Do you have a list of places you really want to see before you die? Like a bucket list for travel? I do. I love to travel, every time I go someplace new, I gain some sort of new perspective {It’s all very deep and meaningful. Ha.}, and each new place gives me chance to experience life in a different way without having to put my house up for sale.
I think it would be awesome if every kid got to go on a field trip to to Washington D.C. at least once in their lifetime. It has so many iconic buildings, museums, etc.
Obviously, first up is The White House. It is home to the President–and has hosted countless world leaders. It is over 100 years old. I don’t want to channel my grandmother here, but “if walls could talk,” I am sure these walls would have plenty to say. Still, it’s awesome that we live in a country where we are allowed to tour our leader’s home–or even get close to it for that matter.
Next, the Smithsonian Museums. The Smithsonian Institution is made up of 15 separate museums and a zoo. The Air and Space Museum, Natural History Museum, American History Museum and the Zoo are the most popular of the Smithsonian collection. But, if one of those don’t strike your fancy, there are tons of other topics to choose from.
The Air and Space Museum covers the history of flight, as well as the future of it. You can see the Wright Flyer or the Apollo 11 all in one place. There are tons of interactive exhibits for kids, as well as IMAX movies {with an educational twist to boot}.
The Natural History Museum covers everything from dinosaurs to modern mammals. {If you have little ones, it’s where The Night at the Museum was filmed and set.}
The American History Museum is probably my favorite. It is home to a lot of our nation’s history, but it also covers pop culture history {you can see the original Ruby Red Slippers from Wizard of Oz}. We are a relatively young country, and seeing all of the truly amazing accomplishments we have made in such a short time really is cool.
The Zoo is literally amazing. There are 1000’s of animals. You can take a stroll down the Asia trail and check out the giant pandas. Plus, admission is FREE!
Arlington National Cemetery where there are over 400,000 graves. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is that famous granite wall where all of the soldiers who died or are missing as a result of the Vietnam War are written. The sheer volume of names nearly takes your breath away. The Washington Monument provides a pretty picturesque backdrop too.
Ford’s Theater is the infamous location of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. It is still a working theater, dedicated to depictions of Abraham Lincoln’s legacy. It also has many of Lincoln’s historical artifacts–some relating to his assassination {John Wilkes Booth’s pistol} and some to his life {his personal library}.
What Mavis approved vacation would be complete without a garden? The United States Botanic Garden calls itself a living plant museum–and it is. It is built around sustainability and has some amazing exhibits, including a Food for Thought exhibit that teaches you more about your own garden, edibles, medicinal properties of plants, etc.
After a long day of site-seeing, you have to stop by Pitango Gelato. The company is totally committed to sustainable practices, they make their gelato from grass-fed cream/milk, free-range eggs, fresh fruit, etc. and you can taste the difference. It. Is. Awesome.
Have you been to Washington D.C. ? What would you add to the list?
~Mavis
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Abby's Mom says
This is where I grew up! You hit on a lot of my favorites, but a few others I would recommend for your next trip: The Kennedy Center is a must visit. They have world class theater and music and a whole variety of free shows at 6 pm every evening that give you a good chance for some fun entertainment and an excuse to walk the halls. I also really enjoy the Hirshhorn Museum of modern art, also on the mall and I believe part of the Smithsonian. It was a favorite to tour with friends when I was in high school.
Leslie G. says
I loved the American History museum also, especially the kids area. I would add the National Postal Museum and the old Post Office Pavilion. We had such a limited time when we were there and opted for the Capitol tour instead of the White House tour. It was very good. Truthfully, I like our Seattle area Museum of Flight even more than the Air & Space Museum although the historical aircraft displayed in D.C. is very impressive (especially Lindbergh & Earhart planes).
Heather says
The museums of the Smithsonian take unpaid college interns (at least they did a few years back). I worked at the Museum of American History my junior year in college, two days a week for 6 months. It was one of the best experiances of my life. You really get to see and know a museum that way and you have plenty of time to explore the other museums during lunch.
Wynn says
I think your list covers the basics really nicely. If you only have time for two monuments, I’d pick the Lincoln Memorial over Washington’s, but with more time it’s great to add Jefferson, WWII, MLK, FDR (my favorite), and the others. Also with more time: the Udvar-Hazy Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, west of the city, dwarfs the one on the Mall.
As a local, here are the places I like to recommend to those who’ve already hit the basics: the National Cathedral (especially if you can catch a gargoyle tour), the National Arboretum, the National Building Museum (awesome exhibits on green building and urban planning), the National Geographic Museum, Dumbarton Oaks, and any of the art museums (National Gallery, Corcoran, & more). Maybe you need to come back, Mavis! 🙂
dee says
Lived there in the 70’s in the Foggy Bottom area, near Watergate, and have returned with our kids 3 times. Since the WH tours are on hold, ( We have gone a coupla times), see the Holocaust Museum, and I love the Lincoln Memorial, and the Wall. Also see the The money printing office ( the official name escapes me). Love the Zoo, and the Smithsonians. The rich history we have there, needs multiple visits!
Cindy says
Yes, the Holocaust Museum is phenomenal and the Wall truly moving. I hear there are bicycle tours I’d like to arrange for our family when we return with the kids. It’s been nearly 15 years since my visit so it’s certainly time to return.
Caroline says
I used to live in Kalorama Park and Woodley Park and would say cnce the basics are covered, I love the Korean War Memorial; it’s so unique. I also love the US Botanic Garden and feel like it’s often overlooked. I really like the National Building Museum ($) and Spy Museum ($) as well. When you visit Arlington Cemetery, you MUST go to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and read up on it a little before you go; it’s so powerful. So many wonderful things to do and see! If you can make it during the Cherry Blossoms (and can stomach the crowd and traffic); it’s just gorgeous. Capitol Building tour (although White House tours are suspended, they are still going on), Library of Congress, etc., etc.