Family Travel Guide: Washington

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International Spy Museum

This isn’t D.C.’s most famous museum, but it may well end up being tops with your kids. Little James and Jane Bonds will be enthralled by the cloak-and-dagger secrets it reveals. It does put the spy business in historical context (Sun Tzu’s Art of War is discussed, and George Washington’s 1777 letter about setting up a spy network in New York is exhibited). But what kids will love best are the sections about code-breaking, surveillance, and tools of the trade (including a camera-carrying pigeon). There are also special KidSpy events here.

Details: 866-779-6873 or http://www.spymuseum.org/. Adults $14, children 5-11 $11, free for children 4 and under. Daily 10am-6pm (extended hours in summer).

Lincoln Memorial

This is considered by many visitors to be one of the most moving sites in the country. It’s not just the 19-by-19-foot statue of Honest Abe that makes it special; the stirring words of his “Gettysburg Address” and his “Second Inaugural Address” are engraved into the walls. There’s also a small museum in the basement of the monument, which plays clips of historic events that happened on the site, including Martin Luther King Jr.’s forever-inspiring “I Have a Dream” speech. This brings history alive for kids who have only encountered these history-changing moments in textbooks.

Details: 202-426-6895 or www.nps.gov/linc. 23rd St NW between Constitution and Independence avenues. Free admission. Staff available 8am-midnight.

The Smithsonian Institution

This is the largest museum complex in the world: according to local legend, if you were to spend one second looking at each item in the various collections, it would take you two-and-a-half years to see them all. There are fifteen museums in total (the ones that are of special interest to children are listed below). The most important piece of advice is that you begin your visit at the Castle (that’s the nickname for the Smithsonian Information Center). Not only are there maps and information officers who will help you plan an itinerary, but there are details about permanent and temporary exhibits for kids.

Details: 202-633-1000 or http://www.si.edu/. 1000 Jefferson Dr. SW. Free admission. Daily 9am-4pm.

Inside the Smithsonian Museums:
Here’s a sampling of what your kids will want to see. One thing that all of these institutions have in common? None of them charge admission.

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden: The main part of the collection consists of 20 th-century etchings, drawings and paintings. But what kids will adore is the Sculpture Garden, which puts pieces like Claes Oldenberg’s “Geometric Mouse” on show (there’s also a carousel next door). The Hirshhorn also offers hands-on art projects for kids and parents (call in advance to ask about availability and to make a reservation for this). 212-357-2700 or www.si.edu/hirshhorn. Independence Ave. and 7 th St. SW. Daily 10am-5:30pm (extended hours in summer).

National Air and Space Museum: This massive museum fascinates junior space cadets. The Apollo to the Moon gallery celebrates space flight, and it will inspire budding astronauts. The Albert Einstein Planetarium offers an out-of-this-world experience through its daily schedule of shows (there is a charge for this, which varies depending on the show). There’s also a memorable interactive exhibit about How Things Fly. 202-357-2700 or http://www.nmafa.si.edu/. 950 Independence Ave. SW. Daily 10am-5:30pm.

National Museum of American History: Even if your kids think learning while on holiday sounds like as much fun as a visit to the dentist, a visit to this museum will win them over. That’s because it devotes itself to popular history, and it features objects as diverse as the original Star-Spangled Banner and Mohammed Ali’s boxing gloves. The building also houses the Hands-On Science Center, which lets junior scientists take part in experiments. 202-357-2700 or http://www.americanhistory.si.edu/. 14 th St. and Constitution Ave. NW. Daily 10am-5:30pm.

National Museum of Natural History: Here’s another way to make learning fun – though some parts won’t be for every member of the family. Take the Insect Zoo, which lets kids see – and even hold – some real creepy crawlies. Everyone is likely to enjoy the Dinosaur Hall, which has stairs to let you examine the massive monsters from different angles. This museum is also home to the Smithsonian’s gem collection, and kids will likely be fascinated by the nefarious history of the Hope Diamond. 202-357-2700 or http://www.mnh.si.edu/. 10 th St. and Constitution Ave. NW. Daily 10am-5:30pm.

National Zoological Park : The stars of the D.C. zoo are the pandas, but the truth is that there are more than 5,000 wild and wonderful creatures that live here. Their habitats take up some 160 acres and are quite diverse – after all, this is where you’ll find elephants, hippos, giraffes, sea lions, cheetahs, chimpanzees, and bison. Kids can do more than just look at the animals: the ZOOlab lets young children touch feathers, bones, and skins. 202-673-4800 or www.si.edu/natzoo. 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW. Opens daily at 10am but attractions close at different times.

Washington National Cathedral

It’s officially named the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, and while it played an important role in many events of the 20th century, it wasn’t actually consecrated until 1990. It’s monolithic size is astonishing (the tower top is 676 feet high), but what’s surprising is that inside there are things that are child-sized: everything in the Children’s Chapel from the chairs to the pipe organ is scaled for six-year-olds. The Pilgrim Observation Gallery lets them get a gargoyle-eye view of the whole city, while weekend programs let kids take part in craft projects.

Details: 202-537-6200 or http://www.cathedral.org/. Massachusetts and Wisconsin avenues NW. Mon-Fri 10am-5:30pm, Sat 10am-4:30pm, Sun 8am-6:30pm.

The White House

The iconic home of the President of the United States closed to the public after September 11, 2001, because of security concerns, but it has since resumed its public tours. This won’t fascinate toddlers, but older kids will be transfixed by the grandly restored public rooms (we all have Jacqueline Kennedy to thank for their revived glory) and the exhibits on the daily operation of the White House.

Details: 800-717-1450 or http://www.whitehouse.gov/. 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Free admission. Tues-Sat 10am-noon (may be closed for special functions, so do call ahead).

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