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Smithsonian Castle – Stop in "The Castle," the
original 19th century home of the Smithsonian Institution, to pick up
your free maps to all the Smithsonian museums. The booklet, "My Smithsonian,"
is a useful guide, with museum floor plans and information about self-service
food courts and cafes.
Just off the foyer near the entrance, check out the crypt for James Smithson,
an English scientist. He never visited America, but his bequest started
the national museums. Smithson's well-traveled bones are now buried in
the Smithsonian Castle. |
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Ride the carousel – Right in front of the Smithsonian
Castle is a beautiful old carousel in the center of The Mall. Little children
will enjoy a ride on the carousel, popular with local Washington, DC kids
for decades. |
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National Air and Space Museum – No trip to Washington,
DC is complete without a trip to the National Air and Space Museum, where
you can see the original Wright Brothers 1903 airplane, the Spirit of St. Louis, spacesuits worn
by astronauts on the moon, and lunar rocks (the one you can touch is very cool). Your best bet is the themed galleries, with first flights, the golden age of flight, World War II, and the fascinating "Looking at Earth." Check out hands-on exhibits in "How Things Fly," plus there's an IMAX movie and Einstein Planetarium.
Tip: This is a very popular museum, so go early (make this your first stop
of the day). |
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National Museum of American History – There's
nothing oldy or moldy about this museum – American history is fun for
kids in this museum. Check out gowns, pearls, fans and furs, parasols and
jewelry worn by first ladies (including the current First Lady),
or the original Star-Spangled Banner, full-size American trains, trucks,
cars, models of ships, a doll house replicating an 1887 house in exquisite
detail, all about U.S. presidents, including presidential toys. And kids
will have fun posing for a picture on the inaugural podium (just like the
presidents). |
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National Museum of Natural History – A twelve
ton elephant in the museum rotunda is impressive, but you might want to
rush up to the second floor to see the peerless Hope Diamond, plus an exquisite
collection of ruby, sapphire, pearl, emerald, pink and yellow diamond necklaces,
and Marie Antoinette's earrings. More wonders of the natural world include
dioramas of big mammals, skeletons of fishes, snakes, birds and bats, dinosaur
fossils, and an insect zoo. The Discovery Room has hands-on activities,
touch tables (good for little kids), and a wall with plants and animals
of Washington, DC. Tip: To avoid crowds in the Museum of Natural History,
go late in the day – the museum is open until 7:30pm in summer. |
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The National Archives Building – In the Rotunda
for the Charters of Freedom, kids can see the original documents of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States,
and the Bill of Rights. The National Archives has much more than
old parchments. Don't miss the Public Vaults, with interactive activities
for kids – create your own seal of the United States, assemble your
own video of D-Day, listen to FDR on the radio. |
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Sculpture Garden (National Gallery of Art) – Kids
refusing to go in a museum? No problem, head for the outdoor Sculpture Garden
next to the National Gallery of Art. These are fun sculptures kids can enjoy
– cartoon style-house by Roy Lichtenstein, Calder's Red Horse,
a moondog, giant typewriter eraser, and six granite chairs to sit on. In
summer, dabble your toes (no wading) in the big wide fountain; in
winter, have fun on the ice skating rink. |
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National Gallery of Art – The National Gallery
has an incredible collection of European paintings, including self-portraits
by Van Gogh and Rembrandt, Napoleon in all his glory by Jacques-Louis David,
but kids will enjoy a glimpse of American artists – sailing paintings
by Winslow Homer, Gilbert Stuart portraits of American presidents, Children
Playing on the Beach by Mary Cassatt, American Indians by George Catlin,
bright colored Calder mobiles. Click
here for a schedule of events and family activities. |
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Tip: Each summer, for two weeks in late
June and early July, the Smithsonian puts on the incredible Folklife
Festival outdoors on The Mall. The Folklife Festival brings people from
all over the globe to share music, food, arts and crafts, culture and community.
This is a unique event – click
here for more information. |
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The Declaration
of Independence hasn't always been sitting under glass in the National
Archives, on the contrary, it really gets around. Irresistible history
of this well-traveled parchment – since 1776, the document
has been rolled up and carted around in war time, locked up in a
steel case for twenty-six years, packed away with the gold in Fort
Knox, and more. (Picture book)
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Before
you see the Star-Spangled Banner in the Museum of American History,
read this charming story about the ladies who made the flag, Mrs.
Pickersgill and her daughter Caroline. Sparkling illustrations.
(Picture book)
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KC Corcoran
and her best friend Marshall find another mystery adventure –
someone has turned up, claiming to be the long-lost heir of James
Smithson. In the 19th century, Smithson's big bucks were bequeathed
to the United States, to start the Smithsonian museums. Can KC and
Marshall dig up the clues to save the museums? (Easy reader)
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(More children's
books on other Washington, DC pages) |
