It has been eerily quiet around here, but when your husband is on crutches and traveling every week while you have 2 kids and an infant at home, you’re just happy to keep everyone clean, dressed and fed. The kids’ Spring Break is finally around the corner, and we are all looking forward to a much needed getaway. Our city has so much to offer to enjoy time as a family and some of it is free.
Local Attractions
The National Museum of Natural History never gets boring. There is so much to see and to learn! Use the back entrance to avoid some of the crowds to enter the museum. The Butterfly Pavilion is free on Tuesdays so consider this when you plan your week.
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Stop by the Sculpture Garden. It has a lovely cafe with indoor and outdoor seating, clean bathrooms and filtered water to refill your bottles. After lunch, you can sit by the fountain to enjoy a treat from the many ice cream trucks.
Let your kids ride the carousel on The National Mall. It’s a quick treat that may become their favorite part of the day.
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Pack a picnic and visit Theodore Roosevelt Island to explore the many natural trails and boardwalk. It’s a great spot to take the family dog along. The trails can get muddy after a big storm so keep an eye on the weather forecast to plan your visit.
The National Zoo is also always a favorite with children. Go early in the day to avoid some of the crowds. With any luck, the animals will be really active then. The orangutans may even be climbing on the cables on warm days around 11 a.m.
Head to the Earth Explorers exhibition at National Geographic Museum. You can take a simulated ride on a hot air balloon or go underseas in a submersible! This museum is not a part of the Smithsonian and has an admission cost.
If you want the full tourist experience, board a “hop on, hop off” bus to tour the city. You can go at your own pace, all day long. There are several tour operators. Big Bus Washington DC has more than 40 stops in D.C. Old Town Trolley Tours can be seen all over the city. DC Ducks begins at Union Station and drives by monuments and Smithsonian Museums before transforming into a boat and splashing into the Potomac River. D.C. and surrounding area residents can purchase 1 ticket and get 1 free.
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Depending on the age and/or personality of your kids, you may be able to check out some local breweries. Most have board games, snacks and TVs. Depending on their schedules, they may have live music and food trucks. Atlas Brew Works, DC Brau, 3 Stars Brewing Co are just a few of the local options.
Day Trips
Baltimore is the perfect destination for a day trip or even an overnight trip. It’s a really fun city to explore with many family friendly activities. Consider the Inner Harbor, the National Aquarium, Medieval Times and Port Discovery Children’s Museum.
Book a room at the Gaylord National or MGM or just spend a day at National Harbor. There’s a lot to do here. Ride the Capital Wheel or the carousel and enjoy the views of D.C. For a full day, dine at the Gaylord National, take a shot at gambling at MGM and shop at the Tanger Outlet stores. You can end with a trip on a water taxi.
NASA/Goddard Visitor Center is only 30 minutes from Washington, D.C. You can explore the universe, learn about climate change, climb inside a Gemini capsule model or participate in one of the monthly model rocket launches. It’s free to visit! (closed on Mondays)
Getaways
Luray Caverns are hugely popular caverns and just 80 miles from D.C. Guided tours lead visitors through cathedral-sized rooms with towering stone formations and other wonders. There is also a Garden Maze. The line into the Caverns can try the patience of little ones so consider this when planning your visit. On April 22 and 23, you can enjoy a history packed Civil War weekend nearby. Book a local hotel with an indoor pool and order a pizza or room service for a fun overnight.
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Depending on the age(s) of your kids, an overnight at The Greenbrier or The Homestead may be more appropriate. You could also check out Kingsmill Resort or Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg, Va. They cater to your little ones with daily activities and fun in the water. There’s even a spa!
