Washington, D.C. is a popular family vacation destination for good reason. The place is filled with history and educational opportunities as well as fun. If you are thinking about making D.C. your single parent travel destination, be sure to visit the places discussed below.
The Smithsonian is an incredible place. You are sure to find something to appeal to everyone in your group. The National Air and Space Museum and the Museum of Natural History are particularly kid favorites.
The Holocaust Museum is a sobering reminder of a terrible time in history. If you have children who are old enough to deal with the subject matter, it is a must-see.
The US Capitol building should also be on your agenda. They have guided tours, and you may be able to actually sit in on a session of Congress. The US Supreme Court and Library of Congress will also be of interest.
The Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument are should also be on your list. If possible, try to visit the National Mall once after dark, too, as the monuments and other areas are beautifully lit.
Your kids may be interested in touring the White House. Note that you will not get to see very much of the inside on a tour, so you may find that just viewing the White House outside of the gates suffices your kids.
Arlington National Cemetary is also steeped in history and contains graves of many notable Americans. While educational, your kids may not be thrilled about seeing a cemetary. You will have to gauge whether anyone in your group would be interested in visiting this site.
You can also go on a day trip to Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington. Here, the kids can see a beautiful house furnished as it would have been in our first president’s time. Of course, your children will also learn many historical facts on the tour.
Another tour that is only a short drive away is in Alexandria, VA. This lantern light tour has actors dressed in period costumes who re-create history before your eyes. There are even stories of ghosts to entertain your kids.
The National Zoo is also a great stop for families. More than 400 species of animals are housed here.
When you are making your single parent travel plans, make sure to consider Washington, D.C. as a destination for a trip that combines education and fun.
Fodor’s Washington, D.C. 2009: with Mount Vernon, Alexandria & Annapolis (Fodor’s Gold Guides)
A Kid’s Guide to the Smithsonian
The World Must Know: The History of the Holocaust as Told in the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum