Museums and Memorials in DC

We loved being able to take advantage of all the great museums and memorials in the DC area. We were able to visit quite a few in between the boys being in school and the short visit Mike had in Virginia. Here are some of the places the kids were able to visit:

Natural History Museum

The first museum we were able to visit was the Natural History Museum. This has always been one of my favorite museums and is now one of the kids favorite museums as well. We were able to go with Aunt Kim and cousin Annabelle on this little adventure. Everyone loved the dinosaurs and big mammoth, the enormous whale hanging from the ceiling, the African animals, the big diamond, and all of the rocks and minerals.

Air and Space Museum

While Grandma Ann and Grandpa Franz were visiting we went with them to see the Udvar-Hazey Air and Space Museum in Centerville, VA. The kids loved seeing the big space shuttle and all of the cool planes. Peter was quick to point out that one of his favorites was the black stealth plane while the girls were fascinated more with what planes they liked according to what color they were. I loved being able to see the planes that were first in flight. There was so much to see and we didn't even scratch the surface because the main attraction to the kids was the simulator rides. Andrew, Peter, and Emma got to ride in one of the Air Fighter simulators and they loved it. Abby was too small so Grandma took her over to flatten a penny. It was her special reward and she was good about holding onto it. Eventually we made our way over to the IMAX to watch a show. I think the older kids liked it but Abby fell asleep on my lap. I just love this museum.

The older kids were also able to go and see the other Air and Space Museum in downtown DC with Mike when they went exploring one day.

(photos courtesy of my dad)

Memorials

Andrew, Peter and Emma were able to visit the Lincoln Memorial with Mike and Grandpa Al. Mike was surprised at how much the boys, especially Andrew, knew about President Lincoln and The Gettysburg Address. I guess that is one of the advantages of living in the DC area...the schools really focus on US history. Andrew had just learned about the Civil War in school at Creighton's Corner. He was fascinated with this memorial and went right over to the Gettysburg Address to read it. How incredible that the boys are at an age where they can start to appreciate some of the memorials in DC.

After the Lincoln Memorial they headed over to the WWII Memorial and the Roosevelt Memorial. They walked past the Washington Monument and along the tidal basin towards the Bureau of Engraving and Printing but that was closed...it was a real bummer. So they did the next best thing and got ice-cream and then caught a cab to take them all the way back to their car. I am so surprised at how much they were able to see in one day. Way to go Dad!