[email protected]

Tomorrow we're about to go to Washington D.C. with our kids, thanks to
frequent flyer miles and friends in Maryland to stay with. I'm going to
drop off the list for a week and some so the mailbox doesn't fill up. We're
planning days and days of Smithsonian including the new Post Office museum,
the National Zoo, the monuments, maybe FBI or Mint. Oh--and we will brave
the mob to see the fireworks at the mall on 4th of July

If anyone has experience and suggestions about going to Washington with kids
7, 10 and 12, I'd appreciate it! I'll probably drop off the list before we
leave.

Except for the cafeterias in some of the museums, I don't know where to eat
downtown Washington. Anyone know a good air conditioned ice-tea place that
allows sitting and resting within walking distance or by a Metro station?

I'll check the list (maybe just for this or related subject lines) until
mid-Tuesday 6/29, and then I'm going to drop off the list until I get back
from the trip so my mailbox doesn't overfill.

Thanks!!

Sandra

John O. Andersen

Sandra,

We did a similar trip in '97.

> Tomorrow we're about to go to Washington D.C. with our kids, thanks to
> frequent flyer miles and friends in Maryland to stay with. I'm going to

> drop off the list for a week and some so the mailbox doesn't fill up.
We're
> planning days and days of Smithsonian including the new Post Office
museum,
> the National Zoo, the monuments, maybe FBI or Mint. Oh--and we will
brave
> the mob to see the fireworks at the mall on 4th of July

Our kids loved the National Zoo, and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural
History. The National Building Museum is a favorite of mine. They have a
big exhibit on the creation of suburbs--a subject I love to hate.

> Except for the cafeterias in some of the museums, I don't know where to
eat
> downtown Washington. Anyone know a good air conditioned ice-tea place
that
> allows sitting and resting within walking distance or by a Metro station?

Get the "Mr. Cheap's Guide" to DC. It has all sorts of suggestions. For
one lunch we ate in the underground cafeteria between the art museums on
the Mall. There are many eating options around Dupont Circle as well.

John Andersen

Jane E.

>From: SandraDodd@...
>
We're
>planning days and days of Smithsonian including the new Post Office museum,
>the National Zoo, the monuments, maybe FBI or Mint. Oh--and we will brave
>the mob to see the fireworks at the mall on 4th of July
>
.
>
>Except for the cafeterias in some of the museums, I don't know where to eat
>downtown Washington. Anyone know a good air conditioned ice-tea place that
>allows sitting and resting within walking distance or by a Metro station?


Sounds like a wonderful trip, Sandra. I live about 50 miles from DC, my
family lives in the city, and we have spend A LOT of unschooling time doing
just those things.

As for cafeterias that are relatively cheap and good, (although not
specifically iced-tea shops) did you know that the employee cafeterias in
the government buildings are usually open to the public? The Department of
Agriculture, which is right across Independence Avenue from the Smithsonian
has a very nice cafeteria, as does the Department of Commerce, where the
National Aquarium is. Also, the Supreme Court, although theirs is very
small, so best to go during off hours. And the National Gallery has a GREAT
cafeteria.

Union Station, right across from the Post Office Museum, has a big food
court downstairs by the Metro stop. If you walk up First Street, to
Independence Avenue SE on the other side of the Capitol, there are a lot of
ethnic restaurants, pubs, and pizza restaurants in a few blocks.

However, nothing is going to be really cheap. We usually pack sandwiches
and then get drinks and ice cream in the cafeterias.

I envy you doing the fireworks on the Mall. We have done them almost every
year for 20 years, but this year I have to work (Boo!)

Jane

[email protected]

In a message dated 6/28/1999 8:46:31 AM EST, SandraDodd@... writes:

>
> Tomorrow we're about to go to Washington D.C. with our kids,

What fun! After you return, I'd really like to know about the trip and any
hints you pick up. I really want to make a trip like this with my 10 yr old.

Have a good time!

Eiraul

[email protected]

<< The National Building Museum is a favorite of mine. They have a
big exhibit on the creation of suburbs--a subject I love to hate.>>

Where is it!??

Is this where they have a 50's tract house from the Princess Jeanne
subdivision built, whole, and furnished? If so, we just moved out of one of
those neighborhoods a year and a half ago. Is it with the rest of the
Smithsonian stuff? We've got to see our house pristine! <g>

Thomas and Nanci Kuykendall

At 09:45 AM 6/28/99 EDT, you wrote:
>From: SandraDodd@...
>
>Tomorrow we're about to go to Washington D.C. with our kids,
>If anyone has experience and suggestions about going to Washington with kids
>7, 10 and 12, I'd appreciate it! I'll probably drop off the list before we
>leave.
>Thanks!!
>
>Sandra


I'm jealous Sandra!! I haven't been to D.C. in years, and I am dying to
take my dh, who has never been. But we are going to wait until our babies
are a little older so that they can enjoy more that the city has to offer.
As far as suggestions, I was the 7 to 12 year old on my first couple of
trips to D.C. so I can tell you what I enjoyed doing, from that standpoint.
I was very impressed with the Lincoln Memorial. It is a highly familiar
landmark, and awesome in scale to a kid (or an adult, for that matter.) It
really made Lincoln seem so special on a whole 'nother level for me. It
was also a very enotional experience, and got me interested in US history,
slavery and the civil war as well as the constitution and our basic
governmental makeup in this country.

My brother (13 months older than me) and I also had a great time at the
Smithsonian Air and Space museum. It was really cool to see the Wright
Brothers' plane, space capsule, etc....and the Star Trek exhibit was way
cool :-)!! Try to get to some of the historical homes that are around
there that are kept up in period or original furnishings (some complete
with costumed quides) I had a lot of fun checking those out. I was
particularly fascinated with the children's rooms, or anything that
depicted lives of children in differing historical periods.

Have fun, and remember not to overdo it!! :-)

Nanci K. in Idaho

David Albert

Thomas and Nanci Kuykendall wrote:

> From: Thomas and Nanci Kuykendall <tn-k4of5@...>
>
> At 09:45 AM 6/28/99 EDT, you wrote:
> >From: SandraDodd@...
> >
> >Tomorrow we're about to go to Washington D.C. with our kids,
> >If anyone has experience and suggestions about going to Washington
> with kids
> >7, 10 and 12, I'd appreciate it! I'll probably drop off the list
> before we
> >leave.
> >Thanks!!
> >
> >Sandra

The hands-on chemistry demonstration (you get to separate DNA strands
and other good stuff) put on by the American Chemical Society at the
Smithsonian is excellent for kids that age. You have to sign up in
advance, and the demo takes about 40 minutes, as I remember.


David Albert

[email protected]

In a message dated 6/28/99 4:31:41 PM US Eastern Standard Time,
shantinik@... writes:

<< The hands-on chemistry demonstration (you get to separate DNA strands
and other good stuff) put on by the American Chemical Society at the
Smithsonian is excellent for kids that age. You have to sign up in
advance, and the demo takes about 40 minutes, as I remember.
>>
Yep David, We have done this activity at the Smithsonian. It is in the
American History Museum and the age is 5 and up. We go ask for tickets when
we arrive early in the day and hope there will be some available for later in
the day. Your ticket gives the time for your experiment. Also besides the
DNA experiment there are three others to choose from. Perhaps they change
these periodically?
We'll be lookin' for all ya'll at the fireworks on the 4th!!
Renee in VA.