We got back home yesterday afternoon from a fun filled trip to DC. Hubs and I had been there on separate occasions….he in college and I as a 10 year old….so much has changed and we were looking forward to showing the kids for the first time. They both like history and we felt they were really at a perfect age to soak it all in.

I wanted to share with you a few highlights that we felt were perfect for their age….

We arrived on Thursday morning….a direct flight from Louisville to Regan National was just a bit over an hour. Having an early morning flight gave us plenty of time to see a few sights on the day we got there.

We went from the airport to the hotel by Uber. Uber is a car service app….it saved us a ton of money and was so easy to use. A Uber ride from the airport to hotel in downtown DC was just $11. Highly recommend using Uber!! If you do sign up use this promo code to get your first ride for free  (tracies204ue).

Our stay at the Sofitel on 15th St was a perfect spot. We were right across the street from the White House and within walking distance of almost everything. Be prepared to walk….take comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. Our weather couldn’t have been better. Upper 60’s and sunny. Everyone kept telling us that October is a perfect time to come to DC….lower crowds and perfect weather.

Here are the top attractions that we all enjoyed….I would also encourage you to check out trip advisor to get some more ideas….great resource!!

Thursday:

• We started out at the Library of Congress. Gorgeous building….highlights for my kids was seeing 2 of the worlds oldest bibles in print and the main library hall from above that is still used today. We spent about 45 minutes here and it was plenty.
• I made reservations on Ticketmaster to tour the Ford’s Theater. We all thought this tour and museum was really well done. We bought the audio tour….and when we checked in they gave us these cell phone looking devise to listen to during our walk through. The basement of the theater is the museum…then they take you to the theater and you listen to a park ranger describe the evening Lincoln was shot. It was very neat to sit in the theater and see where it all actually occurred. You can then walk across the street to the Peterson house were he actually passed away. Total time we were there was about 2 hours. Well worth it!
• In the evening, we walked and toured the National Mall. This was a highlight of the trip! I had made reservations with a company called DC by Foot. Cannot say enough good things about this company. They provide free walking tours—you are encouraged to pay whatever you feel the tour was worth. The National Mall all lite up at night was truly spectacular. And  getting to learn about all the buildings around the mall was a bonus! My kids loved this….kept all our attention for 2 hours.

Friday

• Going to the White House and touring was a highlight for my kids too. I emailed my Congressman ( give at least a 45 day notice of your visit) and asked for 4 White House passes…and also asked for a tour of the Capitol. Friday morning we woke up and walked over to the White House for our 9:00 tour. You will wait in the security line almost as long as it takes to tour the inside. Well worth the visit and wait!!
• We left the White House and made our way to where most of the Smithsonian’s are located. We toured Air and Space & Natural History…spent about 1.5 hours at both. I would say my kids liked the Natural History a bit more (the mammal exhibit is quite cool…)
• Then we Ubered it back to the Capitol for our 2:00 tour. We met at our Congressman’s office and a member of his staff took us on the tour. Highlights of this tour are the original Senate Gallery and the current Gallery. Congress was not in session when were where there….but we got to sit in and see where the action happens. You also see the original Supreme Court…along with a bunch of other very cool facts about this building.

Saturday

• We slept in a bit (holy walking batman…) We needed to catch some zzzz’s:) Grabbed some coffee and Ubered it over to Arlington Cemetery. I’ll tell you this….my kids were not super pumped about seeing a cemetery….but they came out of it saying it was one of their favorite tours. Again, I had made a reservation with DC on Foot for the 10am tour. We met our guide Stephen at the visitor center. He was AWESOME!! He gave tidbit and facts all along the way and we all couldn’t believe that we had spent almost 3 hours in cemetery and not once looked at our watches. We saw Robert E. Lee’s house…Tomb of the Unknown Solider, Kennedy’s grave….Changing of the Guards. And the tour made the experience so memorable….I do think young kids (even middle schoolers) may not get as much out of it. Lots of walking…and lots of facts—but many of them my kids had learned about in school.
• We left there and ate lunch….then went to the American History Museum. Loved it all! So many pieces of America in one spot… Spent about 2 hours there and then back to hotel to rest a bit.
• Saturday evening, hubs and Conner went to a Capitol’s hockey game and Emily and I went shopping in Georgetown. Georgetown was very quaint and a great way to spend an evening. Sprinkles cupcake was a highlight for my peanut:)

Sunday

• My bff Melissa is only 2 hours from DC….so her crew made the drive up for the day. We met for lunch and made our way to the Newseum. It is one of the only museums that we paid to get into (by tickets online for a 10% discount)….but it was well worth the ticket. Had we known about their nice food court in the basement level we would have just eaten lunch there. We had kiddos of every age….and they all loved it! Lots of hands on activities and a ton of historical pieces from the Berlin Wall to the Trade Towers…and many more. Any and all things to do with Media in our country….We left there and found a hotel to lounge in and chat. Made our way to dinner and parted ways. It was a perfect ending to our DC trip! So thankful they were able to come down for the day!

I do think our kids were at a perfect age to soak up DC. They had enough reference to grasp the information…and they were able to walk…like a lot. We had the best time with them on this trip:) Highly recommend taking a long weekend to do it!

Back to regular DIY and recipes soon:)

xo