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Fodor's Washington, D.C. with Kids
Each book focuses on up to 68 terrific ideas for family days, from museums and puppet theaters to skyscrapers and parks. Written by parents who live in the cities they cover, these books are smart about what kids like--and about what parents need. All the details for planning are included: addresses, phone numbers, admission prices, and age-appropriateness. "Hey, Kids!" info boxes provide fun facts and interesting trivia about the destination, and "Kid-Friendly Eats" features recommend three or four places to grab a bite to eat nearby. Fun to read and easy to use, these handy little guides make it easy to plan an enjoyable, hassle-free day with children in the world's most popular cities. They're perfect idea books for every city parent and grandparent, and indispensable aids for families on vacation.
432 pages, Paperback
First published February 7, 2000
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About the author
Fodor's Travel Publications Inc.
1,839 books62 followersFodor's Travel Publications is a United States-based producer of English-language travel guides and online tourism information. It was founded by Hungarian Eugene Fodor in 1936.
Fodor’s was acquired by Random House in 1986 and sold to Internet Brands in 2016.
Fodor’s was acquired by Random House in 1986 and sold to Internet Brands in 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 29, 2009
This is, I suppose, an adorable little guide to kid-friendly options in DC. Seemingly set up in hierarchical countdown format (the number 1 on the last entry graphically explodes like fireworks) it’s really just in alphabetical order (I hardly think the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is the Number One “must see” during your DC visit).
As a large share of the selections revolve around hiking, this seems more suited for those having an extended stay or living in the area rather than the typical four-day visitor. My inclination to avoid poison ivy, bird droppings, and lyme disease perhaps biases me somewhat, but in the land of numerous, free world-class museums, I hardly think anyone would spend much of a precious day hoping to see a “Cooper’s hawk making a meal out of a morning dove, or the remains of a mouse that an owl discarded.”
As to the museums, she seems to include every museum rather than a best-of from the standpoint of any given ten year old. Thus the attempt to engage the kids with some of these selections seems to be a stretch. In the National Museum of Women in the Arts, for instance, “Teens may enjoy contrasting their practical clothes with the ornate Renaissance-era clothing of the young woman in Lavinian Fontana’s Portrait of a Noble Woman." Not any teen I’ve ever come across, but her observation in the attendant Eats for Kids column regarding the “draw” of Macaroni n’cheese convinces me that we must take the little ones to Capital City Brewing Company. I, of course, would never think to visit such a place otherwise.
Perhaps the best part of this book is where she moves beyond the Smithsonian and other central offerings to include a few peripheral options that most of us might not otherwise know about or consider. These include the Goddard Space Flight Center, C&O Canal boat rides, and childrens’ shows at the Kennedy Center (though certainly not the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament!). One or more of these might get added to an otherwise booked itinerary. The inclusion of a simple regional map would be most helpful in locating some of these off-the-beaten path entries’ in relation to each other and the city center.
As a large share of the selections revolve around hiking, this seems more suited for those having an extended stay or living in the area rather than the typical four-day visitor. My inclination to avoid poison ivy, bird droppings, and lyme disease perhaps biases me somewhat, but in the land of numerous, free world-class museums, I hardly think anyone would spend much of a precious day hoping to see a “Cooper’s hawk making a meal out of a morning dove, or the remains of a mouse that an owl discarded.”
As to the museums, she seems to include every museum rather than a best-of from the standpoint of any given ten year old. Thus the attempt to engage the kids with some of these selections seems to be a stretch. In the National Museum of Women in the Arts, for instance, “Teens may enjoy contrasting their practical clothes with the ornate Renaissance-era clothing of the young woman in Lavinian Fontana’s Portrait of a Noble Woman." Not any teen I’ve ever come across, but her observation in the attendant Eats for Kids column regarding the “draw” of Macaroni n’cheese convinces me that we must take the little ones to Capital City Brewing Company. I, of course, would never think to visit such a place otherwise.
Perhaps the best part of this book is where she moves beyond the Smithsonian and other central offerings to include a few peripheral options that most of us might not otherwise know about or consider. These include the Goddard Space Flight Center, C&O Canal boat rides, and childrens’ shows at the Kennedy Center (though certainly not the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament!). One or more of these might get added to an otherwise booked itinerary. The inclusion of a simple regional map would be most helpful in locating some of these off-the-beaten path entries’ in relation to each other and the city center.
October 29, 2007
Used this book extensively for a trip, fabulous!
Great reviews of places that are kid-friendly in vacation spots. I would not recommend this as your only guide to Washington DC, unless you're just making a day trip. It doesn't give any information on where to stay.
Great reviews of places that are kid-friendly in vacation spots. I would not recommend this as your only guide to Washington DC, unless you're just making a day trip. It doesn't give any information on where to stay.
November 12, 2010
This is a wonderful guide to the sights in and around Washington DC. Although it is designed for parents shepherding their children around the city, it's a great guide for anyone who is interested in the local attractions. Organized alphabetically, it's also cross-referenced by type of activity and location. There's also a list of games and things to do while standing in line or just during some downtime. I also like that the costs associated with each activity, how to get there, and an outline of where to find eats are included with each location. Overall, it's a very useful guide and I expect that I will want to borrow it from our local library again soon.
January 14, 2012
I almost did not check this book out of the library because I felt like I knew all or most of what their was to do in Washington DC with children. .. How wrong I was... this book was great! I love the writing style and all the suggestions of things to do with children. I am glad I read it.. and I hope to go to a lot of the places that it profiled in the book. great read for anyone in the area with kids or anyone planning to come to the area.
October 29, 2007
Awesome travel book! This, along with Frommer's Washington DC with Kids, are the only two guidebooks you'll need. I carried them both around during our trip because they both had great little tidbits of information that I would read to the girls while we were at various attractions.
January 3, 2011
We planned a trip to DC in 07 and this book was helpful to point out things we may have otherwise missed. The annex to the Air and Space museum was incredible and its free, even parking if you know what time to go. Little tips like that made the trip more enjoyable.
January 27, 2009
I bought this just before we moved to the DC area for the 2nd time. It's really easy to use - it's basically a just a detailed list of things to do. I could open it up at random and plan my day.
March 20, 2009
I'll be relying on this book when we spend the month of June in DC this year!
August 27, 2016
Packs in a lot of material about the sites to visit with kids in DC. Great with info on tours and times.
July 3, 2013
A must-have if you are traveling around DC area
February 18, 2023
An excellent overview! I would have loved pictures. This volume is 10 years old, so an updated one would be better for restaurants, etc. I like how it lists the Metro stop that is closest.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews