by Stephanie Joynes

Created on: May 23, 2009   Last Updated: May 24, 2009

Washington, DC can be overwhelming when traveling with children. The traffic, the special events, and all the crowds can make it a bit intimidating. But there are many wonderful things to do with children that are inexpensive and fun. So leave your car at the Metro parking lot, hop on the train, and head into the city!

Your first stop should be Union Station where you can purchase tickets to sightseeing tours such as the Old Town Trolley Tours. These tours allow your family to hop on and hop off at some of the cities best locations, such as the Washington Monument, the White House, and the Smithsonian, while still receiving excellent information along the way. This will save you the trouble of purchasing tickets repeatedly for Metro, finding elevators because of your stroller, and save you the trouble dealing with exhausted children by making them walk everywhere.

Your first stop on the National Mall should be the legendary Smithsonian Institution. It's important to note that it isn't just one building. It encompasses 19 museums and a National Zoo, and they are free! There's something for everyone, If you have a princess on your hands, you'll want to check out the Smithsonian Castle in all of it's architectural glory and even take a ride on brightly colored Carousel outside. This Castle has a great orientation video so you can learn more about the Smithsonian collections and has small exhibits from each museum. This is a great stop if you are short on time. But if you have the time to explore other parts of the Smithsonian, the volunteer staff will be able to guide you towards the many public programs and child-friendly events on the Mall and in the museums.

If you have a future astronaut in your family, head over to the Air and Space Museum which is not far from the Castle. There are IMAX movies, a Planetarium, and your children can explore everything from the Wright Brothers flier and Amelia Earhart's plane to NASA space suits. While visiting there's a great eating area with several restaurants that serve child-friendly food. Both the Smithsonian Castle and Air and Space were where scenes from Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian were filmed, so your kids might be extra interested in these locations.

For the All-American family that loves their Star-Spangled Banner, Kermit the Frog, and their military, head over the National Museum of American History. This is where your family will learn about our nation's history through pop culture, military

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