Quick trip to DC recommendations

[Lathum]

Decided to do just a quick three night trip to DC between xmas and NYE. Staying at a hotel in Pennsylvania ave. Will have kids 12 and 15 with us. Any recommendations would be awesome.

[JPhillips]

Have the kids been previously? If not, all the tourist stuff is great, Air/Space, the monuments, the Smithsonsians around the mall. Weather will be a big concern, though.

[Racer]

I really like the National Museum of Natural History, especially the Dinosaurs and Human Origins exhibits.

The monuments are cool too.

I personally wasn't a fan of the the National Air and Space Museum but I seem to be in the minority on that one.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Have the kids been previously? If not, all the tourist stuff is great, Air/Space, the monuments, the Smithsonsians around the mall. Weather will be a big concern, though.

They have not, and yes, I know it will be cold.

[Kodos]

Tour Trump’s new ballroom!

[Lathum]

Our hotel is literally next to the east wing. Or what was the east wing.

[albionmoonlight]

Going up into the Washington Monument is really cool, but you need advanced tickets. I know that they release some each day for same day, but it is one of those things that you have to jump on b/c they sell out in seconds.

You could also contact your senators or rep and see if they could hook you up.

I think that the National Portrait Gallery is underrated, and your kids seem old enough to enjoy it--very close to Chinatown, so good synergy with lunch there.

A word of warning--all the maps make things look closer together than they are so they can fit it all on the map. Not a big deal, but just budget for things that look like a five minute walk from each other to really be a 15 minute walk from each other.

The good news is that the tourist stuff--art, natural history, etc.--really are all worth it and totally awesome (and free!)

[Lathum]

So we arrive after lunch Saturday. I think we are going to check in then go to White House visitors center. We have dinner reservations that night. Next day I think we are going to do the natural history museum and American history museum. If we have time maybe the botanical gardens. Monday thinking air and space and the monuments, going to try and get same day tix to go up the Washington.. Wife also mentioned the spy museum. Tuesday on the way out thinking of hitting the archives to se the documents. May do the Zoo lights one night depending on kids moods and weather.

[flere-imsaho]

Sounds like a good itinerary.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Lathum

So we arrive after lunch Saturday. I think we are going to check in then go to White House visitors center. We have dinner reservations that night. Next day I think we are going to do the natural history museum and American history museum. If we have time maybe the botanical gardens. Monday thinking air and space and the monuments, going to try and get same day tix to go up the Washington.. Wife also mentioned the spy museum. Tuesday on the way out thinking of hitting the archives to se the documents. May do the Zoo lights one night depending on kids moods and weather.

Would I be crazy to consider doing this in February?

[albionmoonlight]

No. DC weather is much more mid-Atlantic than Northeast. You could get colder snow in February but it could also just be normal weather.

The only question would be timing it to make sure you don’t hit any government shutdown

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

Would I be crazy to consider doing this in February?

I'll do a trip report when i get back

[albionmoonlight]

I will also second the spy museum. It is one of the few you have to pay for, but it’s really good.

[Lathum]

Quick trip update

Got in to DC yesterday about 1:00. We are staying right by the white house. Went to the White House visitors center. Pretty easy to get through and has a lot of really interesting things. Walked up to where we could get a good view of the Washington monument then a few blocks to get to the front side of the Whitehouse, from Lafyette Square where you get a great view. Back to the hotel then a nice dinner.

Today was a busy day. The museums open at 10 and we were right at the Museum of American History at opening. Lots of cool exhibits. We could have spent double the time there reading all the plaques at the exhibits. The pop culture section is especially cool. We ate there and it is insane. 4 people with typical cafeteria food was $123. There are food trucks outside.

From there we did the Natural History Museum. It was hella crowded, almost overwhelming. We went through there a little fast but still saw all the exhibits, including the Hope Diamond which was super cool. Again, can spend a day reading the plaques. The mummy exhibit was also pretty cool, as were the dinosaurs.

From there we went to the National archives, they are all in a row and you pass the DOJ building. The archives was the highlight for me seeing the original documents. We are lucky as its a slow week and we had no wait, but pro tip, you can book a time in advance. There are two sections of the rotunda, one with interactive displays and some cool documents, and the one with the big three. If you're trying to save time you can skip the interactive area.

Pretty easy to work in all three, although a lot of walking and breezing through some areas. We finished the day with dinner at Cheesecake factory. Tomorrow were doing the monuments and dinner at Hardrock. My son plays drums and collects sticks where we go.

[JPhillips]

When we lived in DC we ended up near the White House as the President's helicopter landed. That was cool and if you see three helicopters coming in, watch them. Two will peel off at the last moment as decoys.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

When we lived in DC we ended up near the White House as the President's helicopter landed. That was cool and if you see three helicopters coming in, watch them. Two will peel off at the last moment as decoys.

I doubt our waste of a president will be back before we go. My kids are having fun taking pictures of them giving the finger to various government agencies.

[JPhillips]

lol

It was Bush 2 and I was hardly a fan, but the helicopters were still cool to see.

We stopped because we could see the press gathered. It was only a couple of minutes before the helicopters arrived.

[Lathum]

Just got back. Was a really fun trip, if not a bit rushed. I would love to do a week and spend more time in each museum but my wife and kids are a hard no on that one.

Our second full day we used ChatGPT to plan out the best route to see the monuments.

We started at The Washington. Then it took us to the WW2, reflecting pool, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam, Korean, then we walked halfway around the loop to the Jefferson before we peeled off right by the Holocaust Museum.

We learned 2 things that I wish I had known. The main areas of the Holocaust Museum require tickets. We didn't get them and didn't really build in enough time to go through. There is a fabulous exhibit that is free called Daniels Room that details the Holocaust through a childs diary.

We then walked to the air and Space museum where we learned even though it is free you need tickets. It was sold out for the day so we couldn't do it. We instead walked across the street where you get a great view of the Capitol Building and to the art museum. Tons of stuff there and we could spend an entire day but kids were really grumbling.

It was a fun trip but I stand by my claim you need a week. I would have liked to spend more time in each museum we did visit, and would have liked to visit additional ones. We really wanted to do the Spy Museum and I wanted to actually go to the Capitol Building.

[albionmoonlight]

Glad you liked it!