I'm looking for places to visit, things to do, etc. in/around Washington, D.C. that are unusual or less well-known. Sure, there are the obvious places like the Smithsonian, Washington Monument, etc. I want to hear about places that are off the beaten path.
2006-09-22 06:47:36 · 12 answers · asked by RisingSuns 2 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Washington, D.C.
The Discovery Room inside the Smithsonian's Natural History is a great hands-on place for kids - with limited hours.
The National Arboretum is awesome. If you're going in spring, the azalea hill provides an awesome stroll through maze-like blossoming bushes. Anytime of year is still wonderful - walk through the meadow and explore the capitol columns, see collections of magnificent bonsai trees, feed koi, see the capitol from a forested hilltop.
Great Falls Bill Goat Trail in Great Falls, Maryland is a fabulous and fun hike on rocks and in the woods along the Potomac River. There is a great falls virginia with a nice Great Falls Park there, too. Best hike is Billy Goat, tho.
Mount Vernon is very special, there are interesting things to see inside and out, plus wonderful trails through the potomac riverside woods.
At the National Z00, skip the pandas and visit Amazonia. Indoor exhibit, so a good solution for bad weather.
The Franklin Roosevelt Memorial is one of the most visually beautiful and historically informative memorials around. Water Water Water! Many outdoor 'rooms' to walk through, plus sited along the tidal basin just down from the Jefferson Memorial.
The Kennedy Center has a free performance every day at 6pm on their millienial stage and is a grand place to visit with wonderful balcony views, two halls of flags lots of kids like looking at, and restaurants, as well as many performances of theatre, music, ballet, etc that require tickets.
One can rent paddle boats near the jefferson memorial, the mall, the grassy and gravelly stretch from the capitol to the lincoln is a wonderful space for a walk. The Korean War Memorial, WWII Memorial, and Vietnam memorials are lovely and moving.
The Holocaust Museum for kids over 12 is a searing, unforgettable experience and history lesson. (There is an exhibit there for younger kids, but you'll have to skip the rest of the museum.)
In Manassas, Va, there is the Battlefield and its attendant museum. The tiny town of Occoquan has a river front museum - also tiny - with interesting photos from a hurricane and artifacts found in the town.
In Alexandria, Ft. Hunt is a very interesting place to tour and frolic.
Old Towne Alexandria is nice for strolling and eating and shopping. The Torpedo Factory there has many art galleries.
2006-09-22 07:12:30 · answer #1 · answered by cassandra 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You really don't wanna go too far off the beaten path in DC because then you end up in the ghettos and that is a scary place to be...I've gotten lost driving home before and ended up there....however the Smithsonian has a lot of great museums like the National Spy Museum, Air and Space Museum, Natural History...etc....
2006-09-22 06:56:10 · answer #2 · answered by Love always, Kortnei 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
oh my god. everything here is great. there are historic statues with people like gandi,einstine, rosevelt and a lot of other people. the veiw from the monument is just amazing. it takes about 2 minutes to get to the top when you get there, there are lots of windows with different views of different places. and theres a gift shop. the national space museum...awsome. ive been there 3 times now and i alsways love it. if you go there you HAVE to see the 3D movie! they are always awsome. it also shows ships and airplanes there. your kids will learn a lot. go see the lincoln, and jefferson memorial. oh and a place where your kids will have the best time and where you will be snaping pics like crazy is (i think its called) Rock Creek Park. well if its not called that you can ask someone there. it is a place where it looks like this guy who is buried underground with only his head two arms and legs showing. i loved climbing all over it. and last check out the memorials for world war 1 and 2, and the korean war. wshington is great place for fun.
2006-09-23 00:27:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a little place called the International Spy Museum....I've never gotten the chance to check it out myself but I've always wanted to. Not exactly sure where in DC it is, but I'm sure there is a web site. Also, just outside of DC (in Silver Spring, MD) is the headquarters to the Discovery Channel. You also might want to search the web for some ideas......Happy Travels!!
2006-09-22 06:51:42 · answer #4 · answered by jj4773 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Spy Museum is neat in DC, it's neat to just walk around the monument. Baltimore has the aquarium, boats/cruises, Annapolis is close (where I live) and if you are there on a Friday they have a pirate cruise for kids that is phenomenal.
2006-09-22 07:11:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Obvious but worth it: National Zoo. Take a walk in Rock Creek Park. Go to the Carousel in Glen Echo park. Tour the old stone house in Georgetown (cool gardens).
Good luck
2006-09-22 06:52:41 · answer #6 · answered by Akkakk the befuddled 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Damn all of that, Drive 35 miles North to Baltimore. There is alot to do there, Fun and wacky.
2006-09-23 04:26:13 · answer #7 · answered by julian192001 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone seems to like the spy museum.
2006-09-22 06:54:54 · answer #8 · answered by sugarcarat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
International Spy Museum is Great ..you have to go there with Kids they will LOVE it !!
2006-09-22 07:00:40 · answer #9 · answered by lilredhead 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take the tour of the US Mint. It's fascinating, even for children.
2006-09-22 06:54:59 · answer #10 · answered by ratboy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋