Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
3hr/day $21/35; 11am-7pm Tue-Fri, 10am-6pm Sat & Sun)
is a good bike-rental outfitter, or
$7/15)
, a scheme modeled on bike-sharing schemes in Europe. It has a network of
1000-plus bicycles scattered at 100-odd stations around DC. To check out a bike, select
the membership, insert credit card and off you go. The first 30 minutes are free; after
that, rates rise exponentially ($1.50/3/6 per extra 30/60/90 minutes). Call or go online for
complete details.
WASHINGTON, DC, FOR CHILDREN
The top destination for families is undoubtedly the (free!) National Zoo, and mu-
seums around the city will entertain and educate children of all ages. But if you - or
they - tire of indoor attractions, there are plenty of enticing green spaces, such as
the excellent Yards Park.
and events, family-friendly restaurants and loads of activity ideas.
Many hotels offer babysitting services, but you can also book through the reput-
The wide-open spaces of the Mall are perfect for outdoor family fun, whether you
Kids like things that go squish and/or make other things go squish; they can find
both in the dinosaurs and insects of the National Museum of Natural History (
Click
here
). The Kennedy Center (
Click here
)
puts on entertaining shows for tots, and
the National Air & Space Museum (
Click here
) has moon rocks, IMAX films and a
wild simulation ride.
The National Theatre (
Click here
)
offers free Saturday-morning performances,
from puppet shows to tap dancers (reservations required); the
Discovery Theater
MAP
GOOGLE MAP
(
www.discoverytheater.org
;
1100 Jefferson Dr SW; ; Smithsonian)
stages entertaining shows for young audiences; and the
Imagination Stage
(
301-961-6060;
www.imaginationstage.org
;
4908 Auburn Ave, Bethesda, MD; 301-961-6060;
Bethedsda)
is a wonderful children's theater in Bethesda, a Metro-accessible suburb
just north of DC.
Located about 15 miles east of downtown in Largo, MD,
Six Flags America
(
301-249-1500;
www.sixflags.com/america
; 13710 Central Avenue Upper Marlboro, MD; adult/child $60/
38; May-Oct, hours vary)
offers a full array of roller coasters and tamer kiddie rides.
Take the Metro blue line to Largo, then take the C22 bus to the park.
