Just chiming in that visiting students (high school through grad student) I have met have all really wanted to shop while here. The boys as much as the girls. This is because electronics and name brands are so much less here than they are in many other places.

Anonymous wrote:Holocaust Museum.

With preschoolers?

Anonymous wrote:And if you are coming on an exchange trip to Anerica, it never hurts to see: Archives, Library of Congress (my 13 year old asked for both after his history class this year & Both DCs (11&13) loved them!), Mount Vernon & possibly a weekend trip to Wiiliamsburg (a day in the historic town, a day a Busch Gardens). And do not miss the Beach at the Building Museum-- lots on fun for ages 1-100.

Is there anything to keep preschoolers engaged at the Archives or Library of Congress? Not being snarky -- just never looked at it from that perspective before and from what I remember I envision these as places that might require lots of kid-wrangling. Maybe the teen(s) could go solo if you can get the to/from the Metro. Both buildings are easily visible from their respective Metro stops (assuming Capitol South for LoC) and Google Maps is a useful tool for showing people taking public transit what they should be looking for when they get off the train or bus.

Re Mt Vernon -- check out the whiskey distillery and the boat tours to see if they might be of interest.

Holocaust Museum.

Can you find out what his interests might be ahead of time? And maybe the things he would like to see and do?

What I do for my teen-to- 20s nieces and nephews from abroad:

baseball game (Bethesda Big Train if you don't want to go to a pro game, or college)
the beach
outlet shopping (yes)
air and space museum
annapolis boat tour
out to dinner
segway tour in DC
outdoor live music at Strathmore
pool
Baltimore Aquarium and Building Museum
Getting out to different neighborhoods so they can see the different types of architecture and landscapes. Frederick, Leesburg, Baltimore, Williamsburg, New York if you are up to it.

And if you are coming on an exchange trip to Anerica, it never hurts to see: Archives, Library of Congress (my 13 year old asked for both after his history class this year & Both DCs (11&13) loved them!), Mount Vernon & possibly a weekend trip to Wiiliamsburg (a day in the historic town, a day a Busch Gardens). And do not miss the Beach at the Building Museum-- lots on fun for ages 1-100.

What about the Renaissance Festival?
https://www.rennfest.com/

Here are links for the mini golf and duckpin bowling venues:

http://www.monsterminigolf.com/gaithersburg/
http://woodysgolf.com/about
http://www.eastpotomacgolf.com/-mini-golf
http://www.whiteoaklanes.com
http://www.amf.com/laurellanes
http://www.pattersonbowl.com

Where's he from, what's he into, and how old are his sibs, if any? Over the past few years, we've had four different kids from Paris (two boys, two girls) stay with us. All really liked hanging out in Georgetown, late night trips to diners, and going to the movies. Diners may be the only thing on that list where preschoolers wouldn't detract from the experience. Bowling, mini golf, and cycling also went over well, but mixed abilities might be hard to handle. OTOH, if he has little brothers or sisters, or if you invite another exchange student along, or your if your kids are comfortable in a bike trailer or on a trailabike, some of these things could be doable.

Re bowling, duckpin (small balls, no holes for fingers) is fun, works well with little kids if there are gutter guards, and there are lanes at White Oak, Laurel, and Baltimore. Alternatively, I think Bowlmor in Bethesda has very lightweight balls and ramps (as well as gutter guards) for preschoolers. At least they used to when it was Strike Bethesda. Duckpin lanes tend to be more old school (except late at night on the weekends when some have Xtreme bowling -- light shows and loud music). Conventional lanes are often glitzier and more high tech.

Re mini golf -- there's an historic course somewhere along the Tidal Basin that I haven't been to but is supposed to have great views. In NoVa there's an Indiana Jones themed course that's best around twilight (bring insect repellent). And Rockville has an indoor Zomie themed course if that wouldn't freak your little ones out. It was too arcadey for my tastes but everyone I was with really liked it.

A teenage boy is way too old for the Spy Museum, at least the Operation Spy part.

Montgomery County Fair. National Building Museum (don't they have a fake beach this summer)? Screen on the Green or other outdoor movie. Picnic at Wolf Trap (get tickets for the lawn). Food Trucks. Don't know if there's a ropes course/zip line that can handle that range of ages. Dolcezza's ice cream factory.

Nats game, tours of Capitol and White House (can anyone you know get tkts?)

Hiking great Falls, tubing near harpers ferry, kayaking at Fletcher's boat house.

Shopping in Georgetown. Evening tour of monuments.

how about the Air and Space Museum and Udvar Hazy? http://airandspace.si.edu/visit/udvar-hazy-center/

The American History, Spy, and Newseum Museums would also good.

Also, the Capitol, Washington Monument, Tysons' Corner Shopping mall...?

Our family is hosting a high school exchange student for about 3 weeks in August, and I'm looking for ideas of things that a 16-year-old boy might enjoy doing. We have small children and are totally not in the loop of what a teenage boy might think is fun.

We expect that he'll want to hang out with some of his teenage friends who are also participating in the program, but we'd obviously like to do some things together as a family as well. Unfortunately, our idea of a good time is stuff that entertains preschoolers -- a playground, IKEA, and anything involving toy trains. I really don't want to bore the pants off of this boy!

I suspect he'll be interested in experiencing American culture and everyday life, but beyond shopping at the grocery store, I'm a little at a loss even for that. What do you do with your teenagers? Any suggestions for "everyday places" and/or museums and attractions that really appeal to kids this age? TIA!