Washington, D.C. City Guide
Overview
Nothing says “Frog Family Fun” like a visit to the nation’s capital!
When you think of Washington, D.C., it most likely elicits thoughts of the White House, the National Mall and the Washington Monument. While museums and national landmarks are, of course, a vital component of any visit to the nation’s capital, there’s also a wide array of interactive learning experiences for kids of all ages.
The City of Washington was founded in 1791 to serve as the nation’s new capital, named after George Washington. All three branches of the federal government are located in Washington, D.C., as well as 177 foreign embassies, international organizations and trade unions. But the fun isn’t all in the city's (and nation’s) history. Take in the breathtaking cherry blossoms in the spring, stop by a local park to skate (both ice and inline) or head to the Smithsonian National Zoo to hang with the giant pandas and elephants. Rich in history, a trip to Washington, D.C. is a journey into America’s past, but also a hands-on connection to current traditions.
Best Time to Visit
March to May can make for a particularly beautiful trip, with the pink cherry blossoms (late March to early April, which is also the time of the Blossom Kite Festival) and springtime activities. The September to November months can also be a great time to visit, offering crisp fall air and the beautiful changing leaves.
What We Love
- Lots of FREE activities and museums, such as those located on the National Mall
- Learning experiences (shh … don’t tell the tadpoles!) geared towards every age group: Watch money being printed at the Bureau of Engraving & Printing, learn how to go undercover as a superspy at the International Spy Museum or even see what it’s like to be a news reporter at the Newseum
- With iconic landmarks and rich history, nearly everywhere you look has something new to take in from the nation’s storied past
- Cherry blossom season: The mayor of Tokyo sent the city 3,012 cherry blossom trees as a sign of friendship in 1912, and ever since then, D.C. has experienced cherry blossom season in all of its beauty each spring
Fun Facts About Washington, D.C.
- George Washington never lived in D.C. The White House was completed a year after he died and the second U.S. President, John Adams, was the first to live there.
- The White House has a total of 35 bathrooms.
- During World War I, Woodrow Wilson bought a flock of sheep to graze on the White House lawn. This not only saved the manpower needed to mow the lawn, but also, the wool was sold to raise money for the Red Cross.
- Approximately 12,000 items are added to the collections of the Library of Congress daily. It’s no wonder that it is the largest library in the world, holding more than 162 million objects.
- Washington, D.C. averages 39 inches of rainfall each year — that’s more than Seattle!
Make a public tour request through your member of Congress if you are planning to tour the White House. You can submit your request up to three months in advance but no less than 21 days in advance. The tour is free, but there are limited spaces, and they are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.
