Great idea. National harbor and old town Alexandria are two other things my Au pairs have enjoyed.

I think it is a great idea. My first AP sounds similar to yours and she also had no clue about what the area has to offer. I do buy my APs guide books for DC when the come and point out things they might like. Please keep posting and I will try to think of some as well.

OP here--

As I said in my original message, I am not trying to control anyone's free time. I honestly just think sometimes it is hard to know what all is out there, so I am trying to put together a list of ideas. I've interviewed APs who have no idea what they would see or do if they came to DC. As I also said, it may motivate me to get out there with her too. I'm not against shopping, going to the movies, etc, and there SHOULD be some of that.

Actually, it has given me the idea of doing categories--like US history, world history, art, shopping, entertainment, nature. Hmmm. . . I am going to keep working on my list. And maybe I will wait and ask her if she is interested before I give it to her. I'd bet a LOT of money she will say she's interested. Now whether that makes her get out there would remain to be seen. But I am ok with that. I don't need her to check them all off. I'm trying to generate ideas, then she can choose and hopefully it will help maximize her time.

Better yet, get her a small DC guide book (top 10, DK, lonely planet) or even one in her language if you can find one. It's a great welcome gift for any AP moving to a big city that has it's own guidebook. Between that and the other APs in her cluster, she'll find plenty to do.

I think its a great idea! Agree with another PP that APs don't necessarily know what DC has to offer, and as long as you make it clear that she is free to do as she pleases and that these are just suggestions, I think it will be appreciated.

Anonymous wrote:Don't give your AP a bucket list. This is being controlling. She knows what to do here. Nothing wrong with doing a few of these things as family time, but don't control what your AP does in her free time.

If your AP likes shopping she'll want to check off Tyson, Tyson II, Georgetown, Dupont, leesburg outlet, ect...

She's not controlling, she's giving suggestions.

I disagree with PP.. Au Pairs are younger and DONT no what to do here. If I was your Au Pair I would absoloutely appreciate the list, OP.. !!

Don't give your AP a bucket list. This is being controlling. She knows what to do here. Nothing wrong with doing a few of these things as family time, but don't control what your AP does in her free time.

If your AP likes shopping she'll want to check off Tyson, Tyson II, Georgetown, Dupont, leesburg outlet, ect...

We're getting ready to say goodbye to one au pair and welcome another. Our departing AP has been fine, and for the most part I think she's had a good experience. But she wasn't one to take much initiative and wasn't too outgoing. She also spent more time shopping at the mall than anything else in her spare time. I know that's not too uncommon, but I still feel a bit bad that she wasted so many opportunities to do so much here in the DC area.

Soooo . . . one of the things I have been thinking about working on is a suggested AP bucket list for an AP in DC. In other words, I have been thinking of what places, experiences, etc. I would recommend to our new AP. I'd like to try to motivate the new one a little to see a little more. FWIW, I am not trying to be controlling here, and I know everyone is different. I sometimes just don't think people realize all there is to do and see here, much of it inexpensive or free. And I think it might be fun to try to check them off and help her accomplish some of them over the year.

Anyone want to offer some suggestions? What would you put on a list of things to see for a young adult who is going to be in DC for a year?

I'll start with some. What would you add?

US Capitol
White House
Monuments
Old Post Office Pavilion tower
Library of Congress
Spy Museum
Newseum
Holocaust Museum
Mount Vernon
Smithsonian Museums
Arlington Cemetery
Georgetown
concert at the Kennedy Center
pro sports team game (Nationals, Wizards, Redskins. . .)
Gravelley Point
Cherry Blossoms
Great Falls State Park

And for a nearby road trip:

NYC
Lancaster County
Hershey
Philadelphia
Ocean City area
Baltimore Inner Harbor

Maybe some of you out there are more creative and fun than I am? Thanks!