This past summer we had the pleasure of exploring our nation's BEAUTIFUL capital as a family of four plus two.
My husband, our 11 year old daughter, our 6 year old son, and myself, made the trip to Washington DC with my aunt and uncle. The larger crowd made the itinerary a little more difficult to plan. I needed to come up with a schedule that kept all four adults intrigued, both children engaged, and all six of us entertained. Challenge accepted. Read on for my perfectly executed strategy!
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An action packed itinerary for a 4 day road trip to Washington DC with kids.
Where to stay?
In my opinion, the key to a fabulous vacation in Washington D.C., is to stay in a hotel with a central location. You want to be close enough to the mall which is local lingo for the National Mall where the popular monuments are located while still being near great eats, top museums, and some nightlife. Traveling as a family, an indoor pool, child friendly accommodations, and reasonable rates are other nonnegotiable items.
For us, the perfect spot was the Embassy Suites by Hilton Washington DC Convention Center (link).
Day One
This is the travel day! Whether traveling by car like we did or airplane, make sure you time everything out appropriately.
We're starting this trip out strong with a visit to the Arlington National Cemetery (link). Here you can pay for a bus tour (link) or you can walk through it on your own. Some must sees include the Tomb of the Unknown Solider, JFK's gravesite and memorial, Taft's gravesite, and the Arlington House. While this won't be a highlight for your children, it's so impressive that they won't complain.
Hint: If possible, try to time your visit so you can witness the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown solider.
Next up is the Ford's Theater (link). I highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance and slotting about an hour total for this site. Here you'll see where President Lincoln was shot and walk across the street to see inside of the home where he passed.
After eating a really fabulous meal at Yardbird (link), you're going to walk over to a place my kid's loved. Actually, a place that we ALL loved called the Museum of Illusions (link). All 6 of us had an absolute blast. Plan to spend about an hour here and make sure your phone is charged since many of the exhibits make for great photo ops.
While you'll be tempted to head to the pool or grab a drink, don't. The next day can be exhausting so get all the extra sleep you can on Day 1! Thank me later...
Day Two
Grab a hearty meal at the hotel and be sure to pack plenty of water. Today is monument day and you'll be doing a lot of walking in the unbearably scorching hot sun!
Since we were traveling with young kids whose little legs would only carry them so far, we booked tickets for the Old Town Trolley Tour (link). This is a hop on, hop off tour. When used strategically, it eliminates some of the walking and saves you time. That being said, you will not have time to do everything. Plan accordingly and make sure that you hit your top spots first.
Tip: All of the museums mentioned below are free. Despite being free, it's recommended to get tickets in advance due to popularity.
We started at the National Archives (link) where we saw the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Afterwards, we headed over to the National Portrait Gallery (link). After realizing that this place was the size of an entire city, we skipped through the majority of the museum and headed to the Presidential Portraits exhibit. From there we ventured on over to the White House.
To break up the day, walk to Old Ebbitt Grill (link) from the White House. This restaurant was spectacular in it's own right. The interior was stunning, the bar was majestic, and the food was best meal I had in all of Washington DC.
Now that you're fed and reenergized, it's time to visit the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (link). This is yet another museum that's gigantic. I recommend planning ahead and prioritizing your top choice exhibits. For us it was the Hall of Gems, Hall of Fossils, and Sant Ocean Hall. These three exhibits took about 2 hours to really explore.
Hop on the trolley and take a relaxing ride to see the final monuments along the Mall. Pass by the Washington Monument, the WWII Memorial, and end at the Lincoln Memorial.
By now you have to be exhausted. Splurge on an Uber and head back to the hotel. If you're staying at the Embassy Suites, take advantage of their happy hour. Relax, sip on drinks, let the kids eat the free snacks, and let those legs rest.
When the sun starts to go down, embark on the long walk towards the Capitol Building. As beautiful as the Capitol Building is during the day, it's even more stunning at night. The whole building is illuminated. To motivate everyone for yet another long walk after an entire day of walking and standing, stop at one of DC's famous food trucks for a bite to eat on the way there. Stop again for ice cream on the way back to the hotel. If you're not traveling with kids, stop at one of DC's famous speakeasys on the way back. Whatever the motivation, it's worth the evening hike.
Hint: Don't want to walk? Try an Evening Sightseeing Tour by Bus (link).
Head back to the hotel for a late night swim, cocktail, or both!
Day Three
After an intense day two, I planned for a leisurely day three in Georgetown. Georgetown is a beautiful neighborhood in DC that is FULL of history. Start your day with a light meal at the hotel and the quick drive to this historic town.
Begin your day on M Street NW. Don't forget to stop at the Old Stone House (link) for a quick visit. There is an adorable park behind the building and visitors are allowed inside the home for a quick step back into time. Once done, continue making your way down the road. Enjoy this walk. Stop in the boutiques and take in all the architecture. It's a beautiful town that should be enjoyed! At the intersection, turn down Wisconsin Ave NW.
At noon, head to Martin's Tavern (link) for lunch. Click here for my full review (link). Martin's in highlights - OK food, full of American history, beautiful interior, where JFK proposed allegedly. After lunch, continue your leisurely stroll through town. Stop at Thomas Sweet (link) for an ice cream. Head towards the Potomac River for a river walk or water sports including kayaking. Before leaving, stop at the Mount Zion Cemetery for a somber moment. Here you'll find a cemetery in shambles, a cadaver storage building with direct ties to the underground railroad, and Nannie's gravestone adorned with childhood relics.
It's been a long, eventful day. Head back to the hotel for happy hour and a quick bite to eat. Afterwards is going to be magic! Literally..
Book tickets in advance for The Magic Duel Show (link). Before you roll your eyes, let me say this is NOT your average magic show. Yes, there's magic and it's freaking fantastic magic at that. But it's also a comedy show with lots of audience participation. The premise is two magicians competing to be the best. And, yes, you get to vote for your favorite magician at the end! To prove my point, above might not be the most flattering picture. But look at my baby's faces. The joy and laughter in this picture is legit! I HIGHLY recommend this show.
Day Four
As our road trip comes to an end, it's time to check out of the hotel and make one last stop. Head over to Smithsonian National Zoological Park (link). I thought this zoo was going to be small because it's completely free. I was completely and totally wrong. This is a beautiful zoo that can take a full day to get through.
Tip: While the zoo is free to enter, parking is costly. In addition to paying a fee, you'll need to make a reservation to park the car well in advance.
After enjoying a day at the zoo, stop at Taqueria al Lado (link) for a quick bite to eat. The food is yummy, the margaritas are delicious, and the service is good. It's the perfect meal before heading home.
Happy traveling!
-R&W
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