One of our most anticipated stops of the summer was the nation’s capital. It didn’t quite live up to our high expectations, due in part to the oppressive heat and lack of child-friendly tours. However, it still had some high points. Here’s the good, the bad, and the suggestions for maximizing your own trip to Washington D.C.

Arlington National Cemetery

Maybe we should have known that a 3 and 6 year old wouldn’t have the proper appreciation of the significance of Arlington National Cemetery, but because my husband had never visited we decided to make the stop. 

Highlights:

• The Memorial Amphitheater is a beautiful structure, and the boys enjoyed climbing the various staircases and sitting in different locations throughout the amphitheater. And there wasn’t an expectation of silence, which was a huge bonus.

• The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Changing of the Guards is a can’t miss stop on any trip to Arlington. Unfortunately, Liam and I sat that out due to the silence requirement, but it was probably Jack’s favorite part of the visit.

Travel Tip: Be ready to walk, and be sure to bring a water bottle if it’s hot. There are water fountains throughout the cemetery, but we were wishing we had a water bottle to refill.

For Kids: Arlington National Cemetery is a beautiful, solemn reminder of the price that this nation continues to pay for our freedom. It is not designed to be a fun place for children. Consider the age and maturity level of children and be sure to discuss appropriate conduct prior to visiting.

National Mall & Memorial Parks

No trip to Washington D.C. is complete without visiting the iconic structures that surround the National Mall. One of our favorite parts of the trip!

Highlights:

• The Washington Monument is such a distinct structure, and our trip to the top provided 360 degrees of amazing views of the city. 
  

  View from the top of the Washington Monument

• Ryan and I both work at Abraham Lincoln High School, so our family has a special connection with anything Lincoln related. His memorial is another awe-inspiring tribute to a great president.
  

  Jack’s favorite president

  

  Liam trying on hats in the gift shop

Travel Tip: We are an active family, but this was ALOT of walking, and despite the fact that it was still morning, it was very hot. Consider one of the many bus tours that provide transportation and invaluable air conditioning!

For Kids: My children enjoyed watching the ducks in the pond next to the reflecting pool as much as they enjoyed any of the monuments or memorials. There is also a Junior Ranger badge that can be earned at the National Mall.

Building Tours

We visited the White House, the Capitol Building, and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Seeing the inside of the White House was something I have always wanted to do. We requested the tour through our local senator back in February and we all celebrated when we were approved. However, the “tour” was disappointing. We merely walked through a few rooms. It wasn’t a guided tour, and we left feeling underwhelmed. Maybe my expectations were too high. 

We thought that the Bureau of Engraving and Printing would be so interesting. We get to see how money is made! After our visit, I wouldn’t suggest that tour to anyone with small children. The group was huge, and my boys couldn’t follow the process. Another disappointing hour. 

Highlights:

•  After the lack-luster tours of our first day, we started the second day with a visit to the Capitol Building. Because there are several tour groups in each room, headphones are provided in order to hear your tour guide. The kids liked this because it was something new, and it also meant that we didn’t need to keep them absolutely silent. The opening video was great, and it was really interesting to discover which individuals were honored on the state statues.
  

  All ready for the tour!

Travel Tip: In order to go into the White House, you need to request a tour through your local Congressman up to six months in advance. Tours fill up quickly, so the earlier the better!

For Kids: The Capitol Building has activity books for children based on their age.

Smithsonian Museums

You could spend a week exploring the various Smithsonian museums, but we only had time (and energy!) to check out the National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of the American Indian. 

Highlights:

• Seeing the airplanes and rocketships at the Air and Space Museum was fun for the whole family. They even had several models to get on board and explore.
  

  My boys checking out the cockpit

• Admission to all Smithsonian Museums is free! They don’t even ask for a donation, which took away the pressure to stay long enough to get our money’s worth. We spent about two hours in each museum.

Travel Tip: Do a little research on the museum options and what is available in each one. We happened to stumble on the activity room in the American Indian Museum, and it was one of our favorite things in D.C.

For Kids: 

The Museum of the American Indian had an awesome discovery room for children of all ages. They could make necklaces, practice balancing a canoe, enter a life-sized teepee, and so much more. It was a relief to let the boys play after so many days of working to keep them quiet and behaved.

Washington D.C. was an exhausting few days, and we were glad to move on when it was time. The silver lining is that we stayed for just $16 a night at Greenbelt National Park and almost everything in DC is free, so at least we didn’t pay an arm and a leg for our mediocre (at best) visit. But wait for the next post, because Virginia is great!