5 Unique Coffee Spots in Washington, DC

Spending a family-friendly day in Washington, D.C., can be a lot of things - exciting, fun, memorable, and educational. For your next day trip to the city, consider these activities for hours of entertainment. From interactive exhibits to kid-friendly attractions, Washington has something special for everyone of all ages. National Air and Space Museum Take a visual and interactive trip to space at the National Air and Space Museum where you'll have access to plenty of activities. Kids can see the stars through an actual telescope, ride a simulator, watch an IMAX film, visit the Planetarium, and even make their own airplane out of paper and then show off its flying techniques. more Four historic pieces of history you won't want to miss during your visit are the "Spirit of St. Louis" piloted by Charles Lindbergh on his nonstop flight from New York to Paris and the "Wright Flyer" from 1903 that flew the first successful flight in the world. There's also the Bell X-1 "Glamorous Glennis," which was the first aircraft that broke the sound barrier, and the Command Module "Columbia" from the Apollo 11 space mission. National Children's Museum If you want to get your kids involved and entertained from the comfort of home, tune in Monday through Saturday to the virtual STEAMwork programs (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) offered by the National Children's Museum. From climate action challenge and story time to sensory play and nature spotlight, kids will get involved on many levels, with the goal being to spark, ignite, and inspire young minds. Smithsonian National Postal Museum At the National Postal Museum, kids have the opportunity to step back in time and ride in a stagecoach, one of the first means of delivering mail. They'll also get to sort packages, sit in a postal truck cab, write and mail their own specialized postcard, and be creative and design a stamp. Throughout the museum, you'll see historic artifacts, eye-catching displays, an 1851 stagecoach, three planes that were used to deliver mail, and a Ford Model A postal truck from 1932. You'll also have access to nearly 6 million items in the National Philatelic Collection. The Phillips Collection Learning about art through interactive activities is a great way to get kids involved. At the Phillips Collection, kids receive the Discovery Pack, which is a set of cards that kids use as a guide to learn about art within the museum. Bring your kids and let them see and learn about art through the masterful and creative eyes of Renoir, Van Gogh, and O'Keeffe. Madame Tussauds Washington, D.C. A visit to Madame Tussauds is fun and educational as you walk among the interactive and lifelike wax displays. Take a stroll through history with George Washington, hang out with Hollywood stars, sing a tune on stage with a rock star, or feel like an astronaut just coming back from the moon. The Washington menu of things to do is nearly limitless in its offerings of entertaining, fascinating, interactive, and educational destinations.

There are plenty of interesting things to enjoy in Washington, D.C., and that includes a diverse selection of festivals. Keep your calendar free for the next time these annual festivals come to town. 1. National Cherry Blossom Festival When the cherry blossoms are in bloom, it's a magnificent display of delicate blossoms welcoming in the spring. In 1912, Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Japan gifted cherry trees to the U.S. Today, over 3,000 cherry trees create a colorful celebration of Japanese and American cultures enjoyed by nearly 2 million visitors to Washington annually. The National Cherry Blossom Festival runs for three weeks each spring and is a preview of what to expect in the upcoming summer months. more 2. Passport DC The Passport DC festival is a month-long event that takes place in May. The festival focuses on international culture with first-hand experiences. During May, the first two Saturdays provide open house tours of a foreign embassy. More than 170 embassies line Embassy Row. Many embassies participate, allowing visitors to walk through multiple embassies not normally open to the public. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 3. DC Jazz Festival The DC Jazz Festival has a positive presence throughout the year with concerts, educational programs, and support of music in the school curriculum. The festival is the culmination of the organization's efforts to engage and expand more people to become jazz enthusiasts. When the festival is in town, it is the largest musical gathering in Washington with over 125 performances dispersed over more than 50 venues throughout the city. The festival takes place in June with multiple events featuring world-renowned artists as well as new artists. 4. Annual Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle Food festivals are always popular, and the Annual Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle is no exception. 2019 marked the 27th year when thousands of barbecue enthusiasts converge on Washington to celebrate. The two-day event includes plenty of barbecue, live music, cooking demos, exhibits, activities, and contests.  Sampling pavilions provide free tastes of barbecue, grilled items, micro-brews, and wine. The annual event is a June event, which adds to more summer fun. 5. Smithsonian Folklife Festival The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is a free event serving a menu of information about cultures from around the world. The kid-friendly festival provides live music, cultural activities, dance performances, and free music and dance classes. The June event takes place at the National Mall with activities, food trucks with a variety of food choices. Refreshing beverages are also available from local beer to sparkling cider. 6. Fourth of July Celebration Washington lights up the night with its Fourth of July event with a display of brilliant fireworks show seen from the National Mall. Throughout the city, assorted venues add to the festive atmosphere. Other events also take place on the West Lawn and at the Lincoln Memorial for a well-rounded night of entertainment. Washington, D.C. offers a plethora of fun activities with a variety of annual events during the summer. Keep your calendar open so you can enjoy all that the city has to offer.

If you're looking to experience some must-see attractions in Washington, D.C., but you don't have a lot of time to spare, we have some suggestions. Choose one or more of these ideas for a respite from your busy day. All are free, which keeps things simple. Lincoln Memorial The Lincoln Memorial is one of the top attractions in Washington, and it only takes about an hour to experience. The majestic larger-than-life monument of President Abraham Lincoln seated in a chair is a stunning sight, as are his second inaugural address and the Gettysburg Address, which are etched into the walls in the also-majestic building. more You can visit the Lincoln Memorial either during the day or at night. Many visitors say they enjoy seeing the memorial at night because of the lighting and the smaller crowds. U.S. National Arboretum and National Bonsai & Penjing Museum If you love gardens and the outdoors, The U.S. National Arboretum and the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum will take your breath away. A visit to these two sites should take between two hours and half a day, but you can shorten the time by going for the big draw: the National Capitol Columns and the bonsai collection. The columns, built in 1828, decorated the Capitol Building until 1958. They were added to the arboretum in the 1980s and are a popular destination for photography and picnicking. The bonsai collection is in the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, where you can see 300 miniature trees that get rotated within three pavilions and the gallery of special exhibits. If you have more time, you can take in the beautiful outdoor gardens along the many walking trails that wind through the arboretum and museum grounds. U.S. Capitol and Library of  Congress If you have a couple of hours, you can get the full experience at the U.S. Capitol and the Library of Congress. It's free to tour the Capitol, but you'll need to reserve your spot ahead of time. There, you can explore the north and south wings and the central Rotunda, where you can see paintings, sculptures, and frescoes that illustrate U.S. history. The 150-year-old cast-iron dome is also a beautiful sight. If you want a free tour of the galleries of the Senate or the House of Representatives, you'll need to contact a senator or House representative for passes before your visit. You can also get same-day passes to the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. Outdoors, enjoy a walk outside the building, where you'll be treated to powerful views of the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. When you're done enjoying the Capitol, walk to the Library of Congress, whose three buildings contain more than 164 million books, manuscripts, photos, and more in the "largest library in the world." Check out the 1897 Thomas Jefferson Building and its Main Reading Room, where you'll see a grand domed ceiling and desks of rich mahogany. You can also get a free one-hour guided tour of the building. These destinations offer unforgettable experiences that will fit into a busy schedule, and when you've tried all three of these, you know you can find many more.