Family guide · Washington DC
Washington DC with kids: family travel guide
Free museums, a free zoo and wide-open green space make DC one of America’s best family cities. Here is how to plan the days, and how to get the whole family around without the stress.
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Top family stops
Kid favorites in DC
Most Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo are free to enter.
National Air and Space Museum
Real aircraft and spacecraft on the National Mall, plus the huge Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles.
Natural History Museum
Dinosaurs, the Hope Diamond and the ocean hall. A must for most kids.
National Zoo
Free, in Rock Creek Park, with pandas returning in recent years and plenty of hills, so comfortable shoes help.
National Children’s Museum
Hands-on exhibits for younger kids in downtown DC (tickets required).
The monuments
The Lincoln Memorial steps, the Washington Monument and paddle boats on the Tidal Basin in season.
Mount Vernon
George Washington’s estate, with farm animals and wide lawns. See our Mount Vernon guide.
Getting around
Keep everyone together
With kids, strollers and grandparents, Metro transfers and splitting into rideshares get tiring fast. A chauffeured SUV or Sprinter drops you at each entrance and waits nearby with the bags, snacks and jackets.
Please tell us children’s ages when you book. Parents provide car seats, and we make sure the vehicle fits them.
- SUVs for families of up to 6, from $105/hr
- Sprinters for up to 14, from $129/hr
- Airport pickups with room for every suitcase
Sample day
A family day on the Mall
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 9:30 a.m. | Natural History Museum as it opens, before the crowds |
| 12:00 | Lunch, then Air and Space Museum |
| 3:00 p.m. | Break at the hotel |
| 6:30 p.m. | Early dinner |
| 8:00 p.m. | Monuments lit up at night, from the car and short walks |
Tips
Make it easier
- Start early: museums are quietest right at opening
- Plan one or two big stops a day, not five
- Summer is hot and humid; carry water and plan indoor afternoons
- Book Washington Monument tickets in advance
- Leave time for the carousel and open lawns on the Mall
FAQ
Family travel questions
Are DC museums free for kids?
Most Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo are free for everyone. Some museums, like the National Children’s Museum and the Spy Museum, charge admission.
Do you provide car seats?
Parents provide car seats. Tell us your children’s ages when booking and we will make sure the vehicle fits them.
What vehicle is best for a family?
Families of up to six fit in an Escalade, Suburban or Yukon. Larger families or groups with lots of luggage are most comfortable in a Sprinter.
Bringing the family to DC? Book your ride.
Tell us your pickup, destination and time and we’ll confirm your car.
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