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kathleenmom
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| Posted: Aug 08 2008 at 1:54pm | IP Logged
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Okay. We have the guidebooks, but I'd thought I'd ask some of the local ladies....what would you do with 5 kiddos 10 and under if you were going to be visiting your neck of the woods for 5 days?
Thanks,
Kathlen
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KC in TX
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Visit the Basilica. Oh, my! It's gorgeous. We had such a hard time getting there. There was road block after road block to us getting there (obviously the work of you know who  ) so we only had about 2 hours. I would've spent a full day there reading everything. With the young ones, I think it only takes a couple of hours to go through it before they lose their minds keeping quiet. 
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SusanJ
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I'm not a local anymore but I did live there for six years until this summer . . .
With younger kids I would definitely do the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception which is on the Red Line on the CUA campus.
The Smithsonian museums are all free and fantastic. Go with your kids interests--you can't possibly do them all even in five days! Air and Space is usually a reliable hit but will also be the most crowded. American History was due to re-open this summer so that may be a zoo as well. Natural History is popular with my son but it is ALWAYS crowded. Are you headed there this month? August is pretty miserable so the crowds might be smaller.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is, sadly, not something we ever got to in six years but it is supposed to be a huge hit with your age kids. You need to get tickets in advance through your member of congress. While you're at it, look into tickets for Capitol tours and rides to the top of the Washington Monument. You don't absolutely need to contact a member of congress to do these three things but you will avoid long waits in line and get better tours if you do.
The changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery is one of our favorite things to do. There's not much else to see out that way and its a hike (on Metro) over the river but it is absolutely worth it.
If you will be there in August or September I highly recommend monuments at night if your kids can stay up later. It is so much cooler and less crowded and everything looks lovely all lit up.
Enjoy your stay!
Susan
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guitarnan
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The Museum of American History isn't reopening until November of this year.
The trick to any Smithsonian Museum is to get there when the museum opens. Crowds build after lunch. If you can figure out a way to picnic some meals you will save money - the Smithsoniam McDeath (Air & Space) and other fast food places in the museums are pretty high priced, and your only other choice right there is hot dog trucks. (You can walk to restaurants, but with young children maybe a picnic is best?)
Five days for a newcomer - here is what I would do:
1. Mall, Memorials and Monument (great for running off energy, too!)
2. Air and Space
3. Natural History
4. Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (the chapels underneath the main church are fascinating...a real trip around the world...maybe you can make copies of a world map so your children can check off countries' chapels they see)
5. The Capitol (need to plan ahead on this one)
6. Bureau of Engraving and Printing
7. Arlington Cemetery/JFK gravesite/Changing of Guard
8. National Gallery of Art (for the grownups...it's grand...check their website for some kid-friendly ideas for visiting)
9. National Zoo - free, near a Metro stop and kids like it. They have pandas! Bring a picnic.
The International Spy Museum is cool but expensive and very crowded...and it's not too hands-on, so young children will bore easily.
I have not visited the newly-opened Newseum, but I hope to soon. Same for the Crime and Punishment museum except I am not planning to visit it.
HTH!
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SusanJ
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Oh, I can't believe I forgot the Zoo. We love it but it's a lot of hilly walking. Do it on a cooler day, if you can.
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guitarnan
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Susan is right...but it's a great "wear out the kids" stop. It is quite hilly. It's OK to bring your own food.
If you are visiting in the fall or winter, please let us know...you'll need a foul weather plan, just in case.
(And...what about a meet-up????)
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bfarmmom
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We just returned this past Wednesday. This is what we did
Basilica
Air and space museum
Natural History museum
Native American History museum
National Archives
Jefferson Memorial
Lincoln Memorial (incredible)
WW II memorial
Washington monument (walked by)
Mount Vernon (incredible)
walked by the White House and the Capitol
Our children are 11 and under. We realized we were not going to see everything or go in depth with a lot of the museums. We kind of got a taste of everything and followed the kids lead. We visited the monuments at night. We parked at the mall because our van (15 passenger) wouldn't fit in any of the parking garages. So be patient with parking if this is your situation. We packed a picnic lunch everday and a lot of snacks and a lot of WATER. It was hot!
We were there for four FULL days. We were exhausted but we had a blast and would do it again in a heartbeat. I have to say I am a bit jealous of all of you that have all of that at your doorstep 
Have a great time!!
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SusanJ
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If you are going to park on the Mall you will have more luck if you get there before 10:00 which is when the museums open. I could usually find a spot before 10:00 but not fifteen minutes later.
Susan
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MaryM
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bfarmmom wrote:
Mount Vernon (incredible)
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Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens is what I was going to add. It's not in DC - but near enough, in my book. We went last year while visiting DC - spent about 4 1/2 hours and needed MORE time but couldn't stay! It is incredible. I hadn't been there since I was a teenager. The museums and visitor center that have recently been added are amazing. Farmer George Plants a Nation is a great book to read in preparation for a visit.
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bfarmmom
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Mary M. thanks for the link. I just ordered a copy! We were so impressed with his farming plans and the records he kept. We arrived at Mount Vernon in the afternoon and also didn't have enough time to spend there. I second the new museum and visitor center it is amazing. Very interesting for the kids also.
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Kirsten
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guitarnan
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I saw the National Archives on Kirsten's list...definitely go there. Expect a line, and they x-ray your stuff.
You can see the real Declaration of Independence and Constitution. This is very cool. (My dd was highly disappointed that they are faded, though.)
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shartlesville
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There is also the National Geographic Museum at Explorer's Hall.  I took my kids there (I only had 5 back then, lol) when they were about 2, 3, 4, 10, & 12. They had a lot of hands-on things for the kids to do. I think the exhibits change so you might get some info ahead of time. This museum is not usually crowded so anytime is probably good. Admission is FREE. 
There is also the Doll and Toy Museum. It is not a hands-on museum but I have heard it is pretty cool. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for seniors, and $1 for children under 14.
Kid Favorites are Air & Space and Natural History. Plan an entire day for either because they are so huge. Both of them have areas for hands-on. A weekday is probably best if the local kids are in school and it is early in the school year (too early for field trips, lol) because it will be slightly less crowded than a weekend day.
Enjoy yourselves! Don't try to cram too much in. Pick the 4 or 5 you really want to see and then have a short back up list in case something isn't open or you have some extra time. You can never see everything in a week, heck we lived there for six years and didn't see half of it, lol.
Blessings,
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: What to do in D.C. area?
