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Southern Travel: Top 10 Must Sees In Washington, DC

By Wendy Borges March 1, 2021
Washington DC is a must-see family destination. It is a culmination of history, government and culture. My family and I ventured to the Capitol last spring and we returned home with a greater understanding of our nation, our heroes and what it means to be an American. With over 200 museums and countless sites, it is impossible to see it all in just one visit. From the Smithsonian Museums to Capitol Hill, where does a family begin?
Please note: This story has not been updated since COVID-19. Please check with attractions for the latest information before visiting.

Right here, with Macaroni Kid's guide to the Top Ten places to visit in Washington, DC.  
  1. National Mall & Memorial Parks: From the beauty and serenity of the Lincoln Memorial to the statues of our armed servicemen of the Korean war memorial to the reflecting pool where you can almost hear Martin Luther King’s “I have a Dream Speech”. Reverence, humility and inspiration make these a must for families.
  2. National Archives: Home of the Charters of Freedom - The Bill of Rights, The Constitution of the United States and the Declaration of Independence. Yes, we did watch National Treasure before our trip and we decided there was no way that Nicholas Cage’s character could have gotten into that case! But all joking aside - to see these original founding documents is truly humbling.  
  3. National Air and Space Museum: From the “Spirit of Saint Louis” to a piece of moon rock you can touch, “Apollo 11” and just so much more. We took advantage of a tour from one of the docents and were we glad we did! Macaroni Kid tip: pick up some “astronaut ice cream” - YUM!
  4. National Museum of Natural History: Mummies, dinosaurs, and skeletons galore. This is especially fun if your kids have watched “Night at the Museum”... imagine all the what-ifs!
  5. National American History Museum: See all sorts of historical memorabilia, such as the First Ladies' dresses, the infamous ruby slippers and the flag that inspired the “Star Spangled Banner.”
  6. National Zoo: From giant pandas to Asian elephants, this is a must if your kids love animals. Like all the attractions listed here, admission is free!
  7. White House: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue... talk about history! If you want to tour the inside you must make a reservation months and months in advance, so plan ahead if this is on your bucket list.  
  8. The Capitol Building: Contact your Representative or Senator when you are planning your trip. Many will give a personal tour!
  9. US Bureau of Engraving and Printing: Want to watch millions of dollars being made right in front of your eyes? Put this on your agenda!
  10. Arlington National Cemetery: Here you can see the tomb of the Unknown Soldier - guarded “Every second of every minute of every day.”  The Changing of the Guard ceremony is one of the most powerful events I have witnessed.  
Worried that Washington will be too “educational?” My kids are 9 and 11 and they were nervous too! But no worries... It was truly a vacation we will all look fondly upon and remember for a lifetime.