Hands-on museums and kid-friendly attractions are just a few reasons to
plan your next family vacation in Washington, D.C. These 10 hidden gems
will take your vacation to the next level by blending education with fun
and giving your family a broader understanding of life in the nation’s
iconic capital.
-
National Portrait Gallery, Chinatown
A short stroll north off the National Mall on 7th Street will take you into
the heart of Chinatown, where opposite the Capital One Arena, home of the
2018 National Hockey League Stanley Cup winners, sits the impressive
National Portrait Gallery
. The gallery offers various free classes and activities for children,
including Portrait Story Days (Saturday & Sunday) and Open Studio
(Friday). If a scheduled activity isn’t your speed on vacation, take
advantage of the Portrait Discovery Kits, available for check-out whenever
you choose to stroll in. Don’t miss the soothing Kogod Courtyard, lush with
trees and plants, providing a great place for parents to get off their feet
while kids splash in the water scrim. -
Old Town, Alexandria
Catch a ride with Potomac Riverboat Company and head to
Old Town, Alexandria
, dubbed the “Fun Side of the Potomac,” where you’ll dock near the historic
Torpedo Factory Art Center, converted into artists’ workshops. Open to the
public, let your kids peek into studios to watch the artists at work. Make
your way up historic King Street, oozing with charming shops and
restaurants. Before bidding Old Town good-bye, treat them to a Ben &
Jerry’s ice cream as you leisurely return to the waterfront, where balloon
artists, musicians and live acts energize the atmosphere. -
Gravelly Point Park
Abutting the Ronald Reagan National Airport sits a prized piece of grassy
land, perfect for picnicking, playing frisbee and, naturally,
plane-spotting.
Gravelly Point Park
is a delightful treasure, offering a place to unwind while taking in the
landscape. Kids will be dazzled watching planes take off and land overhead
while parents can take in the impressive view over the Potomac River. -
United States National Arboretum
Just three miles from the U.S. Capitol, the
National Arboretum
will astonish your wee ones with 446-acres of protected land, open and free
to the public 364 days a year. Besides thoughtful children’s programs, such
as Family Garden Days and Saturday Patch spearheaded by theWashington Youth Garden
to connect kids with nature, freely explore perennial, herb, azalea and
bonsai collections. Kids can frolic in the open fields under the shadows of
original sandstone U.S. Capitol columns, which were replaced in 1958 by
larger marble supports. -
National Mall
The National Mall, a 2.3 mile stretch of grassy land connecting the U.S.
Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, promises to deliver whatever your family
enjoys, from flying kites to playing tag. For $3.50, younger children may
relish a spin on the
Smithsonian Carousel
situated along the mall. When tummies start to growl, head to the nearby
food trucks lining 7th Street, which boast a smattering of ethnic and
traditional grub including Mediterranean, Korean and Peruvian cuisine, as
well as easy-wins in the kid department: hotdogs, pizza and, naturally, ice
cream. -
The Wharf
The Wharf
, a newly-developed D.C. district replete with a kids’ splash park, live
music venues, colorful bars and restaurants, rightly boasts it’s where D.C.
meets the water. But if you care to be on the water, step it up a
notch and join DC Sail on their
65-foot schooner American Spirit for a 3-hour sunset cruise to see
D.C. by night. Pack snacks (and wine and beer for mom and dad) to enjoy
while the sun sets. Baseball fans? The Boating + Baseball excursion will
bring your family a homerun with a pre-game sailing adventure
guaranteed to stoke your kids’ anticipation for the game at the
Nationals Park
. Upon exiting the craft, the Captain will hand out tickets and perhaps bid
you adieu with, “N-A-T-S Nats Nats Nats!” as you step ashore to walk or
take the Metro (one stop away) to the nearby ballpark. -
Theodore Roosevelt Island
Unlike the Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and Franklin D. Roosevelt
presidential monuments, Theodore Roosevelt’s is easy to miss because it’s
located on its own island on the Potomac River.
Theodore Roosevelt Island
is a quiet place to enjoy nature, one of Roosevelt’s passions. With your
kids, read America’s 26th president’s thoughts on Nature, State, Manhood
and Youth carved into stone, before heading around the small island
(roughly 1.5 miles) via the Swamp Trail. Roosevelt would be happy to see
your kids observe birds and other natural life while traversing the
boardwalk. -
Sculpture Garden
Join the fun around the Sculpture Garden fountain for a weekly summer
Jazz in the Park
series, a festivity which successfully gathers locals and visitors, young
and old. Pack your own picnic or indulge in the food available such as the
Argentina-Style Chicken Sausage Sandwich or the Smoked Brisket through thePavilion Café
‘s outdoor stands, pitched for the event to satisfy hungry guests. Arrive
early so your little ones gain a seat at the fountain and dip their toes in
the water to the sound of the music. -
Eastern Market, Capitol Hill
If you want to get a taste of local life, hang out at the vibrant Eastern Market
on the weekend, a neighborhood tradition where fresh market produce, street
music, food and handmade craft stands abound. You’ll be strolling
shoulder-to-shoulder with the families of Capitol Hill, walking dogs and
pushing strollers. If you’re already planning a visit to the US Capitol,
Supreme Court or Library of Congress, consider folding the market into your
day. -
National Building Museum
Creative kids with an active imagination will be captured by the
interactive
Fun House
exhibit at the National Building Museum
. The “house” appears typical to the eye, but you’ll find each room built
to test the imagination. In the “backyard,” your kids can take a “dip” in
the popular “pool,” an engaging installation filled with thousands of
plastic white balls. Finish your visit with some BBQ at D.C.’sHill Country Backyard Barbecue
on the museum’s west lawn. In advance, check this seasonal venue for hours
and listing of events, such as Sunday’s Fam Jam with a bounce house and
craft brews for the parents.
Originally published at
Today’s Parent and reprinted with permission.
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