Washington, DC With Kids: Five Fun Family Activities

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Visiting Washington, DC, is something everyone should do at least once in their life. There are tons of guidebooks and websites with detailed information about all there is to do in DC and no first visit to DC is complete without a visit to the National Mall, an obligatory family photo in front of the White House, and a visit to one of the many Smithsonian museums that offer free admission and easy access via Metro!

Having lived and worked in DC for nearly a decade, I’d like to share with you five off-the-beaten-path Fun Family Activities! These are activities and places that those of us who call this beautiful place a home enjoy visiting on weekends and days off with our kids.

#1: Gravelly Point

Gravelly Point is managed by the National Park Service and is located in Arlington, VA just south of DC. It’s a wonderful place to spend the afternoon, picnicking, biking, and plane spotting, as the Park is located just north of Reagan National Airport. Although the parking lot can fill up very quickly and there are no amenities other than restrooms (so pack in your own food!), it’s a wonderful place for budding aviation fans to spend an afternoon outside. Note that the planes are close and very loud, so if your child is sensitive to loud noises, the Park’s proximity to the airport may be a deterrent.

#2: The Tidal Basin

Nearly every visitor to DC makes a point of visiting the National Mall and the monuments, but I’m always stunned by the number of people who skip the Tidal Basin. In my humble opinion, the Tidal Basin offers some of the best views of the Washington Monument and it’s worthy of a visit even when it is not cherry blossom season (although if you have the opportunity to visit during cherry blossom season, please do! Despite the crowds, it is gorgeous and worth the walk). The Tidal Basin offers a small refreshment stand, restrooms, and paddle boat rentals, so this is a great way to enjoy a nice day outside with the family.

View of the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial from the Tidal Basin.

Paddleboat in the Tidal Basin during peak cherry blossom bloom.

#3: Hiking Trails

Catching a glimpse of the Potomac River

Washington, DC is home to a great number of hiking trails. The Billy Goat Trail is one of the most popular trails in the DC Metro area. The trail itself can be challenging due to rocks, but if your kids are older (I’d recommend a minimum of five+, depending on maturity and previous hiking experience) and up for the challenge, it’s definitely a worthwhile experience. If the Billy Goat Trail sounds like too much, plan a visit to Rock Creek Park, which boasts over 32 miles of trails. The Park also offers a number of activities, such as horseback riding lessons, golf, and a boat house where you can rent paddle boats, kayaks, and canoes. Finally, Theodore Roosevelt Island is a national memorial located in the Potomac River. No cars or bicycles are permitted on the Island and access is via a footbridge. If you’ve ever spent time in DC visiting the National Mall and museums, I encourage you to take a hike and explore one of the many areas maintained by the National Park Service! You’ll be amazed at how quickly you’ll forget that you’re in the Nation’s Capital!

#4: Go for a Bike Ride!

The Mount Vernon Trail is an 18 mile paved multi-use trail that stretches from Mount Vernon to Theodore Roosevelt Island. At any time of day and in any kind of weather, you can find people on the trail biking, running, or just walking along the Potomac River. Happily, a local company, Capital Bikeshare, offers a safe and relatively inexpensive way to explore the trail as you can rent both bicycles and helmets from the company and drop them off at any one of 440 Capital Bikeshare stations located in the DC metro area.

Source

#5: Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon, George Washington’s country estate, is located just 18 miles south of Washington, DC and is a fantastic way to spend the day for the entire family! Although the Estate is highly recommended as a place to visit in many tourist books, its distance from DC likely causes many to pass it over as an option during a quick visit to DC. I am here to encourage you to go! Visit! Over the years, we have visited Mount Vernon many times and it is one of our favorite places to take out of town guests. Not only does the Estate allow you to visit the Mansion that George and Martha lived in, but the Estate also boasts farm animals, gardens, stables, and live demonstrations by period actors. Throughout the year, the Estate will offer special programs that coincide with the season. For example, one year we visited one early December and happened to catch the Pardon Turkey!

We have also visited during the Fall Harvest Family Days, which feature hands on 18th century activities and demonstrations. It’s a great way for the family to experience a little bit of Colonial America.

My mother and son, roasting apples dipped in caramel water over an open fire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although portions of the Estate are wheelchair (and stroller) accessible, the vast majority of the grounds are not (and the Mansion itself is not). The Estate also has as excellent gift shop, a food court, and a sit-down restaurant that serves hearty and satisfying food.

I hope you enjoyed my off-the-beaten path list of Five Fun Family activities and encourage you to think outside the box next time you are in DC!

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22 comments

Dang Travelers November 19, 2017 - 11:18 pm

Fantastic recommendations! We went to DC a few years ago in the spring trying to hit the blossom bloom (it was a tad too early) and loved it. There are so many things to do, you could stay busy for months! Great list, you covered a few things we did not get a chance to check out so we will put it on the list for next time!

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wegowithkids November 19, 2017 - 11:20 pm

Sorry to hear you missed the blossoms! It’s a tight window and our weather has been nuts for the past few years. Hope you get lucky next time and get to see a bit more outside the usual suspects!

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Rachel November 20, 2017 - 11:50 am

Great ideas – sounds like you had a fab time!I love you suggest all outdoorsy/active activities for the trip – it’s so important to get the kids moving!

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Brittany Kollmer November 20, 2017 - 1:14 pm

DC is one of our favorite spots to bring the kids! We also love driving over to Alexandria, VA- it’s so pretty there.

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wegowithkids November 20, 2017 - 1:49 pm

Yes! That’s where I live and we love it.

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tanyatravels November 20, 2017 - 1:25 pm

I lived in DC before kids and took them back just once when they were too young to appreciate it. There’s so much to do there and so many free museums. I will have to plan a trip back!

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April Kitchens November 20, 2017 - 2:15 pm

The pictures look great! I haven’t been to DC in a long time and would love to take my daughter there. I really want to see the Smithsonian Museums.

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Megan Smiley November 20, 2017 - 3:10 pm

Having grown up on Capitol Hill in DC, this list makes me very nostalgic! I definitely did all of these things as a kid – which was NOT recently, so it says something about the timelessness of these options 🙂

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Jing November 20, 2017 - 3:21 pm

Great recommendations! This post reminds me of the wonderful memories I had visiting DC, especially the free museums. That was 9 years ago and would love to come back for more.

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Finding Jing (@findingjing) November 20, 2017 - 3:33 pm

Great recommendations! This post reminds me of the wonderful memories I had visiting DC, especially the free museums. That was 9 years ago and would love to come back for more.

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Helen Claire Little November 20, 2017 - 9:21 pm

Would love to visit DC (I’m in the UK). It’s on my bucket list – we did the west in 2013 and now it’s time to head east!

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Jessica November 21, 2017 - 3:32 pm

I have never been to DC, it’s in my bucket list. I will remember your recommendations when I get to go!

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corinnevail November 21, 2017 - 5:19 pm

There are so many fun things to do and see in DC, for kids and adults. I like the idea of biking around; that will make it easier on the feet. I will have to visit the Tidal Basin next time, because I’m one of those that has not ever done it.

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Lance November 21, 2017 - 6:14 pm

I am the only one in my family who has been to D.C. but it is on our short list for a future family vacation. I’ve been to the Tidal Basin, and I agree, it is worth a stop. Thanks for the hints and locations.

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wegowithkids November 21, 2017 - 8:18 pm

If you find yourself out here with the family, consider the memorials at night. Less crowded and truly gorgeous (and cooler if it’s summer)!

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Carolina Colborn November 21, 2017 - 6:17 pm

Would you believe I did not know about the Tidal Basin? Been to DC twice!

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wegowithkids November 21, 2017 - 7:30 pm

😂

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Skye Gilkeson November 22, 2017 - 12:49 am

I loved DC as a backpacker years ago and can’t wait to take our daughter back to see it and visit all of the typical places but I love your ideas here too. So great to know that there are so many hiking trails around. It’s beautiful country so no doubt it would be very picturesque. Rock Creek Park looks like the top pick for a day out for sure.

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100cobbledroads November 23, 2017 - 4:48 am

I had no idea that Washington DC has such fun things to do. The Potomac river view is gorgeous. And the cherry blossoms are so pretty. I think that’s my favourite tree!

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alphabeyond1 November 23, 2017 - 6:57 pm

Great article! I had an amazing time in DC exploring the Tidal lake and all the monuments around it. Although I don’t have kids, but I felt like a kid while exploring the city, so I believe the kids will have a lot of fun! 🙂

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Amy B. November 29, 2017 - 1:36 pm

These are fantastic ideas! I’ve been pouring over guidebooks for our upcoming trip, but it didn’t occur to me that hiking or other outdoors activities would be available in the Metro area. Now I’m really excited as we are a very outdoorsy family. Thanks for the recommendations!

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Nancy Canter November 29, 2017 - 2:22 pm

I’m so glad you found these to be helpful! Happy to provide more details of you have any questions!

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