For Kids

This kids haven provides enormous climbing structures, numerous supply of toys, art supplies, and tons of books for children. Come get into the dress-up area, cook up a meal in the kitchen area, all aboard the train table, or just run around the huge space. With regularly scheduled activitis, craft times, music time, and story time, kids are in for a blast.

For Adults

Because adults need to have adult time, the Family Room offers magazines, a lending library, free WiFi, and a space for your kids to play that you don’t have to clean up. Read a book while there or take it home and bring it back when you are done. Whatever you choose to do, you are given peace of mind that your kids are well taken care of and you have a little time to yourself.

Special Events

The Family room has various special events including:

• Story times,
• Family Movie Nights,
• Special appearances by Mr. Derby, and Mr. Tony,
• Craft days

The Family room can be a onetime stop or daily fun house. Geared towards children newborn to seven years, your child’s wild days can be contained in a fun house just for them. There are no reservations to drop in and play; pay only once and come and go as you please. A day pass is a great deal at only $10 for the first child and $5 for all other siblings. If you want to make it a monthly trip or a daily adventure, members pay a onetime fee of seventy dollars a child per month and unlimited access and huge savings on special events and classes.

Whether traveling through or staying for awhile, the Family room is a fantastic place to give kids and adults the break they both deserve. So, stop on by at 411 8^th street SE on the second floor and have a day of fun and peace.

Built with an elegant French style yet still reflecting the city’s admiring modern architecture, this nine-story, and four hundred room hotel has two high-quality restaurants, over thirty thousand square feet of meeting space, the most exquisite guestrooms and suites, and a high-tech spa and fitness centers for your convenience. As if these luxurious features aren’t enough, Mandarin Oriental Hotel is just minutes from the National Mall, all the most popular attractions, famous museums, restaurants, shopping plazas, and entertainment.

Delectable cuisines are served right at the hotel; Take your choice from Mandarin Oriental’s signature restaurants:

CityZen-Though Asian style permeates the hotel, this award-winning restaurant offers modern American cooking. Throughout the years, CityZen has received numerous honors including being named the “100 best farm-to-table restaurants in America,” “Fine dining Restaurant of the year,” and was honored for offering “one of the five top meals in the USA” With so much accreditation, it’s worth it to stay at the hotel just to eat at the world-famous CityZen.

Sou’ Water-Known for its panoramic water views from floor to ceiling, Sou’ Wester offers an oriental style for the whole family. With festivities on the lush lawns, this is the perfect option for an outdoor dining experience.

Take advantage of the Asian style guestrooms with three dual phone lines, high-speed internet, flat screen TVs, and lavishing marble bathrooms with beautifully decorated soaking tubs. With oriental elegance, traditional touches of Feng Shue, yet all the accommodations of high class statute, you will be snoozing off to dreamland in no time at all. When life gets tough, hotels make it easier.

Take time to enjoy the luxuries of this magnificent hotel by visiting the relaxing spa and fitness area. With steam room’s, showers, saunas, vitality pool, ice fountain, cold plunge pools, and relaxation room, you are sure to relieve all the stresses of life and truly enjoy your vacation.

In staying at the Mandarin Oriental hotel, you are sure to love it, and the best thing about that is Mandarin Oriental now operates over forty one hotels with seventeen in Asia, fourteen in the Americas, and ten in Europe and North Africa. So wherever you go, you are sure to find prestige and luxury.

Bike Riding

Bike riding is among one of the most popular and beloved Washington DC recreational activities. Whether you’re a novice or an expert bicyclist, you’ll enjoy riding along the winding streets and pathways of the city and taking in the views of the architectural marvels, as well as the natural landscape.

Hiking

With miles of nature trails, hiking is another popular Washington DC recreational activity. Hike alone or join a group to experience the nature that abounds this great city. Some popular hiking spots include the Mount Vernon Trail, Rock Creek Park and Billy Goat Trail at Great Falls. Tie on a good pair of hiking boots or sneakers and start exploring the city and its surrounding areas by foot.

Kayaking

In a city that is surrounded by water, kayaking is among the popular Washington DC recreational activities. If you’re new to kayaking or want to enjoy a quiet afternoon floating along the water, try the Chesapeake and Ohio (C and O) canal. Here, the water is calm and the scenery is beautiful, creating an ideal place to enjoy this water sport. If you’re up for a challenge, try your hand at kayaking along the Potomac River. The waters in this river can be rough and the current can be strong, so kayaking here is not for the weak or the faint of heart, though you’ll surely experience some breathtaking sites.

Rock Climbing

Try your hand at rock climbing in Washington DC. Great Falls, a National Park located in Washington DC, hugs the Potomac River and features jagged rocky cliffs that are ideal for climbing. If you’re an experienced rock climber, you can try this Washington DC recreational activity yourself, or if you’re a novice, you can join a group to learn the sport.

There are plenty of Washington DC recreational activities to partake in, allowing you to enjoy not only the history and sights of this dynamic city, but also the nature that abounds it.

Georgia Brown’s

Georgia Brown’s is a Washington DC restaurant that specializes in low country cuisine; a cuisine that is specific to the low country area of the southern United States. Here, you’ll dine on homemade low country dishes, including southern fried chicken, Carolina gumbo and black eyed pea cake in a laid back and friendly atmosphere. In addition to enjoying a tasty menu, you’ll be delighted by live jazz tunes every Wednesday night. To learn more about the restaurant and the menu, visit gbrowns.com.

Founding Farmers

At this award-winning Washington DC restaurant, you’ll experience American farm-inspired food and drink in a casual, contemporary and friendly atmosphere. The restaurant is owned by a collection of American family farmers and is stocked with fresh food and drink from their farms. Menu items include fresh friend green tomatoes, crack black peppered turkey wings, bacon-wrapped dates, pork and lentil stew and a variety of burger and sandwiches. For more information about this Washington DC restaurant, visit wearefoundingfarmers.com.

Occidental Grill and Seafood

Since 1906, this Washington DC restaurant has been serving gourmet meals. This restaurant serves a classic American menu, including such items as a New York strip steak, rack of lamb, jumbo lump crab cake and pan roasted five spice tuna. Pair your meal with one of the over 200 wine selections available. While dining at this upscale restaurant, peruse the collection of photos of famous 20th century personalities. For more information about this restaurant, visit occidentaldc.com.

American City Diner

If you’re in the mood for a more casual setting that serves affordable, yet tasty meals, try the American City Diner. This Washington DC restaurant is open 24 hours and serves quintessential diner classics, including burgers, sandwiches, and an array of breakfast options, meatloaf and fried chicken. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a milk shake or malted. To learn more or to browse the menu, visit americancitydiner.com.

From traditional southern food to traditional American food to upscale seafood and organic, green meals, Washington DC restaurants offer something to please every taste.

The Washington Monument

This 555 foot obelisk towers over the city and is one of the top Washington DCs attractions. Built to pay tribute to the first president of the country, the Washington Monument is an iconic emblem of not only the city, but of the country. Whether you stand below it and marvel at its majesty, or you walk up it and view the city below, you’ll surely be in awe of this breathtaking monument.

The Lincoln Memorial

This impressive memorial pays homage to the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, and is among the top Washington DC attractions. Housed inside a massive Greek-inspired temple sits a carved statue of the Great Emancipator and one of the greatest presidents of the country. It is from these steps that Martin Luther King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream Speech.” This monument also defines the city and the nation.

The Smithsonian

Made up of some 19 museums and 9 research centers, the Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum and research center and is one of the top Washington DC attractions. Featured museums include the Natural History, American History, Air and Space, American Indian, the Smithsonian Gardens and the National Zoo.

The White House

The home of the President of the United States, the White House is one of the most iconic symbols of America throughout the world. The sprawling mansion, which sits at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, not only serves as the home for the President, the First Lady and the First Family, it also serves as a headquarters and office – the Oval Office, located inside the White House, is where the President delivers his National Addresses.

The US Capitol Building

Serving as the meeting place of the United States Congress and as such, is one of the top Washington DC attractions. This domed building is another iconic image of Washington DC and it is this building that serves as the seat of government for the country. You can tour the magnificent building and see the artifacts that are on display inside and gain a greater appreciation for the country.

American History Museum

As the name suggests, The American History Museum archives the history of the United States. Here, you will see displays from various arenas that document some of the icons that have shaped this great nation. See the Star Spangled Banner – the flag that inspired the National Anthem. Check out George Washington’s uniform from when he served as General during the Revolutionary War. Gaze at Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers from the film The Wizard of Oz and learn how American’s distracted themselves from hard times with entertainment.

Natural History Museum

At the Natural History Museum, you’ll gain insight into the natural world. Here, you’ll be dazzled by the many exhibits that pay tribute to the animals, plants and minerals that make up the living world. You’ll be awe-struck by one of the largest diamonds in the world; the Hope Diamond. Learn what life was like in ancient Egypt at the Egyptian exhibition. Wander through the Sant Ocean Hall and gain an appreciation for the underwater world. Let butterflies land on you as you stroll through the butterfly pavilion.

American Art Museum

At this Smithsonian museum, you’ll see many priceless works of art created by many famed American artists. Here, you’ll see paintings, sculptures and photographs from such as artists as Paul Manship, Thomas Moran, Alfred Jensen and Luis Jimenez, Jr.

Air and Space Museum

The Air and Space Museum pays tribute to the advent and importance of flight and space exploration. At this Smithsonian museum, you’ll see the Spirit of St. Louis – the Wright Brothers first aircrafts – the Apollo 11 command module, the Hubble Space Telescope test vehicle, not to mention an array of other important air and space travel vehicles and interactive exhibits.

The museums of the Smithsonian Institute house some of the most prized possessions in the world and as such, are regarded as some of the most priceless and influential museums in the world. To learn more about these top Smithsonian museums and the rest of the museums that make up the Institute, visit si.edu.

Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC

Named one of the top 100 hotels in the world by the Institutional Investor magazine, the Mandarin Oriental is one of the top Washington DC hotels. Here, you’ll experience luxury and elegance while being just footsteps away from everything that makes DC so cherished. In addition to lavishly-appointed guest rooms and suites, you’ll experience an array of first-class amenities, including the only Forbes four star rated spa in the DC area and three gourmet restaurants. Just a short walk from the hotel is many of the monuments and attractions that DC is famed for, including the Smithsonian, Capitol Hill and the Lincoln Memorial. For more information, visit mandarinoriental.com.

The Fairmont Washington DC

With first-class accommodations and amenities and a prime location, the Fairmont ranks among the top Washington DC hotels. The hotel is located on the West End of the city, right next to Georgetown. The hotel is an urban oasis, featuring 415 well-appointed guest rooms and suites, a swimming pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center and a courtyard garden. There are also three on-site gourmet restaurants, as well as a full-service spa. Stroll along Georgetown’s famed M Street, visit the Washington Monument and see the seat of democracy at Capitol Hill. Learn more about this top Washington DC hotel at Fairmont.com.

Four Seasons Washington DC

The name The Four Seasons is synonymous for luxury, and the Four Seasons Washington DC is no different. This top Washington DC hotel features an array of amenities, including first-class accommodations, a full-service spa, award winning restaurants and top-notch service. This hotel is an ideal place to call home during your DC travels. Visit fourseasons.com for more information about this top Washington DC hotel.

Turn your trip to the capital of the US into a dream vacation filled with luxury by staying at one of the top Washington DC hotels and have an unforgettable experience.

Washington Walks

If you want to tour the city by foot, then book a Washington Walks tour. This tour company offers several different types of walking tours, including group tours, family tours and free tours. Also available are specialized walking tours, including Memorials by Moonlight and The Most Haunted Houses. On these tours, you’ll walk past the sites and attractions of DC and learn pertinent information about them from professionally trained tour guides. To learn more about these Washington DC tours, visit washingtonwalks.com.

Old Town Trolley Tours

Gain a new perspective of the capital city on an Old Town Trolley Tour. Considered to be the best Washington DC tour, on this tour, you’ll see the sights of the city aboard a trolley. There are three lines available – the green, red and orange line – all of which loop around the city, offering different perspectives. You can complete a tour on one line or hop off one line and jump onto another mid-tour. All tours are guided by friendly conductors, who provide information about the city in an informative and even comical way. For more information about these Washington DC tours, visit trolleytours.com.

Bike and Roll

See the city in a unique way; on the back of a bicycle. Bike and Roll offers guided bike riding Washington DC tours, where you will cruise along the tree-lined streets and stop to learn about the different sites along your travels. Different tours are available, including the Capital Sites Tour, the Monuments at Night Tour and the Historic Old Town Tour. To learn more about Bike and Roll tours, visit bikethesites.com.

DC Ducks

The most one-of-a-kind Washington DC tour has to be the DC Ducks. On this tour, you’ll see the attractions on land and on water on an original WWII DUKW amphibious vehicle. On this 90 minute tour, you’ll ride the streets and end up floating along the Potomac River. To learn more, go to dcducks.com.

See this captivating city in a way that you won’t soon forget – on one of the top Washington DC tours.

Places to Stay

When traveling to this city, there is no shortage of places to stay. Lodging is a large part of Washington DC travel and tourism and there is an array of hotels available to accommodate your party, your needs and your budget. Whether you’re traveling with your family or you’re on a romantic getaway with a loved one, you have a limited budget or a limitless budget, you can be sure that you will find lodging to accommodate your needs and provide you with a comfortable place to rest your head during your stay in this city.

Sights and Attractions

The many sights and attractions are central to Washington DC travel and tourism. Virtually everywhere you turn, you’ll find a notable piece of architecture. Among the top featured sights and attractions in this city are the monuments and memorials to the great presidents of the nation and to those who served in wars, including the Washington Monument, the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, the Vietnam Memorial and National World War II Memorial. In addition to the memorials, the city is also home to one of the most impressive collections of museums, the Smithsonian. At these museums, you can learn about the history of the world and the nation and observe relics, artifacts and famous works of art. Sights and attractions abound in this city and are at the center of Washington DC travel and tourism.

Recreation and Entertainment

Recreation and entertainment is also a large part of Washington DC travel and tourism. Here, you will find no shortage of activities to keep you entertained. Take a stroll along the cherry tree lined streets and walkways and experience the beauty of nature in this city. Kayak or canoe along the Potomac River or the C&O Canal. Just outside the city, you can explore Great Falls, a National Park along the Potomac where you can hike, rock climb and enjoy a picnic lunch. If you love the theater or the opera, take in a performance at the Kennedy Center. The city is also bursting with restaurants, a vibrant nightlife and retail shops.

Washington DC travel and tourism is bursting with an array of activities and opportunities, providing you with a myriad of ways to enjoy this capital city.

Orbitz

Orbitz is a reputable and well-known online vacation company that offers a variety of Washington DC travel packages. The company offers pre-planned packages or packages that can be customized to meet your needs and your budget. The company’s website, orbitz.com, offers an array of package options, including airfare and hotel, airfare, hotel and car rental, or air fare, hotel, car rental and activities. These packages typically offer discounted rates for whatever the package includes; for example, you’ll likely receive a discount on your airfare and hotel accommodations. Look through the site to select a pre-planned package or to build your own package when planning your Washington DC vacation.

Expedia

Expedia is another well-known online vacation planning company that offers an array of Washington DC travel packages. You can look through the site, expedia.com, and book one of the pre-planned Washington DC travel packages, such as a package that features airfare and hotel accommodations or a package that features hotel accommodations and car rental. If you’d prefer, you can create your own package. If, for example, there is a particular hotel you want to stay in and a particular airline that you want to travel, you can select your choice accommodations and airline, creating a customized package.

Vacations Made Easy

If sightseeing is of utmost importance to you while visiting this capital city, plan a Washington DC travel package with vacationsmadeeasy.com. This discounted online travel company offers Washington DC travel packages that specialize in the sights of the city. With these packages, you’ll not only see the sights, but you’ll gain access to them. In addition, these packages also include 4 nights of lodging. If you don’t see a package that suits your interests, create a customized package.

For a stress-free vacation, book a Washington DC travel package. By booking one of these packages, you’ll avoid the stresses of planning and be able to focus more on the fun.