See giant pandas, elephants, giraffes, sea lions, and more than 400 different species, set in a 163-acre zoological park. (Admission is free).
Click here for information about
zoo hours, exhibits, and events.
Note: reservations must be requested through one's member of Congress a minimum of 21 days in advance. Click
here for the White House's
official visitor's page. Also see About.com's step by step
instructions for getting tickets.
Admission is free, but advance reservations are required in order to see much of the building. Click
here for general information about the Capitol and
planning a visit. Information about
booking tours can be found here.
Admission is free. Click
here for information about the Court and
planning a visit.
See the National Park Service's page about
planning your visit. Watch About.com's
video walking tour of the Mall.
Visit Yelp.com's page for directions,
general information, and reviews.
View works of sculpture while skating in the open air. (Open mid-November through mid-March). Click here for
information about skate rentals, hours, and more.
Take a family or self-guided
tour and visit the
Young Readers Center. (Admission is free)
See the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, historic photos, special exhibits and more. Find
general information for visitors here. (Admission is free)
See dinosaur bones, a live coral reef, an insect zoo, gems and minerals, a hands-on "Discovery Room," IMAX movies, and more. (Admission is free). General
visitor information can be found here. You can even sign up for a
sleepover at the museum.
Learn about the history and tools of espionage.
For a virtual tour of the memorial, with panoramic views and audio discussions by park rangers, visit the
Lincoln Memorial Interactive site.
The memorial offers panoramic views of the tidal basin, the White House, and other presidential sites.
Located along the tidal basin, the memorial features a statue, inscriptions from his speeches and writings, and (at the Memorial's entrance) touch-screen kiosks with educational audiovisual displays.
From the water you can enjoy views of the Jefferson Memorial, cherry blossoms, and more. Click
here for
information about boat rentals.
Centered at the Tidal Basin, the celebration features cultural events, a kite festival, art demonstrations, family craft activities and more. A
schedule and visitor information can be found
here.
The most visited museum in the world, the Air and Space Museum houses the world's largest collection of historic air and spacecraft. Exhibits include
The Spirit of St. Louis, Apollo 11, moon rocks, IMAX movies, flight simulations, and more. (Admission is free).
Visitor information can be found
here.
Go window shopping, explore peaceful side streets, visit the Georgetown University campus, and try the neighborhood's eclectic restaurants and bistros. See
National Geographic's
suggested Georgetown walking tour.
See indoor gardens, a rose garden, a butterfly garden and more. Families can ask for Family Field Journals to record their observations. Children can ask for Junior Botanist Backpacks with tools for exploring the gardens. (Admission is Free)
Steeply discounted tickets are available at the box office on game days. (Visit About.com's page for
information about Tickets, Discounts and Promotions).
INFORMATION ELSEWHERE ON THE WEB ABOUT VISITING WASHINGTON, DC WITH KIDS:
Visiting DC with kids can be a cinch. With tons of museums, outdoor activities, and great kid-friendly restaurants, there's something to suit almost every taste—from children to adults and everything in between. By Sara Levine and Emily Leaman
Museums, walks, cultural events, and more. By Rachel Cooper, About.com Guide
By Rachel Cooper, About.com Guide
Tips, links, and recommendations for family-friendly walks, tours, and more.
A web page featuring regularly updated DC-area cultural events listings for kids.
Tips for visiting the Smithsonian's museums and attractions with young children, recommended exhibits, information about upcoming child-oriented events, and more.
A section of the Smithsonian's web site especially geared toward children.