Field trips during the school year and family vacations during the summer keep Washington, D.C., crawling with kids all year long. More than any other city, perhaps, Washington is crammed with historic buildings, arts and science museums, parks, and recreational sites to interest young and old alike. The Smithsonian Institution's family of 16 D.C. museums is a stellar example. First of all, the National Zoo is a Smithsonian entity. Enough said. But even the Smithsonian's grandiose museums on and off the National Mall are utterly kid-oriented. You can show up and be entertained, or check things out the calendar ahead of time on the website: www.si.edu. Click on "Events" at the top of the page, and then "Events for Kids" displayed on the left-hand side of the screen. A long menu of options appears, from Indian dance performances at the National Museum of the American Indian, to Family Day activities scheduled at the National Postal Museum.
It's worth calling or checking websites in advance for the schedules of other attractions you're thinking of visiting. The fact that so many attractions are free is a boon to the family budget.
Hotels, more and more, are doing their part to make family trips affordable, too. At many lodgings, children under a certain age (usually 12) sleep free in the same room with their parents. Hotel weekend packages often offer special family rates.
Restaurants throughout the Washington area are growing increasingly family-friendly. Many provide kids' menus or charge less for children's portions. The best news, though, is that families are welcome at all sorts of restaurants these days and need no longer stick only to burger joints.
Washington, D.C., is easy to navigate with children. The Metro covers the city, and it's safe. Children 4 and under ride free.
The Washington Post publishes a "Weekend" section every Friday that covers all possible happenings in the city, including family-friendly activities. If you arrive on a Friday, be sure to pick up a copy of the paper; otherwise, you can go online to www.washingtonpost.com, click on the "City Guide" section, and then click on "This Weekend" in the browsing window to read what's up, entertainment-wise, in Washington.
Also look for Frommer's Washington, D.C., with Kids, which makes an excellent companion piece to this book, providing in-depth coverage of sightseeing with children in Washington.
