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Capitalizing on Fun in D.C.
What to Do and See in Washington, D.C.
By Maria T. Olia
Washington, D.C., is both historical and today's headline news. For vacationing families, D.C. is also tremendous fun. Discovering the treasures in the Smithsonian Museums, walking among the monuments of the National Mall, exploring the National Zoo and touring the Bureau of Engraving and Printing – the "money factory" – makes a great three-day itinerary for first-time visiting families to D.C.
One of the best things about a D.C. vacation for families is that most of the city's museums, sights and attractions are free – think of it as your federal tax dollars at work. But pace yourself, especially if your children are young. Your kids will probably not be interested in every memorial or monument. Aim for balance. Sometimes, a "walk-by" and comment, "Over there is the White House where the President lives" is enough. Besides, our nation's capital is so full of wonderful places you should save some sights for a return visit!
Getting AroundD.C. is an easy-to-navigate city for families, as long as you don't drive within the downtown area. D.C.'s traffic congestion, road restrictions and limited parking make driving extremely difficult. But D.C. is a great city for pedestrians – its wide avenues are laid out in an easy-to-figure-out grid, and many of the sights are within walking distance of each other. The D.C. subway system – the Metro – is extensive and goes everywhere vacationing families are likely to visit.