The Smithsonian's flight and space museum on the National Mall, with historic aircraft, spacecraft and the Apollo 11 command module. Mostly indoor and a good fit for kids who love planes and rockets.
The Smithsonian's natural history museum on the National Mall, with the dinosaur skeletons of the Hall of Fossils, a life-size whale model in the Ocean Hall, the Hope Diamond, a live Insect Zoo and a Butterfly Pavilion. Free entry.
An interactive museum of espionage near L'Enfant Plaza where visitors go undercover, with the immersive Camouflage exhibit on deception and disguise.
The Smithsonian's free zoo in Rock Creek Park, laid out along a long hillside path from the main entrance on Connecticut Avenue. The Asia Trail has giant pandas, sloth bears, red pandas and small-clawed otters, and there are daily animal demonstrations.
The Smithsonian's museum of American history on the National Mall, home to the original Star-Spangled Banner flag and Dorothy's ruby slippers, with hands-on invention activities in Spark!Lab and the Wegmans Wonderplace play space for under-6s.
The Smithsonian museum of African American history and culture on the National Mall. The history galleries descend below ground and climb from slavery through Reconstruction and the civil rights era, while the upper floors celebrate music, sport and community.
Hands-on science and creative play offer a child-facing break from monuments.
The nation's free art museum on the National Mall, in two buildings: the West Building of European and American masters and the modern East Building, joined by an underground walkway, plus a sculpture garden across the street.
Walk past the Washington Monument and reflecting pool to the Lincoln Memorial.
A playful, interactive museum of words and language.