The Unknown Ahead

Ready to smash as much as possible into a 3-day weekend? Get your walking shoes ready, because we are going to see as much of Washington DC as possible! There are SO many museums, memorials, and monuments that it can seem overwhelming, but we’re here to help! 

Some of these spots require a little pre-education before your visit. It was really important to me that my children experienced the Holocaust Museum and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier while we were in DC, but that is a pretty heavy ask for a ten year old. We talked about history A LOT before we went on this trip. If you want some advice on books or TV shows pre-visit, let me know. 

Know-before-you-go: All of the Smithsonian museums (and zoo) are free! However, there are a lot of museums that require a timed entrance reservation online. Make sure to click on museum links and get an entrance time before visiting.

Day 1

• Welcome to DC! We’re heading to The Mall and checking out one of DC’s most popular museums first – The Air & Space Museum! This place is full of hands-on learning about air crafts, space, and physics. They require a timed entrance, so get the 10AM slot.
• Next, we’re walking to The National Museum of the Native American and having lunch in their food court. Weirdly, there aren’t a lot of food options on The Mall; however, this food court will give you some amazing Native American recipes along with childhood pleasers like hamburgers. 
• Walk west along The Mall and explore post-lunch. Options to see on your walk:
  • World War II Memorial
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial
  • Korean War Memorial
  • Lincoln Memorial
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
• If you want an amazing dinner, head to Jaleo for some Spanish tapas. This will please the adults, but also have some great options for kids too.

Day 2

• We start pretty intense by visiting the Holocaust Museum. This spot requires a timed entrance starting at 10am. I have been to this museum multiple times, and it is an incredibly moving experience. If your kids are really little, I would skip this one for now. Other options could include The Natural History Museum which has a lot of fun information on animals, gems, and a butterfly house.
• Take a walk along The Mall and check out The Washington Monument. You can go up to get a view of DC, or just check it out from the ground.
• One of our favorite spots is coming your way – The SPY Museum! Be prepared to memorize your new name, hometown, and occupation because you’re going undercover! Not only is this museum unique, fun, and informative, but it’s also full of hands-on learning experiences for all ages. There’s also a gift shop that will blow your kid’s minds.
• Tonight’s restaurant is a DC classic – The Old Ebbitt Grill. It’s across the street from the White House, so make sure to take a peak as you walk to dinner. Keep your eyes open, because this is a favorite for politicians! I’d suggest the oysters, clams, and shrimp. 

Day 3

• Have I mentioned that I love zoos? The Smithsonian Zoo is a cab ride away, but so much fun. When we visited they had pandas, but I believe they’ve been sent back to China. Who knows, maybe they’ll be back some day soon. There are elephants as well!
• Hop back in a taxi and head toward Virginia to visit Arlington Cemetery. It may seem a little morbid to wander a cemetery, but there are so many things to see here. There are some famous grave sites – John F. Kennedy, Robert Todd Lincoln, Walter Reed, William Howard Taft, Thurgood Marshall, Glenn Miller, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg to name a few. There is also The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier where you can witness the changing of the guard ceremony. Just be sure to have a conversation with children about behavior expectations at the cemetery. This is not a place to run around or use loud voices.
• Also in Arlington is the US Marine Corps Memorial (Iwo Jima).
• If the cemetery seems too formal for your children, you could also head to The Wharf instead and check out the fish markets. 
• Our final stop is the National Archives to see the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Although not a “wow” for younger kids, it’s such an important piece of our history!
• Two choices for dinner tonight: The Founding Farmers or The Hamilton. Both are terrific. The Hamilton has a written children’s menu and is very family friendly despite the formal interior. The Founding Farmers is farm-to-table and delicious, but slightly less friendly for picky kids.