I just got back from chaperoning a high school trip to Washington, D.C. I haven’t been there in years, 
but it was great to go back… so great that I want you to know what a great family vacation it could be.
First of all, the trip was NOT that expensive. We stayed at the Sheraton Four Points for less than $100 a night. It was within walking distance to the White House, monuments and theaters. Second, the monuments and museums are FREE. You can spend days at them without spending a dime (except for food). Note: The museum cafe had good food but it was a little pricey so you may want to eat before or pack a lunch.
Afraid your kids might be bored? You can make it fun! The kids I was with had all seen the movie National Treasure, so when I told them the National Archives were where all the documents they had seen in the movie were actually located, they were excited to go. The guys in the group had a blast playing dectective at the National Spy Museum and sported mustaches purchased in the gift shop for the rest of the day. Tip: Sign up online at spymuseum.org and take part in a spy mission.
The monuments are surrounded by lots of green space, so picnics and outdoor breaks are beautiful 
and relaxing. For shopping we hit Georgetown (take the bus for $1.35). Founded in 1751, it was charming and much prettier than a mall. If you like the arts, you’ll love this – we took in 2 Broadway shows and sat in the LAST row of the balcony, but no problem visually because both theaters we went to were older and therefore small. Tickets were under $40.
Other things we saw: debate on the floor of the House of Representatives – free; tour of the Capitol – free; visits to local universities, the National Cathedral, White House – free, free free; other museums as part of the Smithsonian – free; war memorials, the changing of the guard at Arlington Cemetery, free – and there was a lot we didn’t have time to see. Subways and buses were inexpensive and very clean.
For the small price we paid, what we gained was PRICELESS: exposure to science, politics and art giving us a better understanding of where our nation has been and where we need to go.
I loved the whole trip. We flew to D.C. from Florida, so our cost was $700 per person which included the flight, hotel for 3 nights with breakfast, 2 Broadway shows, a dinner cruise on the Potomac and subway card. Everything else but meals was – shall I say it again – FREE.
One more thing. Take a camera and have fun with it. Creative picture taking goes a long way in keeping your children’s attention. When you get home and look at the fun pictures it will be again a great way to educate them and help them remember what they saw.
