Photo: John Brighenti from Rockville, MD, United States / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.03 Days in Washington DC with Kids: Family-Friendly Itinerary
Three family-friendly days in Washington DC: interactive museums, the National Zoo, monuments kids will love, and easy logistics for parents.
Pick a style, a budget and a pace — the route and days below re-plan themselves.
6 stops · 6 meals · 1 hotelThis is the editor’s pick.
3 days, 3 neighborhoods
Each day takes one part of Washington DC, kept close so you walk more than you ride. The map shows the whole route — pick a day to zoom in.
National Mall
The monumental core: memorials, the Washington Monument, and the great Smithsonian museums along the two-mile Mall.
Photo: Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz) / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Capitol Hill
The Capitol, Library of Congress, and Supreme Court above a lively rowhouse neighborhood with Eastern Market and Barracks Row.
Photo: Martin Falbisoner / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
Dupont Circle and U Street
Leafy embassy streets, bookshops and cafes, with Logan Circle and U Street's music and nightlife a short walk east.
Photo: Detroit Publishing Co. / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
The 555-foot obelisk at the center of the Mall. Ride the elevator to the observation deck for four-sided city views — but book the timed ticket ahead.
- Timed tickets are required and cost $1 to reserve online — book ahead.
No-frills waffle and breakfast-sandwich counter a block from the museums. Cheap, fast fuel before a long Mall day.
The marble temple with the 19-foot seated Lincoln, gazing down the Reflecting Pool toward the Washington Monument. Go at dusk or after dark — it's open 24 hours and the daytime crowds thin out.
- It's open 24 hours and free — visit at dusk when the crowds thin.
Farm-to-table American comfort food; the chicken-and-waffles brunch is famous. Expect a wait on weekends.
Closer: Old Ebbitt Grill, 4 min out of your way
Big full-service hotel by Union Station with a rooftop pool. Reliable and central.
The seat of Congress with the Rotunda, Crypt, and Statuary Hall. Free guided tours but reserve the timed pass online in advance.
- Free guided tours — reserve timed passes online in advance.
Cafe in the National Gallery Sculpture Garden with salads and sandwiches by the fountain. The civilized Mall lunch.
Lines of food trucks along Madison and Jefferson Drives. The practical way to eat cheaply on the Mall.
The Hope Diamond, dinosaur fossils, the ocean hall, and a live insect zoo — all free. Arrive at opening to beat the school groups.
- Free with no tickets needed; arrive early to beat the crowds.
- Lunch between museums at the Sculpture Garden Pavilion Cafe, right by the fountain.
British pub two blocks from the National Mall. Fish and chips, shepherd's pie, and a big patio.
Stay put: it's a 15-minute walk to the U.S. Capitol.
Free Smithsonian zoo with giant pandas, elephants, and great apes. Pandas are the draw — arrive early. A full morning for families.
- Free but entry passes required — arrive early for the pandas.
Bookstore cafe open late with all-day brunch and burgers. A Dupont institution — browse, then eat.
Photography and exploration exhibits from National Geographic, a short walk from Dupont Circle. Check what's on before you go.
DC's oldest saloon (1856) by the White House — oysters, burgers, and steaks in landmark Victorian rooms. Very busy; reserve or expect a wait.
Stay put: it's ~26 min by taxi to the National Zoo.
Where to stay in Washington DC
Ranked for family travelers on a comfortable budget. The places this plan sleeps in come first.
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill
Big full-service hotel by Union Station with a rooftop pool. Reliable and central.
Kimpton George Hotel
All-American themed Kimpton near Union Station and the Capitol. Convenient for the Hill.
Capitol Hill Hotel
All-suite extended-stay hotel on the Hill. Quiet and practical for longer visits.
Flights to Washington DC
Fly into DCA (DCA)
Flight results via Travelpayouts — we may earn a commission on bookings.
Getting around Washington DC
How to actually move around the city — transit, rideshare, bikes, and taxis.
Public transit
WMATA's Metrorail and Metrobus cover the Mall, Capitol Hill, Georgetown (via bus), and Arlington. The Metro runs 5am-midnight weekdays, 7am-midnight weekends.
- WMATA Metrorail
Six-line subway system connecting downtown DC, National Mall (Smithsonian, Archives, Federal Triangle stations), Capitol Hill (Capitol South, Union Station), and Arlington/Alexandria.
Tip: Buy a SmarTrip card ($2) at any station; fares are distance-based ($2.25-$6.75 peak). The $13.50 Day Pass pays off after 3+ rides.
- Metrobus
Extensive bus network filling gaps where Metro doesn't reach, including Georgetown (30-series lines) and late-night service.
Tip: Same SmarTrip card works; $2.25 base fare. The Circulator bus ($1) loops the Mall and Georgetown.
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft operate throughout DC with typical urban wait times of 3-7 minutes.
- Uber
Full Uber service (UberX, Comfort, XL) available across the District, Arlington, and Alexandria.
Tip: Surge pricing hits during rush hour and major events on the Mall; Metro is often faster for Mall-to-Capitol trips.
- Lyft
Lyft operates with similar coverage to Uber in the DC metro area.
Tip: Compare both apps — prices vary by 10-20% during peak times.
Bikes
Capital Bikeshare has 700+ stations across DC, Arlington, and Alexandria. The Mall and Tidal Basin are flat and bike-friendly.
- Capital Bikeshare
Docked bikeshare with e-bikes available; stations every few blocks downtown and along the Mall.
Tip: $8 day pass includes unlimited 45-min rides. The ride around the Tidal Basin is the best 30 minutes in DC.
Taxis
Licensed DC taxis use metered fares; hail on the street or use the Curb app.
- DC Taxis (Curb app)
Metered taxis — $3.50 base + $2.16/mile. The Curb app hails and pays for licensed DC cabs.
Tip: Taxis can't use bus lanes; during rush hour they're slower than Metro for downtown trips. Tip 15-20%.
Keep exploring
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- Photo: John Brighenti from Rockville, MD, United States · CC BY 2.02 days
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