of American History are just a few spots popular with visiting families. Check out our full guide to family-friendly museums and activities for more inspiration.
At most museums, folding chairs or stools are available for visitors to take a rest while enjoying the galleries. Read our full accessibility guide to the Smithsonian museums.
Tips: Visitors are encouraged to pack sealable food and drink containers to stay hydrated between museums. Please note that most Smithsonian museums close between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Family-Friendly Restaurants & Dining
Dining all over the District
Consult our roundup of the District’s most family-friendly restaurants and cafes to plan a sit-down meal.
Another hack for easy-breezy family dining in the nation’s capital is DC’s lineup of food halls. This format makes it easy for families to find a big table, spacious enough for everyone to settle in with their meal of choice.
Museum cafes and on-the-Mall eats
The major Smithsonian museums have a restaurant/cafe inside, making for an easy, low-key pit stop and, in some cases, a way to further engage with history and culture.
The indoor/outdoor Pavilion Cafe, located inside the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden, is a favorite for a casual sandwich and open-air time. The central fountain is stunning in the summer; in the winter, it converts into an ice rink with kid-sized skates available and hot cocoa for onlookers.
Picnics and food trucks are also fabulous options for a day on the Mall. At Bar Americano, a converted Mall kiosk, adults can sit outside with pizza and vino while kids play.
Fun Things to Do with Kids & Grandparents
TMake sure to explore more free and family-friendly things to do in DC.
Parks and gardens abound
DC is regularly ranked as one of the greenest U.S. cities, so there is always open-air space a stone’s throw away, making the city convenient for adults to relax while kids play.
Splash parks are another popular outdoor activity, including ones at the Georgetown Waterfront Park and Canal Park.
Catch a Washington Nationals game
Nats games are a beloved tradition for families in the District and it’s no wonder why. Kids under 12 eat free during the regular season. The Kids Zone and playgrounds provide plenty of space to run free and at Sunday games, kids can run the bases.
Review the stadium’s bag policy beforehand: backpacks, diaper bags and cooler packs are not permitted inside. Clear bags that are 12 x 6 x 12 inches or smaller are permitted.
East Potomac Park’s scenic mini-golf
Set up some competitive family fun
For a more active family activity, have some friendly competition at the East Potomac Miniature Golf Course. The oldest continually operating miniature golf course in the U.S., it is open year-round from 10 a.m. to dark. And with its location on Hains Point, you can take in the views of the Potomac River and Washington Channel.
Sit back and enjoy a show at DC’s theaters
When there are so many theaters with family-friendly programming, it's always a good idea to catch a show. Explore options at the the Kennedy Center, the National Theatre, Signature Theatre Company or Arena Stage.
Find fun in other DC neighborhoods
Each one of the District's neighborhoods has its own unique charm, so take the family exploring. One favorite location is The Wharf, which provides a waterfront environment ripe for memory-making. The water taxi docks at the Transit Pier, only 0.2 miles or a three-minute walk from the SW Shuttle stop.
Looking for more ideas for your visit to Washington, DC? Explore other adventures and itineraries.