How do you choose what to include on a Washington DC family vacation when there are so many activities to enjoy?
You’ve found the right place. We’ve been to Washington, DC many times with our family — including little kids, teenagers, and young adults. We know what to do in Washington, DC while staying within a budget and when to spend more.
Washington, DC is a great destination for families of any age.
What should you include in your Washington, DC itinerary?
Washington, DC has a lot of things to offer. There’s also good news for families on a tight budget. Many attractions in Washington DC are free.
Include a variety of activities, such as museums, tours, fun outdoor activities, and entertainment, in your Washington, DC itinerary.
You can easily see the majority of the region by using the Washington, DC Metro.
1. Washington, DC: Free Admission for Your Itinerary
Washington, DC has many free attractions. These are some of the most popular attractions. Washington, DC is a great place to visit on a tight budget!
The Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is a collection of 19 museums, gardens, galleries and the National Zoo. It’s free for the public. The National Mall is close to many of the museums, and the Smithsonian Station on the Metro makes it easy to get there.
The Natural History Museum, the Air & Space Museum and the Science Museum are all excellent options for families. Children’s programs are excellent at the Botanical Garden. This is a place that is often overlooked. Ask at the front desk about the kids’ explorer kits.
The National Gallery Sculpture Garden is another place not to be missed, especially if you are traveling with children aged 3-10.
The DEA Visitors Center & Museum
The DEA museum aims to educate the American people on the history and law enforcement of the DEA.
The DEA Museum has just finished a two-year renovation.
The NEW DEA Museum features more than 40 interactive activities, 180 artifacts, and a constantly changing exhibition space.
The timelines on the touchscreens show how technology, medicine and social change have impacted drug laws.
Now, young visitors can earn a Junior Agent badge for completing word puzzles, letter scrambles and other challenges that will help them think like DEA agents. Visitors can explore artifacts and fingerprints at activity stations, or go on virtual missions in order to better understand the work of this important branch.
Arlington is home to the DEA Museum, which is near the Pentagon. One block from the Pentagon City Metro Stop.
The National Museum of the Marine Corps
You’ve probably seen the National Museum of the Marine Corps on I-95 near Quantico. It is located just south of Washington DC.
The National Museum of the Marine Corps offers free parking, admission and tours!
The US Marine Corps played a major role in the history of our country for three centuries.
This museum is a great place to bring the entire family. It has a variety of children’s exhibits and offers free wheelchair scooters.
Historic Parks in Washington, DC
Washington, DC is known for being a political center, but it also has plenty of green spaces.
Washington, DC’s National Mall is probably well-known for its cherry blossoms, museums, and monuments. There are also many other parks to explore in the Washington, DC area.
My favorites include:
- Theodore Roosevelt Island is located in Arlington, near the Rosslyn Station. The island has 91 acres of wooded land and a memorial that is fitting for the father who founded our national parks.
- Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens is located at 1550 Anacostia Ave, NE, Washington, DC, (near Deanwood Station). The 1926-opened national park is devoted to aquatic plants and animals. This oasis in the city has raised boardwalks that take visitors on trails to see water plants and animals.
- Great Falls Park is located at 9200 Old Dominion Dr. in McLean, VA. (Not accessible via metro – you will need to drive). You can see the Potomac River crash over rocks and cliffs in Mather Gorge at Great Falls Park. The falls are not Niagara Falls but they’re still impressive! Six hiking trails are available in the park. Kayaking and exploring the visitor center are also available to visitors. Admission costs $10 per vehicle or $5 per individual. Passes for NPS holders are free.
Visit a Government Building
Get a peek behind the scenes of Washington, DC and see how our government officials live their lives. The majority of them are completely free! You can visit the US Capitol and Supreme Court Building without any advance reservations. The White House requires tickets in advance.
You can also see the Pentagon with advance tickets. Visit the Pentagon Memorial to honor those who perished on September 11, 2001.
- Theodore Roosevelt Island is located in Arlington, near the Rosslyn Station. The island has 91 acres of wooded land and a memorial that is fitting for the father who founded our national parks.
- Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens is located at 1550 Anacostia Ave, NE, Washington, DC, (near Deanwood Station). The 1926-opened national park is dedicated to aquatic plants and animals. This oasis in the city has raised boardwalks that take visitors on trails to see water plants and animals such as hyacinths.
- Great Falls Park is located at 9200 Old Dominion Dr. in McLean, VA. (Not accessible via metro – you will need to drive). You can see the Potomac River crash over rocks and cliffs in Mather Gorge at Great Falls Park. The falls are not Niagara Falls but they’re still impressive! Six hiking trails are available in the park. Kayaking and exploring the visitor center are also available to visitors. Admission costs $10 per vehicle or $5 per individual. Passes for NPS holders are free.
Visit a Government Building
Get a peek behind the scenes of Washington, DC and see how our government officials live their lives. The majority of them are completely free! You can visit the US Capitol and Supreme Court Building without any advance reservations. The White House requires tickets in advance.
You can also see the Pentagon with advance tickets. Visit the Pentagon Memorial to honor those who perished on September 11, 2001.
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery is located at 1 Memorial Ave in Fort Myer, VA. This is where President John F. Kennedy’s remains are buried. This tour will take you to his gravesite, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the changing of the Guard ceremony. You’ll also learn about the history of the US Military. It was one of our most memorable experiences during our recent trip to Washington, DC.
Monuments by Moonlight
The most memorable tour that I’ve ever taken with my family on a Washington, DC vacation was Monuments by Moonlight.
Monuments by Moonlight departs Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Ave. It is simply incredible! It is amazing to see the monuments lit up in the night on a trolley tour, while learning about the history of each monument. You can read my review of Monuments by Moonlight for a more detailed idea of what you can expect.
It is important to book your tickets in advance. This tour sells out quickly, especially in the summer and during school breaks. Book your tickets in advance.
Prince William Forest Park
Prince William Forest Park, situated at 18170 Park Entrance Rd, Triangle, VA, approximately 30 minutes south from Washington, DC, provides wide open spaces for walking, running and exploring. Prince William Forest Park, located in Triangle, VA about 30 minutes south of Washington DC, was created to train World War II spy agents. Really! The park was used to provide medical care and fresh-air for city kids who were in need of it. You can still hike the trails and enjoy a picnic, as well as learn about the park’s history. You can easily reach it from I-95, and Quantico is only a few minutes’ drive away. After a day of fun in Quantico, come here for an afternoon. It costs $20 per vehicle to enter the park, but it is worth it.
National Harbor Capital Wheel
The Capital Wheel can be found at National Harbor, just minutes away from Washington DC. Enjoy a 180-foot flight in a climate-controlled, fully enclosed gondola. You’ll see the Washington Monument from your gondola. Also, you can get a birds-eye view of Capitol Rotunda and Masonic Temple in Alexandria. National Harbor is also home to great shops, restaurants and outdoor activities.
TIP: Buy tickets for sunset rides in advance!
Washington, DC – Family Treasure Hunt River Cruise
The Family Treasure Hunt River Cruise will be a great experience for families with children ages 3-10. The Boomerang Pirate Ship will float along the Potomac River for an hour, with activities that are kid-friendly, such as a treasure search, water cannon fights, and pirate wars.
FACT: The Boomerang pirate ship was specifically designed and built for the Potomac River by U.S. Coast Guard.
Washington DC Escape Room
Consider the Washington, DC escape room for your Washington, DC vacation, particularly if you have kids over 8 years old. Here’s our review of the first time we went to an escape-room.
Escape rooms are always different. They are always fun.
Washington, DC Urban Adventure Scavenger Hunt
This is another creative and fun way to discover Washington, DC. The Urban Adventures Scavenger hunt begins at the National Mall. You’ll learn more about Washington DC’s colorful past as you find clues, solve riddles and complete challenges.
The Urban Adventures Scavenger hunt can take up to three hours. It’s a little faster if you move quickly, and it is recommended that groups not exceed six people participate.
See how much fun we had on our Scavenger Hunt in Sandusky Ohio!
What Should we do on a Washington, DC family vacation?
There are many options when it comes to choosing the best place to stay in Washington DC.
Consider these factors when choosing the best Washington, DC hotel for your family.
1. Choose from a wide range of Washington DC hotels near metro stations.
Washington, D.C.’s best hotels are near metro stations, saving you both money and time! The cost of parking in DC can be high, and the traffic in DC makes driving difficult. Choose Washington, DC Hotels near the Metro for easy and affordable transportation around the city.
2. Suburbs are some of the best places to stay in Washington, DC!
The suburbs are often the most affordable and free parking places in Washington, D.C.
If you drive into Washington, DC, the hotels there usually charge $40 or more per night for parking your car. This is not valet parking. Arlington’s hotels offer FREE self-parking. The rack rates of hotels are often cheaper! See? Hotels outside Washington, DC is worth a look.
3. Washington DC Vacation Packages are Available.
You can save money on Washington DC vacation packages.
Kayak and Momondo are two of the websites I use to find vacation packages. You can save money on your travels by bundling together airfare, hotel, rental car, and/or attraction tickets.
- Explore vacation packages with Kayak by clicking here.
- Click here to browse vacation packages on Momondo.
Washington, DC Vacation Packages are offered by the area visitors bureaus that work with local businesses in order to promote tourism. They offer you a great way to save money and plan your trip easily!
- Stay Arlington Vacation packages – summer packages that include bike rentals, discounts on admissions, discounts at participating stores, and more.
- Alexandria Vacation Packages – Summer packages include FREE PARKING, attraction passes and discounts at Mount Vernon hotels.
- Loudon County “Lakeway to the smokeies” – This region west of Washington DC has great lake house getaways and affordable hotel options.
- The Prince William County, located southwest of Washington, DC, is easily accessible from I-95. It offers a variety of affordable accommodations. Visit the website to see seasonal offers.
- Fairfax County — Located just across the Potomac River from Washington DC, Fairfax County, a family-friendly county, is a quick metro ride away. Visit their website to find specials on dining, lodging and attractions.
How can I visit Washington, DC on a budget?
As I mentioned at the start of this article, a Washington, DC, family vacation is an excellent choice for family travel that’s on a tight budget. Follow these tips to save money on your Washington, DC trip:
- Hotel prices are cheaper in Arlington and other cities outside of the city.
- Use the METRO on your vacation. The Beginner’s Guide to DC Metro will show you how easy it can be!
- You can book vacation packages on Kayak and Momondo. These websites offer discounts for hotels, flights, rental cars, and vacation packages, so you can spend less while doing more. This is my favorite way to go!
- Consider bicycle rentals for a fun and inexpensive way to travel around the city. Helmets, locks and handlebar bags are included in the rental. Active travelers can enjoy the bike trails that extend all the way up to Mount Vernon.
- Enjoy all of the attractions listed above that are free.
This guide will make it easy to plan a Washington, DC vacation for your family.