There's also ice skating at Canal Park, which is my favorite rink. Unique design, and definitely a neighborhood place. If you want off the tourist track, that's the rink to go to.

OP, I also recommend visiting Eastern Market, particularly on a weekend so you can see all the outdoor vendors as well. The week between Christmas and New Year's won't have all the usual vendors, but it's fun to browse, and another very local thing.

Favorite non-Smithsonian museum: Phillips. Love the Degas collection.

Favorite Smithsonian: Freer and Sackler Galleries. Asian art, quiet.

Make dinner reservations 2 months out for those days.

Metro in typical fashion is closing some stations over Dec 20-30. This includes Smithsonian Station. It will be a pita to get in from Arlington.
Stay in DC and checkout these changes
https://www.wmata.com/service/track-work.cfm

Mount Vernon is nice at Christmas. Also go to the national archives, then cross the street to the ice rink in the national gallery sculpture garden.. people who don't want to skate can go to the cafe. Filomena and Martin's tavern are restaurants in Georgetown that are heavily decorated for Christmas. The postal museum is surprisingly interesting and close to union station. The zoo also does zoo lights but that is at night so if you want to see most animals it's better to go in the daylight. See what's playing at the Kennedy center, Arena stage, and other local theaters (the National has touring productions; Ford's theater does a Christmas carol and you can also take a tour there with Lincoln assassination history). Since you like history, Lincoln's cottage could also be interesting though it's easier to get to by car. There's an interesting display of nativities from around the world at the basilica in brookland, and the Mormon temple in suburban Maryland does a Christmas event too (outdoors). For fish, del mar at the wharf for a fancy meal and ivy City smokehouse for casual. Also be sure to drive past the monuments at night in addition to seeing them during the day... they are beautiful all lit up. There are ranger talks during the day which can be interesting; look at the nps website for details. Have a good trip!!

OP here: thank you for all the great ideas! Noted them all and just completed White House your request form.

To answer question earlier, we’re going to DC for Xmas and hoping to be exposed to some holiday atmosphere but we’re not looking for big-time Christmas-theme sights or activities. Been wanting to visit DC and Xmas just happens to be a good time for us. We’re more interested in experiencing the best of Washington DC.

Don’t miss the Impressionist exhibition at the NGA through January.

These are all great recommendations - I especially echo the Botanical Gardens one. We like to follow up that visit with a trip to the Museum of the American Indian & lunch in that museum. And asking for White House tickets from your Congressman!

there is ice skating in Georgetown and in the sculpture garden at the National Gallery of Art.

I would also look into Mt. Vernon (Washington's home). I think they do some Christmas-y things there over the holidays.

Yes to all of the above and add a Washington Monument visit (you can reserve on rec.gov app). Not sure how far out, but probably 30 days? I'd check now.

We are hosting family for Christmas from out of town and we are planning on going to a show at the Kennedy Center, getting pizza at Bar Del Monte in Mt Pleasant, going ice skating at the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden ice rink, seeing the trains at the botanical garden, having a big italian meal at Officina on the Wharf, hitting up a Christmas market at City Center or Georgetown, maybe seeing a Christmas Carol at Ford's Theater, and the National Cathedral on Christmas Day (if open to visitors).

I would stay at the new Salamander (not sure of pricing) or the Willard Intercontinental. The Hay-Adams is amazing but maybe not in the price range you need. The Jefferson is great too, or even the Rosewood in Georgetown.

Email your senator or representative now to ask about tickets to the White House to see the Christmas decorations. You can request 90 days in advance and they book very quickly so do it as close to the 90 day window as possible.

If you like tea, the Willard has a great holiday tea. They are accepting reservations now. You need to call for one.

If you are staying in DC proper, I would not bother with a car unless you are driving her from NY. I would take the train to Union Station. It's so much easier.

I would stay near Center City, Penn Quarter, or Dupont Circle. If you want to stay out further to save money, I would stay in Arlington - anywhere between Courthouse and Ballston.

For seafood, check out restaurants around Navy Pier or the Wharf.

If you like history, I would go to the American History museum, the African American museum (you can request tickets 30 days out), and request tickets to the Capital from your senator/rep. Do a tour of the monuments at night. It would be easiest to do one of the paid tours or the trolley since it's a longish walk to see all of them. I also really like the Botanic Gardens at the holidays because they have the models of the DC buildings made out of all natural materials, but this can be a mad house so try to avoid going on a weekend.

Since you love museums and monuments and this is the first trip to DC for some, you should stay walking distance to the national mall, where the Smithsonian museums are. There are probably 10-20 hotels between both sides of the mall.

Are you looking for a Christmasy trip? Or is your trip just over Christmas? Old Ebbit Grill is a solid recommendation. Very DC and it will be decorated for Christmas. Definitely need a reservation.

Plan to spend a half day walking the monuments. Look at a calendar, make an alert for 30 days in advance and reserve tickets to go up the Washington monument. The ticket fee is $1 per ticket.

Figure out your top museums. You will need timed tickets for some, so look online in advance.

Spy museum is fun and is a change of pace from the Smithsonian museums.

I live in the suburbs but really like this group for tips:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dctraveltips

There are posts about itineraries, where to stay, where to eat, which museums need reservations, tours you can get through your Congressman, accessibility, etc. Maybe look through there and then let us know what other specific questions you have.

Anonymous wrote:DC is usually dead at Xmas time. It’s a transient city where people usually go “home” to wherever they are usually from. But you can probably find some good recs on instagram or Pinterest. I’m not from the area but have been here 20 years and just can’t think of anything great about spending Xmas in DC. It’s not very exciting.

The fact that everyone leaves would make it a great time to visit - no crowds. But yes, there isn't much special about Xmas time itself in DC like there is in NYC.

I'd vote for staying at the Willard - I think they have music & stuff there around the holidays and it's a beautiful historic hotel. Right near the WH.

Check out:

Lunch or Dinner at Old Ebbitt's - it's always full so make reservations.
Rasika (near Metro Center) for really good Indian.

National Xmas Tree (kind of meh but so you can say you saw it) and the much nicer big one in front of the Capitol.
Train set-up in the Botanical Gardens (on the mall).
Personally I really love the Brookside Gardens walk through light exhibit - it's in Wheaton, MD which is a bit of a hike outside of DC but depending on when you drive home could work as a small detour off 495.

African American History museum is VERY well done - even for the teen it should appeal. National History Museum is always neat too.
Library of Congress is gorgeous inside.

DC is usually dead at Xmas time. It’s a transient city where people usually go “home” to wherever they are usually from. But you can probably find some good recs on instagram or Pinterest. I’m not from the area but have been here 20 years and just can’t think of anything great about spending Xmas in DC. It’s not very exciting.

Appreciate all ideas for a 4-night family trip to D.C. over Xmas...which hotel or area to stay in, where to eat, what to do, etc. Ages 14-80 from NYC, used to walking and public transit but we will have cars. We like all food esp seafood/sushi, love museums, history, monuments. Hotel budget $400 per room per night. Half of us have never been to D.C. Thanks!