Visitors with older children - things to do in DC?

[Anonymous]

I have some friends visiting DC the last week in December. They will be here for almost a week. They have children ages 8, 11 and 14 (too old for the zoo).

Any tips on some things for things for this age group? I have recommended some of the std things - tours of the White House, Treasury, Pentagon, Capital, Spy Museum, Newseum.

Also any good guide books for DC? We generally wing it - but since they are going to be here for so long it might be worth having a good book for planning.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

The book "Going Places with Children in Washington, DC" is my bible -- it's published by the Green Acres School in Rockville. Awesome guide by type of activity, and it has age recommendations.

http://www.amazon.com/Going-Places-Children-Washington-Anniversary/dp/0960899871/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256650144&sr=1-1

I'd truck them up to Baltimore for the Aquarium and Science Center, personally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The book "Going Places with Children in Washington, DC" is my bible -- it's published by the Green Acres School in Rockville. Awesome guide by type of activity, and it has age recommendations.

http://www.amazon.com/Going-Places-Children-Washington-Anniversary/dp/0960899871/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256650144&sr=1-1

I'd truck them up to Baltimore for the Aquarium and Science Center, personally.

Oh, and it's in every bookstore around here if you just want to pick one up.

[Anonymous]

This is what we did with pre-teen and teenage relatives when they came to visit:

- hop-on-hop-off double decker tour bus (that's how we saw the traditional DC sites)
- IMAX films at different museums
- The Spy Museum
- Natural History Museum
- American History Museum
- Mt. Vernon (more fun in the warmer months)

[Anonymous]

I'd also start checking for seasonal activities -- Old Town Alexandria or Annapolis spring to mind. If they wanted an overnight "near" DC I'd head down to Williamsburg for the tail end of some of the Colonial Christmas stuff.

Kennedy Center usually has Shear Madness around that time of year, which is funny even for kids. They might be too old for the zoo proper, but does it do any type of Christmas/New Year/holiday thing like Boo at the Zoo?

[Anonymous]

Who's ever too old for the zoo? I love the zoo.

[Anonymous]

I've been really impressed with the American History Museum's makeover. It has very au currant stuff in it. I also like to take older kids to the Natural History museum if they've never been. Everyone likes seeing the Hope Diamond.

[Anonymous]

The girls might also like Hillwood House in Cleveland Park. My nieces loved the costumes and jewelry in the house.

[Anonymous]

This may be sad but when I had my 12 yo cousin visit, the coolest thing ever was a trip to H&M! (She was from an area where they didn't have one). Don't overlook a trip to Tysons or a big mall for the older ones.

Also, look into what is at Milennium Stage at the Kennedy Center, for free concerts.

[Anonymous]

Air and Space with one of the planetarium movies is great. They also have IMAX in Nautral History.