Family Itineraries
Washington, DC has so many cool things to see that deciding where to start and what to include on your trip can be a real challenge. We've put together some suggested itineraries for one, two, three, and four days of sightseeing.
You'll walk your feet off if you're like most visitors to DC, so remember to schedule time back at the hotel to relax by the pool or enjoy a leisurely meal at Senators Sports Bar – where kids under twelve eat free when dining with an adult!
Day 1
- Get your bearings: Walk to the Capitol building and along the Mall, or hop on the Old Town Trolley at the hotel, and get an overview of the Washington Monument, the White House, the Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
- Visit one of the most popular Smithsonian museums for kids: the Museum of Natural History or the Air and Space Museum.
- Take a paddle boat ride in the Tidal Basin and sit down for awhile!
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
- Return to the Smithsonian and explore another museum.
- Take in the IMAX movie.
Links & Resources
Here's our list of favorite websites for families visiting DC, as well as our Top Ten Kids' Activities and Top Ten Cool Family Dining Spots. Our resourceful staff is always ready to help you plan your day, so don't hesitate to stop by the front desk for a little help!
The Washington Post Entertainment Guide lists children's activities (click "with kids" in the lower left corner), as well as everything else about what's on in DC.
Washingtonian Magazine's Online Visitors' Guide also has excellent tourist information.
The Washington Convention and Tourism Corporation publishes an updated DC Visitor's Guide twice a year. This 128-page book is packed with ideas; you can order it by phone, online, or print just the segments that you want.
Check here for special events on the National Park Service calendars.
Explore DC, sponsored by WETA, the capital's public broadcasting station, is great to search with your kids to learn about DC history.
The Smithsonian and The National Gallery of Art have special sites just for families. For a longer list of museum links, check the Holiday Inn on the Hill City Guide museum section.
Play fun games to learn about DC at http://kids.dc.gov.
Top 10 Kids' Activities
- Take a ride on the antique Carousel on the Mall 1000 Jefferson Dr., SW (202) 357-2700.
- Ice skate on the ice rink at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. (202) 289-3360.
- Play in the fire station or the Ice Age cave at the Capital Children's Museum 800 Third Street NE (202) 675-4120.
- Take a trip to the past at the C&O Canal Visitors Center 1057 Thomas Jefferson Street, NW (202) 653-5190.
- Attend the Medieval Workshop at the National Cathedral Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues, N.W. (202) 537-2934.
- Shop for cool stuff at the Discovery Channel Store at Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Ave., NE (202) 842-3700.
- Fly a kite on the Mall.
- Visit the pandas and their friends at the National Zoo 3001 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. (202) 673-4717.
- Hike through the wilds of Rock Creek Park or Roosevelt Island.
- Address a postcard electronically at the National Postal Museum and see the route it will take to its destination. 2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E. (202) 357-2991.
Top 10 Cool Family Dining Spots
- Senators Sports Grill — Stay and eat with us! Great American classics, big portions, sports nostalgia with lively atmosphere & 15 TV screens, outside dining seasonally available, and KIDS EAT FREE.
- At Holiday Inn on The Hill
- 347-7678
- Ben's Chili Bowl — A Washington, DC landmark, attracts diners from every part of the city, smokes and burgers smothered in chili. Bill Cosby's favorite DC hangout.
- 1231 U Street, NW
- 667-0909
- Chef Geoff's — A friendly, laid-back America bistro. You have to try the "stone pies."
- 3201 New Mexico Avenue, NW
- 237-7800
- Market Lunch — Massive paper plate cafeteria. Don't visit your cardiologist for at least a week after eating here.
- Buca di Beppo — Southern Italian cooking, classic red-and-white checkered table cloth look, big, bold, loud—you know Mama's in charge. Your family will feel very welcome and very well-fed.
- 1825 Connecticut Avenue, NW
- 232-8466
- Hard Rock Café — All American classics, rock'n'roll memorabilia, and lots of tourists.
- 999 E Street, NW
- 737-7625
- Clyde's of Georgetown — The epitome of a neighborhood saloon, but with in family-friendly way. Good American cuisine.
- 3236 M Street, NW
- 202-333-9180
- Hawk and Dove — A British style pub with solid American food. Sports on the tubes and kids' menu. Mostly locals and political types.
- 329 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 543-3300
- Bread & Chocolate — Terrific coffees, pastries, and sandwiches.
- 666 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE
- 547-2875
- Old Ebbitt Grill — Long history, great burgers, awesome crab cakes. Moderate prices and a friendly, busy atmosphere.
- 675 15th Street, NW
- 347-1801
- Union Station Food Court — two block walk.
- 40 Massachusetts Ave NE Washington, DC
- (202) 289-1908