city travel with kids

🌸Washington, DC With Kids: A 5-Day Itinerary & Travel Guide (+ Baltimore Bonus)

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Washington Monument surrounded by cherry blossoms in Washington DC during spring family travel itinerary
Cherry blossoms in bloom around the Washington Monument during our family trip to Washington, DC
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Washington, DC ended up being one of our favorite family trips because it had such a good mix of history, iconic sights, walkable attractions, and kid-friendly experiences. From seeing the monuments lit up on our first night to touring the Capitol, biking around the memorials, exploring Smithsonian museums, and adding in a Baltimore stop, this trip gave us a little bit of everything.

What also surprised us was how manageable it felt as a family trip. So many of the major museums and attractions are either free or low-cost, which helps balance out hotel and parking costs. The city also felt easy to navigate once we got comfortable mixing walking, Metro rides, and the occasional Uber.

Meaningful Road Trip Stop: Flight 93 National Memorial

Flight 93 National Memorial field and visitor area in Pennsylvania

On our way east, we made a stop at the Flight 93 National Memorial before heading on to Baltimore and then Washington, DC. This was one of the most meaningful stops of the trip and definitely not just a quick roadside attraction kind of place. It is quiet, reflective, and worth planning as its own stop rather than trying to squeeze it into your DC days.

If you’re considering adding it to a similar route, it makes much more sense as a stop on the drive in or out, not as a day trip from Baltimore or DC.

Pro Tip: The Flight 93 National Memorial is best treated as a separate road trip stop before or after your Washington, DC and Baltimore portion of the trip.

🏨 WHERE WE STAYED

📍 Washington, DC

Spacious suite layout made a big difference for our family
The indoor pool and hot tub were perfect after long days exploring DC
Free breakfast made mornings so much easier before busy days

We stayed at
👉 Embassy Suites by Hilton Washington DC Georgetown

For a family trip, this checked a lot of boxes:

✔ Suite-style rooms (separate space = sanity saver)
✔ Indoor pool + hot tub (perfect end-of-day reset)
✔ Free made-to-order breakfast (huge time + money win)
✔ Walkable to the Metro (we used it daily and loved it)

⚠️ Parking is paid (pretty standard for DC)

This ended up being a great home base for exploring Washington, DC with kids.

📍 Baltimore (Bonus Stop)

Exterior Photo of Hyatt Place Baltimore Inner Harbor hotel
Easy walk to the Inner Harbor from our hotel
Nice indoor pool to burn some energy at the end of a day
Room at Hyatt Place Baltimore Inner Harbor hotel
Comfortable and simple room for a quick Baltimore stay

We stayed at
👉 Hyatt Place Baltimore Inner Harbor

✔ Walkable to the Inner Harbor + aquarium
✔ Easy location for a quick overnight
✔ Comfortable, simple, and family-friendly

Baltimore was a really easy and fun add-on to our DC trip and gave us a nice change of pace from the museums and monuments.

🏨 More Washington, DC Hotel Options for Families

If our hotel is booked or you want to explore different areas, here are a few great options depending on what matters most to your family—location, Metro access, or extra space and included breakfast.

🏛️ Stay Near the National Mall

Staying near the National Mall puts you within walking distance of many of the most iconic sights like the Washington Monument, Smithsonian museums, and memorials. This is a great option if you want to minimize transportation and maximize sightseeing time.

🚇 Hotels Near Metro Access

One of the best things we did was stay near a Metro stop. It made getting around the city so much easier, especially after long days of walking. If you’re traveling with kids, this can make a big difference in how manageable your trip feels.

🛏️ Family Suites + Breakfast Included

For families, having extra space and breakfast included can make a big difference. Suite-style hotels give everyone room to spread out, and starting the day with breakfast already handled makes mornings so much easier.

Pro Tip: In Washington, DC, you’ll likely trade off between location, price, and space. For our family, having extra room and breakfast included was worth being slightly outside the main tourist areas.

🚇 GETTING AROUND WASHINGTON, DC WITH KIDS

One of the things that surprised us most about Washington, DC was how easy it was to get around.

We also loved that our hotel was within walking distance of the Metro, which made getting around the city much easier for our family.

💡 What worked well for us:

  • Walking the National Mall
  • Using the Metro for longer distances
  • Mixing in Uber when needed
Pro Tip: If your hotel is near a Metro stop, it makes a big difference. We loved having easy access from our hotel to the subway—it saved time and gave us a break from walking.

🌙 Day 1: Arrive in DC + See the Monuments at Night

Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument lit up at night in Washington DC
Seeing the monuments lit up on our first night was the perfect start to our trip.

We arrived in Washington, DC at night, and one of the best decisions we made was heading straight out to see the monuments lit up. Seeing the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument glowing after dark made such a strong first impression and felt like the perfect start to the trip.

🐰 Day 2: Easter Sunday + Ford’s Theatre + Pool Time

Easter Bunny visit during family meal in Washington DC
A surprise Easter Bunny visit made this part of our DC trip extra memorable.

The next day was Easter Sunday, and we had such a fun surprise when the Easter Bunny showed up during our meal. Later, we toured Ford’s Theatre, which was one of the most meaningful and interesting stops on the trip. After that, heading back to the hotel for pool time ended up being the perfect reset for everyone.

Ford’s Theatre recommends advance tickets, and a limited number of same-day historic site tickets are also sometimes available.

🏛️ Day 3: Capitol Tour + National Archives

United States Capitol building during family visit in Washington DC
This ended up being one of our most memorable history-filled days in Washington, DC.

This was one of our big history days. We toured the U.S. Capitol and visited the National Archives, and both were absolutely worth doing. Seeing those spaces in person makes everything feel so much more real for kids and adults.

Capitol tours are free, guided, and reservations are recommended. The National Archives is also free, and while tickets are not required, they are encouraged to improve the visit experience.

🦖 Day 4: Natural History Museum + National Zoo

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History exhibits with kids
The Natural History Museum was one of the easiest family wins of the trip.
Family visiting the National Zoo in Washington DC
The National Zoo made a great slower-paced day between the bigger sightseeing stops.

The Smithsonian museums are one of the best parts of visiting Washington, DC with kids, and the Natural History Museum was an easy favorite. We also spent time at the National Zoo, which made for a nice balance after some of the more history-heavy parts of the trip.

The Natural History Museum is free and does not require tickets. The Zoo is also free, but entry passes are required.

✈️ Day 5: Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum

Aircraft displays inside the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia
This museum ended up being one of the best surprises of our entire trip.

Instead of visiting the downtown Air and Space Museum, we went to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, and honestly, it turned out to be one of the best decisions we made. It had so much more space, so much more to see, and felt much less crowded. It ended up being one of our favorite stops of the whole trip.

The Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles displays thousands of aviation and space artifacts, is free to enter, and is open daily.

🚲 Day 6: Bike Tour + Cherry Blossoms + Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Family bike tour route near monuments in Washington DC
Biking the monuments was one of the coolest ways to see the city.
Cherry blossoms blooming in Washington DC during spring
We were lucky enough to catch some cherry blossoms blooming during our trip.

One of the coolest ways we explored Washington, DC was by doing a bike tour around the monuments. It was such a great way to cover more ground and keep everyone engaged. We also got to see some of the cherry blossoms blooming, which made the city feel even more special.

This ended up being one of our favorite days because it felt active, flexible, and a little more relaxed.

Another stop that really stayed with us was the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We happened to visit on a rainy day, and somehow that made the experience feel even more fitting and memorable. Arlington is large and hilly, so it helps to plan for more walking than you might expect. The Tomb’s changing of the guard ceremony takes place every hour from October through March and every half hour from April through September.

Rainy day visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on a rainy day felt especially moving.

🏛️ White House Tour: Plan This Early

White House exterior view in Washington DC during family travel itinerary
A visit to the White House is one of the most unique experiences in Washington, DC, but it requires advance planning

Touring the White House was one of the most unique parts of our trip, but it definitely takes advance planning. This is not something you can just book like a regular attraction. White House tour requests must go through your U.S. Representative or Senator, and the official request window is typically 21 to 90 days before your requested tour dates. Approval is not guaranteed.

Pro Tip: If touring the White House is on your bucket list, start planning as soon as your dates are set. Requests go through your congressional office, not a travel site, and spots are limited.

🍴 Where We Ate in Washington, DC

We found a mix of casual and sit-down spots worked best for our family in DC, especially with long days of walking and sightseeing.

  • Pizzeria Paradiso Dupont
  • Ted’s Bulletin for the homemade pop tarts
  • Union Market
  • Matchbox for mini burgers, pizza, beer, and wine
  • Old Ebbitt Grill
  • Carmine’s Italian
  • Café Berlin
  • Etto
  • Food Truck lunch near the National Mall
Pro Tip: In DC, it helped to balance one or two sit-down meals with casual options like food trucks, Union Market, or pizza. That made sightseeing days much easier with kids.

☔ What We Were Glad We Packed

It rained for a good part of our trip, so having a few weather-ready items made a big difference. If you’re heading to DC in spring or anytime the forecast looks iffy, these are worth tossing in your suitcase.

These were items we ended up needing during our trip and were really glad we had.

Having these on hand made a big difference on rainy sightseeing days.

⚾ Bonus Stop: Baltimore With Kids

Oriole Park at Camden Yards during a Baltimore Orioles game
Catching an Orioles game made Baltimore such a fun add-on to this trip.
Historic stop at the Star-Spangled Banner House in Baltimore
The Star-Spangled Banner House was a quick but meaningful stop.
Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum in Baltimore
We found a Groupon discount for the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum.

Before DC, we also spent time in Baltimore, which made a really fun add-on to the trip. We caught an Orioles game, visited the Star-Spangled Banner House, and went to the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum, where we found a Groupon discount.

If you’re traveling with kids and want more options in Baltimore, some other places worth looking into include Port Discovery, the Maryland Science Center, the Baltimore Museum of Industry, Urban Pirates, Shenanigans Toy Shop, and Bengies Drive-In.

🚇 Getting Around Washington, DC With Kids

Washington DC Metro subway station platform during family travel
We used the Metro several times during our trip and found it safe, clean, and easy to navigate with kids

One of the things that surprised us most about Washington, DC was how easy it was to get around. We used the Metro multiple times during our trip and felt completely safe the entire time. It was efficient, easy to figure out, and gave us a break from all the walking.

Having a hotel within walking distance of a Metro stop made a huge difference for us. We still did a lot on foot, especially around the National Mall, but mixing walking, Metro rides, and the occasional Uber was definitely the best strategy.

Pro Tip: If you’re booking a hotel in Washington, DC, being near a Metro stop is worth it. It made getting around so much easier for our family.

💛 Final Thoughts on Washington, DC With Kids

Washington, DC ended up being such a memorable family trip for us because it had a little bit of everything: history, iconic landmarks, museums, meaningful moments, and just enough fun mixed in to keep it exciting for kids. We loved the mix of walking, sightseeing, and slower-paced moments like pool time, food stops, and the bike tour.

If you’re planning a family trip to DC, I hope this itinerary helps make it feel a little less overwhelming and a lot more doable.

It’s one of those trips that’s not just fun in the moment—but meaningful long after you leave.

🗽 NEW YORK CITY WITH KIDS: 5-DAY MANHATTAN ITINERARY

/ jennifersheeman / Leave a comment

New York City is not a place — it’s a feeling, and it hits you the moment you see the skyline.

💡 Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you book through them—at no extra cost to you!

A 5-day New York City itinerary packed with skyline views, Broadway nights, iconic food stops, and unforgettable family experiences in the heart of Manhattan.

We spent five unforgettable days here as a family of five, staying right in the heart of Manhattan near Times Square and exploring the city through skyline views, Broadway lights, iconic landmarks, and nonstop energy from morning to night.

This trip blended bucket-list moments with kid-friendly fun — walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, visiting the Statue of Liberty, exploring Grand Central Terminal, seeing the skyline from Summit One Vanderbilt, and discovering hidden favorite food stops along the way.

We also built in interactive experiences like the Bronx Zoo, Yankee Stadium tour, LEGO Store Fifth Avenue, FAO Schwarz, slime making, and even making custom Funko Pops.

Below is our full 5-day NYC itinerary, including attractions, food, hotel details, and tips for visiting New York City with kids or teens.

💡 Tip: City passes are best if you plan to visit 2–3 major attractions per day. If your itinerary is more relaxed, individual tickets may be a better option.

🏨 Where We Stayed in New York City


We stayed at the RIU Plaza Manhattan Times Square, and it was the perfect home base for our New York City trip.

The biggest advantage was the location. Being just steps from Times Square made it easy to walk to Broadway shows, restaurants, and many of the main attractions, while also having quick access to subway lines to explore the rest of the city.

For a family visiting NYC, having everything so close made the trip smoother, more efficient, and much more enjoyable.

🏨 Other Great Places to Stay in NYC

If you’re planning your trip, here are a few great areas to consider depending on your travel style and budget.

⭐ Times Square

Best for first-time visitors who want to be close to Broadway, restaurants, and major attractions. This is where we stayed, and it worked really well for our family.


View Times Square Hotels

🌆 Midtown Manhattan

A slightly quieter option that still keeps you central and close to the action.


View Midtown Hotels

💰 Budget-Friendly Manhattan Options

If you plan to spend most of your time out exploring, smaller and more affordable hotels can still give you excellent access to the city.


Find Budget NYC Hotels

✨ Luxury or Special Stay

If you’re celebrating something special or want a more elevated Manhattan experience, there are incredible NYC hotels with amazing views and amenities.


View Luxury NYC Hotels

New York City hotels can book quickly, especially in Times Square and Midtown, so if you find a good option, it’s worth reserving early.

🗺️ Our 5-Day New York City Itinerary

Here’s exactly how we spent our days in NYC — including what worked, what we loved, and what we’d do again.

🌆 Day 1: Arrival in Manhattan and Times Square at Night



We arrived on Saturday night and immediately stepped into the energy of Times Square. It was the perfect introduction to New York City — bright lights, nonstop movement, and that exciting feeling that you really are in the middle of it all.

We kept our first night simple and just took it all in. Even walking around the area felt like an experience on its own.

🗽 Day 2: Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial, and Lower Manhattan

One of our most memorable days in the city was visiting the Statue of Liberty. Taking the ferry and seeing the skyline from the water made this feel even more special.


We also visited the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, which was one of the most powerful and meaningful stops of the trip.


Get 9/11 Museum Tickets



After visiting the Statue of Liberty and walking around Battery Park, we found the SeaGlass Carousel, which was such a fun and unexpected stop for the kids. It’s a beautifully designed ride with glowing fish and music, and it was a great way to slow down for a bit after a busy day of exploring.

While downtown, we also stopped at Eataly near the World Trade Center, which was a great casual Italian option during a busy sightseeing day.

🌉 Day 3: Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO, Jane’s Carousel, and the Waterfront

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge was one of our favorite experiences of the entire trip. The views are incredible, and walking from Manhattan into Brooklyn makes the skyline feel even more dramatic.

🌉 Brooklyn Bridge Walking Tips

  • Distance: About 1.1 miles one way
  • Time: Plan 45 to 60 minutes with kids and photo stops
  • Best direction: Walk from Manhattan to Brooklyn for the best skyline views
  • Go early or later in the day: It gets crowded midday
  • Watch the bike lane: Stay in the pedestrian section
  • End in DUMBO: Perfect for food, photos, and Jane’s Carousel

After crossing the bridge, we explored DUMBO and the waterfront area near Jane’s Carousel. This part of Brooklyn was such a fun contrast to Manhattan and had some of the best views of the trip.

We also explored the Time Out Market nearby, which made for a great stop after the bridge walk.

New York City is not a place, it’s a feeling.

🏙️ Day 4: Midtown Favorites, Grand Central, Fifth Avenue, and Interactive Fun



This day was packed with some of the most fun and interactive experiences of the trip. On Fifth Avenue, we visited the LEGO Store and built custom LEGO mini figures, which was such a fun activity for the kids.

One of the kids’ favorite activities was making custom slime, which ended up being one of those unexpected highlights.

At FAO Schwarz, we went beyond just shopping and got to make our own custom Funko Pop, which made for a really fun souvenir and memory from the trip.

Grand Central Terminal was another must-see stop for us. The architecture is stunning, and it feels like one of those places in New York that you have to experience in person. We also visited the whispering gallery and grabbed food inside.

We visited the Harry Potter Store and tried butterbeer, which was a huge hit and such a fun thing to sprinkle into a New York City itinerary with kids.


Explore NYC Harry Potter Experience

One of the highlights of our Midtown day was visiting Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center, and the views were absolutely incredible. One of the best things about this observation deck is that you get a clear view of the Empire State Building in the skyline, which makes it feel especially iconic.

We later experienced SUMMIT One Vanderbilt as well, which had a completely different, more interactive feel — but Top of the Rock is hard to beat if you’re looking for classic New York City views.

🌳 Day 5: Central Park, Museum of Natural History, Bronx Zoo, and Yankee Stadium



We spent part of the trip exploring Central Park and also visited the American Museum of Natural History, which is always such a great stop with kids.

We considered biking in Central Park and ended up enjoying just walking and taking our time through the park.


Book Museum Tickets

We added in a trip to the Bronx Zoo, which felt like a fun break from the pace of Manhattan and was a great family-friendly addition to the trip.


Get Bronx Zoo Tickets

For the sports fans in our family, the Yankee Stadium tour was another highlight. Seeing the stadium and getting that behind-the-scenes feel made this one really memorable.


Book Yankee Stadium Tour

🌇 Day 6: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, Broadway, and Final City Moments

Instead of going up the Empire State Building, we chose SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, and it ended up being one of the most unforgettable experiences of the entire trip.

Earlier in our trip, we also visited Top of the Rock, which offers more traditional skyline views. SUMMIT felt completely different — much more immersive and interactive — which made it a really fun contrast.

There really is not a bad time to go, but for us, night was perfect.


Get SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Tickets

Broadway was another major highlight of our trip and one of those classic New York City experiences that really does live up to the hype.


Browse Broadway Shows & Tickets

🚇 Getting Around NYC

We used the subway throughout our trip and found it safe, efficient, and one of the easiest ways to get around New York City. We never felt unsafe and actually ended up really liking using it.

🍕 NYC Food Highlights



Food was a huge part of our New York City trip, and we ended up finding several places we would absolutely recommend.

Joe’s Pizza was our favorite slice in the city and easily topped everything else we tried.

Prince Street Pizza was another fun and iconic pizza stop that is definitely worth trying.

Magnolia Bakery was one of our favorite dessert stops and is known for banana pudding and cupcakes.

Carmine’s in Times Square was our family-style Italian dinner, and it is definitely a place where you should make a reservation ahead of time.

Eataly near the World Trade Center was a great casual Italian stop during our downtown day.

Ellen’s Stardust Diner was worth it for the entertainment, even if the food itself was not the highlight. This is a great place to just do an appetizer or dessert if you mainly want the experience.


View NYC Food Tours

🌆 Final Thoughts on Visiting New York City with Kids

New York City exceeded every expectation we had. It’s fast, loud, exciting, and somehow still filled with moments that slow you down just enough to take it all in.

From skyline views and Broadway nights to pizza stops and interactive experiences for the kids, every day felt completely different, and that’s what makes NYC so unforgettable.

If you’re planning a trip, don’t try to do everything. Pick your highlights, leave room to explore, and let the city surprise you.

Because in the end, New York City isn’t just a place you visit — it’s something you feel long after you leave.