There are MANY museums in DC for kids to explore and more often than not, they are free to visit! This listing of best museums in DC for kids is based on our experiences with each one and pulls outs trip tips, visiting info and more.
I highly recommend reviewing each museum’s website and discussing the experiences prior to visiting so that kids know what they can expect to learn about and watch out for. Most museums have a “For Kids” page on their website and sometimes a handy guide for kids once you get there. Check in with the information desk upon arrival to ask!
Best Museums for Kids
On the National Mall
National Air and Space Museum
- Location: 6th St. and Independence Ave SW DC 20560
- Closest metro station: L’Enfant Plaza on the orange, silver, blue, yellow and green lines (exit station at Maryland Ave, Smithsonian Museums).
- Parking: Street-metered
- Open daily, except December 25th when they are closed to the public.
- Hours of Operation: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
- Admission: Free; however, timed tickets are required.
- Planetarium cost per session: $7/youth and $9/adult. Sessions run throughout the day and are about 25 minutes long.
- A few free same-day passes are released online every morning at 8:30 a.m.
From exhibitions like Early Flight to Destination Moon and Nation of Speed, visitors can expect to learn a lot about air, space, engineering, and physics.
Trip Tips:
- There are two floors full of exhibits. The ground floor is mainly dedicated to flight, as in airplanes. The upper level is dedicated to outer space.
- The Air & Space Museum is one of the more popular museums and get busy quick, especially during the spring/summer months. Go early in the season and early in the day for a more comfortable visit.
Food & Gifts:
- The lower level (below the ground floor) is where Mars Cafe & the family care suite is located.
- There are two gift shops located inside of this museum. The main gift shop is on the ground floor, with parts on the lower level. A smaller gift shop is also on the upper level near the Planetarium.
Don’t forget to check out the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA for even more on air and space travel. Tickets are free but parking is $15.
Visit the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s website.
National Museum of Natural History
- Location: 10th St. and Constitution Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20560
- Closest metro stations:
- Federal Triangle on the blue, orange, and silver lines
- Archives/Navy Memorial station on the green and yellow lines
- Metro Center station on the red line
- Street-metered parking is available.
- Closest metro stations:
- Open daily
- Hours of Operation: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm, including holidays except December 25th when they are closed to the public.
- Admission: Free; Tickets are not required
Unique exhibitions in this museum include the O. Orkin Insect Zoo, Butterfly Pavilion (paid experience), and Ocean Hall, where you can spot the Mega-toothed Shark. See the famous Hope Diamond, and other gems, and snap a photo with the infamous African Bush Elephant as you walk in! Visitors can expect to learn about many aspects of Earth’s environmental history.
Trip Tip: Like the Air and Space Museum, Natural History gets very crowded, especially during Spring/Summer. Plan to go early in the season and early in the day, if you plan to visit during those months.
Food & Gifts: There are two food options within the museum.
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- The Ocean Terrace Café is on the first floor and is open daily from 11:30 am – 2:00 p.m.
- The Atrium Café is on the ground floor and is open from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm.
National Museum of American History
- Location: Constitution Avenue, NW; Between 12th and 14th Streets
- Closest metro stations: Federal Triangle and Smithsonian on the blue, orange, and silver lines
- Street-metered parking is available.
- Open daily
- Hours of Operation: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm except December 25th, when they are closed to the public.
- Wegmans Wonderplace is open Wednesday – Sunday from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Draper Spark! Lab is open Wednesday – Saturday from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Admission: Free; Tickets are not required.
See Dorothy’s shoes from the American classic, The Wizard of Oz, or explore Wegman’s grocery store through Wegman’s Wonderplace, best for kids ages 0 – 6. For the older kids, there’s the Draper Spark! Lab, where they can become inventors and engage in STEM-based and art activities. The hands-on approach to learning American History here is unmatched.
Trip Tips: This museum could easily be broken up into a two-day trip. There are three floors full of exhibits and most of the exhibits geared towards kids are located on the first floor. The lower level also has Ride Simulators, where riders can complete various missions in historic aircraft.
Food & Gifts: There are two cafes within the museum and three gift shops.
- LeRoy Neiman Jazz Cafe is on the first floor and is open daily from 11:00 am. – 4:00 pm.
- Eat at America’s Table Cafe is open daily on the lower level from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm.
National Museum of the American Indian
- Location: Fourth Street & Independence Avenue, SW
- Closest metro station: L’Enfant Plaza on the orange, silver, blue, yellow, and green lines (exit toward Maryland Avenue/Smithsonian Museums). Walk two blocks east (toward the US Capitol Building) on Maryland Avenue.
- Closest Metro Bus: 30, 32, 34 – 36 – Friendship Heights/Southern Ave.
- Street-metered parking is available. I can usually get parking in front of this museum on less busy days.
- Open daily except December 25th, when they are closed to the public.
- Hours of Operation: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
- Admission: Free; tickets are not required
Beautiful building, beautiful artwork, AWESOME food; The National Museum of the American Indian is one of our favorites to explore.
Although this museum has four levels, it doesn’t feel as big as some others. The third floor is dedicated to family-friendly activities, including the imagiNATIONS Activity Center and the Americans exhibit that digs into how Native people have been represented in American culture throughout history, a powerful, must-see exhibit. The storytelling approach of the exhibits within this museum reflects the culture and makes much of it more memorable too.
Trip Tips: Check the museum’s online calendar to list upcoming events. There’s always something going on, from cultural festivals to drum circles at this museum. While on their website, note their sister museum in New York City, too!
Food & Gifts:
- Mitsitam Cafe is a MUST when visiting this museum. Choose from regular cafe goods or traditional Native foods like the Indian taco on frybread (pictured above), which I highly recommend. It’s open daily from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.
- There’s also an Espresso Bar, open daily from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.
National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Location: 1400 Constitution Ave NW
- Open daily except December 25th, when they are closed to the public.
- Hours of Operation: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
- Last entry for all visitors, including groups, is 4:00 pm
- Admission: Free; however, timed tickets are required. This museum gets busy, so I recommend booking in advance.
- Passes are released at 8:00 am, for time slots 30 days out.
- Same-day passes are released beginning at 8:15 a.m.
Our pick for the best representation of Black history, culture, and pride! This museum is a must-see when visiting the National Mall and DC.
Move through centuries of history across the five floors of this museum. At the very bottom level, you will find yourself immersed in the hardships of slavery through segregation and beyond. Towards the top floor, you’ll find more interactive and modern displays of history and culture, like dance, music, religion, and more.
Trip Tips:
- When visiting with younger kids, I highly recommend starting at the top floor and working your way down. The lower levels are all about Slavery and Jim Crow, and Civil Rights era. These themes can sometimes be a little harder/emotional to discuss. The top levels also tend to be less crowded.
- When I say the lower levels bring out your emotions, I mean it. Emmett Till’s casket is also on display with a heart-felt tribute. I lasted 2 minutes before needing to take a break! This part of the exhibit is on C2 in the Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation 1876-1968 section.
Food & Gifts:
- The museum store is located on the main level and has a wide range of collectible items and gifts but can get a little pricey.
- There are also smaller gift shops throughout the museum.
- The Sweet Home Cafe (amazing food!) and the Oprah Winfrey Theater are on the lower concourse level.
- The Sweet Home Café is open daily, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, with a limited menu, except Mondays (12:00 pm – 5:30 pm).
Visit the National African American Museum of History and Culture’s website.
National Museum of Asian Art
- Location: 1050 Independence Avenue, SW
- Closest metro stations:
- Smithsonian on the blue, orange, and silver lines (exit on the National Mall or Independence Ave)
- L’Enfant Plaza on the orange, silver, blue, yellow, and green lines (exit toward Maryland Ave/Smithsonian Museums)
- Parking: Street-metered
- Closest metro stations:
- Open daily except December 25th, when they are closed to the public.
- Hours of Operation: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
- Admission: Free; tickets are not required.
The National Museum of Asian Art is a great place to learn not only about Asian art but also about the continent’s rich history and culture.
This museum has a variety of ongoing and temporary exhibits to fully immerse yourself in Asian culture. Check their website for upcoming family activities like Family Fun Days and Art & Me workshops for kids ages 3 – 5.
Trip Tips: The National Museum of Asian Art is across the courtyard from the National Museum of African Art! Both museums are small, so check them out if you have a full day for exploration.
Food & Gifts: There’s a gift shop on-site but no restaurants or cafes. Multiple food trucks and vendors usually park out front but beware of upcharges! We once purchased a Gatorade and regular-sized boba tea for a whopping $22.
National Museum of African Art
- Location: 950 Independence Avenue, SW
- Closest metro stations:
- Smithsonian on the blue, orange, and silver lines (exit on the National Mall or Independence Ave)
- L’Enfant Plaza on the orange, silver, blue, yellow, and green lines (exit toward Maryland Ave/Smithsonian Museums)
- Parking: Street-metered
- Closest metro stations:
- Open daily except December 25th, when they are closed to the public.
- Hours of Operation: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
- Admission: Free; tickets are not required.
If you love fashion and the arts, this museum is for you! Learn about African culture, history, and art at the National Museum of African Art.
I love how this museum weaves modern-day references like Marvel’s Black Panther into its exhibits. Whether ongoing or temporary, each exhibit has vibrant and intriguing artifacts, including sculptures, masks, textiles, and paintings. You’ll find plenty of photo-worthy spots throughout too!
Trip Tips: As previously stated, the National Museum of African Art is across the courtyard from the National Museum of Asian Art. Both museums are small, so check them out if you have a full day to plan.
Food & Gifts:
- There’s a gift shop on-site but no restaurants or cafes. Like the National Museum of Asian Art, multiple food trucks and vendors usually park out front, but beware of up-charges!
National Gallery of Art
- Location: 6th and Constitution Ave NW
- Closest metro station: Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter on the green and yellow lines.
- Parking: Street-metered
- There are a few reserved spaces for persons with disabilities on-site.
- Here’s more info on accessibility at National Gallery of Art.
- Open daily
- Hours of Operation: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Admission: Free; tickets are not required.
There’s always something going on for kids at the National Gallery of Art, in-person and virtually. From storytimes to sketchbook demos and festivals. A place where art truly comes to life!
Grab the family guide, Look Together, as you head into the National Gallery of Art. This guide will help you navigate the museum’s exhibits and come with additional activities for kids to engage in throughout their visit. There’s also a separate kid-friendly app called NGAkids Art Zone for iPad to continue the creativity at home.
Trip Tips:
- This museum is made up of two buildings, East and West, as well as a sculpture garden.
- One-hour tours are a daily occurrence at this museum and do not require booking.
- There’s another free National Gallery of Art App for iOS and Android to download for easy, self-guided tours.
Food & Gifts:
- There are three gift shops and multiple cafes at the National Gallery of Art.
- Each building has its own cafe and gift shop and the Sculpture Garden has Pavilion Café too.
- What’s cool about the National Gallery of Art is the underground concourse between the East and West Buildings. The Concourse Shop, Cascade Café, and the Espresso & Gelato Bar are all located on this level.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
- Location: 7th St. & Independence Ave. SW
- Closest metro stations:
- Smithsonian on the blue, orange, and silver lines (exit on the National Mall or Independence Avenue)
- L’Enfant Plaza on the orange, silver, blue, yellow, and green lines (exit toward Maryland Avenue/Smithsonian Museums).
- Parking: Street-metered
- Closest metro stations:
- Open daily
- Hours of Operation: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
- Admission: Free; tickets are not required.
The Hirshhorn houses ongoing and temporary exhibits from famous artists like Sam Gilliam and Yayoi Kusama. Walk through their Sculpture Garden to view iconic works of art or snap pics on each of the 3 levels inside the museum. Families can engage in fun, interactive activities throughout the museum, kid-friendly storytimes, and art cart events.
Trip Tip: This museum does a great job of incorporating kid-friendly activities into its exhibits. Pick up a kids guide at the welcome desk to guide you through the activities.
Food & Gifts:
- There’s a museum gift shop on the lower level and the Dolcezza Coffee & Gelato shop in the museum.
- The cafe closes 30 minutes before the museum at 5:00 pm.
Other Museums in Downtown DC
National Children’s Museum
- Location: 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
- The main Museum entrance is near the intersection of 13th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, adjacent to the Ronald Reagan Building.
- Closest metro station:
- Federal Triangle on the orange, silver, and blue lines
- Metro Center (3 blocks away) on the red, orange, silver, and blue lines
- Closest metro bus: 30N, 30S, 32, 33, 34, 36, D6, and P6
- Parking: Limited street-metered parking
- Parking garages are available within a few-block radius, including in the Ronald Reagan Building (starting at $20 for one to two hours).
- Open daily except Tuesdays, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
- Hours of Operation: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Admission: $18.95 per person for kids ages 1 and up and adults.
- Kids under 1 year and members are free.
- Member of Museums for All ~ discounted admission for families who are enrolled in SNAP/EBT, WIC, Medicaid, and other qualifying government assistance programs.
Calling all STEM lovers; this museum is for you!
The National Children’s Museum is a great place for kids to explore science, technology, sports, and creativity with a pop-culture feel. They’ll see familiar characters throughout the exhibits, like Spongebob Squarepants and Paw Patrol, as well as bits of DC culture, like batting practice with the Washington Nationals.
Trip Tip: Most exhibits and activities are located on the bottom level of the building, including a gigantic slide and a couple of separate soft play rooms and areas for the littlest of kids. The nursing room is located off the Little Dreamers exhibit and is nice compared to other museums.
Food & Gifts: There’s Bluestone Lane cafe and museum gift shop on level 2 right by the entrance to the museum.
This museum is best for kids (8 and under). If your child is really into science and engineering but is a bit older, I highly suggest visiting the KID Museum in Bethesda, MD, which is about a 22-minute drive from the National Children’s Museum, or if riding the metro train, it’s a few stops away at Bethesda metro stop on the red line.
National Building Museum
- Location: 401 F Street NW Washington, DC 20001 (4 blocks from the National Mall)
- Closest metro stations:
- Judiciary Square on the red line (exit the F Street NW)
- Gallery Place-Chinatown station on the yellow, green, and red lines
- Closest metro bus: D6, 80, and X2
- Nearby parking: Street-metered parking
- Use Spot Hero to reserve parking in advance and sometimes at a discounted rate.
- Closest metro stations:
- Open Thursday – Monday (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)
- Hours of Operation: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Admission: $10/adult and $7/youth (ages 3-17), student with ID, and seniors (ages 60+)
- Blue Star Museum ~ offering free admission to military personnel and their families, including the National Guard and Reserve, from May 20th through September 4th.
- Member of Museums for All ~ discounted admission for families who are enrolled in SNAP/EBT, WIC, Medicaid, and other qualifying government assistance programs.
See different types of architecture, design elements, and building materials at the National Building Museum.
Current kid-friendly exhibits include
- Brick City (through Spring 2025) features historic buildings and structures from all around the world built with LEGO bricks. This exhibit includes open play with LEGOs.
- Building Stories (ongoing) is an immersive exploration of architecture in children’s stories.
Trip Tips: Check the museum’s website for their schedule of upcoming workshops, educational programs, and temporary exhibits. They also have free community days from time-to-time!
Food & Gifts: There’s a museum shop and cafe on-site. The museum cafe is operated by SakuSaku Flakerie, a French bakery with a Japanese twist, and is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
Planet Word
- Location: 925 13th St NW, Washington, DC 20005 (Entrance on K Street)
- Closest metro station: McPherson Square on the orange, blue and silver lines (walk two blocks)
- Parking: Limited Street-metered
- Open daily except Tuesdays
- Hours of Operation:
- Mondays, Wednesdays – Fridays: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturdays & Sundays: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- The last entrance time is 1.5 hours before closing (given availability).
- Admission: Free but you can also name your price! Suggested donation is $15.
Known as the museum where language comes to life, Planet Word provides an immersive experience into the world of words and communication.
As a great museum for kids of all ages to explore, it is home to some cool, interactive exhibits. To name a few, check out the giant 22-foot tall word wall that speaks to you, the live Karaoke room, the enormous library, and the humor gallery.
Trip Tips: I highly recommend viewing the museum’s website and planning your trip before you go, especially when visiting on high foot traffic days like weekends and holidays.
This museum is voice-activated, so as you move through the exhibits, you’ll be prompted to speak to the various interfaces to get the activities going. The Lexicon Lane: A Word-Sleuthing Adventure is a village of wordplay surprises and costs $30 to reserve a case (suggested group size is 4 people/case). This activity is open to visitors ages 12+.
Food & Gifts: There’s a gift shop on the first floor right behind the information desk as you walk in. There’s also Immigrant Foods located on the 13th Street side of the museum.
Capital Jewish Museum
- Location: 575 3rd Street, NW Washington, DC 20001
- Closest metro station: Judiciary Square on the red line (exit the F Street NW)
- Parking: Street-metered parking
- Paid public parking garage located at 3rd & G Streets, NW
- Open Tuesdays – Sundays
- They close for Jewish Holidays, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and Thanksgiving.
- Hours of Operation: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Open until 8:00 pm on the first Wednesday of each month (excluding holiday closings)
- Admission: Free; however, some special exhibitions have fees for visiting
The hidden gem you might not have known about! It’s a relatively new museum with a maker space known as the Community Action Lab on the second floor dedicated to crafts and storytimes.
This museum has three floors of exhibits that walk you through Jewish history as it relates to the Washington, DC, area. I appreciate how they weaved in black history, where appropriate, like during the civil rights movement.
Trip Tips: This museum is smaller and doable in a few hours. I recommend pairing it with the National Building Museum, a few blocks away, if you want a full-day experience.
Food and Gifts: The Nosh Pit is the museum’s cafe cart, where light refreshments can be purchased on the main level. The Gewirz Family Museum Shop is also located on the main level.
National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM)
- Location: 8th and G Streets, NW Washington, DC 20004
- Closest metro station: Gallery Place/Chinatown (9th Street exit) on the red, green, or yellow line
- Parking: Limited street-metered parking & several paid garages in the area
- Open daily except December 25th, when they are closed to the public.
- Hours of Operation: 11:30 am – 7:00 pm
- Admission: Free
Two museums in one, located in the heart of Chinatown, DC.
Snap photos in front of the famous portraits of the Obamas and/or participate in family-friendly cultural festivals and programming. More popular festivals at the SAAM include Lunar New Year (winter), Arcade (summer), and Día De Los Muertos (fall). Make sure to stop by the Explore! Space on the National Portrait Gallery side, which is the museum’s children’s space and is open daily for interactive activities, reading space, and more.
Trip Tips:
- I recommend choosing which museum to visit first before arriving. This museum is the only Smithsonian in Chinatown so it gets crowded fast, especially on weekends.
- Check-in at the information desk upon arrival for information on the day’s events.
- The Kogod Courtyard is located in the middle of the building and is where most annual festivals and larger events occur.
Food & Gifts: The Courtyard Café is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. You can access both the cafe and SAAM Museum Store from Kogod.
Outside of Downtown DC
National Postal Museum
- Location: 2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E. Washington, DC 20002
- Closest metro station: Union Station on the red line, located directly across the street.
- Parking: Street-metered
- Open daily except December 25th, when they are closed to the public
- Hours of Operation: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
- Admission: Free
The National Postal Museum is a great choice for kids! There are two floors + a mezzanine level full of facts and exhibits to explore.
Interactive activities include making your own stamps, collecting vintage stamps, postal games, and more. You can also learn about postal voyages of the past and snap a pic with Owney, the Railway Mail Service Mascot, while there. This museum has educational programming and weekday storytimes, too.
Trip Tip: Make sure to pick up the Top 10 Things to Do brochure at the information desk for a better idea of the activities. You can also pick up a postage-free postcard to mail to a friend.
Food & Gifts: There are no restaurants or cafes on-site, but Union Station, located across the street, has a huge eatery with many options. The museum gift shop is located on level 1 and can be pricey.
Kreeger Museum
- Location: 2401 Foxhall Road, NW Washington D.C. 20007
- Closest metro station: Tenleytown-AU on the red line
- Closest metro bus: D2, D6, and N4
- Parking: very limited free parking on museum grounds. Parking is not permitted in the circular forecourt in front of the museum with the exception of handicapped parking.
- Open Tuesday – Saturday
- Hours of Operation: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (Grounds close at 4:15pm)
- Admission: Tickets can be purchased in advance. Limited walk-in tickets are available.
- Adults: $15
- Students and Educators (with ID): $10
- Seniors (62+): $10
- Military: $10
- Members: Free
- 18 and Under: Free
- Blue Star Museum, which offers free admission for military personnel and their families, including the National Guard and Reserve, from May 20th through September 4th.
Talk about a gorgeous space! The Kreeger Museum is a modern art museum in upper NW DC where art, architecture, and nature collide.
View various collections spanning Impressionism, Cubism, Abstract Expressionism, and Contemporary Art. Grab a photo in front of a Van Gogh original while there. This museum also hosts various events and programming, like their Jazz at the Kreeger series and art workshops for kids of all ages.
Trip Tips: This museum may be best for a mommy/daddy and me date. It’s small and there are many things to keep in mind while visiting, like:
- Silence cell phones, while in the museum.
- The galleries do not permit food and drink (including water bottles).
- The galleries do not permit umbrellas, large bags, backpacks, or any item larger than 15 x 13 x 7 inches.
- The galleries do not permit notebooks, sketch pads, pens, pencils, and markers.
- Strollers are not permitted inside the museum but are welcome in the Sculpture Garden.
- No flash photography is allowed inside the galleries.
- Tripods, selfie sticks, cameras, video cameras, or photographic accessories are prohibited in the galleries or on the grounds.
Food & Gifts: No restaurants or eateries on-site; however, picnics are allowed on the Sculpture Garden grounds. There also isn’t a gift shop.
The Phillips Collection
- Location: 1600 21st St NW, Washington, DC 20009
- Closest metro station: Dupont Circle on the red line (6 minute walk)
- Closest metro bus: 37, 42, H1, L1, N2, N3, N4, N6, D1, D2, D3, D6, and G2 lines stop within two blocks of the museum
- Parking: Residential and street-metered
- Open Tuesday – Sunday
- Hours of Operation: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Admission:
- Adults: $20
- Students and Educators (with ID): $10
- Military (Active Duty & Retired): $12
- 18 and Under: Free
- Discounts:
- Tickets are pay-what-you-wish daily from 4:00 pm to close. Advance reservation recommended.
- On Third Thursdays, the museum has extended hours until 8 pm, with free admission from 4 pm to close.
- Bank of America’s Museums on Us program, whereby Bank of America cardholders receive free admission on the first full weekend of each month.
- Blue Star Museum, offering free admission to military personnel (active duty and veterans) and their families from Armed Forces Day through Labor Day.
Where art and creativity comes alive!
The Phillips Collection is home to a growing collection of over 5,000 works. The building itself is massive with surprising entryways and galleries featuring artists like Pablo Picasso and Jacob Lawrence.
The Collection has a very strict “look, but don’t touch” policy. Natural oils on hands can damage the artwork, so make sure to maintain a two-foot distance with the artwork.
Other things to keep in mind:
- All bags (including backpacks, totes, purses, large bags, and bulky items) larger than 11 x 15 x 5 in. must be checked at the secured coat check.
- No bags of any kind may be worn on the back; bags must be worn on the front or side of your body at all times.
Trip Tips: Because of the strict rules, I recommend the galleries for older kids. For younger kids, there’s the Family Gallery located on the 2nd floor of the Phillips House. This is where their monthly Family Programs take place. Check out more of what the Collection offers For Families.
Food & Gifts: The Vradenburg Shop & Bread Furst Café are both located on the main level of the Collection. Bread Furst is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10:15 am – 4:30 pm. The shop is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Anacostia Community Museum
- Location: 1901 Fort Place SE Washington, DC 20020
- Closest metro station: Anacostia on the green line
- Closest metro bus: The W2 bus drops off right before the museum from Anacostia metro station.
- Parking: Free uncovered parking lot located on-site
- Open daily except December 25th, when they are closed to the public
- Hours of Operation: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Admission: Free; tickets are not required.
A museum dedicated to the Historic DC Neighborhood of Anacostia.
This hidden gem brings activism to life with its displays of history, culture, and life, East of the Anacostia River. Although it’s on the smaller side, this museum normally has an outdoor exhibit and one main indoor exhibit with smaller displays and interactive activities scattered throughout. You will find kid-friendly programming and annual events around holidays such as Kwanzaa and Juneteenth.
Trips Tips: Most of the main exhibits on display have kid-friendly components. I recommend checking out the details of the exhibit first, online, and explaining to your child what they will see before visiting. This museum also has fun, adult-only programming from time to time that is worth checking out.
Food & Gifts: One of the few Smithsonians to not allow food or drink inside the main exhibit hall. Only bottled water is allowed. There is a free coffee bar outside of the exhibit hall that has tea, coffee and hot chocolate as well as a vending machine. They have a few merch items for sale at the front desk.
Museum of the Bible
- Location: 400 4th St. SW, Washington, DC 20024
- Closest metro station: Federal Center SW on the orange, silver and blue lines. It’s steps away from this museum!
- Parking: Limited street-metered (beware of signs) & garage parking with discounts through SpotHero
- Open daily
- They are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, and on Christmas Eve close at 4:00 pm.
- Hours of Operation: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Admission:
- Adults: $29.99
- Youth (5-17): $19.99
- Children (0-4): Free
- Discounts:
- FREE admission on the last Tuesday of each month
- 50% off general admission tickets for walk-ins every day beginning at 3:00 pm
- Check Groupon for additional discounts!
Explore 6 floors of exhibits and activities dedicated to traditions associated with the Bible and how the Bible influences life around the globe.
The Museum of the Bible has many kid-friendly spaces, including the Children’s Experience, an indoor playground on the main level. Full of carnival-style games and a miniature jungle gym that reflects stories of the Bible, your little one is sure to love this part of the museum!
On the 4th level, there’s the Learning Spot, where families can engage in arts and crafts and other fun games centered around biblical themes. There are also two theaters on the 4th and 6th floors and a temporary exhibit on the basement level, which has interactive features too.
Trip Tips:
- This museum is one of the largest in Washington, DC. I suggest visiting any walk-through exhibit you want to see first and saving the kid-friendly spaces for last. They may not want to leave!
- Plan a two-day visit if you want to get through the entire museum.
Food & Gifts: This museum has multiple gift shops, with the main one on the first floor. The Manna restaurant and museum garden are both located on the 6th floor. Note that the restaurant can get a bit pricey but they have kid-friendly food options like pizza and fries. You can also eat indoors or outdoors in the garden.
International Spy Museum
- Location: 700 L’Enfant Plaza, SW Washington DC 20024
- Closest metro station: L’Enfant Plaza on the orange, silver, blue, yellow, and green lines.
- Parking: Limited, metered street parking + paid garages
- Open daily
- Hours of Operation:
- Monday – Friday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Sunday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Admission: The International Spy Museum uses a plan-ahead pricing structure; the earlier you purchase your tickets, the better the price you pay!
- I recommend visiting their website to find out the exact price per ticket but you’ll pay no more than $35/adult & $25/youth (ages 7 -12).
- Children ages 6 and under are free!
- You can book tickets online up to 45 days in advance.
- Seniors, Military, and College Students receive a discounted rate.
- Member of Museums for All ~ discounted admission for families who are enrolled in SNAP/EBT, WIC, Medicaid, and other qualifying government assistance programs.
Go undercover as a spy and explore the world of espionage at the International Spy Museum.
This museum is full of interactive exhibits and critical-thinking activities, like Undercover Mission. Upon entry into the museum, you’ll be given a badge for the mission that unlocks challenges at various kiosks throughout the museum. Participation is optional and is included with general admission.
Trip Tip: In my opinion, this museum is best for older kids who love a good mystery or those who enjoy problem-solving. The museum suggests it’s best for kids ages 9+ but if you’re traveling with younger kids, check out their family guide for helpful tips.
Food & Gifts: There’s a gift shop on the main level that sells snack items but no other food options within the museum itself!
