My family and I took in April a 3-day family trip to Washington D.C., and it was an experience we’ll never forget. Our little one is at the perfect age to be awed by the sights of our nation’s capital. She can’t wait to go back!

Staying at the Historic Watergate Hotel

We stayed at the Watergate Hotel, known for the infamous 1972 break-in that eventually led to Richard Nixon’s resignation. I’ve always been fascinated by this piece of history, so I was thrilled we got to stay in the same complex where it all went down. Our room had incredible views of Georgetown. Gazing at the charming neighborhood on our balcony was the perfect way to start each morning.

Exploring the New National Museum of African American History and Culture

One of the main reasons I wanted to visit D.C. was to see the new National Museum of African American History and Culture. As an African-American history teacher, this was an absolute dream to explore. I could have spent an entire two days in this museum alone! Some of the most powerful exhibits highlighted the Middle Passage and the domestic slave trade, the network of Black schools that started after the Civil War, and the rise of Black activism leading up to and during the Civil Rights Movement. I was moved to tears more than once as we walked through the museum. We also made sure to see the African American Civil War and MLK Monuments. Our little one loves to learn so it was great seeing this through her eyes and exploring the past through her eyes.

Taking in the Iconic Monuments and Memorials

Beyond the African American museum, we made sure to visit D.C.’s most famous monuments. Our little one had a blast running around the wide open space surrounding the Washington Monument. We all enjoyed wandering the Lincoln Memorial and reading the words of the Gettysburg Address engraved on the walls. The Jefferson Memorial was surrounded by the last lingering cherry blossoms of the season, which created a beautiful scene. And we were somber yet inspired as we reflected on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. D.C.’s iconic monuments and memorials gave us a powerful history lesson.

Enjoying the Air and Space Museum and Botanical Gardens

In addition to the history, we made time for some family fun during our family trip to Washington D.C. The National Air and Space Museum was a huge hit with our little one, who loves all things planes, rockets, and space travel. We virtually flew a hang-glider, learned about the planets, and saw the Wright Brothers’ exhibit. She even impressed a patron by telling us what Saturn’s rings are made up of but she of course did it in teacher style and asked us if we knew the answer first!

The United States Botanic Garden next to the Capitol Building also provided a nice outdoor/indoor family activity. In fact, I’m not sure we were aware of this little gem before we walked near it on the way to the Capitol. We wandered through rooms filled with exotic and medicinal plants and took in gorgeous orchid displays. They also had an exhibit on foods from different areas. Our little one loves her school gumbo and her Popeye’s red beans and rice from our area so she made sure to put that on the wall!

Ben’s Chili Bowl

Of course, we had to sample some of D.C.’s iconic cuisine during our visit. The highlight was enjoying delicious half-smokes at the famous Ben’s Chili Bowl. This historic restaurant opened in 1958 and quickly became a gathering place during the Civil Rights Movement, with Martin Luther King Jr. himself dining there on occasion. The walls are covered in photos of celebrities and politicians who’ve stopped by over the decades. We ordered chili cheese fries and their famous chili half-smokes. The savory chili was out of this world and the hot dogs had the perfect snap. We got to meet the owner, Ms. Virginia Ali, who started the amazing restaurant with her husband Ben. Our bellies and souls were full after experiencing this quintessential D.C. eatery. It was easily one of the most memorable meals from our family vacation.

Final Reflections on an Unforgettable Family Vacation

As we flew back home after our family trip to Washington D.C., we were already reminiscing about everything we got to see, do, and eat. It was a jam-packed family vacation filled with history, culture, learning, activities, and memories that we’ll cherish forever. We are so glad we got to experience our nation’s capital through the eyes of our child while also satisfying our own lifelong curiosity and fascination with D.C. It was the perfect family getaway that allowed us to bond while exploring someplace new for our little one. We returned home exhausted but fulfilled, eager to start planning our next trip back to this incredible city.

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