(TGA) - We will be in DC Sunday 12/20 - Wednesday 12/23 with extended family. We live in VA, but still new to the area and haven't done much in the District. We will have our mini van and be staying in a hotel nearby.
My question:
What are our options if we want to do a city tour (possibly a private tour) with 3 kids (3,5, & 7). This is my father-in-law's idea and I'm not sure how realistic this is with small kids and freezing weather. They are from CA and aren't used to real winters ;) This is their first time in DC and we've only done a few museum visits, so basically everything is fair game. On Sunday we will be seeing the Rockettes Christmas show, but nothing else planned so far.
Any suggestions/ideas? TIA!
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I can't imagine subjecting kids that age to an organized tour. Even if they're well traveled and well behaved, there is a possibility that one of them (or one of the adults!) will be ready for a break at some point, possibly a long one. I'm not sure what value a private tour is going to give to small children.
Since you have a vehicle, I would recommend driving around a bit on Sunday evening to see the monuments and get a sense of where things are. You're unlikely to encounter much traffic, and it gets dark early enough (5:00 p.m.) that you can see the monuments by night without staying out too late for the little ones, either before or after the show, if it's not too late.
Then you can decide what to see on the remaining days. Depending on where you are in Virginia it may make sense to take Metro in. Since it will be Christmas week I "think" parking at Metro stations will be easier than normal due to a lot of people being off work that week.
Or, given the number in your group, it may make just as much sense to drive into town. I usually don't recommend doing that for tourists, but again, the "rules" will be different that week.
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Thanks for your reply. This is basically my thoughts as well, but told everyone I would look into it.
We are actually staying in a hotel near the Mall I think-- like walking distance. We'll just park at the hotel.
I'm thinking show on Sunday, dinner afterward. Monday and Tuesday pick 2 museums each day to really explore and call it a day. Drive around a bit on our own-- maybe during nap time. My kids (3 & 5) are in bed asleep by 8 and still take naps during busy days. My ILs on the other hand, go, go, go and my nephew (7) goes along with them and crashes when he feels like-- like a restaurant booth during dinner. This trip will be interesting to say the least! ;) I guess I can always flee in my van back to the valley! LOL
Any other kid-friendly suggestions?
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Here are a few ideas of things to do with the kids during your visit:
1. U.S. Botanic Gardens--They have a special "Holiday Magic" display that will be very appealing for kids. See the following for details: usbg.gov/education/events/Holiday-Magic.cfm
2. The Holiday Model Train exhibit at Union Station--http://dc.about.com/od/christmasevents/a/UnionStatChrist.htm
3. The National Christmas tree and the state Christmas trees on the Ellipse--This will be an outdoor activity, but the older kids can look for their home state tree. Also, many of the state trees feature ornaments made by kids, so your kids might enjoy seeing those.
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I would not recommend one of the general tours until the kdis are older. I do have young children on the bus tours from time to time and behavior is usually not a problem. The 3 year old would probably fall asleep. I do think that the tours are generally too long for kids the same ages as yours though and that the parents would be better off being realistic and visiting places like the zoo or one of the Smithsonian Museums (go to one part of the museum and stay there and pick the place taking into consideration the kids' ages). You might, for example, go to the insect zoo at the Museum of Natural History. Lots of fun when it is time to feed the tarantulas.
Since you live here, try to go at times when the museums are not busy. That means avoiding March 15-beginning of June when the museums are full of kids on school trips and the queues to get in can be long.
I used to take my kids into DC on local teacher work days and, little by little, we did knock off the main sites. Since you live nearby, that is the strategy I would suggest to you. When the youngest is about 6-7, take them on a monument tour. They will like it and you will be glad you waited.
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longhorn- thank you! these are great ideas.
LSKahn- thank you. We are going in a few weeks right before Christmas, but I will keep that in mind for future trips.
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They're off the radar screen of many visitors, but the National Postal Museum (next door to Union Station) is far more engaging, for all ages, than most people anticipate, and the National Building Museum is very "friendly" to younger kids, in addition to having interesting, sometimes quirky, exhibitions of interest to teens and adults & an expansive, terrific gift shop. Plus, the interior courtyard -- almost the size of a football field and the site of many Inaugural balls -- is a sight in and of itself!
moreclever.net/wp-content/uploads/building_m…
http://www.nbm.org/families-kids/
http://www.nbm.org/exhibitions-collections/
The National Zoo's holiday lights and special, family-oriented festivities will be on every evening of your visit, and there are several eateries that would be convenient and fine, early supper venues for your family.
…si.edu/ActivitiesAndEvents/…default.cfm
If you've not already seen it, click onto the Calendar link at the bottom of this "home page" for families/kids visiting the Smithsonian's museums to see the many activities offered each day:
http://www.si.edu/visit/kids_and_families.htm
HAVE FUN
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As I understand it, she lives in Bridgewater, VA (known for its small namesake College, Mennonite community, and turkey farms). That is fully 3 hours away, just beyond Harrisonburg, VA.
Edited: 5:30 pm, December 02, 2009
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Which means she can do trips to DC quite easily, staying one night, seeing a few things and going home. Even from that distance, I would suggest trips on local teacher work days because generally no huge groups will be in town.
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Why don't you have your in laws come to this site and see for them selves. Your kids are really to young to get a thing out of this except colds, and flu. LOL. I start taking mine at about 5th grade, after they have had a little history.
My grand daughter wanted to see where Lincoln got shot, and Dorothy's shoes. We did the bus tour and she was impressed with the big beautiful buildings, and seeing the Georgetown Campus( her dad watches college basketball.lol)
She enjoyed the American history and space museums as well.She is in Gifted classes, and so had been exposed to some of the things the places had to offer.
Unfortunately, I have seen people dragging kids around and toting them in strollers and carrying tons of winter clothes . They are hot, bored and miserable. If they want to do something fun with the kids, why not look for a Great wolf lodge. I think there is one in your area???
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