A Family Outing: Washington, D.C.

*Updated July 8, 2013*

Over the New Year, we were able to visit some of Hubby’s family, a couple hours from here. Since they live on the outskirts of DC, it was a perfect (but chilly) opportunity for our little family to visit the nation’s capital. We were only there for a few hours, but we had a blast!

Tips: Decide if you’re going to drive into DC or take the metro. If you drive, be aware that parking may be difficult to find and can be as much as $10 an hour. I recently drove with Baby J to Alexandria to visit a friend. Parking was $5 an hour in the Old Alexandria area. If you choose to park at one of the outer Metro stations and then take the Metro into DC, you’ll pay around $5 for all-day parking. One day Metro passes for adults are $14.

For military families, coming up from the Hampton Roads area, the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station may be your best option.

If you have little ones, I’d recommend using either an umbrella stroller or babywear on the Metro. During peak times (rush hour), the Metro cars will be crammed with standing room only. People will not make way for a stroller. You’ll have to force yourself on, and there just may not be enough room for a large stroller.

Finally, traffic going out of DC in the afternoons and evenings is horrendous. If you’re not staying overnight, don’t bother leaving the city or the outlying areas (like the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station) before 8pm. Otherwise, you’ll just sit in traffic.

About to park and take the Metro into the city!
About to park and take the Metro into the city!
Baby J's first time on the Metro!
Baby J’s first time on the Metro!
Tomb of the Unknowns- Arlington National Cemetery
Tomb of the Unknowns- Arlington National Cemetery
Eating in the cafeteria at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Eating in the cafeteria at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Taking a break on a museum bench
Taking a break on a museum bench
The Capitol building
The Capitol building
Washington Monument
Washington Monument
Have you been to DC? What was your favorite place to visit while there?

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12 Comments

  1. I like trekking down to the wharf for lunch. The WWII memorial is beautiful… I just like walking around up there, really.

  2. I have never been to Washington DC but would love to go and site see.
    It looks beautiful and yet humbling at the same time….
    Your little guy looks so cute on the metro(:

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