All Aboard for DC
June 1st, 2008 by Stephanie Painter
Our family’s recent trip to Washington, D.C., gave us a great look at national treasures mixed with the appeal of election-year excitement. We visited Senator Hillary Clinton’s office, took in presidential portraits at the National Portrait Gallery, and gained admiration for George Washington as we toured Mt. Vernon.
But first we had to find the dinosaurs. The “wow” factor is crucial when your daughters are 6 and 9. So our first stop is the Museum of Natural History, where we find a 90-foot Diplodocus longus and Tyrannosaurus Rex towering in Dinosaur Hall. As expected, it’s a huge hit.
Now we can explore some of D.C.’s other jewels. Our “must see” sites included Capitol Hill, the Washington Monument, the National Archives, and Mt. Vernon. With comfortable shoes and Metro passes in hand, we set out to adventure.
The U.S. Capitol Tour
Before the trip, we call ahead and arrange a tour of the U.S. Capitol through Senator Lamar Alexander’s office. The tour starts at the Alexander’s office, decorated with a mountain dulcimer and other items on loan from the Museum of Appalachia. The artifacts lend down-home charm, and his staff go the extra mile to ensure we have a good experience.
Our group hops aboard a tram that connects the Dirksen Senate Office Building with the Capitol building. The guide then walks us through the beautiful rotunda, where our daughters find a statue of fellow Tennesseean Andrew Jackson. In Statuary Hall, we also discover the likeness of John Sevier, Tennessee’s first governor.
The Senate isn’t in session this day, but the girls and I pose for snapshots outside presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s office. It is an election year, after all. I’m reminded that back in 1978, I bought a tote bag here that declared, “A woman’s place is in the House… and in the Senate.”)
For more election-year flavor, visit “Running for Office: Candidates, Campaigns, and the Cartoons of Clifford Berryman,” an exhibit at the National Archives. Or take the family to see remarkable portraits of our nation’s 43 presidents at the National Portrait Gallery.
After touring the gallery, our would-be Nancy Drew, 9-year-old Kara, insists we visit the International Spy Museum. While the museum is filled with intriguing exhibits and computer activities the girls enjoy, we find it’s better suited to kids ages 12 and up.
Historic Sights
Abraham Lincoln’s Summer Cottage offers a fascinating glimpse into his life and presidency. The rambling, 34-room home opened to the public for the first time in February after a $15 million restoration. The cottage was the president’s refuge during the Civil War, a place where he drafted the Emancipation Proclamation and mapped out war strategy. Three miles north of the White House, the site also offers sweeping views of the district.
At the National Archives, we admire the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence. Here, kids can use computers to design their own presidential seal. Lines are usually long, so expect to wait a bit.
Our visit to Mount Vernon proves fun and educational. George Washington’s home in Virginia is an easy 45-minutes ride by Metro or bus. This interactive museum features an array of objects, including Washington’s dentures, which, we learn, were actually made of human and animal teeth, not wood. We also peer into the bedroom where Washington spent his final hours. Don’t miss the Discovery Room, where children ages 3 to 8 can enjoy movies and farm animals.
On our last day in D.C., we rent bicycles at downtown’s Bike the Sights to explore the National Mall and Memorial Parks. Our cycling adventure on a glorious spring day turns out to be a trip highlight. Eric attaches a tandem trailer to his bike so that our younger daughter can enjoy a snack as we roll past the sights. That’s how we took in the National World War II Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial.
Before leaving, we’re whisked to the top of the Washington Monument for a beautiful view of the Mall. With so many memorable moments to reflect on, we know we’ll return.