Washington D.C. – Beyond the Monuments

Getting a more intimate look at the city while traveling with kids and disabilities

Ok, let me start by saying that there is a lot that you absolutely can’t miss if you’re visiting D.C.. I actually don’t think you should do this city solely “as a local.” A local has likely already covered all the big touristy spots, too. Get the must-sees out of the way, and then make time for an in-depth experience of Washington D.C.

Accessibility

If you’re looking for an easy trip where everyone can have a blast with minimal planning and no worrying about which stops are or are not accessible – D.C. is for you. All metro stations and cars are accessible. All buses have lifts or low ramps. All museums are accessible, all monuments are accessible, all gardens are accessible, all galleries are accessible. I’m sure there are restaurants and shops somewhere with steps and no ramps, but I’ve not yet found any. It’s a jackpot for families with disabilities; and, honestly, there’s nowhere I’d rather hit the jackpot in accessibility. This city has endless attractions and activities to explore. We’ve been five times as a family, and have barely just begun. I won’t go into details on accessibility for each location, only because they are all fully accessible.

D.C. Must-See

Let’s just get this out of the way, so you don’t have to read another article, first. If you only have one day in the city, visit the major monuments. You can’t visit D.C. and not see the Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson Memorials. That would just be silly. If you only have two days, you cannot miss the main museums. If you take your children to D.C. and don’t hit Air and Space or the Natural History Museum, you’ve done them a disservice. Don’t forget, if you want to get an inside look at the White House, you’ll need to get in touch with your U.S. Member of Congress. Now, on to everything else.

Eat D.C. Style

If you only hit the mall, your food options are food trucks and the cafe in the Air and Space Museum. Granted, there’s quite the variety of food trucks, which can help get through a long day of museums and memorials, but don’t end your day here. We had breakfast at Lincoln’s Waffle Shop. It was everything the reviews said it would be: mildly overpriced breakfast food in an outdated but authentic shop with excellent service. They seat whoever will fit at a table and we had the chance to meet interesting people from around the world… as well as some locals. We had lunch at Teaism. You’ll want to do the same. If you don’t believe me, I dare you to step inside the restaurant, take a deep breath, and leave without ordering anything. Go ahead. Try. Let me know how that works out for you. D.C. is full of every variety of ethnic food. What’s your fancy? Look it up – it’s likely there. The city is currently famed for its rise in Ethiopian restaurants, but between U Street, The Wharf, and Union Market, you’ll find whatever it is you have a hankerin’ for.

Hit a Museum… a Different One…

We’ve gone over the must-sees, but did you know D.C. is home to over 200 museums?!? On our last trip, we did a brief walk through the Castle, a short meander through the Navy Memorial and museum, a slightly longer visit in the National Museum of African Art, and a couple hours at the International Spy Museum. I would recommend any of these. The Spy Museum was the only place with an admission fee, but it was SO worth it. That being said, it wouldn’t have been if we had the twins. This was geared toward older kids and adults. We went on a secret mission with code names and passphrases taboot. Speaking of spies… did you know we have a “secret” Navy Museum? That’s on my list for next time.

Catch a Show

The Kennedy Center offers free shows daily. You can check out this calendar for your travel dates to see the variety of entertainment. Discovery Theater is a Smithsonian associate, offering engaging and educational kid-shows for a low price. In the summer, there are outdoor movies showing throughout the city. In addition, each museum offers demonstrations and classes throughout the day to expand your experience.

Hit a Memorial… A Different One…

Or a garden, or sculpture garden, or monument… While the Mall is home to 11 memorials, the city itself has so many more. For example, I never knew there was a Navy Memorial… until I walked through it on my way to somewhere else. How about Bishop’s Garden? It’s an insanely beautiful garden, that I bet you’ve never heard of. D.C. is a good city for meandering. There’s something fantastic waiting around each corner.

Visit the Suburbs

Don’t forget about Mt. Vernon, the National Cathedral, the National Arboretum, Arlington, Alexandria, or the Pentagon – all just a stone’s throw (if you have an incredible arm) from downtown. Take your time and explore the less explored. I can’t wait to hear about all that you find!

And now I feel like I need to start planning our next trip to D.C….