Washington is one of my favorite family destinations. The area is easily accessible by car, rail and train. Three airports (DCA, IAD, and BWI) and all the major airlines serve the city, so you have literally dozens of ways to get there and competition keeps prices low. Depending on where you are, you have a good chance of booking a direct flight- a plus when traveling with kids in tow.
Once you land, you won’t have time to do all the things that the city has to offer. The best part is that most of it is free! Check out the pandas at the National Zoo, The Spirit of St. Louis at the Air and Space Museum, and Dorothy’s ruby slippers at the American History Museum all for free. Spend a morning on the mall strolling through the monuments and enjoy a picnic lunch beneath the Washington monument. Take a free tour to see how dollar bills or laws are made.
You’ll find detailed info in guidebooks and on websites about what to see and do. But here is the info that families really want.
When to Go: Busy season in DC is Mar-Aug, so visit in fall or winter when airplane loads are low and prices are soft. DC’s mild climate is pleasant well into December. Weekends will get you lower hotel rates and metro fares.
Where to Stay: My top pick is Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham in Alexandria (703-370-1000). For about $150 per night on the weekends you can get a one bedroom suite that includes two beds, a pull-out couch, full kitchen and dining area, and a couple of 42” TV’s. Plus, they’ll feed you a substantial breakfast and a complimentary modest dinner at the nightly manager’s reception that was enough to satisfy my family. The hotel shuttle will pick you up at the Metro station and even take you to a grocery store or nearby restaurant upon request.
Another great option for families is Holiday Inn Express-Largo (301-636-6090) near BWI. The hotel has a complimentary breakfast, indoor pool, and free shuttle service to the Largo Town Center Metro station. Plan on about $135/night for a family of four.
Getting Around
The DC Metro is the easiest and least expensive way to get around. Fares are cheapest on weekends and after 9 am. You will pay a premium during peak travel (7:30-9:00 am and 16:30-18:00). You can also purchase a day pass for $9 that is good any time after 9:30 am. Up to two kids age 4 and under travel free any time on the Metro with each paying adult. FYI for security reasons, you can only use your credit card 3 times per day at any MetroRail kiosk, so buy all your tickets at once. For more info and metro maps, check out www.wmata.com
Reagan International (DCA) has a MetroRail station located at terminals B and C. Trains run approximately every 12 minutes.
Dulles (IAD): take the 5A bus ($3.85, cash only) to Rosslyn station where you can connect to the orange or blue metro lines. The bus runs every 30-40 mins depending on the time of day.
Baltimore (BWI): take the BWI express (B30) to the Greenbelt station. The express runs about every 40 mins and costs $3.85 (cash only).
Stroller Friendliness: I give DC three out of four stars for stroller friendliness. You’ll be fine with an umbrella stroller, but you’ll have a bit more trouble with a larger stroller. Elevators at Metro stations can be hard to find and some tours of government buildings don’t allow strollers (or backpacks).
Michelle’s Top 5 For Families
National Air and Space Museum: All ages. There is literally something for everyone at this museum. Great interactive exhibits for kids in the How Things Fly arena, walk through the Skylab space station, and experience life on an aircraft carrier. Two hours is plenty for younger kids, dads and teens need a lot more time. www.nasm.si.edu
The Mall: Best for kids age 8 and older. Take a picnic lunch to make it more interesting for younger children. There are few family-friendly restaurants in the area anyway. Look for the Dial-A-Ranger signs that let you hear pre-recorded messages about the monuments using your telephone. Plan on at least 2 hours, more if you plan on visiting the Washington Monument. Tickets to the monument are free and can be reserved at http://www.nps.gov/wamo/index.htm.
National Zoo: Best for kids up to age 12. There are definitely zoos that are better laid out than this one. Exhibits are far apart, bathrooms are not centrally located, and it’s situated on a sloping hill, so remember that you have to walk back up every step you take down. But, hey, they have pandas, komodo dragons, jellyfish, and naked mole rats. What more can you ask for? Younger kids love it. Plan at least four hours including travel time. More info and animal web cams at nationalzoo.si.edu.
National Museum of American History: All ages. A little advanced planning will help keep younger kids entertained. The museum is home to Dorothy’s ruby slippers, Old Glory, early renderings of Kermit the Frog, dresses of the First Ladies, locomotives, vintage cars, Abe Lincoln’s hat and hundreds of other pieces of Americana. You can visit all the “must-sees” in around two hours. Make a game plan of what to see at americanhistory.si.edu.
Mount Vernon: All ages. Unlike the other activities, this 50 acre living history museum isn’t free, but it is worth every penny. The hands-on history exhibit is open May-September and has activities and games just for kids. Any time of year, you can check out the gardens, the 16-sided barn, the blacksmith shop and George Washington’s famous wooden dentures. You’ll spend the better part of a day exploring all the park has to offer. More info at www.mountvernon.org.
