All Articles
SPONSORED
Visiting the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial
What is the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial and where is it? The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial, designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, is located at the base of Capitol Hill at 540 Independence Avenue SW. The four-acre urban park features a variety of pieces that symbolize Eisenhower’s inspirational feats during his time as the supreme commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe during World War II and as the 34th U.S. president. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mary Laurin (@fiddlefun2) What will I see at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial? The memorial site itself holds a close and unique relationship to Eisenhower’s life-long commitment to public service. The federal entities neighboring the Maryland Avenue site demonstrate Eisenhower’s broad legacy of improved national infrastructure, the foundation upon which he worked to build “a peace with justice in a world where moral law prevails.” In honor of his military accomplishments, General Eisenhower appears with paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division before the Battle of Normandy. Behind the sculptures is a bas relief featuring Eisenhower that depicts the Normandy landings on D-Day, June 6, 1944. His time as president is memorialized through sculptures that symbolize the balance of security and liberty that Eisenhower worked to achieve. One features Dwight in the Oval Office surrounded by military and civilian advisors. A map of the world in bas relief stands behind, reflecting Eisenhower’s internationalism and role as a world leader. A life-size sculpture of young Eisenhower takes you to the beginning of his journey. The piece is accompanied by an inscription of an excerpt from Eisenhower's Abilene Homecoming Speech in Kansas on June 22, 1945, where he declared “the proudest thing I can claim is that I am from Abilene.” A stainless-steel tapestry frames the entire memorial and portrays an abstract depiction of the Normandy coastline in peacetime to represent the peace Eisenhower won as supreme commander, then preserved as commander-in-chief. The iconic Pointe du Hoc landmark is featured at the center of the hand-drawn image. The one-of-a-kind piece is 450 feet long, supported by 80-foot stone-clad columns, and the image will appear differently throughout the day based on light and shadows. Free audio guides are available for your self-guided tour.
Exploring Historic Old Town Alexandria in Virginia
Tell me more about historic Old Town Alexandria Set foot onto Old Town Alexandria’s red brick sidewalks, and you could be fooled into thinking you have traveled back in time. The small city was founded in 1749 as a colonial tobacco port, and still boasts cobblestone streets, 18th-century buildings and even a town crier, all of which will make you feel like you’re in George Washington’s era. And that’s not a coincidence. George, whose Mount Vernon estate is nine miles down the road, frequented Old Town Alexandria businesses. Many of these places are still in operation today, like Gadsby’s Tavern (now a restaurant/museum hybrid) and Christ Church. His farm even sold produce at the Saturday farmers' market in Market Square, which has been operating since 1753 (it’s still a great place to buy flowers and a hot ham biscuit). There’s even a dramatic architectural salute to the first commander in chief: the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, a 331-foot-tall granite structure that holds exhibits on the president, a 17-foot-tall statue of him and a diagonal elevator that whisks visitors to the top of the tower. Other historic attractions include the Carlyle House, a grand, 1753 merchant’s house with a pristine city garden and impressive interior carvings, and the Athenaeum, a pink, neoclassical-style 1851 building that once held a bank but now holds an arts center. You can see these and other signs of the past on guided walking tours (including candlelit ghost treks close to Halloween). There's also Alexandria's Spite House, a must-see for Instagrammers and the skinniest historic house in America at just seven feet wide (it's a private residence located at 523 Queen Street). Dining, shopping and more But amid all that ye olde charm, there’s also a bustling, modern town known for its walkable streets, independent and national stores and a vibrant dining scene. You’ll uncover them on the main drag, King Street, as well as small side streets, where offerings range from fashionable shoe stores, chic home boutiques and worth-a-hunt vintage clothing and decor shops. More than 80 painters, sculptors and jewelers work and sell at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, a World War II-era munitions factory-turned-artist haven and cultural mecca. Restaurants and bars cluster along King Street and near the waterfront, where you'll find fine dining, speakeasies and international fare from Thai to Mexican. Many are located in historic storefronts or old shipping buildings, just adding to the throwback appeal. You can raise a glass of award-winning craft beer from Port City Brewing Company at most of the city's restaurants and pubs, or head out to the brewery in West End for a tour and special events (think: beer yoga). Still not enough? There are plenty of things to do along the Old Town Alexandria waterfront, from sightseeing cruises and romantic strolls to ghost tours and so much more.
Family-Friendly Tours in Washington, DC
One of the great reasons to visit DC with children is the number of activities that are either affordable or completely free. Most are easily accessible, especially if you plan ahead. Here are some edutainment activities guaranteed to leave an indelible impression on both you and your child. And if you're looking for even more fun things to do, you can save big on popular paid attractions with Washington, DC’s best city and attraction passes. Tours on foot As you explore the National Mall, know that the National Park Service (NPS) has Park Rangers on duty that offer free, interpretive tours, ready to impress your kids with the impressive American history depicted on the Mall. NPS keeps a schedule of tours that you should be sure to check before you embark. For a true only-in-DC experience, join a docent-led interactive tour, available at nearly every Smithsonian Museum. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History guides offer daily events and family programming – you can even watch a tarantula feeding! On weekend mornings at 9:45 am, take a “Highlights” tour at the National Zoo, where topics like animal care and the protection of wildlife habitats are discussed in detail. Plan a trip around a Smithsonian Sleepover, an unforgettable experience that includes tours, games and crafts. Offered at the National Portrait Gallery, the National Museum of American History and the Natural History Museum, the sleepovers are designed for kids between the ages of eight to twelve (must be accompanied by one parent). And if you're looking for a more personalized museum-going experience, the whole family will enjoy private, guided tours of a number of Smithsonian museums from Washington, DC WeVenture. There are many tour guide services in DC, and each has its own area of expertise and price range. Many of these guides offer both private and group tours led by experts who have studied the city’s history and enjoy storytelling. DC Insider Tours offers themed and personalized museum tours. Fiat Luxe Tours offers private guides who speak multiple languages that will work with you to customize the route and sights. DC Design Tours offers historical walking tours of the nation's capital focusing on architecture, urban planning and design. Tours with transportation The District also features plenty of bus, trolley, segway and boat tours. Big Bus Tours' British-style double-decker open-air bus is popular with families and allows guests to pay one fee to hop on and off at various locations, then reboard later. Big Bus offers tours in multiple foreign languages and live commentary (book with coupon code VISITDC for the best available deal). Other sightseeing options include City Sights DC and Gray Line DC. Both companies run buses or motorcoaches through continuous routes around DC, with regularly scheduled stops at each landmark. Old Town Trolley Tours has multiple vehicles and different routes from which to choose, including moonlight tours, when the monuments and memorials are at their most beautiful. Families who love the outdoors will love taking a pedicab tour with Adventure DC Tricycle Tours. Options include an excursion through the traditional landmarks and a Kid’s Adventure Tour. The pedicabs are also pet-friendly – your guide will even watch your dog as you check out DC’s incredible memorials. Marveling at city sights on a Segway is also an option. Capital Segway Tours leads tours via individual motorized scooters. After an orientation and lessons in the art of riding a Segway, a guide-led tour will travel around the National Mall with stops for photo taking and history lessons via headset. Limited to ages 16 and over, this is a memorable way for your older teens to experience the nation’s capital. If your family loves to bike, Unlimited Biking offers abbreviated, manageable tours via bicycle. Ask about their tandem bikes, trailers, baby seats and child-sized bikes. The best days to ride are in the summer and on the weekends when the route is less crowded; both allow time for stopping at historic sites. Make sure to check out DC Cycling Concierge for a completely customized bike experience in the District, where their motto is "your ride, your pace." Families will love taking a pedicab tour with Adventure DC Tricycle Tours. Adventure DC Tricycle Tours offers private customized tours for families and pets to the traditional landmarks (as well as the secret fun stuff kids love when requested). Private tours can be conducted via pedicab (for all ages), golf cart (for all ages) or electric scooter (for ages five and up). Saturday public tours are conducted on scooters with promo codes available. Food tours Families who love to eat will enjoy one of the delicious food tours operating in the DC area. DC Metro Food Tours explores several neighborhoods known for their parade of noteworthy restaurants, including Capitol Hill, Georgetown, U Street, Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan. If your family loves Italian food, then try Mangia Food Tours, which focuses on Italian cuisine at four stops in the Dupont Circle neighborhood. Or try a curated food tour with Blue Fern Travel and try local dishes in iconic DC eateries. Families with a sweet tooth can try an Underground Donut Tour. Tours by boat Stretched along the Potomac River, DC is a fun place to go for a boat ride, especially when you catch a view of a monument from the water. While onboard you may pass a few paddle boarders or college crew teams. Many companies offer waterfront tours and activities in the District, including family-friendly boat tours from City Cruises. Multilingual tours Families looking to experience the nation's capital in languages besides English will find plenty of top-notch tours. For a tried-and-true transport method, hop on a Big Bus Tour in one of six languages – or opt for a different kind of city traversing with a Capital Segway Tour in ASL and German, French or Spanish. For a private, more intimate outing in a language of your choice, reach out to USA Guided Tours. At DC Nation or Pascana DC, on the other hand, specialized Spanish-language services are the focal point. All guides at Washington En Français are native French-speakers, while WashingTours touts guides in seven languages, including German and Tagalog. Ready for more? Explore other family-friendly activities in Washington, DC.
