What Is the BEST Site to See in Washington DC?

Monuments at night are absolutely beautiful. But if I had to pick a couple of places, one would be the Lincoln Memorial and two would be any of the Smithsonian museums. The DC zoo is free, you just walk right into the zoo off of the street! Have fun! My kids had a blast and want to go back.

If it's a nice day...I would grab some lunch food at Union Station and put it in a backpack with a frisbee. From there walk to the Capitol, hang out on the steps and balcony, walk down the mall and stop at the various monuments, sit down and eat lunch maybe at the WWII memorial, play frisbee on the mall, and walk all the way to washington monument and lincoln if the kids aren't too tired. It's not too far to walk. And when ever you're tired you can find the nearest metro and go to dinner! No standing in lines, no cost, no dragging through museums. I hope you have a nice trip!

We're planning a trip for this summer as well. I have an 8 yo that LOVES old planes so the Air & Space Museum is a *must* for us. also we would like to see parts of the Smithsonian and do a tour of the major monuments as well as see Arlington & the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
We won't be doing this THIS trip (& it's probably sold out for the summer already) but the Sunset Parade at the Marine Corp barracks is really nice. (Silent Drill Team & etc.)

I went to DC last november. It was wonderful. My advice is to get a ticket for the tour bus. It takes you around to all the monuments, museums etc. All of the major things are free. We spent I think $35 for the 2 day pass for the tour buses. you can get on and off wherever you would like. The only place we had to pay to get in was at Arlington (they had their own special tour thing) But the main double decker buses took you all over. we went to all the monuments, the capital, the Lincoln theater, the capital (if you call your congressman's office they can get you a private tour which is really cool. if you give enough time to get a background check done through your congressmans office you can also get to tour the white house. we didn't find out that part till we were there lol) we went to mass at the cathedral. It was without a doubt the most amazing trip I have been on in my 48 years

Newseum.

National Zoo.

Smithsonian (Museum of Natural History/Air and Space)

The mint (where they print money), very fun tour.
Air and Space museum.

Go to the top of the Washington Monument. It is free, but you can also pay a very small fee to reserve tickets ahead (and they are mailed to you). It was awesome -- enjoyed by the kids and adults alike. They have a "tour" and great views of the city. Also, the zoo is great (although a bit of a hike on the Metro). Have fun! I love DC and go there often with my kids.

I am from the washington dc area. I would definantly go to the zoo in washington dc and the air and space or natural history museum. I would take the metro train when you go. Parking is a pain but the train is fun and it is reasonable. There are stops for the zoo and to the museums. Have fun.

Updated

I am from the washington dc area. I would definantly go to the zoo in washington dc and the air and space or natural history museum. I would take the metro train when you go. Parking is a pain but the train is fun and it is reasonable. There are stops for the zoo and to the museums. Have fun.

Air and Space museum, Washington monument. Plenty of great stuff to do there, so lots of choices.

Smithsonian Museums (Natural History or American History or Air and Space).

Vietnam Memorial (The wall - won't take long and is very moving)

Lincoln Memorial

Zoo (definitely)

I agree with Denise. But I also love going to see the monuments at night.

I personally think that the law enforcement memorial is absolutely beautiful (i have a relative that's a fallen officer, though so i may be biased). if you take the metro, you get off, walk up the steps and its right there. very beautiful at night. it's at the opposite end of the mall from the washington monument though so it's a good walk from there, but not too far from the air & space meseum. all of the typical sights are very nice...vietnam memorial, lincoln memorial, etc. i think you could pick anything and have a great time. i think having the kids see where they make money would be neat as well as the zoo & museums.

the smithsonian. boys love the air and space museum, i love natural history and the MOMA but there's enough there for everyone. the national zoo is a good one. jefferson memorial is awesome. vietnam memorial is incredible although not 'fun'.
i'd say overall to hit the jefferson memorial and your favorite smithsonian building or two since your time is so limited. it's a pity the cherry blossoms are finished!
have a great time.
:) khairete
S.

Not sure if this is too late but my brother and his wife live just outside DC and we've visited there off and on over the years.

There are so many things to see and do there! With having younger kids, I suggest the museums. The Natural Science/History Museum is great! The one with the dinosaurs are great for kids and adults alike. There's a ton of things to see there. The Air and Space Museum was great too for all. When they get a bit older all three would appreciate the historical sites seeing the monuments and all that.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

I love the American History museum, but (if the weather is nice) I'd leave plenty of time just for walking the mall, the memorials and across the bridge to Arlington Cemetery. I think that so much of the beauty of DC is seen from outdoors. You could take bikes or even rent kayaks to cruise the Potomac (but that depends on whether that's something that you have access to elsewhere). Have some plans for places that you'd like to see, but be flexible to go where the mood takes you ;)

The Smithsonian Zoo! I went there for the first time a few years ago with my son and it was one of the best zoos I've been to. The Amazon exhibit is fascinating and takes you through all the layers of the rain forest and of course you can't miss the Pandas.

Hmm, I guess my opinion is different from some others below.

My recommendations would be the National Archives, which has the original constitution, etc, which is at one end of the National Mall (it is one of the Smithsonian museums). The American History museum is close by, and it is also a favorite of mine. The other recommendation is a visit to the Lincoln, Korean, and Vietnam memorials, which are at the other end of the Mall and close together. I used to live in DC, and whenever I had visitors from out of town, these are the places that were first on my list to take them.

The other Smithsonian museums are great (Air and Space, Art, Natural History). And so is the zoo. But in my opinion, I can go to these types of museums/places in any big city. The Archives, American History Museum, and the monuments are unique to DC.

Prior to our visit my husband contacted our district's representative in DC. Two of his aides gave us a personal tour of the Capitol Building. Very cool. We had special passes that allowed us to use the underground tunnels which my older daughter liked. My 8 year old was less than enthusiastic however. She would look at the clock and say "I wish I was in math class or reading etc ".
Personally, I do not really love the museums there but I do enjoy King Street in Alexandria VA. They have lots of cool artsy places. The Torpedo Factory has many local artist where you can go in there shops and talk to them.
Have fun!

The Air & Space Museum is always a hit at our house. And the last time we went we checked out the National Zoo (it's free but parking is pricey, especially on the weekend). My boys LOVED the zoo, it had all sorts of creatures they'd never seen before. I've read that if you get there early you can watch the gorilla's go across the zoo (we saw the "path" they take overhead, but were there later in the day so we didn't see it).

We loved the museum of Natural History, Air & Space museum or the Lincoln, Jefferson memorials are awesome as well. They are really neat at night when they are lit up. We lived there for 11 years and those were the favorites of everyone who came to visit.