Address 2101 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037 Map,
Huge statue of Albert Einstein, tucked in between the State Department and the Vietnam Memorial. Not crowded, climbing encouraged, great photo ops... it's difficult to describe the magic here, but go and you will not be disappointed. more
Address 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20001 Map, Website
Like a lot of places in Washington DC, this is free. It is one of our favorite cold-weather destinations. There is a sky-walk that allows you to see the "top of the jungle" as my neice gleefully exclaimed. During the holiday season, they have a train exhibit that delights even those who are tired of Thomas the Tank Engine. It is fairly stroller friendly with an elevator to the sky-walk. more
Address Raoul Wallenberg Place, Washington DC Map, Tel 1-866-874-2330 Call, Tickets Advance tickets required for visits between March and August. Pick yours up from the ticket booth at Raoul Wallenberg Place. Same day tickets only. Ticket booth opens at 8am, but lines start as early as 5:30am and tickets are sometimes gone by 8:30am., Closures Closed when the Department of Homeland Security threat level is elevated to Code Orange. It is also closed on weekends, federal holidays, and the week between Christmas and New Years., Hours 9:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m.(tours every 15 minutes). Extended hours from April-August: 2:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. ( every 15 minutes) & 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (every 15 minutes) Website
On the Bureau of Printing and Engraving tour, kids can watch real money being made and sorted from an overhead glass window. Tours fill up even in off season, so be prepared to wait.
Strollers are not allowed on the tour more
Address 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive, College Park, Md 20740 Map, Tel 301-864-6029 Call, Website
The College Park Airport Museum is a little-known gem located off the green line metro in College Park (Suburban Washington DC- about 8 miles outside the city). There are a number of hands-on exhibits, aviation-related art projects, and even a fleet of wooden airplanes to ride outside. The museum is great for toddlers through school-age children, and is interesting for parents too. A nice indoor activity. more
Address 800 F Street, NW, Washington DC Map, Cost Adult (ages 12-64) $18; Child (ages 5-11) $15; Children under 5 years: FREE Website
This museum is best for kids age 12 and up, but younger kids who are interested in Spies may enjoy it. The museum as a special exhibit called Operation Spy (extra charge) where participants experience closed spaces, physical and mental challenges and more. The museum also hosts "KidSpy" events for younger kids, Click here for a listing of current kidspy programs. more
Address 10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW, DC Map, Website
Bones, butterflies, planets, mammals, IMAX nature movies, and lots more. more
Address 401 F Street NW Washington, DC 20001 Map, Website
The Building Museum is a great indoor space for young children. We frequent it in both cold and hot weather. The exhibits are interesting for adults but the real draw for parents is the kids exhibit "The Building Zone" dedicated to hands on learning for children. There is also a large atrium with a fountain where kids can run off some steam around the edges of the room without bothering anyone. more
Address 3001 Connecticut Ave NW Washington DC 20008 Map, Tel 202.633.1000 (voice/tape) or 202.633.5285 (TTY) Call, Website
There are so many great places to visit in DC with kids. Our kiddos (3 and 1) LOVE animals, so the National Zoo was by far their favorite place to visit. more
Address 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD 20812 Map, Tel 301.634.5380 Call, Website
The Puppet Co. is a nonprofit children's theater located in the beautiful, historic Glen Echo Park. It specializes in professional puppet theater for children, families and school groups in the DC area, and often gets visitors from all over the world! It's a treat for the entire family, as adults often enjoy the show just as much - if not more - than the kids! They do mostly tales that kids already know and are excited about, such as "Cinderella," "Peter and the Wolf," and "The Three Billy Goats Gruff." Definitely plan to spend some time here, as the Park has a carousel (only open May - Sept.), a playground and lots of artist shops to browse. It's also very affordable, with no ticket price exceeding $10. more
Address 1961 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, VA 22102 Map, Website
They have a great, new, free indoor playground sponsored/built by National Geographic at the Food Court and they have nice little animal figures, soft floor, little slides that your little kid can play on. There are seats on the perimeter for parents/guardians. Also on Wednesdays, from about 10 or 11 a.m. or so, there's a free kids club with activities such as a musician singing, or party experts giving away balloons. There's also an indoor train in the same area for a small fee. Food is good too--we always have Five Guys Burger, and shops are the best. One parent can shop while the other watches the kids :-) more
Address 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly, VA Map, Website
The Udvar Hazey Air and Space Museum is one of our favorite places to visit. It is a place suitable for adults and children who love airplanes. It has large open spaces that little ones can explore/run around and not bother anyone. This is one of our go-to places especially in bad weather. There is a McD's inside and IMAX movies. The observation deck is also great to watch planes land and take off from Dulles International Airport. The drawback of the U-H Air and Space Museum is that it is difficult to access by public transit and the parking is expensive ($12/car). more
Address 9200 Old Dominion Dr, Mc Lean, VA Map,
There is a beautiful little known secret - Great Falls (like a mini Niagara Falls) in Potomac MD and a park with a long winding path along the C&O Canal (the potomac river) -- you start at Great Falls Park, walk down along the locks to the paths to the "falls" and then come back and take a long walk along the canal -- it's an awesome way to spend a Sunday morning on a sunny day on your next visit to DC area. Enjoy more
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