Washington DC is popular with families for many reasons:
- iconic and patriotic sightseeing
- mutiple wonderful --and free-- Smithsonian museums
- seasonal festivities, such as Fourth of July
Top Places to Go With Kids, in Washington DC
About.com's Guide for Washington DC has a substantial list of Best Places to Go With Kids.
The National Zoo is her first pick, set within a beautiful National Park. The Zoo's part of the Smithsonian Institution: the world's largest museum complex, with 19 museums (so far), plus the Zoo and several research centers. Families will love the admission price to museums and Zoo: free.
Likewise, the National Museum of Natural History and the National Air and Space Museum are part of the Smithsonian. The latter has the largest collection of aircraft and spacecraft in the world; kids will also like its IMAX theater and planetarium shows.
Also a "Top Place" for families is the Washington Monument: a landmark, and the tallest structure in Washington; take an elevator to the top.
Glen Echo Park, near Bethesda Maryland, has dance, theater, concerts, puppet shows and festivals year-round; during summer months, kids can ride an antique carousel.
And if your kids need a a wilder ride... Six Flags America has a theme park just 30 minutes from downtown Washington DC, open in summer months, with a huge water park.
For more sightseeing inspirations, see:
Washington DC for Teens
Best museums, monuments, best sightseeing tours for teens, live entertainment, sports, outdoor recreation, and more -- see suggestions for Washington DC for Teens
Festivals in Washington DC
No surprise: the capital of the United States has a full year of festivals and celebrations. One of the most famous is the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which makes Washington DC a great choice for families during spring break holidays. Also in spring, the White House Easter Egg Roll is hugely popular with families: tickets are free, but in demand.
Memorial Day events include wreath-laying at monuments and a Memorial Day parade. And naturally the Fourth of July, is celebrated big-time in the nation's capital.
