DC with Toddlers

[wind gypsy]

I've got a long weekend in DC coming up as my wife has some activities there. I've never been and will be with my 2 and 3 YO girls the entire time.

Any activities or toddler friendly things a guy should check out or avoid would be appreciated!

 

[Swamp Fox]

With hindsight, all I know is you prolly want to stay away from dive bars near Georgetown.

If they suspect you know me, they'll put you in the hot seat and sweat you for any information about bar chairs and a table that might have run up the hill (on their own volition, as I remember it) one late night/early morning in 1977, 78, 79, or thereabouts ...

It's all very nebulous ...

Plus, I never attended Georgetown, so that's a dead end.

But good on them for recruiting hoops from schoolyard NYC.

 

[FuddRucker]

Air and space museum is great and has lots of kid oriented stuff from what I remember

 

[chanson_roland]

Smithsonian Natural History Museum is worth it. Lots of animals, a full elephant, etc:

National Museum of Natural History

www.si.edu

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Museums are great. National mall is a cool place for them to run around and get some energy out while you go see cool stuff.

 

[Swamp Fox]

I'm not saying there isn't anything in DC that would hold a toddler's attention, because look at Congress and the federal agencies, but I'm sayin' I'd look for a better class of bar in between let-em-loose sessions ...

 

[tony]

PM to you

I went a few years ago and had a blast

There are things to look out for, and people/behaviors to be mindful of.

 

[Yoder]

We went a few years ago. They have hop on hop off bus tours that are really nice. They make a loop around DC to all the main attractions without walking everywhere. Here's an example.

www.bigbustours.com

 

[Yoder]

One other place that's just outside of DC at the Dulles airport is the Virginia air and space center. You just have to pay to park and admission is free. That place is awesome. When I went they had a Space shuttle, SR71 and the Enola Gay. Here's the site:
Www.vasc.org

 

[ResearchinStuff]

The Smithsonian zoo is the only thing in DC itself that is kid friendly. Nats ballgame are OK, the air and space museum in dulles is great but tough to get to. The museum of natural history is cool, but you won't be able to read anything, and it's not stroller compatible

 

[dr.mooseknuckles]

USPS Smithsonian Museum was pretty cool.

 

[doc holiday13]

Man that's fairly open ended. where are you staying? Will you actually be in DC or next to DC?? Some people suggestions might take a lot of time to get to depending on where you're staying

 

[Milestone522]

National Aquarium over in Baltimore is less than an hour from downtown DC. The Smithsonian Zoo has some aquarium displays too...little kids seem to stay occupied and interested staring into giant fish tanks. They always have hands on kid exhibits as well.

 

[FuddRucker]

National Aquarium over in Baltimore is less than an hour from downtown DC. The Smithsonian Zoo has some aquarium displays too...little kids seem to stay occupied and interested staring into giant fish tanks. They always have hands on kid exhibits as well.

True but you could also encounter some absurd traffic that might turn the "less than an hour" drive into a much longer ordeal

 

[MntHunter]

Zoo and National History Museum are both really cool. Took my daughter when she was 3 and she loved it. Lots of Dino skeletons.

Though out in Dulles, the Air and Space Museum is worth it

Not sure if the Nats are playing but it can be a fun ballpark.

 

[Tell]

It’d depend how close you are to it, but we had a blast at the arboretum. If they like the outdoors, it’s basically a giant park with things to look at as far as they’re concerned. We took the stroller so kids can walk or (wishfully) nap. We basically went for the bonsai exhibit, which is probably in the top two collections in the world. But the whole place is nice if you want a safe place to be outdoors without staring at concrete and bearing traffic.

 

[TaperPin]

Having driven around DC once in a rental car, I’ll avoid that in future trips. It’s one of the few times I’d park somewhere close and Uber into the more congested places.

 

[chanson_roland]

True but you could also encounter some absurd traffic that might turn the "less than an hour" drive into a much longer ordeal

True that. Not to mention...Maryland drivers...

 

[Team4LongGun]

Marine Barracks 8th&I or Marine Corps war memorial parades-Tuesday or Friday-I worked them years ago and they were stunning every time. The silent drill team is excellent to see in person. Call the barracks for tickets in advance.

 

[wind gypsy]

We’re flying in/out of Dulles and staying downtown by convention center.

Thanks for the ideas folks, that’s probably enough to fill the time slots I have. I just recalled that an old college roommate lives in the area too so I’m going to hit him up.