We lived in Washington DC for 10 years. My boys grew up there, from toddlers all the way through their teen years, and I still think it’s one of the best cities in the country to visit with older kids.
Not because it’s filled with history and offers so many free activities, but because teenagers actually respond to it. The history feels real. The museums are good. The food is outstanding.
There’s enough variety that you’re not dragging anyone anywhere.
This is the list I had to my friends when they are planning a trip to D.C. with their kids.
Explore the Smithsonian Museums
You really can’t beat 17 FREE museums, many within walking distance of each other on the National Mall. You will not get through all of them. Don’t try.
My boys have always been obsessed with the National Air and Space Museum, to the point where I didn’t tell my youngest the Udvar-Hazy Center existed until he was over 10. It’s out near Dulles and has even more planes and spacecraft. He was perfectly happy with the downtown location, so I saw no reason to open that door.
Don’t worry, he has since been, and always wants to go back there now, too. Thank goodness it’s free!
The National Museum of Natural History is the other one I’d put near the top. The Hope Diamond is worth the visit (at least for me), and the dinosaur hall holds attention longer than you’d expect, even with teenagers who think they’re too old for dinosaurs.
The crowds are worst midday, so go right when they open or after 3pm.
The International Spy Museum
My boys love the Spy Museum, which covers Cold War history, real espionage operations, and actual gadgets, and it moves at a pace that keeps teenagers engaged.
When you walk in, you get an undercover identity and a mission to carry out throughout the exhibit.
It’s not free like the Smithsonian, and tickets are timed entry, so book ahead.
Take a Twilight Monument Tour
July in DC is brutal. The humidity alone will wear you out before you’ve seen half the Mall. A night tour in summer is the best way to see the monuments and beat the heat (the rest of the year, the humidity won’t take you out as much).
The monuments are better at night too. The Lincoln Memorial lit up, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the quiet dark, the reflecting pool at night. It’s a completely different experience than fighting the midday crowds, no matter what time of year you visit.
Check out our favorite D.C. night tours:
- Washington DC Night-Time City Tour
- Washington DC Small-Group Evening City Tour
- LED Lights Magic Night-Time Guided Tour with Photo Stops & Snack
Take Photos Around Town
DC has some of the best backdrops of any city in the country: the monuments, cherry blossoms if you time it right, Georgetown’s brick streets, and the waterfront.
If your teen is into photography or just wants good photos from the trip, a short session with a local photographer is one of those things that pays off.
I always book through Flytographer. You get a photographer who knows the city well, which tends to mean better locations and better shots. Use my link to save $20 on your first session.
Kayaking on the Potomac
If your family hits a museum wall (and at some point, my family always does), get outside. Renting a kayak or paddleboard on the Potomac makes for a great afternoon.
We like paddling around Theodore Roosevelt Island. The water is calm, the scenery is good, and it feels like you’ve completely left the city even though you’re right in the middle of it.
Outfitters near Georgetown and the Wharf both do rentals.
Tour The U.S. Capitol
Even teens who claim to have zero interest in government tend to find the Capitol impressive once they’re actually inside.
Book tickets in advance, especially during school holidays. Tours can get canceled when Congress is in session, so check the schedule before you go.
If you want help navigating Capitol tickets, White House requests, Pentagon tours, and the other logistics that come with a DC trip, my DC with Kids guide on Amazon walks through all of it.
Want to learn how to get tickets to the Capital, White House, Pentagon and more? Check out our DC with Kids guide on Amazon.com.
Stroll through Georgetown
Georgetown is where I’d send anyone who needs a break from the monuments-and-museums circuit. M Street and Wisconsin Avenue have good shopping, the waterfront is beautiful, and in winter there’s an outdoor ice skating rink down by the water.
Specific stops worth making: Georgetown Cupcakes for whatever seasonal flavor they’re running, and Cafe Georgetown for coffee and baklava.
If you have a teen who’s starting to think about college, the Georgetown University campus is an easy walk from M Street. The university grounds are gorgeous, and worth a wander even if Georgetown isn’t on their list.
This Potomac River cruise and Georgetown walking tour is a good option if you want someone else leading the way.
Discover the National Zoo
As one of the better zoos in the country, and it’s free, the National Zoo welcomed back pandas from China, Bao Li and Qing Bao, in October 2024 and made their public debut in January 2025.
They’ve been a big draw ever since. I haven’t made it back to see them in person yet, but I follow the Panda Cam on the Zoo’s website more than I’d like to admit.
The renovated bird house is worth seeing, and if younger kids are along for the trip, budget time for the carousel.
Indulge in a D.C. Food Tour
DC’s food scene has changed a lot over the past decade, and a food tour is one of the more efficient ways to cover it.
Food tours also tend to work well with teenagers because the pace is good and there’s enough variety that picky eaters usually find something they like.
A few options:
- U Street Food & History Guided Walking Tour
- Washington DC Delicious Donut Adventure by Underground Donut Tour
- Georgetown Foodie Culinary Tour & Neighborhood Walk
If you’re going on your own, Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken near the Mall is worth a stop. In spring, cherry blossom donuts are essential, but you usually need to order them in advance.
Visit the National Archives
You can see the actual Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights in person, because yes, the United States of America still has these documents to govern by, whether politicians like to acknowledge them or not.
The interactive exhibits around them make them easier to absorb than any textbook.
Plan for about 90 minutes and book timed-entry tickets in advance.
Bike the National Mall
One of the better ways to cover the Mall without spending the whole day on foot is to rent a bike for a few hours or the day.
The stretch from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol is flat and easy, with plenty of spots to stop along the way.
You can use Capital Bikeshare (stations throughout the city), rent from a shop near the Mall, or join a guided bike tour of the monuments if you want someone leading the way.
Catch a Show at the Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center runs Broadway touring productions, concerts, ballet, and smaller performances. The range is wider than most people expect.
Check what’s on during your visit ahead of time, as the schedule changes constantly, plus they announce free performances on their site
The rooftop terrace is free to access and has one of the better views in the city. It’s worth a 20-minute stop even if you don’t catch a show.
Take a Day Trip to Mount Vernon
About 16 miles south of DC, Mount Vernon is one of the best-preserved historic estates in the country.
You can explore George Washington’s mansion, the working farm, the gardens, and even views of the Potomac for at least a half-day.
The museum puts Washington’s life in context beyond what kids cover in school, which makes it actually interesting rather than a repeat of what they’ve already heard.
Explore the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
For teens who have any interest in art, or just teens who’d appreciate something visually interesting, the Hirshhorn is the one to go to.
It’s modern and contemporary, so it moves, and the outdoor sculpture garden features large-scale works that actually hold attention. It’s a great change of pace after a morning at one of the bigger Smithsonian museums.
It’s also free, and on the National Mall.
Visit Ford’s Theatre
Ford’s Theatre is where Lincoln was assassinated in 1865, and it’s still an active performance venue.
That combination, a functioning theater that’s also the site of one of the most pivotal moments in American history, makes it unlike anything else you’ll visit in DC.
The museum has significant Civil War artifacts, and the Petersen House across the street, where Lincoln died, is included in the visit.
The theatre also puts on an annual production of A Christmas Carol if you’re visiting in December.
Plan Your Trip
Ten years living there and I’m still finding new things to recommend. DC gives back the more time you put into it. Two days is a start, a week is better. If you’re going with teenagers, let them pick at least one thing off this list themselves. The trips where my boys chose something I wouldn’t have suggested turned out to be the ones we talk about most.
Where to Stay
Staying near the National Mall means you can walk to most of the major sights, which cuts down on logistics significantly. Georgetown is a good alternative if you want a neighborhood feel with restaurants close by; you’ll just use the Metro or a rideshare more to reach the Mall.
A few options worth checking on Expedia:
- Waldorf Astoria Washington DC: steps from the Mall, but a splurge
- Riggs Washington DC: beautiful building, great location
- Holiday Inn Washington Capitol – Natl Mall: solid mid-range, 0.4 miles from the Mall
- Embassy Suites by Hilton DC Convention Center: good for families who need the extra space
Getting Around
The Metro covers most of what you need in the city. If you’re planning day trips to Mount Vernon, the Udvar-Hazy Center, or Great Falls, renting a car makes more sense than coordinating rideshares each time. Parking downtown is expensive and scarce, so use a rental for day trips and keep it out of the city center.
Before You Go
My DC with Kids guide on Amazon covers the logistics that tend to trip people up: Capitol tickets, White House requests, Pentagon tours, what needs to be booked, and how far in advance.
If you’re still in early planning mode, my free vacation planner checklist and weekend trip planner are good starting points.
