Guide to DC

*Peak travel seasons*

Mid-March through Mid-June & Mid-September through Early November

After living in the DC area for 8 months I feel like I know a lot about the area! We did A TON of things while we lived there. If you've followed along my blog you would know that, but I decided I wanted to make a guide to help you get through DC.

So let's start with "The Mall." When we were moving out here everyone would tell us about "The Mall" and in my head I picture a shopping mall. I had been to DC before in High school but I wasn't moving there so I wasn't paying attention to the maps!  So besides that, we were still moving out here blind.

Here is a map further out. The Potomac River is the border for most of Virginia.You can see the red line that shows you where DC actually is.

Now a bit closer into the map you see this long patch of Green. This, my friends, is "The Mall." It took a bit of studying my maps and figuring out all the lingo when we moved here. So hopefully this will help. "The Mall" is where 90% of the touristy stuff is, which is super nice.

This is the DC and surrounding area's Metro Map. It looks complicated to navigate but I assure you it's SO EASY!! The best public transportation I've ever experienced. You can get to everything in The Mall by using the metro. I'll be sure to tell you when you should drive.

National Mall  All of the museums and monuments are free in this area =)

The Mall is a stretch of about 3 miles. So if you're travelling with children, definitely bring a stroller, good walking shoes, water, snacks, etc! I would avoid visiting during the hot months because fatigue will hit you super fast! This list I've compiled is almost in order-ish starting from the Capitol Building to the Lincoln Memorial.

Library of Congress- This building is actually behind the Capitol building. They do offer tours, but we never got around to do that. I would recommend going inside just to see the building interior. It's gorgeous!! It only took us probably 20 minutes to walk around inside. Children probably won't find this interesting, but I would make mine go just to see it for a few minutes since my Great Grandpa worked here. http://www.loc.gov/visit/tours/guided-tours/thomas-jefferson-building/

Capitol Building- You can tour the building for free! You need passes and you can get them online. I would get these in advanced especially if you are going during the peak travel seasons. If it's not peak, you can just walk in and get passes from the visitors desk. I wouldn't suggest bringing young kids to this tour. You have to be quiet and it can get long for children.  http://www.visitthecapitol.gov/plan-visit/book-tour-capitol#.VU1Qlfm4S70

Natural History Museum- As you walk away from the capitol and toward the Washington Monument, there are museums on the right and left that you'll want to visit for sure! The Natural History Museum is my favorite. It pretty much a taxidermy zoo. Every animal you can imagine. So if you're an animal lover, go here! They also have gems, the Hope Diamond, bugs, and dinosaurs. This is definitely kid friendly but it could take a few hours to get through with kids. So plan accordingly. http://www.mnh.si.edu/visit/

American History Museum- This is the museum everyone talks about as the Smithsonian. It has a ton of war artifacts, presidential things, first lady dresses, Dorothy shoes, and best of all Old Glory. Kids will like this museum. Again, it may take a few hours to get through with kids. http://americanhistory.si.edu/visit

Air and Space Museum- There are actually two of these museums, one in The Mall and one in Virginia. We never went to the VA one, but this museum is self explanatory... SPACE! If you're into space and airplanes, then go here. They have an IMAX theater where you can watch space films, but we didn't want to spend the money and time to experience that. Besides the IMAX, they have a lot of spacecrafts you can walk through and the Wright Brother's plane in there, etc. This also is the only museum that has a cheap place to eat connected to it... McDonalds! We would usually pack food, but when we didn't this is where we would eat. This is a great museum for the kiddos for sure.  http://airandspace.si.edu/visit/mall/

National Archives- The main thing that was interesting here is the ACTUAL CONSTITUTION AND BILL OF RIGHTS! It only takes about 20 minutes to see with a line. So not too shabby.

White House- To get a tour of the White House it has to be a full moon on the 13th month of the year... *sensing my sarcasm?* But for real, it's nearly impossible. You can try by emailing your senators or your House members. Or if you know someone who works closely with them, but other then that... best of luck! You can walk right up to the gate and get a photo but that's pretty much it.

Washington Monument- There is an elevator that takes you all the way to the top where you can get 360 degree views of DC. Definitely worth it! Watch out for the Vertigo though.. I got super dizzy the first time I went up there. Get your tickets EARLY for this especially on peak visiting times. They go fast!!

Reflection Pool- A LOOONG pool that ducks tend to live in.. you have to walk past this in order to get to most the the war monuments and the Lincoln Memorial. It's super pretty and I always, always thing of the Forest Gump scene when Jenny runs into the pool. Don't try it though... people won't be to fond of that.

War Monuments- After the Washington Monument you will walk past a ton of various war monuments. World War II, Vietnam Wall, Korean war and more! Definitely worth your time and sore walking feet to see these. Most are all near the Lincoln Memorial. Be respectful and quiet when you visit these. And don't be afraid to tell a Veteran that you appreciate them! You'll always see at LEAST one wandering around.

Lincoln Memorial- A must see, obviously. The view from the top is gorgeous. and kids all LOVE seeing a huge statue of Lincoln.

Holocaust Museum- Free! But it's pretty gruesome and emotionally exhausting. So be prepared. I wouldn't recommend taking the kiddos there.

Tidal Basin/Jefferson Memorial- I never made it all the way around the basin to get to the memorial. But I know you can go paddle boating in the Tidal Basin. It always looked fun but we never did it. This area is especially cool during the Cherry Blossom season in the spring!!

Bureau of Engraving and Printing- Right down the road from the Holocaust Museum. This is free and runs about 40 minutes long. But you get to see billions of dollars being printed. Highly recommend this one! http://www.moneyfactory.gov/washingtondctours.html

Food in The Mall
As far as food goes in this area, there isn't much besides the McDonald's mentioned above and food trucks. We would always just pack food to save a few bucks. BRING LOTS OF WATER!!! Especially if you're going during a hot time.

Things to see/do outside of the Mall in DC

Postal Museum- This is right near one of the metro stops. Free and VERY kid friendly. Tons of fun activities for kids to do there, like sort fake mail, etc. I even had fun doing that!

Ford's Theater- Close to a metro stop. If you're going during the peak, buy tickets online early! They're only 3-5 dollars. There is a museum downstairs before they actually take you into the theater. They go through the whole story about what happened. It was a bit long, so try and remember that! We were probably there over an hour and a half..  http://fordstheatre.org/home/plan-your-visit 

National Arboretum- Free. Drive here! There is a parking lot. This place was so cool. It has the original columns that used to be in the capitol building, along with gardens and fields, etc.

National Cathedral- Definitely drive to this! The metro stop is 1.5 miles away. This is one of my favorites. It's $11 for adults and $7 for the kiddos. After you pay you can do a self-guided tour and walk around nearly wherever in the cathedral. I love all the architecture and the views from the top.

National Zoo- A must! It's free and close to the metro too! Wear good shoes because it's a good hike to get to the animals once in the zoo. My favorite part is the lion exhibit.

Georgetown Cupcakes- Drive to Georgetown and get these cupcakes! If you've ever seen "DC Cupcakes" then you know what these are. AMAZING!

Ben's Chili Bowl- Right near a metro stop. It's been on a lot of food shows D watches so he wanted to try it. It's been there for a long time. I thought the food was okay. It's cheaper too which was nice for the budget!  http://benschilibowl.com/

***The next few I'm about to mention we never went too.***

Newseum $$$$- This is a spendy museum which is why new never went.. It's about $23 bucks for adults! But if you news, advertising, etc. This may be of interest for you.  http://www.newseum.org/visit/tickets/

Spy Museum$$$$- I always want to go to this one too but the price wasn't right for me at the time. It has different tools and randoms that spies have used in the past. http://www.spymuseum.org/tickets/

Wax Museum$$$$$- Around 20 bucks again. I've never been to any wax museum but I've heard good things about Madam Tussauds.

Crime Museum $$$$- This is closing the end of September! SAD! Now I wish I had gone =(

***Now onto things in Northern Virginia!***

Arlington Cemetery- A MUST! There is a metro stop to here too. When you go, pay for the shuttle that inside the main entry building. I think it's around $5 bucks each, but it takes you to all the highlights because trust me, this place is HUGE! You will not want to walk up those hills.

NRA Museum- Located in  Fairfax, VA. You'll have to drive here. If you're a gun fanatic, go here! Every kind of gun imaginable. It's a self-guided tour. I'm pretty sure it was free.

Mount Vernon- Who doesn't love good ole George Washington?! This is a must and you have to drive to it. It's about $17 for adults. But it's a must. You can walk around all of the property and see his house! There are also river boat rides on the Potomac that cost extra if that's what you want to do too. You can see George Washington's tomb here as well. http://www.mountvernon.org/plan-your-visit/buy-tickets/

**FAVORITE FOOD OPTIONS***

Five Guys Burgers and Fries- Best burger I've ever had! Keep in mind they give you tons of fries, so you may want to share a side of fries with a friend!

Flippin' Pizza-  Best NY Style pizza I've had outside of NY! And it's cheap! 2 slices and a drink for 6ish dollars!


**Where to Stay**

If you've got the money, then by all means stay in DC. But when I go back to visit I will be staying in Falls Church, VA. I know they have a few hotels and motels that I imagine would be cheaper then in DC itself. You can always study the metro map and see which stops have motels nearby to save a dime or two =)


**Dallan wanted me to mention this**

If you're willing to drive a few hours North. GO TO GETTYSBURG!!! One of the coolest places I've ever been. It's an easy day trip for sure.