Capital Kids: Washington D.C. for Families

Lining up at the White House. (Photo: iStock)

Summer is here. After the snowy and frigid winter that plagued most of the country, you might be looking to get out, explore, and — most importantly — wear out the kids after a season of cabin fever. One of the best places to do it? Washington, D.C., a destination as chock full of family-friendly options as it is lobbyists and politicians.

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D.C. for everyone (Photo: iStock)

If a weekend (or more) in our nation’s capital sounds like a great way to help the kids stretch their legs and learn something in the process, read on for our tips.

WHAT TO DO

Get Your Whole Self in the Game

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Running the bases. (Photo: Washington Nationals)

Baseball season is underway! At home games on Sundays, little Washington Nationals fans can run the bases right after the game ends. And here’s the thing: they’ll have eaten so much cotton candy during the game that you’ll want them to go around the diamond twice.

Visit Fala

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A statue of President Roosevelt. (Photo: National Park Service)

At seven and a half acres, the FDR Memorial is more like a park, with statues and waterfalls, steps to climb and paths to run. Your best photo op? A pic of the kids “petting” a bronze Fala, FDR’s beloved Scottish terrier. And, appropriately (as the four-term President was paralyzed from polio), it’s very accessible for folks who use wheelchairs

Hang with a Giant Panda Cub

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Bao Bao and her mother. (Photo: National Zoo)

Sure, Bao Bao, the toddler-aged panda girl cub at the National Zoo is a big draw. She was recently separated from her mother. Volunteers give great gab about how a baby panda matures, and when you go home you can also watch the zoo’s Panda Cam. But the rest of the zoo is a treat, too, with its beautiful landscaping, its meandering paths, and its many peaceful picnic spots. Be sure to download the interactive map app before you go.

Related: We Are Obsessed With This Art Exhibit causing Global Panda-monium!

Explore with Thomas Jefferson

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It seems like every kid in America knows Flat Stanley, the two-dimensional cut-out who travels around the country and has his photo taken in interesting places. For a fun D.C. twist (and a great class project, to boot), check out Flat Tommy, a self-guided history tour/scavenger hunt with a custom map and list of unique suggested destinations that depict a milestone in Thomas Jefferson’s life. Venture out to find Jefferson’s significance in the National Archives, the Library of Congress, the White House and — oh yes — The Jefferson Memorial.

WHERE TO EAT

Cinnamon Loaf, Anyone?

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The main dining room at District Commons. (Photo: District Commons)

Brunch at District Commons is a must, with its top-notch service (especially for families with little ones). The food? Inventive but appealing to kids of all ages. We suggest the Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Baguette with Apple “Butter” Butter (think cinnamon toast but with soft, pillowy goodness) and the creamy grits (you have to have a little salty with your sweet). And there’s nothing like this setting on a weekend morning, with the light streaming in through the restaurant’s huge windows.

Related: Smackdown: Plymouth vs Washington DC

Cupcake Heaven

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Sisters Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne, co-founders of Georgetown Cupcake. (Photo: Georgetown Cupcake)

Speaking of sweet, no visit to Washington, D.C. is complete without a drop-in at Georgetown Cupcake, a “designer cupcake destination.” Sure, the red velvet is a can’t miss, but vegan and gluten-free options like apple cinnamon and lava fudge are sure hit the spot, too.

All-American Burgers

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The burgers at Good Stuff Eatery. (Photo: Good Stuff Eatery)

Most burger joints appeal to kids or adults, but not both. But at Top Chef contestant Spike Mendelsohn’s Good Stuff Eatery, there’s something for everyone, from a traditional cheeseburger for your small fry to a “Sunnyside” burger with an egg for the older crowd. Even President Obama has a burger named for him here – it’s topped with onion marmalade and Roquefort cheese. The must-order menu item for the whole crowd: a hand-spun toasted marshmallow milkshake.

Food on the Fly

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The Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken truck. (Photo: Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken)

Food trucks are all the rage in D.C., but it’s hard to know which sidewalk mobile cafes are worth the wait. Here’s our pick: Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken, which serves up fresh, delicious, and original versions of two American favorites, with maple bacon doughnuts and fried chicken bits earning raves from locals and tourists alike. Track down the truck today on its Twitter feed.

Related: The Most Mouthwatering Food Truck Fare in America

WHERE TO STAY

The Jefferson Hotel

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Toys for kids at the Jefferson (Photo: The Jefferson Hotel)

Centrally located near the White House, and luxurious enough for the most discriminating adult guests, the Jefferson is surprisingly kid-friendly. On check-in, the staff brings out a big Radio Flyer wagon with American-themed gifts like stuffed Thomas and Martha Jefferson dolls or picture books on Thomas Jefferson’s achievements. In the guest rooms, kids find a wooden toaster complete with tasty gourmet pop-tarts. The human concierge can guide your family to all the best local hangouts, but it’s the Executive Canine Officer, Lord Monticello (“Monti” for short) who will get the kids giggling.

Hotel Rouge

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Rouge’s bunk bed room. (Photo: Rouge)

Kimpton Hotels is known for its innovative design and thoughtful attention to what travelers really want and need. It’s pretty clear that some parents were involved in the group’s “Rouge” concept, because the bunk bed rooms are a family treat. Just imagine — a king bed for the grown-ups, bunk beds for the kids. There’s even a dog bed on the floor forFido.

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