Our Washington DC Adventure!!

Seriously tried to get everyone to look at the same time :) 

Summer Bucket List - Trip #1

On our summer bucket list was a day trip to Washington, DC. We are less than 2 hours away from all the fun but traveling on 95 in rush hour traffic (which is sooooo unavoidable if you want to enjoy the day) has kept us from making the trip.  What we found out is that the HOV 3 lane makes a breeze and we are so rockin' out this trip again soon!!



Here are some tips for a great trip to the National Mall and Smithsonian Museums.

*Note on this trip we drove right into the city and parked in a parking garage. We didn't want to brave the metro with two still in strollers.  Going with another mom was awesome because we always felt like we had back up for each other and the kids paired up perfectly!

1.  Pre-Plannig - the teacher in me felt like I had to have all the printables ready. My supermom friend not only printed them but had them bound! How cool is she!  They were great reference points and you could even earn American Girl or 39 Clues Cards but in all honesty we didn't use them.  If it is your first trip browse the website to see what exhibits are being featured but just walk around and enjoy it.  Visit the Smithsonian Website.

 I did allow the kids to bring their iPod Touch so they could take pictures and recordings with the idea of making an iMovie when we got home.  That kept them engaged....now just to find time to sit at the computer rather than jump in the pool!

Mom Bag Packing - well of course I packed too much..here is what I would pack next time

• Camera - unless you are a photography enthuasist just use your smart phone. I toted my Canon Rebel and really I used my iPhone camera more. Quick and in my pocket!
• Snacks - only water is allowed in the museums but we had trail mix and graham crackers in our bags for outside eating and we were fine. Just don't open any food in the museums.  
• Drinks - there are water stations all over the place. Pack a cup or refillable bottle to share.
• Hand Sanitizer or Baby Wipes- for more than just the "baby". DC is a major germ fest with lots of hands on activities.  
• Extra diapers - serioulsy only I would forget to check that!!

Parking - we flubbed this a bit by not really looking at a map to pick the best lot. We were kinda far from the National Mall (we parked on I street) even though we picked National Mall Parking :-/   Nevertheless you pull up, they park for you and at the end of the day get your car....all for only $18*!  This of course requires some prepacking mom style so you are ready to hop out and go when you get there.

Here is the link to Central Parking :  http://washingtondc.centralparking.com/Washington-DC-Downtown-NW-Parking.html?gclid=CMvAoNyH_7cCFcyf4AodnCMAKg

Now that we know our way around a DC map the closest garage to the sights is 2121 K Street NW. That is where I will park next time! 

2.  Bathrooms!  Of course everyone has to pee the second you get out of the car.  I used the Charmin Sit or Squat App to help us find a restroom and it led us right to the ranger station by the Washington Monument.  I also know there are public restrooms at the Lincoln Memorial.

3.  Food - we packed a lunch and had a picnic which was great. Since we each had a stroller we filled our Thirty One Picnic Thermal Totes and stowed them in the bottom all day.  One down side is that you have to go through security at each museum and they check your bags. After pulling out the cooler bag full of water I realized next time I'm brining one or two refillable water bottles to share and disposable juice boxes.  There are food kiosks on the mall and cafes instide the museums but holy moly expensive!  I did splurge on Astronaut Ice Cream for our snack after visiting the Air and Space Museum. :)

4. Souveniers - The museum shop on the bottom floor (Constitution Avenue Entrance) of the Museum of Natural History is awesome.  The prices are reasonable and you can get at least a post card for $1.  My kids had saved their own money and each bought a small stuffed animal for $8 and Ali scored a glow-in-the-dark t-shirt for $9.99!

5. Sights/Museums of Our Day 

• Walk past the front of the White House - very cool
• Washington Monument - stand and take a picture so that it looks like you are holding up the monument. 
• Stop for Picnic Lunch - restroom and picnic tables at the ranger station.
• Look Left...Lincoln Memorial, WWII Memorial, Vitenam Memorial...awesome but we saw that on the 3rd grade field trip.
• Turn Right...Walk Walk Walk...Ahh the Smithsonian Castle stop #1
• Smithsonian Castle - very cool on the outstide, stop to take a picture for sure.  Inside is a great information station with models of the entire city but it wasn't worth going through security with 8 kids....keep moving
• Air and Space Museum -stop #2  AWESOME  If you want hands on this is the place!
• Snack break and Squirrels!  The luch lawns are gorgeous but if you want to avoid some very friendly (they will crawl into your lap) critters then stay in the middle of the lawn not over by the shady trees!
• Museum of American History - Mom's loved it, kids were totally bored,  not alot of hands on stuff. There are some cool touch screen documents that you can pull up and the American Flag exhibit is always awesome (Thank you Ralph Lauren)
• Museum of Natural History - a kid pleaser! We only did the main floor because we were all getting pooped but the dinosaurs and sea life are always sure to please. Plus they have a great gift shop!

Overall this was an awesome day with GREAT friends!  We can't wait to do it again and check out what we didn't see!

Costs of the Trip:
Gas to DC (depends on your vehicle)
Parking : $18
Astronaunt Ice Cream $7
Starbucks on the walk back to the car (the mommies needed this!)  $10.73
McDonalds (we almost made it home)$14

Not bad for an awesome day!!