Sight-seeing in DC

[obewan]

I'm taking my 8 yr. old for his second cap. I want to take him around to see some of the main things in DC (White House, the monuments, etc). I don't want this to be a real in-depth tour, because I don't want to bore him. Does anyone have any recommendations for where to park, the best way to make a loop around the National Mall, etc? Links are good, too. Thanks in advance.

[nancyb]

Parking on the Mall near musems generally requires finding a meter or a lot. Because the meters only last for two hours, that might the perfect amount of time for an 8 year old at a musuem. Driving can be a bit of a drag because of congestion. Also, you don't get such a great view. There's some limited term parking on the north and south sides of the Tidal Basin that allow you to take in either the Washington Monument or Jefferson Memorial up close.

You might want to head for streets in West Potomac Park and park near the Franklin Delano Roosevelt memorial. It's on the Tidal Basin, a nice place for kids to look and run around. Also, it's less congested. If the kid's a trooper, he (and you) can walk from there to the Jef or Wash monuments.

If you've got a little war-like dude on your hands, I recommend the Navy Museum (around 6th and M Southeast). It's low key with lots of hands on things like a subamarine periscope and anti-aircraft guns he can manipulate.

[TeamUSA]

Check out the International Spy Museum. Should keep his attention on the attraction in addition to the match.

http://www.spymuseum.org/

[Nerazzuri]

The garages near the mall usually don't have awful rates, compared to other large cities, but if you get there early (usually before 8 am), most of them also have early bird rates, like $12 for the day, as long as you're out by 6.

As far as what to do....the Spy Museum is definitely cool, but it can take a while to take it all in, so it may be tough on an 8 year old.

I would say take one of two options......

First, if there's one thing that really, really fascinates him, focus on that. If he's into aviation, or space, then Air & Space is definitely worth it. Obviously, likewise for the other museums. And be sure to check with the Smithsonian Institute to see what special exhibits they may have. I was just there in August, and below the Smithsonian Castle, there was a Jim Henson exhibit, which could be great if he grew up on Henson's stuff.

The other alternative, though, if you want to do more of a sightseeing tour, instead of focusing on one museum, would be to do a trolley tour. There's a company called Old Town Trolley, that offers great tours. You pay your admission for the day, and it's hop-on, hop-off, so if there's a specific museum, monument, or landmark you want to check out, or if you want to grab lunch, you can hop off, and catch the next trolley (they're usually about 15 minutes apart).

It's a good way to see all the monuments, but not get overwhelmed, and get any extra info you want at the specific stops, but not all of them. Also, the conductors are very knowledgeable, and when I've done it with my nephew (in Boston and DC), they are also humorous.

DC is a city that, at some point in every kid's childhood, does deserve it's own trip, for a week, I think. But, if you've got a day or so, these tours are a great way to go. Their website is http://http://www.trolleytours.com/

[nancyb]

Check out the International Spy Museum. Should keep his attention on the attraction in addition to the match.

http://www.spymuseum.org/

As a long time DC resident, I still have a hard time paying for a museum.

[obewan]

Thanks for the tips. Our son is a trooper...he's been on several 4-5 mile hikes where he walked the entire time, so I don't think parking and walking would be a problem. The Spy Museum would be neat, but I may have to save it for another trip. The trolley tour sounds like a good idea...

This will be a whistle-stop tour, basically (probably a 3-4 hr visit). We'll probably see the monuments/buildings on the mall and maybe hit the Air & Space Museum for a little while. Is there a better/worse place for parking around the mall? We'll be doing this either Saturday (before the game) or Sunday morning.

Thanks for the advice!

[rksehga]

Thanks for the tips. Our son is a trooper...he's been on several 4-5 mile hikes where he walked the entire time, so I don't think parking and walking would be a problem. The Spy Museum would be neat, but I may have to save it for another trip. The trolley tour sounds like a good idea...

This will be a whistle-stop tour, basically (probably a 3-4 hr visit). We'll probably see the monuments/buildings on the mall and maybe hit the Air & Space Museum for a little while. Is there a better/worse place for parking around the mall? We'll be doing this either Saturday (before the game) or Sunday morning.

Thanks for the advice!

Just keep in mind that the IMF and World Bank meetings are on the 13th, so there may be a lot of protestors in DC that weekend which could cause traffic snafus.

[EdTheRed]

Check out the International Spy Museum. Should keep his attention on the attraction in addition to the match.

http://www.spymuseum.org/

The Spy Museum costs money. Just about every other museum in town is free. You should definitely go to Air & Space instead.

[Nerazzuri]

Just keep in mind that the IMF and World Bank meetings are on the 13th, so there may be a lot of protestors in DC that weekend which could cause traffic snafus.


Yeah, those will be big concerns, and even when there aren't major, headline grabbing things like this, there is always the chance of something going on in the area, which can take up more traffic, etc.

obewan, depending on where you are staying, you may be best advised to just use the metro to get to the Mall. If you're staying in the district, just about anywhere is going to be close to a metro stop, so you can leave the car at the hotel/friend's place/wherever you're staying. (except Georgetown, really, but you can connect via bus there). If you're outside of the district, most of the stops have parking lots.

[nancyb]

If you want to go to the Air and Space Museum, you might want to combine that with a trip to the Botanical Gardens. They're both on the Independence Ave. side of the mall and they're a nice contrast between indoor stuff and outdoorish stuff. Keep in mind that the monuments are on the western end of the mall and the Air and Space Museum is more towards the east. This map gives a view (you'll need to zoom out):

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=900%20Ohio%20Drive%20Southwest%2C%20washington%2C%20dc&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

If I were going to the Air and Space Museum, I'd look for parking around 6th or 4th Street.

[EdTheRed]

If you want to go to the Air and Space Museum, you might want to combine that with a trip to the Botanical Gardens. They're both on the Independence Ave. side of the mall and they're a nice contrast between indoor stuff and outdoorish stuff. Keep in mind that the monuments are on the western end of the mall and the Air and Space Museum is more towards the east. This map gives a view (you'll need to zoom out):

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=900%20Ohio%20Drive%20Southwest%2C%20washington%2C%20dc&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

If I were going to the Air and Space Museum, I'd look for parking around 6th or 4th Street.
The 8-year-old version of me *loved* the Air & Space Museum...I would have been bored to tears at the Botanical Gardens. :D

[rksehga]

The Spy Museum costs money. Just about every other museum in town is free. You should definitely go to Air & Space instead.

Yeah, plus the Spy Musuem is probably a little over the top for an 8 year old. Though kids these days are damn smart. Air and Space has tons of interactive "wow" things.

[nancyb]

The 8-year-old version of me *loved* the Air & Space Museum...I would have been bored to tears at the Botanical Gardens. :D

Botanical Gardens these days have something for everyone! I personally can't stand the Air and Space Museum.

[obewan]

Seriously...thanks for the ideas. While we won't see everything this trip, it seems like we may have to make another. PM me if you ever need any travel info for NC. I've pretty much covered the whole state.

[nancyb]

If you want to give the kid a taste of art, my kids always found the Hirshorn interesting. There's enough "huh?" stuff in there to keep kids looking for more.

As for the American Indian museum, I can't recommend it. It just doesn't do it for me. The Air and Space Museum sits between each.

[K]

At the bottom of this page we have tourist and transportation info:
http://screaming-eagles.com/participate/events/usa-cuba-information-for-columbus-day-weekend/

If you want to see a lot, I recommend the Tourmobile (http://www.tourmobile.com/index.php). It hits the major tourist spots and you get commentary on the way (it's hop on, hop off so you can spend as much time as you want at a particular place). You could take metro but then you have to wait longer for trains (if you want to see Jefferson Memorial for example, it's a hike out there from nearest metro stop).

We have two new museums, The Newseum (http://www.newseum.org/) and the The National Museum of Crime and Punishment (http://www.crimemuseum.org/).

If you want a great view of the city and none of the hassle of long lines and getting tix, check out the Old Post Office Tower (http://www.nps.gov/opot).

K

[EdTheRed]

Botanical Gardens these days have something for everyone! I personally can't stand the Air and Space Museum.

But you're not 8, now are you? :D

[nancyb]

No, but I had three boys and they all liked Botanical Gardens through the ages.

[rksehga]

No, but I had three boys and they all liked Botanical Gardens through the ages.

well . . . not sure what that says about your boys! I'm kidding. that was in poor taste, but i've had like 6 cups of coffee today and couldn't resist.

[Bill Schmidt]

Yeah, those will be big concerns, and even when there aren't major, headline grabbing things like this, there is always the chance of something going on in the area, which can take up more traffic, etc.

A handful of blocks will be closed then. Definitely those on the south side of Pennsylvania Avenue, and possibly Pennsylvania itself from the White House to 21st, give or take a block on either side.