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Washington DC with Kids
Washington, DC is a bit overwhelming, so don’t try and see everything or you’ll just end up with cranky kids. We got to spend a short layover at the National Mall and had time to pick one of the museums. The Smithsonian museums are free, the monuments are walkable, and you can see a lot in a short visit.
Our pick is the National Museum of American History. It had something for all of us, from Star Wars to Julia Child’s kitchen.
Destination guide · Updated November 2026 · Last visited May 2025
Best months
Mar–May, Sept–Oct
National parks
20-plus NPS sites
Fly into
DCA · IAD · BWI
How long
2 to 3 days, a week with day trips
Book ahead
Washington Monument · Capitol tour · Air and Space passes
Our DC visit was a short stopover on an international trip in May 2025, and we made the most of it. We splurged on points for a stay at the Waldorf Astoria, in the historic Old Post Office building on Pennsylvania Avenue. From there it was an easy walk to the Mall. Most of our time went to the National Museum of American History, where everyone found a favorite, from Abe Lincoln’s stovepipe hat to Eddie Van Halen’s guitar. We also walked the Mall to the Washington Monument.
DC also makes a great jumping-off point for the mountains. On an earlier road trip we started here, drove west to Shenandoah National Park, and followed the Blue Ridge Parkway south to the Smoky Mountains. A stopover barely scratches the surface in DC, though. There are more free museums than you could see in a week, so keep reading for the ones we’d add next time.
Your Washington, DC guide
Enjoy exploring Washington, DC with kids!
Keep scrolling for the essentials and where to stay.
Essential Washington, DC
Why we love Washington, DC
We think you’ll love it too.
Washington, DC is where we’d send a family that wants a history lesson that never feels like school. Where else can you see Abe Lincoln’s stovepipe hat and Indiana Jones’ whip in the same afternoon? And almost all of it is free. Scroll down for the DC essentials.
National Museum of American History AftT Visit
The National Museum of American History was our favorite stop, and it’s free. Between the Star-Spangled Banner, the First Ladies’ gowns, and floor after floor of American stories, plan on at least half a day.
Pop culture at American History AftT Visit
Our favorites were anything Star Wars, Indiana Jones’ jacket and whip, guitars from Eddie Van Halen and Prince, and Bob Ross paintings. Kids and parents will both find something to geek out over.
Washington Monument AftT Visit
The 555-foot obelisk sits in the middle of the Mall, and walking around the base is free anytime. The elevator to the top takes about 70 seconds and needs a timed ticket. Are you looking for more national park sites? See our guide to Washington, DC national parks.
The National Mall AftT Visit
Two miles of lawn stretch between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial, lined with free museums. It’s a lot of walking, so pace the kids and plan on breaks. Want more NPS sites nearby? Check out our Washington, DC national parks guide.
And the rest we’re saving for our next trip to DC
National Air and Space Museum
Air and Space has the Wright Flyer, the Apollo 11 command module, and planes hanging overhead. It’s free, with timed-entry passes.
National Museum of Natural History
Natural History has the Hope Diamond, the dinosaur hall, and a live insect zoo with tarantula feedings. It’s a sure hit with younger kids.
Lincoln Memorial
Walk the Reflecting Pool from the Washington Monument and climb the steps at sunset. The view back down the Mall is worth it. There are more park sites to explore in our Washington, DC national parks guide.
Smithsonian’s National Zoo
The National Zoo is free and tucked into Rock Creek Park, and the giant pandas are back. Go early on a summer day, before the heat.
U.S. Capitol
Free guided tours start at the Capitol Visitor Center. Book a time online before you go.
International Spy Museum
At the International Spy Museum, kids take on a secret identity and a mission as they go. It’s one of the few paid museums in town.
Mount Vernon
George Washington’s home is about 30 minutes south in Virginia. It has a working farm and a hands-on history room for younger kids.
Arlington National Cemetery
Watching the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a moving moment with older kids. Plan on plenty of walking, because the cemetery is huge.
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Routes
Four Washington, DC itineraries
DC works as a stopover, a long weekend, a week with day trips into Virginia, or the start of a mountain road trip. See all the best stops on a map.
Home base
Pennsylvania Avenue
We splurged on points at the Waldorf Astoria, a short walk from the Mall. It’s prime real estate close to just about everything.
Then head to
National Museum of American History
Give it most of your time. Lincoln’s hat, Julia Child’s kitchen, and the pop culture halls can fill a whole afternoon.
Finish
Washington Monument
Walk the Mall to the monument. Book timed tickets ahead if you want to ride the elevator to the top.
Start
Air and Space & Natural History
Air and Space and Natural History are two big museums across the Mall from each other. Reserve the free Air and Space passes first.
Then head to
The Capitol & Library of Congress
Take a morning Capitol tour, then the tunnel to the Library of Congress and its reading room.
Finish
Lincoln Memorial & the zoo
The memorials at sunset, and a morning at the National Zoo before you head home.
Home base
Arlington
Arlington has cheaper points hotels across the river, with the Metro to the Mall and Arlington National Cemetery nearby.
Then head to
Mount Vernon
Spend a full day at George Washington’s home and farm, 30 minutes south.
Add on
Old Town Alexandria
Stop for the brick sidewalks, ice cream on King Street, and the waterfront on your way back.
Start
Washington, DC
Spend a day or two on the Mall with the free museums before you hit the road.
Then head to
Shenandoah National Park
It’s about ninety minutes west to the Front Royal entrance. Skyline Drive has pullouts every few miles, so the kids can hop out and stretch their legs.
Finish
Blue Ridge Parkway
Pick up the parkway at Rockfish Gap and follow it south toward the Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg.
When to go
Time your visits with the weather and the region
We visited in May, before the summer heat. Spring and fall are the easy answer in DC. Cherry blossoms peak in late March or early April, and so do the crowds. Summer is hot and humid, and winter is quiet and cheap, with the museums open nearly every day.
Swipe the chart sideways to see the full year.
March – May
Spring brings cherry blossoms, school field trips, and mild days for walking the Mall. We went in May.
June – August
It’s hot and sticky. The museums are the air-conditioned break, and the Fourth of July fireworks on the Mall draw huge crowds.
September – October
Warm days, thinner crowds once school is back, and fall color along the Potomac.
November – February
It’s cold but quiet. Hotel rates drop, and the National Christmas Tree lights up in December.
Where to stay
Pick a good base to start your Washington, DC adventure
Stay near a Metro stop and walk to the Mall. DC is packed with big-brand hotels, which makes it one of the easiest cities to book on points.
Downtown & Penn Quarter
The Waldorf Astoria
We splurged on points at the Waldorf Astoria, in the historic Old Post Office building on Pennsylvania Avenue. It’s a short walk to the Smithsonian museums and the Mall.
- Waldorf Astoria Washington DC on Hilton points
- Penn Quarter for restaurants and the Spy Museum
- Metro Center for getting around
Near the Mall
The Wharf & Southwest
The Wharf has waterfront restaurants and newer hotels, and it’s a short walk or Metro ride to the museums.
- Restaurants along the riverfront promenade
- L’Enfant Plaza Metro for the Mall
- Newer hotels from most points brands
Across the river
Arlington & Crystal City
Arlington and Crystal City have lower rates across the Potomac, with the Metro to the Mall in about 15 minutes and Reagan National right next door.
- Points hotels at lower rates
- Blue and Yellow lines to the Mall
- Close to Arlington National Cemetery
Good to know
Questions families ask us about Washington, DC
Yes, you can. We had a quick stopover on an international trip in May 2025 and still saw the National Museum of American History and the Washington Monument. The museums are free and the Mall is walkable, so even half a day goes a long way. Stay close to the Mall so you don’t lose time in traffic.
For our family, it was American History. It mixes real history with pop culture, so there’s something for every age. Julia Child’s kitchen and the Bob Ross paintings were two of our favorites. Air and Space and Natural History are the other two big ones for kids.
Yes, to ride the elevator to the top. Timed tickets open on recreation.gov 30 days ahead for a $1 fee, and more are released at 10 a.m. the day before. A few same-day tickets are handed out at 8:45 a.m. at the lodge on Madison Drive. Walking around the base is free anytime.
Yes, every Smithsonian museum on the Mall is free, and so is the National Zoo. A few need free timed-entry passes, like Air and Space. It’s a big part of what makes DC such an easy city for families.
Stay close to the Mall. We splurged on points at the Waldorf Astoria on Pennsylvania Avenue and walked to the museums. DC is full of Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt hotels, and weekend rates often drop once the business travelers go home.
Reagan National (DCA) is closest, and it’s right on the Metro. Dulles (IAD) has the most international flights and connects to the Metro’s Silver Line. Baltimore (BWI) often has cheaper fares, about an hour away.
Map
Essential Washington, DC, mapped
Keep exploring
Where to go next
Pennsylvania with Kids
Pennsylvania has more American history, with Philadelphia on the Fourth.
