D.C: Family Fun for Free!

When I moved to Washington D.C. as a newlywed college student, it was the first time I was living away from home, out of Miami. This is the first place I made my own home and for two and a half years, this city became just that. Not coincidentally, it’s where I started my habits of “venturing out” and exploring. I yearned to know D.C. as intimately as I knew Miami!

I studied political science, but D.C. sparked in me a love for art history which I didn’t even know existed. There was something special about sitting in class, learning about a specific painting, and then jumping in a cab to the National Gallery to go and see it for myself. Their collection of Impressionist paintings is world class.

When family and friends would visit us in D.C. I became a sort of tour guide (which I totally loved)!  I always took them to the Renwick Gallery because I was so impressed by it. Located next door to the White House, this amazing museum, focusing on American crafts, in a beautiful setting, is not to be missed. The Game Fish is really what drew me in to this place. Check out the image below and make sure you go see it for yourself—made up of toys and other figurines, the details are impressive.

In this tiny city there are 177 resident embassies, which means you literally have people from all over the world. To me that can only mean one thing—FOOD! In Washington DC, you can taste cuisines from all over the world- there are so many to choose from.

After museum hopping and eating your way around the world, there’s nothing better than a stroll to walk it off. For me, no trip to D.C. is complete without a walk through Georgetown. For me it’s about reminiscing where my husband and I used to live. This historic neighborhood is older than D.C. itself, and has unique architecture with the most charming cobblestone streets (not to mention cute stores and yummy restaurants). Another gorgeous walk is along the Tidal Basin.  If you’re lucky enough to visit D.C. in the spring, seeing 3,000 cherry blossoms blooming along the path from the Jefferson Memorial down to the Washington Memorial is a special sight.

It’s hard to say when D.C. is at its best because it’s actually great all year long (especially with changing of leaves, and seasons). The city is set up as the country’s capital so it’s very tourist friendly and accessible. With the variety of hotels and attractions/activities, even at its fullest, this city “holds” all the tourists so well.

*PS: All the memorials and Smithsonian Museums are free! This is the one big reason why D.C. is a great family vacation destination.