Washington DC questions

**missyali** · 06-17-2009, 11:12 PM

Next week my family and I are going to Arlington for a military spouse funeral. Being the teacher that I am, I want to make the most of this experience for my kids (and my parents). There will be 5 adults, a 9 year-old, a 6 year-old and a 3 year-old. I saw a sight for a trolley tour of the city. Any suggestions? I am on my own to plan this as the rest of the adults are not really into "learning vacations". Any input is greatly appreciated. Here is the link to the tour.

**shortstack** · 06-17-2009, 11:32 PM

I am also a teacher and we plan our vacations around learning activities

This year we are going to learn about the Amish in PA.

I am very excited to see what the responses are to this thread because if we didn't go to the Amish Country we were going to take the kids to DC.

I don't know if you read Family Fun but they usually have good ideas for Family Trips. Here is their link for DC:
http://familyfun.go.com/family-trave.../famf28washdc/

Top ten Hotspots from Toddler to Teen:
http://www.districtcolumbia.com/DC_F...Fun_Spots.html

Hope those help a little

**MaryCarney** · 06-18-2009, 08:35 AM

You absolutely would love the Spy Museum - it cost$, but we could have spent an entire day there. 'Sneaky' education is what I would call it. (I am a teacher,too, a homeschool mom)

I think the most meaningful place to me was the Lincoln Monument and the new WWII monument. Maybe not terribly interesting for the younger set, but WWII is outdoors and expansive and Lincoln's figure inside his monument is enormous, and the inscriptions (esp the Second Innaugural Address) will bring any patriotic American to tears (it did me)

**savvy_sniper** · 06-18-2009, 10:43 AM

There is SO much to do and see in Washington, D. C.! You could probably stay a month and never run out of things to do. Just Google Washington DC sites, trolley tours washington dc, etc. and check out all the links.

I took a train from Baltimore to Washington, D. C. and the subway in Washington, D. C. I had never done either before. We went to the Smithsonian, monuments, Vietnam Memorial, etc. and there was SO much more we wanted to do but didn't have time for.

Have fun!

**fernykins** · 06-18-2009, 01:31 PM

When I was in Maryland for my sons graduatio from the Acadamy he took me to the mall(all the monuments) We went early so it wasn't to crowded. We walked the whole area. I enjoyed it every much. There is so much to see. Enjoy
Fern

**Greebo** · 06-19-2009, 04:34 PM

The National Air and Space Museum === Massive Wow Factor for the kids

**frugalfriend** · 06-19-2009, 04:53 PM

We took the trolley tour and it was great, got to see a lot! You can get off and back on repeatedly. The only problem was sometimes the wait for the next trolley to come along took awhile, and a couple times it was full and we had to wait until the next one. Otherwise it was really good, especially for the little ones who get tired of walking. We still did TONS of walking and it was super hot and humid (but it was August). Bring water bottles!

I second Greebo's suggestion ~ The Air and Space Museum is AWESOME!