How young is too young for Washington, DC?

[alphamommy]

I have always wanted to go to Washington. I've been brainstorming ideas for a vacation this year, and keep coming back to DC or the Grand Canyon.

Our DD turned 8 last Saturday, and is in second grade. She is very "mature" in terms of knowledge: she loves learning about presidents, the U.S., etc. Since DH and I have never been there, I'm trying to figure out how miserable she might be there.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!
Tammy

[princessesmom]

I think 8 should be fine, I can't imagine she would be miserable. We're going in April for the first time with our children, my husband and I have been there before children. Our children are 12, 10, 7, and 4. The 4 year old is the only one I'm a little worried about. I know she won't be interested in some of the things we'll want to see. I have also ruled out the Holocaust Museum, because it sounds too intense even for my older two. I think most of the other museums will be fine, the White House, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, any of the monuments, and Arlington. Congress and the Supreme Court might not be good for the 7 year old, we'll figure that out if we're able to get in. We want to go to the Spy Museum. I don't think that will be appropriate for the 4 year old, so we'll probably split up and one of us will do something different with her. There is so much to see there, just make sure you pick things that will interest her. You may not get to see everything, but that's okay, you can go back when she is older and do different things. Be sure to contact your representative several months ahead of time to get tickets for the White House and other government related attractions you're interested in seeing. Good luck!

[merlinmagic4]

I would not hesitate to bring my 8 year old!! We would definitely go in the near future with my 8 and 11 year olds if we didn't have an almost 2 year old. He's too little to leave behind but too young to go. As soon as I can leave him with a Grandma (in 2 more years or so), we'll go, too.


I say most definitely go for it

[biodtl]

We went with a 5 year old and he loved it. The museums (especially Air/Space & natural history, though he enjoyed the art as well), the zoo riding the metro, sculpture garden, the Lincoln memorial and just running around on the mall kept him quite happy.

[Hair_Razor]

8 is perfect, I think she will really enjoy herself. DC is one of my favourite places I go at least once a year if I can. Took my son in June last year he was 10 and he really enjoyed it. The only museum I would say she is too young for is the Holocaust museum. It is really meant for adults. There is a children's portion but its a quickie, you might as well wait for that and go back. Any q's about DC and getting around you can PM me if I can help I will.

[tys_mommy]

We've done day trips to DC since our DS was 1, he may not have retained much out of the early trips but since we go several times a year he is constantly reminded of previous trips. There are tons of things for kids to do there. The Smithsonian museums are free, there’s a zoo (again free), try to contact your local representatives to arrange for a tour of the capital and/or white house. A couple of years ago we did the aquarium near the Regan building (the mickey statues were on display outside there) and were disappointed, granted it was a lot cheaper than the Baltimore Aquarium but it really was not even worth the visit. If you go to Baltimore there is Port Discovery that is awesome for kids. We’ve never been but I’ve heard the spy museum in DC is a real favorite for kids as well. Last year we visited Great Falls which is just north of DC. Not sure what you are into but there are tons of civil war places around the area to visit as well.

[BronxTigger]

I went to DC in summer 06 for a few days. The Holocaust Museum is very well done, but I'd hesitate on taking an 8-year old. It's a haunting experience.

The mall is neat, but its LOOOOOOOOOOONG. From one end to the other feels like a mirage. You just keep walking but never actually arriving anywhere. There are some tourist buses that have hop-on/hop-off privileges that may be worth your while.

The Smithsonian Castle has a garden in the back that I thought was really cool. I was there early in the morning before it was crowded and it was a nice "escape".

One of the Smithsonian museums is completely closed for 2 years....I think it's the American History museum (the one with the Muppets is the one that's closed). It closed right after I was there in 2006 so I'd find out when it's re-opening if it will play into your planning.

[Figgyluv03]

I was four on my first trip and I absolutely love it. Was there a couple more times over the years, but haven't been there in a little over 10 years. I think now that I'm older, I'd appriciate it a little more.

[RoosMomKanga]

This post name just made me laugh and I had to share my "bad mother" trip.

1995-I took my Sister (8 mo. pregnant) and her family to DC for 1 nt. I had my DS-1 mo. old, and my DD-2 1/2 (DH working). My favorite memories are as we waited outside for our Whitehouse tour my DD got away from me (hey, I had a newborn) for a second and took off under the rope across the Whitehouse lawn...I didn't know whether to run after her or just yell to Secret Service on the roof (she was after a dandielion-sp?). I also have a great photo of our group at the Congressional Dining room. Luckily our Congressman sent us to lunch there, but couldn't attend---maybe it was the look of our group on a 95º day (actually he told us ahead he was busy)...I don't think they get many children there...our nice (very old) waiter brought me out an ancient metal highchair for my newborn with a smile. I didn't have the heart to tell him a newborn can't possibly sit in a highchair, so I safely held (& propped him with blankets) in it long enough to take a photo. Well...the giggles started and never ended...we're a very mannered group, but we couldn't help it (we got lots of smiles from around the room). We still talk about this trip!

Oh, and my 2 1/2 year old had a blast at all the museums!

[ltam16]

My kids were 5 & 3 last time we went. My dh was there for a conference so it was me & the 2 kids basically touring. They loved it at the time. My son remembers some. They loved the museums, the zoo is nice, they also liked the aquarium in DC--very small!!! But it was nice. We also went to a children's museum & they had fun. They liked going to the monuments and the carosel on the mall. There were some interactive exabits at the Smith. castle they enjoyed. It is a lot of walking, but the metro is good.

[TruePrincess]

I would definitely stop at the national postal museum. It sounds boring (a museum about the post office) but it's tons of fun. They have a lot of interactive activities that would be great for an 8 yr old.

[RenDuran]

We took our 8-year-old daughter a few months ago and she loved it! I can't say the same for my 3-year-old.....

[Kairi_7378]

I think that 8 is a good age to take a child to DC... especially if she is used to walking a lot, like at Disney! If you stay for more than a day trip, I'd suggest staying in a hotel on Capitol Hill or near the Mall. This will make touring easier. There is a lot of history to see in the Smithsonian Museums. The nice thing is that they are free. You can wander into one and if you don't see something you like, walk another block and look at something else.

I think your best bets would be the Air and Space museum and the Natural History Museum. As BronxTigger said, the Museum of American History is closed for renovations until Fall 2008. On my last trip (August 2007) I thought that this museum closure made the summer crowds a little more intense, especially in the middle of the day.

[russk42]

I'm sure you're daughter can handle it,and would probably enjoy much of it . My girls' favorite is the natural history museum. I'd like to offer the following for you to consider when planning:
--more walking than EPCOT, you might want to consider the "tourmobile"
--fewer public restrooms than disney
--fewer water fountains than disney
--food at the museums is generally as expensive as WDW, if not more so, but is usually good: they've greatly improved the concessions over the past few years

[aurorafan]

Because we live right outside DC we've taken our kids there at least once a year since they were babies and they've always loved it . If your 8 y.o. is into history it's a great place for her! The museum of American History is closed, but they have a few of the most famous things in an exhibit at the Air & Space museum (upper level all the way to the left). The food is expensive, but hey admission is free so I figure it's worth it . They've just opened a new butterfly house at the Natural History museum and they have a really cool 3-D movie there too (it changes so I'm not sure what it is right now ).

If you want to go to the White House not only do you have to contact your congressman, but last time I checked you had to have a group of 10 or more. That was a year and a half ago, so it may have changed, but check just to make sure. Also they don't allow *anything* inside except keys and a wallet if I remember correctly, and there weren't any lockers at that time either, so again check to make sure.

My 10 & 7 year olds love it and I'm sure your daughter will too .