The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Advertiser disclosure
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
8 best things to do in DC for families with kids of different ages
Featured image by JON FEINGERSH PHOTOGRAPHY INC/GETTY IMAGES
Kyle Olsen is the former points and miles reporter at TPG. He specializes in maximizing points and miles, elite status and credit cards so readers travel more comfortably and at a lower cost.
Emily Thompson specializes in beginner content as a credit cards editor. She taps into her prior experience as a high school English teacher to help others demystify credit scores and unlock experiences that credit card rewards can make possible.
May 13, 2023 • 12 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Related stories
Quick summary
Washington, D.C. offers a wide range of family-friendly attractions beyond its famous monuments and museums.
Top picks include the National Zoo, National Mall museums, International Spy Museum, and the National Postal Museum, each with interactive or hands-on exhibits for children.
Outdoor and active options such as National Harbor, Gunston Hall, and Nationals Park provide opportunities for play, history learning, and sports experiences.
Special activities like afternoon tea at a luxury hotel offer unique ways to celebrate or enjoy a memorable outing with kids.
What to consider
Some attractions require advance entry passes or timed tickets, especially popular museums and the zoo.
Costs vary, with many museums offering free admission but some experiences, like the International Spy Museum or afternoon tea, charging entry fees.
Transportation options include Metro access, parking fees at certain sites, and water taxi rides for scenic arrivals.
What you'll miss from the article
Detailed tips on planning a kid-friendly D.C. itinerary, including practical advice for navigating crowds, meal options, and maximizing family enjoyment at each location.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
As the nation's capital, Washington, D.C., is a great destination for tourists craving American culture and history.
However, if you're traveling with family, you may wonder which attractions are kid-friendly. For example, the National Archives Museum is a popular attraction, but it might be difficult to get kids to remain quiet inside and keep their hands to themselves.
Fortunately, Washington has plenty of other activities for kids and adults. Here are eight of our favorite attractions for people of all ages.
Getting there: Three blocks from Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan Metro station or a 15-minute Uber from downtown. If you drive yourself, the zoo charges $30 for parking, so we recommend taking advantage of the plentiful street parking nearby.
Smithsonian's Conservation Biology Institute, commonly called the National Zoo, is home to more than 2,000 animals. They are grouped along trails dedicated to their species, continent, country or region.
Along the Asia trail, you can see a clouded leopard, an Asian small-clawed otter, a sloth bear, a red panda and many more animals. Stars of the elephant trail include the 48-year-old Sri Lanka-born Asian elephant Kamala (meaning "lotus"), who arrived with Swarna (meaning "gold") and her second calf, Maharani (meaning "queen"), from the Calgary Zoo about 10 years ago.
Along the American trail, you can see Andean bears and Amazon-area creatures such as the electric eel, piranha, poison dart frog, stingray, fish and coral.
One of the zoo's main attractions is Xiao Qi Ji, a two-year-old giant panda. His name, which means "Little Miracle," pays tribute to his mother, who, at 22 years old, became the oldest giant panda to give birth in the U.S.
KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
Getting everyone out the door early on vacation can be difficult, but try to visit in the morning when the animals are usually more active.
Getting there: Three blocks south of the Metro Center station.
The National Mall is full of family-friendly activities. At the National Air and Space Museum, you can step inside historic planes and even try to pilot a virtual plane. There's also an exhibit designated to speed, which explores the fastest land vehicles throughout American history.
The National Museum of Natural History is also a favorite among kids with massive dinosaurs, a giant squid, a butterfly garden and the massive Hope Diamond.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. EMILY THOMPSON/THE POINTS GUY
When you're ready for a break from the museums, enjoy the green space on the National Mall. There's lots of lawn space for kids to run around or play frisbee. Kids also love the Smithsonian carousel here.
Steer clear of the fast food trucks and costly museum cafeterias. Instead, stop for lunch in the downtown area (a few blocks north) or picnic on the lawn halfway through your visit.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday.
Cost: $28.95 for an adult ticket (ages 13-64), $18.95 for a youth ticket (ages 7-12) and $25.95 for college students and military with proof of ID. Child tickets (ages 6 and under) are free.
Getting there: The nearest Metro station is the L'Enfant Plaza stop, a five-minute walk away.
There is truly something for everyone in this immersive museum. Elementary-age and older kids will love assuming a spy identity and completing interactive missions throughout the museum. Younger kids will love the space to roam around and the abundance of photos and visual displays.
EMILY THOMPSON/THE POINTS GUY
Older kids and adults will find much to geek out over as well. They will learn how spy tactics are used in cyber warfare and how spies use costuming to conceal their true identities.
There are also mini theaters throughout the museum that play videos of real former spies explaining their work, providing the perfect opportunity to gather and relax for a few minutes whenever necessary.
The average visit lasts between two and three hours, but you can explore freely at your own pace — ideal for those who have toddlers in tow.
National Postal Museum
1 of 6
EMILY THOMPSON/THE POINTS GUY
2 of 6
EMILY THOMPSON/THE POINTS GUY
3 of 6
EMILY THOMPSON/THE POINTS GUY
4 of 6
EMILY THOMPSON/THE POINTS GUY
5 of 6
EMILY THOMPSON/THE POINTS GUY
6 of 6
EMILY THOMPSON/THE POINTS GUY
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free.
Getting there: The nearest Metro station is Union Station, a five-minute walk away.
The quieter, more off-the-beaten-path National Postal Museum is a perfect spot to decompress and escape the crowds that converge on the more popular Smithsonians.
EMILY THOMPSON/THE POINTS GUY
Kids tend to love vehicles, and one of the museum's highlights is its large display of trucks, rail cars and aircraft, which the U.S. mail service has used throughout its history. There's even a recreated rail car you can climb into and look around. Some exhibits have interactive elements where kids can identify counterfeit mail or write real postcards.
Older kids and adults will enjoy the impressive stamp collection and exhibits that spotlight how the mail system has been critical to our national safety and personal connection throughout American history.
Cost: $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for children and free for ages 5 and under.
Getting there: A 35-minute drive from downtown. Parking is free.
The former home of George Mason (one of the Founding Fathers of the U.S.), Gunston Hall is a superb place to take children to learn about American history and our nation's founding. The tours are fun, and our guide had lots of experience working with children.
For younger children, the gardens and grounds at Gunston Hall are great spaces to run around and observe the historical buildings. Kids can also participate in interactive workshops and activities depending on the season.
1 of 3
KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
2 of 3
KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
3 of 3
KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
Older children can explore the history of the mansion and the Mason family. Tell them to pay close attention to the small details, such as the royal crown molding and Parisian wallpaper, which were exceptionally rare in the Virginia Colony. The mansion tour had various hands-on exhibits, and we loved the primary source quotes.
KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
With fewer people than George Washington's Mount Vernon, Gunston Hall is a must-see destination for families with kids interested in America's history and foundation.
National Harbor
1 of 3
KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
2 of 3
KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
3 of 3
KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost: Free to walk around.
Getting there: A 20-minute drive from downtown D.C. You can also take a water taxi from the city for $40 round trip. Children age 2 to 11 cost $33 round trip.
National Harbor is another great family-friendly destination in the Washington, D.C., area. If you can, arrive by cruise from Washington or Alexandria, Virginia, so you can enjoy scenic river views.
The Capital Wheel is a 180-foot-tall Ferris wheel with beautiful views of the Potomac River and downtown Washington, D.C., in the distance. It costs $15 for adults, $13.50 for seniors over 60 and $11.25 for children ages 3 to 11.
Steps from the Capital Wheel are pedal boats you can rent by the hour, and there's a Build-a-Bear Workshop and Ben and Jerry's. All of these attractions are within close walking distance to each other.
KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
Kids also love playing on The Awakening, a 70-foot-tall Zeus-like statue emerging from the sand.
Getting there: The nearest Metro station is Navy Yard station, a three-minute walk away.
Mix up your history experiences and visit a different kind of Washington, D.C., icon: Nationals Stadium. Kids of all ages will enjoy the music regularly pumping from the jumbo tron, crowd chants and snacks.
When any of your group gets restless, there's plenty of space to walk around the stadium and even a spot for kids to practice their throwing skills. When you're ready for lunch or dinner, don't miss the iconic Ben's Chili Bowl stand.
KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
If the Nats aren't playing a home game while you're in town but have MLB fans in your group, you can still tour the stadium. Tours are at 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on non-gamedays only. Tickets are $25 each.
If you're not visiting during baseball season, check out a Wizards NBA game, a Commanders NFL game or a D.C. United MLS game.
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, excluding holidays. Reservations required.
Cost: $68 per adult, $45 per child (12 and under).
Getting there: The nearest Metro station is the Foggy Bottom—GWU Kennedy Center station, an eight-minute walk away.
Head to The Ritz-Carlton for afternoon tea if you want to treat your crew to a pinkies-up afternoon excursion.
Adults will enjoy a selection of sweet and savory treats as well as a choice of tea and a glass of sparkling wine. Kids 12 and under can enjoy Teddy Bear Tea, which includes child-friendly bites with either tea or hot chocolate and a teddy bear to take home.
KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
This is a bit of a splurge but is a great option if you're celebrating something special or just want a chance to get dressed up and enjoy a lovely two-hour tea experience together.
Washington, D.C., is full of museums, historical attractions and fun outdoor spaces perfect for a trip with kids. All of the Smithsonian museums offer interactive exhibits and engaging activities for children.
Traveling with kids to the district is both fun and educational, as it can bring kids' classes to life. There are countless opportunities to run, explore, learn and play.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
