10 Best Family Things to Do in Washington DC

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum features 22 galleries dedicated to astronomy, planetary science and global history of aviation. Some of its most impressive displays include an authentic 1903 Wright flyer and an A320 Flight Deck Simulator. Additionally, the museum showcases spacesuits and samples from various space expeditions.

Young visitors have a plethora of space-themed activities to enjoy, such as riding an interactive flight simulator, watching captivating IMAX films and attending educational shows about the universe at the planetarium.

Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium offers free stargazing programmes for all ages. Astronomy experts help you look through a massive telescope, which provides clear views of our solar system. A popular activity here is the Our Universe programme, which makes astronomy tangible through interactive demonstrations and a planetarium show.

Besides the planetarium, Rock Creek Park offers plenty of outdoor activities for families. There are more than 30 hiking trails that suit any fitness level, a bird observation deck and a children's Discovery Room that hosts daily programmes and games.

The Tidal Basin is an artificial pond that offers stunning views of Washington D.C.'s iconic landmarks, such as the Thomas Jefferson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorials. The 2-mile-long (3.2-km-long) pond is a popular spot for cycling and jogging all year round, but it draws a big crowd in spring as hundreds of cherry trees are in full bloom during this season.

From March to October, visitors can also enjoy paddleboat rides, adding another layer of fun and relaxation to their visit. 

The Hirshhorn Museum, located in Washington DC’s Independence Avenue, is a modern arts museum where you can enjoy exhibits on post-war American and European masterpieces. This museum offers a rich variety of exhibits that captivate visitors of all ages.

Families with children will particularly enjoy STORYTIME, a workshop series designed to inspire creativity. During these sessions, kids can learn how to create collages, sculptures and reproductions of artwork displayed at the museum. Be sure to check their website for the next STORYTIME workshop.

The Smithsonian National Zoo, a beloved destination in Washington DC,  is home to over 2,200 animals representing almost 400 species. You can see rare Sumatran tigers, caracals and bobcats at the Great Cats exhibit and check out giant pandas, clouded leopards and red pandas in the Asia Trails section.

Young visitors get to play with alpacas and miniature donkeys at the kids’ farm. The zoo also offers interesting programmes every day, including fish feeding, keeper talks, guided tours and seal demonstrations.

Discovery Theater, located within S. Dillon Ripley Center, hosts a variety of interactive performances and workshops for school-aged children. Its family-friendly shows range from mimes and puppet shows to contemporary dances and captivating storytelling.

As a program dedicated to enriching and educational experiences, Discovery Theater aims to ignite curiosity and foster a love for learning in young audiences. For families, Discovery Theater offers a unique opportunity to explore and engage with the vibrant exhibitions and collections of the Smithsonian museums.

The United States Botanic Garden was founded in 1820, making it one of the oldest gardens in the country. The conservatory is home to a variety of medicinal plants, succulents, orchids and rare flowers, and even a reconstructed landscape of ancient plant groups dating back to prehistoric times.

Free talks, demonstrations and exhibitions are available for those who want to learn more about the garden. Located in Maryland Avenue, the United States Botanic Garden is next to the US Capitol and the Library of Congress.

The International Spy Museum is where you can learn about real-life stories of secret agents from all over the world. Permanent exhibitions include counterfeit currency, weapons concealed in everyday items, miniature cameras and photographs of captured spies. You can even see movie props from blockbusters such as Mission: Impossible and The Avengers.

But the excitement doesn't stop there. You can embark on your very own undercover mission, testing your spy skills as you navigate through the museum. Every move you make is tracked, and you'll receive a detailed debrief upon completion, assessing your performance and revealing whether you have what it takes to be a top-notch secret agent.

Glen Echo Park is a beloved destination for families, offering beautifully landscaped gardens, spacious picnic areas and fun-filled playgrounds. The park also boasts a vibrant cultural centre that hosts a variety of kid-friendly workshops and activities throughout the year.

The park’s centrepiece is the Dentzel Carousel, a magnificent 1921 menagerie merry-go-round with 40 hand-carved animals such as horses, rabbits and ostriches. From Wednesday to Sunday, the park hosts social dances that range from swing and waltz to salsa and tango.

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History has a staggering collection of over 148 million objects, ranging from animal fossils, gemstones and meteorites to live butterflies and insects. Spanning over 3.5 million sq ft (325,000 sq metre) of exhibition space, it’s one of the largest museums in the world.

The Hall of Human Origins is where you get to learn about the history of human species through an interactive human family tree, an authentic fossilised Neanderthal and over 70 skull replicas.