There's more to the Capital than the Capitol

Most recently updated December 2016, by Jennifer Milano

I lived in Washington, D.C. for four years studying law and international affairs.  While I admit I spent most of my hours in the library, even Type A students like me escaped the books often enough to compile a list of D.C. favorites.  In more recent years, I have returned to D.C. to visit friends and family.  As a parent responsible for paying the travel costs of four people, the most enticing reason to visit D.C. is that virtually every attraction is free of charge!  This means that you can spend an hour in the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, duck into the National Museum of the American Indian next door for lunch since it has better food options, and if someone has a tantrum 30 minutes into your time in the National Museum of American History, you can leave knowing you didn't waste $100 on admission.  The city's museums are concentrated on the National Mall, a large national park where your kids can run free while you gaze at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.  There is so much to do in D.C. that you can spend a week's vacation in the city and never get bored.  While I am a Type A planner by nature and recommend researching your trips in advance, D.C. is one of those places that I insist you plan ahead, particularly if you dream of visiting The White House (click here for information on how to obtain tickets through your local congressperson) or watching Congress in action (click here for more information).  There is so much to see in D.C. that you should narrow down your choices and plan your days by proximity of sites to one another.  If you haven't planned ahead, just head down to The National Mall, walk around the monuments and memorials, and duck into whichever museums suit your interests!  Did I mention that they are virtually all free?!

When to Go:

Unless you are fond of heat and humidity, avoid summertime in D.C.  Spring or fall is best for sightseeing.  The famous cherry blossoms usually bloom in April.  My favorite months for visiting D.C. are April and October, although March, May, September and November are good, too.

How to Get There & Around:

If you are flying into D.C., the most convenient airport is Ronald Reagan (formerly "National") Airport, as you can take the metro to the city center in just 15-20 minutes' time.  The train is also convenient, with the Amtrak station being centrally located and connected by metro to the rest of the city.  There are advantages and disadvantages to driving to and around D.C.  The signage is poor, and especially at night it can be hard to find your way around by car.  On the other hand, having a car is handy for visiting some of the out-of-the-way sites.  While the metro is handy and has a good network of connections, it can be tiring to use if you are packing a lot of sites that are spread out geographically into one day.  On balance, though, relying on the metro is less stressful than driving.

What to Do:

Most of D.C.'s attractions are free of charge, meaning you can see as little or as many sights as you want without taking out your wallet (unless your kids succeed in begging you to enter the gift shops).  Plus, most sites are concentrated on or around the National Mall, meaning your kids can run in the park in between museum and monument stops.  For little ones, there is even a carousel on the Mall that your children can ride to break up the history lesson.  There are more sites in and around Washington, D.C. than I can reasonably list here, so I am including only a sampling of our favorite museums, monuments and activities:

• Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum:  Probably my kids' favorite museum at all ages, the Air & Space Museum displays aircraft your children can sit in and pretend to pilot, a space shuttle and lunar module, and offers exhibits on military aircraft history.  The IMAX movies (for a fee) are always educational and fun.  Click here for more information.  Skip the cafeteria here and go next door to the National Museum of the American Indian for lunch.  
• National Museum of the American Indian:  Focused on Native America, this museum has both interesting exhibits (including a hands-on kid zone) and a good café.  Opt to eat here rather than the Air & Space Museum next door.  Click here for more information.
• National Museum of American History:  One of my favorite museums, the American History museum highlights the country's history in so many areas - politics, social change, innovation, music, fashion, economics, African-American culture, food and machinery.  The museum also has hands-on craft activities for its younger visitors. Click here for more information.
• The White House:  Click here for information on how to tour The White House. 
• The Lincoln Memorial:  I don't know anyone who isn't moved when they walk up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and see 19-foot-tall Abe sitting in his chair.  Click here for location and information.
• The Washington Monument:  No building in D.C. is permitted to be taller than the Washington Monument, at 555 feet.  If you want a tour of the monument and ride the elevator to the top, you can pay a fee for advanced tickets or show up for free same-day tickets.  Personally, I think riding up to the observation deck is kind of anticlimactic, but if it's on your bucket list, go for it.  Click here for more information.
• The National World War II Memorial:  Since you will be strolling around the Washington Monument, stop to check out the World War II Memorial, which has a beautiful design and fountains in the middle to interest the little ones.  Click here for more information.
• The Vietnam Veterans Memorial:  Near the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a long wall engraved with the names of those who served in the war.  A moving and unique memorial, it is worth a visit.  You can search the wall virtually for names by clicking here.  
• The Capitol:  While the building is open to the public, if you would like a tour or wish to see Congress at work when it is in session, click here for ticket information.
• The Supreme Court:  As a child, I had a postcard of the Supreme Court justices on my bedroom wall, so I may be among only a handful of law geeks who is awed by sitting in The Supreme Court watching the country's finest legal minds at work.  Click here for information on visiting the Court, which could include either a tour or observing a case being argued.  
• The Smithsonian American Art Museum:  We strolled through this museum one evening, and my children loved the photography exhibit and lying on a slab of marble looking up at the glass canopy in the Kogod Courtyard.  Click here for more information.
• The International Spy Museum:  One of D.C.'s museums requiring an admission fee, this museum was a hit with my kids and nephew.  This interactive museum teaches visitors about espionage through assuming a cover identity, handling spy gadgets and practicing code-breaking.  There are also special programs for children.  Click here for more information.  
• The National Zoo:  Easily accessible off the metro, the 163-acre zoo is free to enter.  Few visitors leave without viewing the zoo's famous pandas.  Click here for more information.
• Georgetown:  Georgetown is a lively neighborhood of Washingon, D.C., famous for its shopping, restaurants, and charming row houses.  Georgetown can get crowded, especially on weekends.  There are several great hotel choices here, including The Four Seasons, but the downside is that Georgetown is not easily accessible by metro.  The restaurants by the Potomac River are a great spot to sit outside and have a drink, while watching boaters.
• Old Town Alexandria:  It is worth taking the metro or biking the path out to Old Town Alexandria, in Virginia.  Set along the Potomac River, Alexandria has a wonderfully-preserved historic district lined with brick sidewalks, and shops and restaurants housed in colonial buildings.

Where to Stay:

I am not going to be much help here.  Although I left Washington, D.C. after law and graduate school, many of my friends stayed.  Since we almost always stay with friends or family when we visit D.C., my hotel experience is limited.  I did like the Residence Inn in Old Town Alexandria, where we stayed several years ago for my sister-in-law's wedding.  Visiting family used to stay at the Four Seasons in Georgetown, which is beautiful, quiet and the place to be for Sunday brunch.  There are more centrally-located, affordable hotels, however, and your best bet is to search TripAdvisor.  If you are relying on public transportation, choose a hotel downtown, around The White House area, so you can walk or take the metro to most sites.  If you are on a strict budget, consider a hotel in Arlington, Virginia, near a metro stop.

Where to Eat:

D.C.'s restaurant scene has improved tremendously since I was a law and graduate student in the 1990's.  I have called upon my community in D.C. to provide you with the most up-to-date restaurant recommendations:

Washington, D.C.:  my good friends Lynne, Jeff, Mel and Ross have compiled this list of recommended restaurants:

• Et Voila!:  Lynne & Jeff love this Belgian restaurant, which is perfect (although a bit pricey) for both their date nights and dinner with the kids.  They love the atmosphere and the chef's amazing creations.
• Macon Bistro & Larder:  Mel & Ross love Macon, which fuses southern cooking from Georgia with French bistro cuisine.  Mel notes that her young children do not enjoy the sophisticated menu choices.
• Cactus Cantina:  For a more family-friendly meal, Mel & Ross take their kids here for solid Mexican food.  Located on Wisconsin Avenue by the National Cathedral, this hip area of D.C. is fun to explore.
• National Museum of the American Indian:  As noted above, choose the café at this museum for lunch if you are touring around the area.  Mel notes that the café offers an interesting, extensive menu with a Native American flair, that is also accessible for families with children.
• Moby Dick's:  the Georgetown location of this chain is a great place for Iranian take-out food, claim Mel & Ross.  Owned by an Iranian ex-pat, Moby Dick's turns out kabobs and fresh-baked bread from a tandoor oven that entice locals and travelers.
• Georgetown Cupcake:  this famous cupcake shop has delicious treats, but is extremely touristy and always has long lines. 

Old Town Alexandria:  My friends Lynne & Jeff lived in Old Town for years with their two girls.  They recommend:

• Vaso's Mediterranean Bistro:  one of Lynne & Jeff's favorites, this Greek restaurant serves delicious food in an upscale, yet kid-friendly environment.  Try their avgolemeno soup, which Lynne says is amazing!
• Nickell's and Scheffler:  this deli, run by a husband and wife team, offers organic sandwiches, soups and salads and is a great lunch spot.
• Eamonn's:  serving authentic, yummy fish and chips, Eamon's is mellow and kid-friendly.
• Alexandria Cupcake:  the best cupcakes in town, including gluten-free options.
• Sugar Shack Donuts:  makes scrumptious maple glazed bacon donuts, and serves good coffee.
• Killer E.S.P.:  Espresso, Sorbet, Pie.  A little café with a Bohemian air that has great chai lattes, coffee, gelato and pies.  I had the chance to try a spinach ricotta empanada here and it was good - not excellent, but good.  My daughter declared her sticky bun to be average.
• Red Rocks Pizzeria:  my sister-in-law took the family here for the day after Thanksgiving lunch.  The crust had a good chew, but the tomato sauce seemed like just acidic crushed tomatoes from a can.  My husband, the self-declared pizza snob, gave it a 5 or 6 out of 10.  I would give it a 6 or 7.

McLean, Virginia:  if you find yourself in McLean, try Lynne & Jeff's suggestions:

• Pulcinella:  family-owned, family-style Italian restaurant with great pizzas and pastas.
• Moby Dick's:  "fast food" Persian, serving some of the best kabobs in town.
• Amoo's Restaurant:  family-owned Persian restaurant makes delicious Persian stews.
• El Tio:  makes tasty burritos, fajitas, guacamole and margaritas.
• The Greek Taverna:  family-owned, offering amazing Greek food.  Try the Pastitsio and the Greek chicken with roast potatoes.  And if all of this yummy Greek food makes you hungry for the real thing, click here for my Greece travel tips!

A big thank you to my D.C. advisors!