The Best Family Attractions in Washington DC

Not only is DC one of the most iconic places in the region, it is also a city that offers a ton of family attractions in a small area. Better yet, many of these attractions are free, and fun for the whole the family.

Arriving in DC Via Union Station

Our favorite way to arrive in DC for a day of fun family attractions is by taking the train into Union Station. The metro is easy to navigate, especially if you’re already familiar with public transportation. It is busy, so if you have multiple small children in tow, it can be stressful. Nonetheless, we feel that it is easier than driving and parking, and adds to the adventure.

Regardless of how you get there, Union Station is a beautiful building and is worth checking out. There are tons of attractions within easy walking distance of the station.

When to Visit Family Attractions in DC

If you get a chance to go in the early spring when the cherry trees are in bloom it is a beautiful site. This is usually at the very end of March or beginning of April. The area around the tidal basin is especially gorgeous. However, if you don’t like crowds, this may not be the best time to go. Spring and summer are generally more crowded, with cherry blossom season being one of the most crowded times. You can avoid some of the largest crowds by going on week days or early in the day.

You will almost certainly do a lot of walking as you visit the National Mall and the surrounding museums, so defiitely consider the weather. While rain is possible in any season, the spring and fall tend to have the most pleasant temperatures. These are our favorite times to visit, when we don’t have to worry about cold, possible snow, or excessive heat.

Family Attractions on Capitol Hill

The Capitol Building itself is a fun family attraction in DC. The building itself is a stately landmark that is easily seen from Union station and for many blocks in most any direction around it. Many other distinguished buildings surround it. These include fountains and monuments that are interesting to see, like the National Archives, the Russel Senate Office Building, the Peace Monument, and the Capitol Fountains.

The only way to see inside the Capitol Building is through a tour, which lasts about an hour. These are free, and don’t typically require a reservation. Still, it’s a good idea to check the website just in case for the most up-to-date information. You will see signs for the Visitor’s Center where the tours begin.

Just beyond the Capitol sits the United States Botanical Garden. Here you can find many interesting plants both indoor and out, and wander through various ecosystems including a desert and rainforest. There is also a small display indoor display on agriculture with an interesting video. This is a good place to rest and take a break from the weather if needed.

Visit the National Mall for Family Fun in DC

To get to the National Mall, you will pass the Capitol Reflecting Pool, where the Grant Memorial is located. You can see the Washington Monument in the distance on one side, and the back of the Capitol building on the other. For many families, some monuments will be especially important or interesting. Monuments include the Lincoln and MLK memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, the WW2 Memorial, the Pentagon Memorial, and many more. This website has a helpful map and listing of the memorials.

If you make your way across the mall to the Washington Monument for a tour, be advised that reservations must be made in advance. You will need to reserve timed tickets and arrive on time for your tour. Tours are short – less than a half hour generally. You will ride an elevator to the top of the tower and see wonderful views through windows – it’s fun to see the layout of the city in all directions. On your way down, you will stop at a tiny museum with a few artifacts and information – we especially enjoyed learning about lightning strikes on the monument.

If you have more time and your family is old enough, consider visiting Arlington National Cemetery. To get there, take the metro or walk across the Arlington Memorial Bridge behind the Lincoln Memorial into Virginia – find more information at this post.

Visit the Smithsonian Museums

There are many of the Smithsonian museums on the mall that are great for families looking for attractions in DC. In fact, this is probably the only place in the country where you can find so many engaging, high quality museums that don’t cost a dime. Plus, they are almost all in easy walking distance of one another. There are 17 Smithsonian Museums in DC in total, and many are located right in the capital area.

We love the Natural History Museum. It showcases a giant collection of dinosaur bones, gems, mounted animals and various other discoveries. The Air and Space Museum is very popular and should be reserved in advance.

There are several art museums close to the Capitol, including the Asian and African Art Museums and sculpture garden. The National Gallery is huge and worth checking out, even if you can only see part of it. While the outside of the building looks relatively modest, it is filled with breathtaking art of various mediums, and big enough to get lost in.

The Museum of the American Indian is another favorite. Our younger children had a wonderful time in the children’s section, playing house in a teepee, making a paper star quilt, rowing a kayak and various other endeavors. The Children’s section is only open Tuesday to Sunday. We also ate lunch there and it was delicious – native ingredients and recipes inspire much of the food.

The Museum of the Bible

Another museum we recommend is the Museum of the Bible. I visited on my own (because I’m cheap) but then returned the following year with my whole family (because it was worth the cost). Whether or not you’re a person of faith, it was super entertaining and informative. My favorite floor was the “Story of the Bible,” which included an awesome 30 minute immersive experience on the Old Testament that was included with tickets. The children’s section on the first floor is also great – filled with games, climbing structures, and many interactive displays.

Visit the National Zoo for Family Fun in DC

The National Zoo is a really fun family attraction in DC. It is free and fabulous for your little ones (and you) to enjoy. Because it’s quite large, you could easily spend half a day or more exploring. Make sure to check on the giant pandas and elephants! Also be sure to reserved a timed entry. Walking through the zoo will tire you and your little ones out, and give you all an opportunity to learn and have fun at the same time.

The zoo is located about five miles outside of the capital hill area, but is accessible via the metro. You will still have to walk about a half mile to get to the entrance, so driving may be easier. Parking is $30 reserved at least a day in advance, or $40 the day of your visit. You could also consider taking the bus, which drops you directly in front of the entrance. When in DC, I often use Google Maps to check different transportation options by clicking the icon that looks like a bus. The GPS will guide you to the right stations and tell you exactly what line to take and where to get off.

There is no lack of things to do in Washington DC – the hardest part is deciding among them. Luckily, the quality of the many fun family attractions in DC insures that whatever you choose, you won’t be disappointed.