Washington D.C. Travel Forum

Hello,
I just wanted to follow up on my one previous post concerning D.C. in one day.
We did our own quick version in 5 hours! We were visiting my cousin in Baltimore. Her babysitter had agreed to watch my 10-month old for the day, so we were home-free!! There were then 2 adults, a 13, 11, and 9 year old. From Baltimore we took a one-hour train ride into D.C.. Then we hopped on the Orange Line train and took that to the White House, the destination that was the furthest away. We then walked The Mall, visiting all of the War Memorials--the things that the kids see in their school history books. I had packed a backpack with 3 water bottles that we shared and refilled along the way, string cheese, beef jerkey, baby carrots, box of Goldfish crackers and baby wipes. We ate our lunch in the grass on The Mall. The one museum (American History) that we chose to see was closed for renovations, so we went to the Natural History one next door, just to say that we had been in one of the Smithsonian Museums. The kids were treated to ice cream (vendor cart) after the museum and thus were able to haul themselves down to The Capitol building, our last stop, with the train station right close by. The day went really well for us. We totally lucked out, as we were there the nice cool weekend AFTER the dreaded heat wave. It was partly cloudy, 78, and just a perfect touring day for all. My kids travel all over the USA and visit museums at home and away, so I don't feel like we missed out on anything Smithsonian-wise. They saw what was important to them, hopefully they will remember their trip. I went there when I was about their same age and don't remember much, so I tried to keep that in mind as I was lamenting such a short trip. Would the kids remember or not? Do not fear--I will scrapbook!! Turns out that the 5 hour time slot was just right for our needs and everyone stayed pleasant and happy and didn't feel dragged around. We had a nice trip back home to Minnesota, singing along to our American History Schoolhouse Rock. Thank you all for your advice. We are now considering returning next year and visiting historical sites in Virginia, maybe D.C. for 5 hours again!, Gettysburg, Philadelphia...My oldest wants to go to New York, then we'd have to do Atlantic City...What fun!! When the kids make a plan, you just HAVE to do it then! Thank you, thank you.

I'm amazed you did all that in five hours.

I just spent three days in Arlington Virginia, and I took that orange subway under the Pentagon, Arlington Cemetary, etc. on the way to a conference. Three days later I made my way back to the airport, but I didn't actually see any of the tourist attractions. Perhaps one day I will be able to actually travel above ground and see something.

Cool - looks like you found the happy medium!

But what a pity you have posted your report on the Travel QUESTION forum! Much better if you created your own Washington DC travel page where all that useful information would be stored for others seeking out things to do there.

Here as the question page fills up and rolls down it will very soon be lost from view.

Had no clue! Thanks, I will do that.