Activities in Washington D.C. for all ages

Washington D.C. may seem like a city geared more towards adults. Most of the attractions are, after all, museums, government buildings, and memorials. For kids on vacation, Washington D.C. may seem more like a school field trip than a vacation. But there are actually plenty of interesting and entertaining options for kids in Washington D.C.

First up, Ford’s Theater, the Lincoln Museum, and The House Where Lincoln Died. Restored to look as it did on the night of Abraham Lincoln’s murder, the Ford Theater is open to the public most always, except for when matinees or rehearsals are in progress. Visitors can trace the steps of John Wilkes Booth around the theater. There are also free 15 minute talks throughout the day on the history of the theater and the story of the assassination. In the basement of the theater is the Lincoln Museum. Here, tourists can see exhibits including the Derringer pistol used by Booth, as well as his diary entries with his plans for the assassination. After the President was shot, he was carried to a house nearby, which is also now open to the public. The house is also called the Petersen house, as it then belonged to a person named William Petersen, and it is decorated with period pieces that allow visitors to see it as it was at the time.

Another option is the International Spy Museum. This 68,000-square-foot museum covers every spy topic, from the history of spies to giving out tips and tricks of the trade. Videos are played that show how spies are made up for disguise, as well as stories from ex-spies. Exhibits show off trick equipment, like a pistol disguised as a lipstick tube. They also show artifacts from all over the world, tell about famous spy-masters over time, and teach visitors about codes and code-breaking. The International Spy Museum is not your typical “look, but don’t touch” kind of museum. Several hands-on activities include crawling through the ductwork in the ceiling, and through a recreated tunnel of the one beneath Berlin, Germany during the Cold War. Both kids and adults will learn things they never thought could ever be true, but yet they can rest assured that they are. The museums executive director was with the CIA for 36 years and assures everyone that every fact in the museum is accurate. At the end of the day, the museum also offers a Spy City Café and a gift shop.

Mei Xiang and Tian Tian are two of the biggest stars at the next attraction. These two giant pandas live at the National Zoological Park in Washington D.C. For youngsters with an appreciation for the outdoors, and for animals, this is an excellent place to visit. Visitors are encouraged to tackle the zoo on their own and at their own pace. The trails are easy to follow and it’s hard to get lost. Or, visitors can also take part in the free 90-minute highlights tour. The tour includes a well educated guide who can show guests how to look for the animals, as well as when and where the best times to see them are. The zoo is regarded as one of the best in the country in the care, breeding, and exhibition of its animals. The animals live in large, open enclosures very similar to their natural habitats. The zoo has over 5 hundred species, including zebras, camels, cheetahs, elephants, kangaroos, and many other normal zoo animals.

Taking kids to a city geared towards adults can be difficult, but with these and other kid-friendly activities, youngsters will hopefully have a wonderful time in Washington D.C.

Vickie Dodson Group Travel Coordinator - Adventure Student Travel
Student Travel Group Tours, Bus Tours and Group Cruises