Cheetah & cub at the National Zoo, Washington DC Family Attractions

Cheetah & cub at the National Zoo

Washington DC Family Attractions

National Air and Space Museum
DESCRIPTION: The world’s most visited museum houses the Wright Brothers’ 1903 Flyer, Apollo 11 lunar command module among others. It also features Black Wings: The American Black in Aviation, a permanent exhibition of 180 photos tracing Black aviation achievements from World War I to the Space Shuttle. Don’t miss the short Tuskegee Airmen film narrated by Lt. General Benjamin O Davis, Jr., the first Black Air Force general. There is FREE admission to the museum. IMAX Theater shows films daily for a fee.
ADMISSION: Free for the museum, but a fee for Einstein Planetarium
DAYS & HOURS: daily 10a-5:30p, extended summer hours
ADDRESS: 6th & Independence Avenues SW, Washington DCMAP
PARKING: limited garage parking on premises and on street
TRANSIT: L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station
PHONE: 202-357-2700
WEBSITE: http://www.nasm.si.edu

National Museum of Natural History
DESCRIPTION: While you are enthralled with the 45 carat Hope Diamond, the kids will dig the dinosaur fossils and spectacular Insect Zoo in this massive museum; an IMAX Theater provides a well rounded experience
ADMISSION: Free for the museum, but IMAX entry fee
DAYS & HOURS: daily 10a-5:30p with extended summer hours
ADDRESS: 10th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC MAP
PARKING: street
TRANSIT: Smithsonian Metro Station
PHONE: 202-357-2700
WEBSITE: http://www.mnh.si.edu

National Aquarium
DESCRIPTION: A historic and unique aquarium, without the high cost of major aquariums today – perfect for families; animal feedings are at 2pm. It is located in the Commerce Building.
ADMISSION: small fee
DAYS & HOURS: daily 9a-5p
ADDRESS: 14th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC MAP
PARKING: street
TRANSIT: Federal Triangle Metro Station
PHONE: 202-482-2826
WEBSITE: http://www.nationalaquarium.com

Verizon Center
DESCRIPTION: Hosting more than 220 events each year, this arena is home to the NBA Washington Wizards and WNBA Washington Mystics basketball, NHL Capitols hockey, Georgetown college basketball. This popular entertainment center also offers sports history, sports retail and a Discovery Channel retail store.
ADMISSION: event-dependent
DAYS & HOURS: event-dependent
ADDRESS: 601 F Street NW, Washington DC MAP
PARKING: nearby garage
TRANSIT: Gallery Plaza-Chinatown Metro Station
PHONE: 202-628-3200
WEBSITE: http://www.verizoncenter.com

Nationals Park
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 2008, this LEED certified, 40,000-seat baseball park hosts MLB’s Washington Nationals; an outing in the park is always as good or better than the game itself. The park is ADA compliant. When building the park, workers uncovered layers of old bricks that were 12-14 feet below grade, indicating the probability of habitation at this level in the 1800s, until fill was dumped her. Fear not though, 34,095 truck loads of soil was excavated to ensure a safe environment for fans.
ADMISSION: cheap for outfield upper deck to expensive behind the plate
DAYS & HOURS: season runs April-September
ADDRESS: Potomac Avenue at South Capitol Street SE, Washington DC MAP
PARKING: on premises and nearby garages
TRANSIT: Navy Yard Metro Station
PHONE: 202-675-6287
WEBSITE: http://nationals.mlb.com/was/ballpark/index.jsp

National Zoo
DESCRIPTION: A 163-acre zoological park set amid Rock Creek National Park and part of the Smithsonian Institution, it really is the nation’s zoo. See more than 2,700 individual animals of 435 different species in natural-like habitats; of course, everyone comes to see the adorable panda bears; the zoo also enjoys premier status for its year round lecture and symposia activities; on a lesser note, many fans also enjoy its microbreweries beer tasting event each year.
ADMISSION: Free
DAYS & HOURS: November-March 10a-4:30p, April-October 10a-6p
ADDRESS: 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington DC MAP
PARKING: one premises parking for a fee
TRANSIT: Woodley Park-Zoo Metro Station
PHONE: 202-633-4800
WEBSITE: http://nationalzoo.si.edu

Tidal Basin Pedal Boats
DESCRIPTION: A wonderful family activity with lots of rentals available from March-September.
ADMISSION: $12/hour 2 passenger boat, $19/hour 4 passenger boat
DAYS & HOURS: daily 10a-4p
ADDRESS: 1501 Maine Avenue SW, Washington DC MAP
PARKING: street or nearby garage
TRANSIT: L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station
PHONE: 202-479-2426
WEBSITE: http://www.tidalbasinpeddleboats.com

C & O Canal Lock & Boats
DESCRIPTION: Enjoy a one-hour narrated trip on a canal boat pulled by mules. National Park Service staff in period clothing guide the boat through an eight-foot lift lock and past historic buildings along the canal in Georgetown.
ADMISSION: Adults $8 Seniors $6 and children $5
ADDRESS: 1057 Thomas Jefferson Street NW, Washington DCMAP
PARKING: street or nearby garage
TRANSIT: Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro Station
PHONE: 202-653-5190
WEBSITE: http://www.nps.gov/choh

West and East Potomac Park
DESCRIPTION: This park covers over 700 tree-lined acres, it is one of the most beloved parks in DC, as witnessed by the parking problem. One side faces the Potomac River side facing the Washington Channel. Within the West Park is the Franklin D. Roosevelt Monument. The atypical for DC monuments also pays tribute to that great First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt.
ADDRESS: west of Tidal Basin and southwest of Jefferson Memorial MAP

Rock Creek Park
DESCRIPTION: Established in 1890, one of the oldest national parks and largest forested urban parks in the US covering over 1700 acres. Picnic areas, horseback riding, tennis, golf, hiking, nature and biking trails. Nature center with Planetarium. You should also visit Old Stone House, Pierce Mill and Fort Stevens.
DAYS & HOURS: Open daily daylight hours
ADDRESS: 3545 Williamsburg Lane NW, Washington DC MAP
PHONE: 202-282-1063
WEBSITE: http://www.nps.gov/rocr

Six Flags America Theme Park
DESCRIPTION: A theme and water park featuring over 100 attractions, highlighted by eight excellent roller coasters, including Batwing and the Superman rides. Entry to Hurricane Harbor waterpark is a separate fee.
ADMISSION: $36, children $25
DAYS & HOURS: 10:30a-10p
ADDRESS: 13710 Central Avenue, Upper Marlboro, MD MAP
PARKING: expensive parking fee
TRANSIT: Largo Town Center Metro Station
PHONE: 301-249-1500
WEBSITE: http://www.sixflags.com/parks/america

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