Which Smithsonian museums are included in this plan?

This itinerary includes visits to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

Do I need to book tours for the U.S. Capitol or Library of Congress?

A free guided tour of the U.S. Capitol should be reserved as soon as dates become available, and you should confirm if a free timed-entry pass is required for the Library of Congress for your visit.

How will the family navigate Washington DC without a car?

This plan relies entirely on the Metro system and walking. You'll need to install the SmarTrip app or get SmarTrip cards for each traveler, including children, before arrival.

Are there specific meal recommendations for a gluten-free diet?

Yes, the plan includes lunch at SeoulSpice, Chaia Tacos Chinatown, and Chaia Tacos Georgetown, all noted for their gluten-free options, along with advice for managing dietary needs at other restaurants and the hotel.

What is the alternative activity if it rains during the Georgetown walk?

If there is heavy rain during the Georgetown walk, you can take the Metro from Foggy Bottom to Gallery Place and visit the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery for about 90 minutes instead.

The Washington Monument seen across green lawn and trees under big cumulus clouds

Sample itinerary · 3 days

3-Day Washington DC Itinerary with Kids

No car, no parking, no circling the Mall looking for a space.

Going to: Washington, DC
Length: 3 days
Travelers: Families
Trip total: $1,296–$1,898

$1,296–$1,898

The total covers flights from Boston, Massachusetts, lodging and getting around for the whole party, plus food, gas and parking estimated in the breakdown below.

Things to do

Rest · National Mall (Day 1)
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (Day 1)
United States Capitol guided tour (Day 2)
Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building (Day 2)
National Archives Museum (Day 2)
National Museum of African American History and Culture (Day 2)
Lincoln Memorial at dusk (Day 2)
Smithsonian National Museum of American History (Day 3)
Georgetown historic neighborhood walk (Day 3)

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Why this plan works

The arrival day stays geographically tight around DCA, L’Enfant Plaza and one major Smithsonian museum. A single headline museum provides a worthwhile afternoon without padding the flight day or exhausting the children.

Open the Bag drop at Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf leg in Maps Open the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum leg in Maps

7:15 AM–8:50 AM
Typical nonstop · BOS → DCA
7:15 AM–8:50 AM
An early nonstop preserves most of the first day and avoids exposing the children to a connection.
Book ahead · Fares typically open ~11 months out and are usually cheapest 2–4 months ahead
American Airlines or JetBlue; realistic departure about 7:15 a.m. BOS and arrival about 8:50 a.m. DCA; nonstop routing, approximately 1 hour 35 minutes; arrive at BOS 2 hours before departure. Grab a gluten-free breakfast on the way or use a labelled packaged option after security.
9:05 AM–9:40 AM
Metro from DCA to L’Enfant Plaza
9:05 AM–9:40 AM
The direct Metro connection is faster and cheaper than arranging a car, and it matches the no-car requirement.
Walk from the terminal to the covered Metro station, take a northbound Yellow Line train to L’Enfant Plaza and allow time to orient at the multi-level station.
9:40 AM–10:05 AM
The Wharf DC
9:40 AM–10:05 AM
The hotel satisfies the literal chain-hotel and Metro requirements; its L’Enfant Plaza location places the family roughly a 10–15-minute walk from the Smithsonian museums.
Leave luggage before check-in at this full-service chain hotel above L’Enfant Plaza Metro. Reserve a room with two queen beds for the two adults and two children.
10:20 AM–11:20 AM
Early lunch at SeoulSpice
10:20 AM–11:20 AM
The counter format is quick after an early flight, and rice-bowl customization is easier to manage than an unmarked food-court menu.
Take Metro from L’Enfant Plaza to Navy Yard–Ballpark and order customizable Korean rice bowls. Confirm the restaurant’s current allergen protocol when ordering for the gluten-free child.
11:20 AM–12:00 PM
Metro and walk to the National Mall
11:20 AM–12:00 PM
This avoids a longer walk from Navy Yard while keeping the route fully car-free.
Return to L’Enfant Plaza by Metro, then walk about 10 minutes north to the Air and Space Museum entrance.
12:00 PM–12:40 PM
Rest · National Mall
12:00 PM–12:40 PM
The open buffer absorbs flight or Metro delays and gives the children a reset before a long museum visit.
Mall lawn recovery break. Sit on the benches or lawn near the museum, refill water and leave a deliberate buffer for timed-entry security.
12:45 PM–4:00 PM
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
12:45 PM–4:00 PM
It delivers an immediately engaging Smithsonian experience for both age groups while allowing enough time to explore rather than race through exhibits.
Use a free timed pass and devote the afternoon to the renovated National Mall building, emphasizing the Wright Flyer, Apollo displays and hands-on galleries.
4:00 PM–4:25 PM
United States Capitol exterior approach
4:00 PM–4:25 PM
The short architectural walk introduces the government district before tomorrow’s interior tour without adding another security line.
Walk east along the Mall to the west front of the Capitol, viewing the dome and the formal axis designed around the federal core.
4:25 PM–4:50 PM
Walk back to the hotel
4:25 PM–4:50 PM
The direct route avoids an unnecessary Metro change and keeps the federal architecture visible along the way.
Follow Independence Avenue southwest for approximately one mile to the hotel.
4:50 PM–5:25 PM
Your stay
4:50 PM–5:25 PM
A proper pause prevents the early flight and museum afternoon from spilling into an overtired dinner.
Collect the room keys, retrieve luggage and take a short break.
5:40 PM–6:40 PM
Dinner at Mi Vida at The Wharf
5:40 PM–6:40 PM
The early seating is family-friendly, close to the hotel and allows a proper allergy conversation after a counter-service lunch.
Book ahead · Call ahead: most restaurants open tables about a month out, and large parties often need longer
Walk about 10 minutes to The Wharf for an early Mexican dinner. Tell the server about the child’s gluten-free restriction and confirm safe corn-tortilla dishes and preparation procedures.

If you fall behind

What to cut if you fall behind: skip the Capitol exterior walk and go directly from Air and Space to dinner.

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Bookings & costs

$1,296–$1,898

0 of 5 bookable items booked

Food not included: about $560, listed below

About $1,200 under your $2,800 budget

0 of 5 bookable items booked

Locked in

paid or reserved

Still to book

$1,500

est. $1,220–$1,780 · 5 items

Gas & parking

$100

est. $76–$118

Booked prices are exact. Everything else is an estimate.Budget $2,800

Know before you go

Practical notes for this trip — the things worth sorting before you leave.

Booking windows & timing

Reserve the free U.S. Capitol tour as soon as your date becomes available; morning entry is important because the Library of Congress and National Archives follow it.
Time-sensitiveUnited States Capitol guided tour
Air and Space Museum admission is free but normally requires a timed pass. Choose a late-afternoon slot that leaves enough margin after the flight and hotel bag drop.
Time-sensitiveSmithsonian National Air and Space Museum
The National Museum of African American History and Culture often uses timed entry, especially during spring travel periods. Confirm the current release schedule and reserve directly through the Smithsonian.
Time-sensitiveNational Museum of African American History and Culture

Set up before you go

Install the SmarTrip app or add SmarTrip cards to compatible phones before arrival. Each traveler needs a separate card or device, including both children.

Getting around & driving

L’Enfant Plaza station has several exits; follow signs for Maryland Avenue and the Hilton rather than surfacing on the opposite side of the complex. Expect occasional escalator outages and allow an extra ten minutes with children.
Check in at Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf

Weather & packing

Late March in Washington can switch from mild sunshine to cold rain in one afternoon. Bring compact rain layers because the Lincoln Memorial and Georgetown portions have limited cover.

Health & safety

For the gluten-free child, tell every counter worker that this is a dietary restriction and ask about shared fryers and preparation surfaces. Chaia is the simplest meal because its menu is gluten-free, while the other suggested venues require an allergy conversation.
Dinner at Chaia Tacos Chinatown

Crowds & timing

Museum security lines grow through late morning, so carry only small bags and refillable empty bottles. The early Capitol start and pre-opening arrival at American History deliberately avoid the worst queues.

Want this trip on your dates?

Make this yours — free, no account, no card.

Plan a trip like this

Questions about this plan

Which Smithsonian museums are included in this plan?: This itinerary includes visits to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
Do I need to book tours for the U.S. Capitol or Library of Congress?: A free guided tour of the U.S. Capitol should be reserved as soon as dates become available, and you should confirm if a free timed-entry pass is required for the Library of Congress for your visit.
How will the family navigate Washington DC without a car?: This plan relies entirely on the Metro system and walking. You'll need to install the SmarTrip app or get SmarTrip cards for each traveler, including children, before arrival.
Are there specific meal recommendations for a gluten-free diet?: Yes, the plan includes lunch at SeoulSpice, Chaia Tacos Chinatown, and Chaia Tacos Georgetown, all noted for their gluten-free options, along with advice for managing dietary needs at other restaurants and the hotel.
What is the alternative activity if it rains during the Georgetown walk?: If there is heavy rain during the Georgetown walk, you can take the Metro from Foggy Bottom to Gallery Place and visit the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery for about 90 minutes instead.