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The best place to start and soak in all of the grandeur is the National Mall
which runs from the U.S. Capital to the Lincoln Memorial. Always packed with people
running or hanging out, it’s a great place to stroll and take in the museums and
sights.
Many of the great Smithsonian museums flank either side of the National Mall. If
your kid is the creative type, stop at the Hirshorn, checking out the great
fountain just in front. Got a techie? You must hit the National Air and Space Museum
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DCmom Tip: when you enter – ask where the simulation rides are, they
simulate rocket ship rides and will elicit whoops of fun and screens of good terror.
We guarantee a "That was cool!" from your kids.
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The National History Museum is a popular spot with the Hope Diamond ensconced
on the second floor. That will definitely get your pint-sized fashionista going,
but the fantastic dinosaur exhibit is interesting for adults and kids alike.
Kids getting hungry? Take note: not all of the museums on the Mall have eateries,
so choose wisely. The National Air and Space Museum has a McDonalds and a
pizzeria type café. The National Museum of the American Indian has the Mitsitam
Café which offers Native American selections ranging from tamales to buffalo burgers
– good for your adventurous eaters.
Want to see more of DC than the National Mall? Take the Metro to the Gallery Place/Chinatown
stop on the Red Line. Take the escalator up and in less than half-a block you are
faced with the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art
Museum. Sounds a bit boring for the kids – right? Well, give it a shot,
they are bound to like it especially if they just finished studying the American
Presidents. The entire hall of portraits of past presidents is fascinating. Each
of the short write-ups that accompany the paintings have little presidential tidbits.
Also, there is a great outdoor terrace (if the season is right) that offers a covered
seating amidst the regal columns of the museum’s front and a view of bustling DC
below.
Just across the street is the International Spy Museum. Got a kid with a
sense of adventure? Then be sure to hit this museum. You pick an identity for your
time at the museum and you will see and interact with typical spy gadgetry usually
seen only in Mission Impossible or the latest James Bond movies. All of the exhibits
are set in these very detailed theme areas e.g., when learning about East Berlin
you are surrounded by warning signs in German, fences and checkpoints. There hasn’t
been a kid yet that has left disappointed!
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DCmom Tip: If you are headed to this museum during heavy tourist season
(spring-summer), then either go very early or very late in the day. We recommend
going at 6 pm as the museum doesn’t close until 8pm and that gives just enough time
to get through at a comfortable pace.
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DCmom Tip: The Museum is steps from the Bead Museum which boasts a
fantastic gift shop for those teens jewelry inclined.
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