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Traveling with young children can be daunting for parents. When the travel destination is a large city it becomes an even more difficult task to find activities that keep you and your children safe and entertained. Washington, DC is a mecca for tourist and business travel year round and draws in visitors from around the world. When visiting the city, it is a good idea to research your hotel and to know the routes of area subway and bus transportation to make your travel through the city easier. Public transportation in the city is relatively friendly for families, and there are a lot of options for kid-friendly activities.

National Zoo

3001 Connecticut Ave, NW

202.633.4800

http://nationalzoo.si.edu

The DC National Zoo offers free admission, easy access via subway or bus, and a huge zoological park. Children and adults can spend hours wandering the massive grounds, enjoying specially timed shows that include animal feedings and elephant baths. The zoo offers a map of the grounds, and a visitors center near the entrances that can answer all questions about schedules.
Parking in the zoo lots costs $4 for the first hour, $12 for two to three hours, and $16 for more than three hours. If you are a FONZ (Friends Of The National Zoo) member, parking is free. If you do not mind a short walk, you can usually find free street parking nearby.
The National Zoo is open every day of the year except December 25. October 30 to April 1: Grounds are open 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Buildings are open 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. April 2 to October 29: Grounds are open 6 a.m. - 8 p.m. Buildings are open 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Smithsonian National
Museum of Natural History

10th Street
and Constitution Ave, NW

202.633.1000

http://www.mnh.si.edu

The National Museum of Natural History is part of the Smithsonian's collection of museums in downtown DC. The museum offers free admission and a large collection of regular and interactive exhibits that will keep children easily entertained. The museum is large and requires a lot of walking, but elevators are placed throughout for families with strollers or wheelchairs. The museum houses dinosaur skeletons, a gigantic mammoth in the front hall, and exhibits about natural gemstones, underwater life, and early man.
It also offers an IMAX theater with several films showing each day. Open daily except December 25. Regular hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The museum extends their hours during the summer months. Please check the official website for updates. Free weekday highlights tours begin in the Rotunda, Tuesday through Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., September through June.

Smithsonian's Discovery Theater

1100 Jefferson Drive, SW

202.357.3030

http://www.discoverytheater.co m

Discovery Theater is a live theater show catering to children's interests. Shows involve puppetry, mime, song and dance, actors, and musicians. Stories include folk and fairy tales, modern adaptations, and original works. All shows are Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $6 per adult, $5 per child and $4 for Smithsonian Resident members. You may purchase tickets in advance.

Friendship "Turtle" Park

4500 Van Ness Street, NW

202.282.2198

http://turtlepark.org

Turtle
Park offers a large play area complete with slides, swings, tunnels, and climbing equipment. Shaded areas offer benches and picnic tables as well. The park also includes a sandbox, basketball and tennis courts, softball and soccer fields and an indoor recreation center. Picnic tables can be reserved for birthday or family gatherings by calling the Park Manager, Enrique Leiva at 202-282-2198, Monday through Friday, 3PM to 9 PM. The park offers restrooms during open hours, and offers seasonal activities throughout the year including arts & crafts and story time.

National Children's Museum

955 L'Enfant Plaza North, SW, Suite
5100

202.675.4120

http://www.ncm.museum

Scheduled to open in 2013, the National Children's Museum will be a world-class cultural and educational center with a mission to inspire children to care about and improve the world. The Museum will serve millions of children and their families each year through a new 150,000 square-foot experiential learning center at National Harbor. Onsite and online exhibits and experiences, complemented by a national network of programs and partners, will give all children the opportunity to learn, explore and connect with opportunities to get involved and make a difference in their communities.

Hirshorn Museum and Sculpture
Garden

Independence Ave at 7th
Street, SW

202.633.1000

http://hirshhorn.si.edu

Another Smithsonian Museum, the Hirshorn offers free admission. The galleries exhibit contemporary art that can be thrilling for children. Installations often feature bright colors, interactive works, moving pieces or images, and unique art. This can be a great opportunity to get children interested in art in a new and exciting way. The sculpture garden offers adults and children the chance to enjoy an up close and personal encounter with art works that are often touchable. Open daily except December 25; Museum: 10 am to 5:30 pm (EST) ;
Plaza: 7:30 am to 5:30 pm; Sculpture Garden: 7:30 am to dusk.

International Spy
Museum

800 F Street, NW

866.779.6873

http://www.spymuseum.org

The International
Spy Museum
offers an interactive look at espionage throughout history. Exhibits can deal with intensity or violence which may be unsuitable for some children.
The museum offers special events catering to children, including spy themed sleepovers and special birthday party packages with scavenger hunts, themed party goods, and take home goodies.
Museum hours vary by season and can be confirmed on their website. A visit to the Spy Museum
lasts about two hours for general admission.
Tickets are $18 for adults, $17 for military and seniors, $15 for children 5-11, and children under five are free. The museum suggests that the permanent exhibition is best for ages 12 and up.

Jonah's Treehouse

2121 Wisconsin Avenue, C-1 Level

202.298.6805

http://www.jonahstreehouse.com /

Jonah's Treehouse, located in upper Georgetown, boasts a spacious play studio for babies and young children up to age 5. Innovative classes combine free play, structured movement, music, poetry and drama to create a unique experience for each child in every class. Children free play on specially-designed mat shapes, negotiate obstacle courses, climb through tunnels and over wooden bridges and slides, and play with huge colorful balls, puppets and more. Birthday party slots are offered every weekend and book months in advance.

Inexpensive Restaurant Options for Families

2. Cactus Cantina 3300 Wisconsin Ave, NW
202.686.7222

http://www.cactuscantina.com/

Mexican food, kids meals under $5

3. California Pizza Kitchen 1260 Connecticut Ave, NW
202.331.4020

http://www.cpk.com/

Reasonably priced kids meals, kids menus and crayons, $1 sundaes

4. Comet
Ping Pong 5037 Connecticut Ave, NW 202.364.0404

http://www.cometpingpong.com/

Gourmet pizza, $8 for a small. Free ping pong tables, outdoor dining available.

5. Old Glory BBQ 3139 M Street, NW 202.337.3406

http://www.oldglorybbq.com/

Kids twelve and under eat FREE on Sundays and Mondays from 4-9pm with the purchase of an adult entre. Kids meals include drinks and a sundae.

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