Washington

Icsics

We're going to spend 5 days in Washington next summer with a 10 & 8 yr old. Any recommendations appreciated, thanks

thebiglad

Presuming the shutdown is over by then - the Smithsonian museums (Natural History and Air/Space museum) and Zoo are a must. If it is in Season - a Baseball game

2ndcoming

It tends to be very hot and humid in Summer, the Smithsonian is a must for sure, gets you out of the weather. Also there's a new Air & Space museum out at Dulles which is worth a look. The Spy Museum is excellent although might be a bit mature for your kids (check their website.) Holocaust museum ditto. Neither of these are Smithsonian, privately funded. New African American museum is Smithsonian and supposed to be good, never been.

The Zoo is good but bring plenty drinks / sunscreen. Can be very crowded. It's not hugely unlike Dublin Zoo but with pandas, bigger crowds and about 20 degrees hotter.

MLS season would be running if you're soccer fans, go and watch Rooney. I've been to Camden Yards to watch the Orioles a few times, can drag on a bit if there's not much scoring happening, presume the same is true of the Nationals.

Hershey Pennsylvania is a theme park within day trip distance as is King's Dominion, Virginia.

dkelly

Here's some places I would recommend, enjoy

Book a tour of the Capitol Building... worth a visit
https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/plan-visit/book-tour-capitol

Arlington Cemetery is across the river, take the tour bus rather than walk as it's big so you can see it all, time it so you see changing of the guard
https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/

There's 2 parts to National Air& Space, one central which is great for kids, half a day to see it all with going to IMAX shows.
https://airandspace.si.edu/

and one need Dullas airport which has the space shuttle, about 30 minutes outside DC
https://airandspace.si.edu/learn/highlighted-topics/space-shuttle

This is a great walk along the national mall, lots to see, loads of museums.. about half a day to do all the walk.
https://washington.org/DC-guide-to/lincoln-memorial
https://washington.org/dc-neighborhoods/national-mall
https://washington.org/DC-guide-to/washington-monument
https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/tours-events/
https://www.si.edu/

kerry4sam

Thread moved to where it would be better suited.

Thanks,
kerry4sam

endofrainbow

Washington DC or Washington state?

Icsics

endofrainbow wrote: »

Washington DC or Washington state?

DC

SHOVELLER

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057840945

Check tips in this thread. The African American is a must see given the times we are in here. PM if you have any questions.

tretorn

Its unbearably warm in the summer, I think you would be wasting your money.

I was there in August and found it utterly exhausting, never again.

cena

spy museum

SHOVELLER

You will never waste your money here. While it can be very humid in the summer be prepared and hydrate.

The new International Spy Museum opens in May.

Sports wise DC United have a new stadium which is well worth a night out and its right next to the Nats stadium too.

JaimeLannister

Was there in July a couple of years back during a heatwave. Was very hot and sticky but at the same time the place looked amazing - brilliant blue skies, the large green mall and all the white buildings dotted around.

I didn't mind the heat but was a tough walk around all the same - lots of ice creams required! But I definitely wouldn't be put off

My favourite place in DC was the Newseum. If you are a fan of reeling in the years you'll love it! But there are so many great museums around that you shouldn't be bored anyway

SHOVELLER

JaimeLannister wrote: »

Was there in July a couple of years back during a heatwave. Was very hot and sticky but at the same time the place looked amazing - brilliant blue skies, the large green mall and all the white buildings dotted around.

I didn't mind the heat but was a tough walk around all the same - lots of ice creams required! But I definitely wouldn't be put off

My favourite place in DC was the Newseum. If you are a fan of reeling in the years you'll love it! But there are so many great museums around that you shouldn't be bored anyway

Sadly the Newseum will close at the end of the year so catch it all while you can!

ArnoldJRimmer

I’ve been there a couple of times, once in August. While hot, I took adavantage of the jet lag and visited the monuments early in the morning. The Newseum is wonderful, devastated to hear its closing. There’s some fun stuff there for the kids too. I think your kids are old enough to enjoy the spy museum too

Eating and drinking in the center is a little expensive, but that might be city wide, not sure. Overall, fantastic city

SHOVELLER

Further good news for all here is that the Mayor has announced that the Circulator will be free from now on. Normally the price was $1 but for February and March the fare was scrapped.

So for tourists the National Mall route will be the most applicable:


https://www.dccirculator.com