3 full days in the capitol proved to be plenty of time to whet our appetite for the city. Years ago we'd done the basic DC thing; Smithsonian, all the monuments etc. This time, we were looking for new adventures and sights. What we found, is that like many large cities around the world, discovering it is a bit like peeling back the layers of an onion. Your first trip might involve the typical stops. On your next visit you likely visit places that were harder to get to the first time around. Then on your third and subsequent trips, you really start finding the hidden gems. This trip was exactly that- finding the little gems no one ever tells you about. I'm here to make them known, so that you won't have to miss them the next time you're there. The best part? Many of the places we uncovered are FREE. Who knew you could traipse from place to place around the city without paying a dime for your entertainment?
The Smithsonian Portrait Gallery's American Presidents exhibit was amazing. We only happened upon it because we needed a pit stop, but boy was it a find. Cost? FREE.
All four of us read "Killing Lincoln" so we planned ahead and got tickets to Ford's theatre. There's a small surcharge for doing this on-line (well worth it in the middle of summer) but no cost for the tickets themselves. The museum and theatre do a fabulous job of bringing his story to life. Cost? $1.50 ticket
The Hope Diamond located in the Smithsonian- breathtaking. Cost? FREE.
My happy family on the mall, enjoying the ambience. Cost? FREE.
We also got to visit my 97 year old great aunt in Baltimore. She met the kids for the first time, and I hadn't seen her in over 20 years. What was the first thing she says to me? "You haven't changed one bit!" I love this woman.
We had tickets to the National Archives- Cost? FREE. Small charge for reserving our time slot, but you MUST do this in the summer. All those poor spontaneous people waiting in the heat for hours must have been miserable. While we waited, we discovered the Navy Memorial and Museum across the street. This wonderful globe was etched into the walkway right outside it. The kids are standing on their birthplaces. The museum, although little, provided a pit stop and a chance to browse through some exhibits. Cost? FREE.
If you loved the movie "National Treasure" then you must visit the National Archives. It will do wonders for your American patriotism. There's nothing like it in all the world.
Unfortunately, I didn't capture any photos of another favorite museum we visited- the National Museum of Health and Medicine. It's located at the Walter Reed Annex (a short ride on the Metro towards the outskirts of DC) and our reason for going was simple- the kids wanted to see the amputated leg of a soldier. Don't jump down my throat- even the man who donated his leg to the museum used to take friends to see said leg- and it's only the bone- nothing gross. In addition, the bullet that killed Lincoln is housed there. Cost? FREE.
The National Postal Museum....a fabulous hidden gem that goes unnoticed by many. It also happens to be a Smithsonian. Located in the basement of the old DC post office, and in typical Smithsonian fashion, they've done a lovely job of bringing to life, the historical aspects of our postal system. Many parts were interactive, making it extremely kid friendly. They have an international stamp collection to beat the band as well. Cost? FREE.
Of course, the Capitol itself is a predictable stop, but the kids requested a visit as we headed to the Metro. It allowed us to discuss politics, and soak in the atmosphere of it all. There's no nation like ours on earth. Here, in this great city, we are reminded of that.
Our week wasn't all serious, however. With people milling around constantly at this time of year, it made sense to teach my kids the fine art of photo bombing. Major brownie points on this one. Our photos will never be the same. They make me so proud.
