13 y/o niece visiting me and 2 y/o in August - what to do?

[Anonymous]

My 13 y/o niece is coming for a visit from Florida, so she's used to the heat. She wants to do some fun things with her 2 y/o cousin, hopefully DC things, like visit Georgetown Cupcake. We're in Arlington so I'm looking for fun weekend activities that will be good for both of them and with a DC twist. Like I want to take them to the pool, but she can do that in Florida, and the 2 y/o would love the mall play area, but my niece is too old for that but not old enough to walk around a mall by herself.

[Anonymous]

Has she been to DC before? If not, I'd start with the National Mall area-- pick a couple of museums down there for starters, see about getting tickets to go up in the Washington Monument, etc. Great Falls could also be nice. What are her interests?

[Anonymous]

The zoo is pretty cool for any age group. Maybe an outdoor concert? The local splashparks would be fun too.

[Anonymous]

I have a 3 year-old and a thirteen year-old so I understand that this is complicated. I would take her to the Baltimore Aquarium (even though it's not DC) and see the dolphin show. Kids of all ages love that. Also the Museum of Natural History- she will probably like the gem show and the LO will like the animals, the Butterfly exhibit and the insect zoo. Also, the museum of American History has the first lady dresses and a great transportation exhibit. The National Arboretum is a nice place to walk around with both kids. She would probably also enjoy walking around in Georgetown but the 2 year-old will not be very happy after her cupcake is gone!

[Anonymous]

Maybe a duck boat tour or a water taxi ride?