Washington, D.C., the United State’s Capitol, is on most family’s bucket list of places to visit. It is a wonderful place to take the grandkids.The city is chock-full of historical sites and the center of US political activity. You’ll want to see the White House and the Capitol building, stroll through the National Mall and see the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. You’ll pick and choose between museums at the Smithsonian and visit the National Gallery of Art. There are endless things to take in right within the city. But there are fantastic destinations just a day trip away as well.
If a trip to the D.C. area is on your agenda, consider some of these destinations an easy day away to enrich your experience with the grandchildren:
Williamsburg, Virginia
Colonial Williamsburg is a living history site rich in the drama of the Revolutionary War. Bus tours leave from D.C. and take you back several hundred years to the days in which the revolution began. Dramatic portrayals of individuals from the era are daily events and you can visit colonial buildings and exhibits where you’ll see skills in action such as basket making, candle making, blacksmithing, wig-making and more.
The National Children’s Museum in National Harbour
This new children’s museum is a world-class cultural and educational center. Its exciting activities and exhibits cover six main core content areas: the arts, civic engagement, the environment, global citizenship, health and well-being, and play. The aim of this fantastic museum is to inspire children to care about and improve the world through interactive play and learning.
The National Children’s Museum
Six Flags America
This amazing theme park is a quick drive from D.C. Enjoy the thrill rides, family rides, kiddie rides and the new Hurricane Harbor water park. Programming includes all kinds of entertainment such as concerts, fireworks displays, Looney Tunes productions and Kids Club Dance parties.
Mount Vernon
Visit the historical estate of the country’s first president, George Washington. You can tour the mansion, twelve other original structures, the farmsite, slave cabins and a number of exhibits with artifacts of the era. Nearby you can tour the distillery and gristmill. Don’t miss the Reynolds museum and educational center on the premises.
