Taking children to Washington Dc can be  overwhelming trip. Here are a few tips I learned.  My husband and I took our kids to Washington DC for my sons birthday this past weekend it was a trip we booked last minute.  Since we live 3hrs away it is an easy getaway. Here are some fun things and tips:

Movie to watch before going to DC: Night at the Museum Battle of the Smithsonian will let the kids know more about where they are going and hype them up for the trip.

Hotel: Do you hotel location homework  We stayed at the Holiday Inn Capitol Hill ($130 a night) is not the newest hotel, the pool is not indoors which is not good if you don’t go in summer.  But the location is amazing, it is 2 short blocks (500 ft) from the doors of Smithsonian Air and Space museum. There is a Starbuck in the lobby and a CVS on the corner(just in case). Bonus refrigerator in the rooms (leftovers) I will review the food in my next post.

Parking in DC: We stayed at a hotel (be sure to remember parking fees apply) we paid $34 at our hotel but check in at 3:00 and left it till 5:00pm the next day one rate.

Transportation in Washington DC

• Trains are an option but be sure to see if they are running with our government being over budget they were shut down the holiday weekend we were there.
• Tourist Sight Seeing Buses They do have several hop on hop off  Old Town Trolley is one that says they have a actually person talking- I did not travel with them so I can’t recommend them.
• Taxi’s are expensive a trip might run you $15-20 each way.
• Shoes: this is a walking city make sure you and your children have a comfortable shoes and socks.  Tip: I would bring band-aids and Nu skin for those blisters.  Be sure to cut toe nails (kids) before you go.

Smithsonian Washington DC the place to be when in DC

• National Mall; It is not a mall it is a massive lawn that the Smithsonian Museums surround- great place to take pictures or fly a kite, relax, eat pack lunch.
• Smithsonian Cost:   Museums are free your tax dollars paid for them.
• Smithsonian Tours: are free but might be a little long for the kids.  I just listen to them as I walk around
• Hours: Smithsonian museums close at 5:30 unless a special occasion they were open late when we went, cool museums after dark. I would check the hours
• Tip: Things look close together on a map..they are much much large they appear with tired kids
• Tip: Do cut through museums  these building are enormous so do take advantage of cutting through the museums to get to the national mall. My family did not know and walk around Air and Space Museum to get the national mall,  only to have to walk past both again on the other side to head to the Natural History. Also remember closing time when needing to cut through the museums to get back to hotel.

Smithsonian top parents pick these were recommend by my friend on twitter:

Natural History Museum: from Dino to Diamonds (Hope diamond that is)  this is a must see museum.  Also they have areas where you can touch the rocks and stones.  Check out some videos my daughter did on the Natural History Museum from a 5 year olds  perspective.

• Tip: Before you go you can down load Smithsonian caveman mobile ap for your phone,

Air and Space Museum:  This was a treat for my son. Not only the amazing planes but have an interactive children area. While we where there,  they held  airplane contest for the kids so be sure to check out the times when you arrive.

• Tip: The air and space museum have an Imax screen (for an additional charge) check time they do have some shows that are free so check the times calendar.

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden: Located on the mall next to Natural  science Museum We walked through it is outside, the metal tree is really neat.  The ice rink which lead to a late night skating session $9.00 to skate(which included skates)  it is also well lit at night for skating.

• Tip: he view is amazing you are staring at the National Archives

The Postal Museum -we did not get to go but planning another trip to do so

National History Museum– We are saving this one for another trip, sad we did not have enough time. I am sorry I missed Dorthy’s shoes.  Located close to the Washington monument

Lincoln Memorial is a hike it is at the other end of the mall past the reflecting pool.  We are saving seeing him for another visit.  Plus if you drive at night you can park pretty close.

We then headed to a different hotel near Dulles Airport.  So we could explore the new National Air and Space Museum Udvar_Hazy Center opened in 2003 I will tell you all about it in my next few posts. here is her video post on air and space museum

Have you taken a trip to DC what tips can you share?