For Kids and Families
See also our Museum Guide; About.com's Best Playgrounds in Washington, D.C., Maryland, & Virginia. And don't miss the Family Social Hour, "Smithsonian Museum of American Art and the National Portrait Gallery - A Kid's Eye View," to be held Saturday, July 25 from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Air and Space Museum
Independence Ave at 6th St. SW
Your kids will be wowed by the actual 1903 Wright Flyer and Apollo 11 command module, as well as "ride simulators" that include the SpaceWalk, Cosmic Coaster, and F-18 Experience. Simulator rides cost $7-$8.
Metro: L'Enfant Plaza (Blue, Orange, Yellow, Green); Smithsonian (Blue & Orange)
Hours: Open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Admission: Free.
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
14th and C Streets SW
Watch real money being printed!
Metro: Smithsonian (Orange, Blue)
Tours: every 15 min., 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. (summer only); for updates call 866-874-2330.
Admission: Free tickets are required March - August; get them at Raoul Wallenberg Place entrance starting at 8 a.m. on day of tour (lines form early, and tickets go quickly).
International Spy Museum
800 F St. NW
Examine hundreds of spy gadgets, including weapons, bugs, miniature cameras, microdots, and invisible ink. For an extra admission fee, visitors can participate in a one-hour live-action adventure called "Operation Spy," which allows kids 12 and up try out tasks like as safe-cracking and running a polygraph test.
Metro: Gallery Place/Chinatown (Red, Yellow, Green)
Summer Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Museum-Only Admission: Adults $18; Seniors (65+) $17; Children (5-11) $15.
Operation Spy-Only Admission: $16 (timed entry required).
Combination Admission: $27.
National Aquarium
1401 Constitution Ave. NW (lower level of the Department of Commerce)
The Aquarium houses over 200 species including alligators, piranha, shark, eel and Japanese carp. Animal feedings and aquarist talks are offered daily at 2 p.m.
Metro: Federal Triangle (Orange, Blue)
Hours: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Admission: General Admission (11-59) $7; Senior (60+) $6; Children (2-10) $3; under 2 admitted free.
National Geographic Museum
1145 17th Street NW
Changing exhibits use stunning photography and interactive displays to survey nature and world cultures.
Metro: Farragut North (Red)
Hours: Open M-Sa 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Su 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Admission: Most exhibits are free.
National Zoological Park
3001 Connecticut Ave. NW
This 163-acre park displays about 2,000 individual animals of nearly 400 different species.
Metro: Woodley Park/Zoo/Adams Morgan (Red)
Summer Hours: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. (grounds); 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (buildings).
Admission: Free.
Newseum
555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Exhibits include an interactive newsroom where kids can give a live news update on camera or test their skills at interactive game kiosks. On Sundays, watch the taping of actual news program "This Week with George Stephanopoulos." Note: This museum is probably best for older children (e.g., teens).
Metro: Archives/Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter Station (Yellow, Green); Judiciary Square (Red)
Hours: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Admission: Adults (19-64) $20; Seniors (65+) & Students $18; Youth (7-18) $13; Children (under 7) free.
Oxon Cove Park/Oxon Hill Farm
6411 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, Maryland
Living history programs allow visitors to experience farm life and how it has changed over time.
Metro: Not accessible by Metro. Driving directions.
Hours: Open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
Admission: Free.
Six Flags America
13710 Central Ave.
Mitchellville/Bowie, Maryland
This versatile amusement park offers 8 roller coasters, young children's rides (including the traditional tea cups, merry-go-rounds, and swings), Looney Tunes characters, and a water park (additional admission fee).
Metro: Addison Road (Blue), then bus C21
Hours: Open 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sa, Su; 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. M-F.
Admission: General - $49.99 if purchased at door (maybe less if purchased online); child under 48" tall - $24.99.
Smithsonian Discovery Theatre
1100 Jefferson Dr. SW (3rd Floor)
Live theatre for children, featuring folk and fairy tales retold using puppets, dancers, actors, and musicians. Most shows start at 10:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Metro: Smithsonian (Orange, Blue); L'Enfant Plaza (Blue, Orange, Yellow, Green)
Hours: Show times vary; view schedule
Admission: $5 children and $6 adults. Shows sell out, so purchase tickets in advance.
Washington Monument
Constitution Ave. NW and 15th St. NW
Take your children on a trip to the top of the tallest structure in D.C. - 555 feet 5 and 1/8 inches.
Metro: Smithsonian (Blue, Orange) or L'Enfant Plaza (Blue, Green, Orange, Yellow)
Hours: Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Last tour begins before 4:45 p.m.
Admission: Free, time-specific ticket is required. Tickets can be obtained on the day of the tour at the Washington Monument Lodge on 15th St. NW; lines form as early as 7:00 a.m., and tickets do run out. It is also possible to obtain advance tickets over the web, however, there is a $1.50 service charge for these advance tickets.