{"id":70563,"date":"2021-08-20T06:12:17","date_gmt":"2021-08-20T10:12:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/?p=70563"},"modified":"2024-10-29T05:04:29","modified_gmt":"2024-10-29T09:04:29","slug":"washington-dc-for-families-a-short-holiday-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/70563\/washington-dc-for-families-a-short-holiday-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Washington DC for Families: A Short Holiday Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Searching for a short Washington DC for Families guide? You&#8217;ve reached the right place. The nation\u2019s capital is brimming with history in the form of museums and memorials as well as plenty of green space to get out and enjoy the fresh air. How to get started in this fabulous weekend destination? Stroll past the White House or the Capitol buildings on your way to the National Mall.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Explore the different trendy markets, shops, and boutiques that are dotted throughout Washington D.C., and then sit back and relax over a fantastic meal at one of the many eateries the city has to offer.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dance the night away or listen to lively jazz music at one of the clubs found downtown. No matter how you spend your weekend exploring Washington D.C., you will not be disappointed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Travelers tip: Don\u2019t let shopping bags and souvenirs slow you down. leave your bags at a <a href=\"https:\/\/bounce.com\/city\/washington-dc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/bounce.com\/city\/washington-dc&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1730278921628000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1EM3PQC7U4JiGkudzCE0r1\">luggage locker&nbsp;in Washington D.C.<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;while you are out and about exploring this epic city.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>A Short Washington DC for Families Guide:<\/h2>\n<h3><b>What to See<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h4><b>National Mall<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/nama\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Mall<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is not your typical mall, it is a long, grassy area where many of the iconic national monuments reside. At the eastern end of the National Mall is the United States Capitol building and the White House is on the northern side. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is also accessible from the National Mall. With over 1,000 acres, the National Mall is one of the most popular attractions in Washington D.C. with <\/span><b>more than one million visitors each year<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his infamous \u201cI Have a Dream\u201d speech here right in front of the Lincoln Memorial, and scenes from the movie Forrest Gump were also filmed at the National Mall.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h4><b>Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/naturalhistory.si.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is actually a collection of museums that are open 364 days a year and admission is free. The main building of the Smithsonian is an impressive 1.5 million square feet.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are over 145 million different collections housed at the Smithsonian, it is the <\/span><b>biggest natural history collection in the entire world<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. You can easily spend an entire weekend exploring this fantastic museum and still not see it all.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_70565\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-70565\" style=\"width: 741px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-70565 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/washington-DC-for-families.jpg\" alt=\"washington DC for families\" width=\"741\" height=\"486\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-70565\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-70565 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/washington-DC-for-families.jpg\" alt=\"washington DC for families\" width=\"741\" height=\"486\" srcset=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/washington-DC-for-families.jpg 741w, https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/washington-DC-for-families-350x230.jpg 350w, https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/washington-DC-for-families-696x456.jpg 696w, https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/washington-DC-for-families-640x420.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 741px) 100vw, 741px\" \/><\/noscript> Photo by Alejandro Barba on Unsplash.com https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/WDn-p4QqlLs<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h4><b>White House<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Home to the President of the United States, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">White House<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is brimming with history and even if you do not get to tour the inside, the outside is just as impressive from behind the tall fence. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every president since President John Adams has lived and worked at the White House. It&#8217;s one of the best-known addresses on the planet. Everyone knows 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h4><b>United States Capitol<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This iconic domed building is the meeting place for two of the United States\u2019 governing bodies: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitthecapitol.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Capitol Building<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a great place to visit, even for just a quick look around.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since you only have a weekend to explore Washington D.C. you will want the shortened or abridged tour of the United States Capitol where you will see the highlights.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h4><b>Lincoln Memorial<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/linc\/index.htm\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lincoln Memorial<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> pays homage to Abraham Lincoln, the 16<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">th<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> President of the United States, and his accomplishments during his short time in office. The memorial is located on the western side of the National Mall.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is across from the Washington Monument and is a fantastic place to snap photos. The statue of Abraham Lincoln was completed in 1920 and designed by Daniel Chester French.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read <\/span><b>the Gettysburg Address, one of Lincoln\u2019s most famous speeches as it is inscribed inside the temple of the memorial<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. His second inaugural address is also inscribed for those to relive history.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h4><b>Washington Monument<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You cannot miss the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/wamo\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Washington Monument<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, located on the eastern side of the National Mall. It is an obelisk that rises high above all other monuments in the area and is dedicated to George Washington, the first President of the U.S.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The monument towers above the Reflecting Pool and is one of the most recognizable monuments in Washington D.C. It is a must-see when you are exploring for the weekend. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Washington Monument stands over 554 feet and is <\/span><b>the tallest obelisk in the world as well as the tallest predominantly stone monument in the world<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h4><b>Smithsonian National Zoological Park<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is definitely a must-go on any Washington DC for Families guide. Spend a few hours at <\/span><b>one of the oldest zoos in the U.S<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. while exploring Washington D.C. Since it is part of the Smithsonian Institution, admission is free. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nationalzoo.si.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smithsonian Zoo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> opened its doors in 1889 and has two locations.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first location is in Rock Creek Park and is 163 acres.&nbsp; The second location is in Front Royal, Virginia at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, a 3,200-acre campus.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Where to Eat<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h4><b>Quill<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Located across the street from the National Geographic Museum, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jeffersondc.com\/washington-dc-restaurants\/quill\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quill<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is an upscale lounge and restaurant where you can enjoy signature cocktails and dine on elevated bar cuisine. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Give the Croquet Monsieur a try, it is made with Virginia ham, Gruy\u00e8re cheese, and a b\u00e9chamel sauce served on sourdough bread. The cheese plate served with fruit chutney and crackers is a great starter while you wait for your entr\u00e9e.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h4><b>Keren Restaurant<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you are in town for the weekend, you have to <\/span><b>try this amazing Ethiopian restaurant. <\/b><a href=\"http:\/\/orderkerencafeandrestaurant.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keren Restaurant<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the perfect place to sit back and relax after a day of sightseeing in Washington DC. The ambiance is refreshing and quiet. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options on the menu. The menu consists of authentic Ethiopian dishes such as red lentils and beef called Misr wat served with Injera bread. The Shiro and kitfo dishes are also wonderful.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h4><b>Ambar Capitol Hill<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dedicated to preparing healthy eastern European dishes, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ambarrestaurant.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ambar Capitol Hill<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a restaurant you do not want to miss when you are in the city for the weekend. Ambar also has vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options on the menu. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The kale salad is delightful and not bitter, the grilled shrimp with a corn puree is also very good. You may also like the slow-roasted lamb or crusted salmon. Come for happy hour and stay for dinner at Ambar Capitol Hill.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pack your bags and spend the weekend exploring Washington D.C. Everyone should see this iconic capital city at least once. Make an itinerary and hit the streets for a few days of fun and excitement as you explore the incredible sights. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Searching for a short Washington DC for Families guide? You&#8217;ve reached the right place. The nation\u2019s capital is brimming with history in the form of museums and memorials as well as plenty of green space to get out and enjoy the fresh air. How to get started in this fabulous weekend destination? Stroll past the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":150,"featured_media":70564,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[829,330],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-70563","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-culture-2","8":"category-washington-dc-destination"},"acf":[],"mv":{"thumbnail_id":70564,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Washington-DC-guide-350x230.jpg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70563","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/150"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=70563"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70563\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/70564"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=70563"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=70563"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=70563"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}