National Museum of the American Indian

My husband and I have been making a list of stuff we want to do in the D.C. area before we move (that is if we move, we'll be here for sure until May 2012 but after that who knows).  It seams like we keep on doing the same things over and over again and it's not that they aren't great things it's just there is so much to see and do we might as well see it all.  The first thing we did on our To Do List was the National Museum of the American Indian.  I must say I was quite surprised how interesting and kid friendly this museum was.  Both my husband and I thought the museum was about US American Indians but were were pleasantly surprised to find out it was about Native Peoples of the Americans not just the United States.

All of the exhibits were really well done.  The 3 main permanent exhibits are: Our Universes: Traditional Knowledge Shapes Our World, Our Peoples: Giving Voice to Our Histories, and Our Lives: Contemporary Life and Identities are all very interesting and give insights into Native life.  The best part of these exhibits is that the museum recruited curators from the different tribes and bands so the depictions of these People are told from their own perspective.

There were lots of hands on activities and movies for Tavish to play with so I'm sure he enjoyed himself.  Callen slept though most of exhibits so I'm not sure he got much out of it.  One of the highlights of the museum is its fantastic restaurant. Unlike the American History Museum which has terrible food and the Air and Space Museum which has McDonalds, the American Indian Museum has themed food.  The food court is split into different areas each which showcases traditional Native foods (there are hamburgers and chicken fingers for the picky eaters).  Even if your not planning on checking out the museum, it's a great place for lunch if you are in the area.

In the world of D.C. museums this is a great one to go see if you have time or are very interested in Native People.  I would recommend the American History (but not for lunch), Natural History, and Air and Space Museums over this one.  But if you have the time I'd would check it out, especially if they have an interesting live demonstration on, which they usually do (we missed out on the chocolate festival they were having a few weeks ago and I 'm kinda sad about that).

 "Cheese"

Kyle with his hands full, admiring a snow machine 

 Tavish taking a boat for a ride

 Tavish love the Rainbow

 Statue of an American Indian

 Tavish having fun walking on the wall outside the musuem

 Now time to rock climb (that's my boy)

Callen not too sure about what his brother is doing

Mount Vernon

The second stop on my dad's historical tour of the D.C. area was Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon has historical significance as it was the home of George Washington.  This was my second trip to Mount Vernon and second time seeing it in the winter (we went last year in December with Kyle's mom and sister).  Mount Vernon in the winter is quite beautiful but I would love to venture out here in the spring (before the onslaught of school trips) or fall.  The best part about Mount Vernon in the winter is how quite and peaceful it is.  I think we saw maybe 3 or 4 other small groups wandering around and we even had a private tour of the Mansion.  The problem with coming in the winter is some of the buildings were closed for renovations and the pathways to the dock and stables were closed.

After touring the house and the outlying buildings Tavish was getting grumpy and hungry so headed to the food court.  I must say I was quite surprised at how good the food was here; for museum fast food it was some of the best I've had in a long time.

Unfortunately our visit ended in a bit of ciaos.  I need to finished feeing Callen and then run to the washroom so the plan was that my mom and I would meet the rest of the family in the museum.  Somewhere between the bathroom and the museum Kyle and I musted have crossed paths.  Tavish who was quite tired having missed his nap the day before refused to go in the museum (the gun fire sounds scared him and he was tired).  From the washroom my mom and I met up with my dad in the Museum and I had just assumed that Tavish and Kyle went to the kids discovery room.  Now I did have my cell phone on my but I was told to silence it when we went into the main house and I never turned the ringer back on.  When we got to the kids room and Kyle and Tavish were not there, I looked at my phone and missed 5 calls.  Oops.  Kyle was pretty mad.  Tavish was not going into that museum at all and really needed a nap so we all decided we were museumed out too and headed home.  Aside from Tavish's meltdown and getting lost on the way home (our GPS had issues) we had a great trip to Mount Vernon and I do look forward to coming back in the spring or fall.

Mount Vernon is a great family trip.  It's a good place for kids to run around outside but the roped off areas in the house can bit a bit of a problem for some toddlers and preschoolers.  The museum is really interesting too and it goes though the life of George Washington and the Revolution.  Mount Vernon is a must see if you are in the Washington Area.

Tavish and my parents with the Mansion in the back

Tavish having a great time (before the meltdown)

Callen taking it all in

Tavish had a great time playing in the corner

View from beside the Mansion

Just strolling along - it was a beautiful day

Tavish checking things out with his dad

Natural History Museum

While the older boys (my dad, my husband, and Tavish) were off at the Monster Trucks, my mom, Callen and I headed to the Natural History Museum.  Now a few of you may recall that my last trip here was a huge disaster but I knew my mom would like to see it so I decided to brave it again (this time Adults out numbered kids).  Thankfully the security guard from hell was not working so things were already off to a better start.  There were two really interesting exhibits that caught my attention this trip.  The first was the crocheted coral reef.  I kinda wished I spent more time looking at it as it is quite remarkable.  It's amazing what people can do with some yarn, a crochet hook and inspiration from some of the most beautiful creatures on earth.

The second was the the Written in Bone exhibit.  During the last part of my pregnancy I discovered a new favorite show, Bones, and the Written in Bone exhibit reminds me a lot about that show.  I must go back when I have more time to really explore this exhibit as it is quite fascinating.

My mom and I sped through the museum and looked a few of the other exhibits but I'm sure we say not even half of what was there.  I'm pretty sure I could spend a few days exploring the Natural History Museum and I'm looking forward to checking out a few of their IMAX shows.  I'm sure I'll get back in the next few weeks.

The Natural History Museum is a must see in D.C. and a GREAT place to bring kids (providing they are not super grumpy).  The museum is quite loud so don't have to worry about loud toddlers disturbing anyone.  Kids of all ages will find something they like from dinosaurs to butterflies and they even have a discovery room for older kids.  I highly recommend going when it opens at 10am because it gets really busy, even in the off season.  If you are a local then I'd avoid it in June when school tours take over D.C. and I'm sure it's pretty busy in the summer too.  My husband and I HATE crowds so we are all about getting seeing things in the off season but if this is your only trip to D.C. I'd brave the crowds.

 My mom by the stunning Orchid Garden

 One of the Orchids

 Giraffe doing the splits in the Hall of Mammals

One of my favorite areas, the Deep Sea

National Archives

Every time I go into D.C. I find myself in the movies.  D.C. is the backdrop to so many movies and T.V. show your almost guaranteed to find yourself on the set of a movie you know.  Our second stop of the D.C. day with my parents took us to the set of National Treasure.  Okay not really but we were in the National Archives which is featured in the show.  Even if you have never seen the movie I'm sure most people know that the Declaration of Independence is on display in the Archives, making it a popular D.C. stop.

Having previously been to the Archives and having Callen in the stroller (getting up to see the Declaration of Independence there are 3 or so stares making it not very stroller friendly), I viewed the Maga Carta while my parents at the Declaration and Other documents. The Maga Carta is a facinating peace of history in which the Declaration is based on (I think, I'm a biologist not a history major). In addition to the Declaration and Maga Carta there is also a gallery which has an exhibit on Discovering the Civil War: Consequences.  This exhibit does a good job of showing how the Archives are used to find new information on the Civil War.  It was very educational but not that stimulating (if that makes sense).

While the National Archives are interesting and have lots of cool historical documents this is not the most toddler/baby friendly stop in D.C. Unless you are a history buff or are kidless then I'd skip the Archives and head to the American History, Natural History, or Air and Space Museums as they are much more fun for little kids.

Ford Theater

I will fully admit that I don't know much about American History but living so close to D.C. is like living in an American History text book.  When my dad said that he wanted to visit the Ford Theater, I had no idea what significance it had.  It's where Lincoln was shot, like I said I don't know much about American History.

My dad has a friend who is a huge American History Buff and has decided to live vicariously through my dad.  He gave my dad a list of places of historical significance that we should all visit and the first on our list was the Ford Theater.  I must say it's pretty impressive to be in a place that holds such historical importance.  While I may not have known the story surrounding Lincoln's death, I sure do now.  We (my dad, mom, Callen and I) had a great time wondering around the museum.  Callen liked looking at all the colourful exhibits on the wall and I found the mixed media of the museum more stimulating (lots of movies, statues, and artifacts) than some other museums.  In the Theater itself we were able to look at the presidential balcony where Lincoln was shot and enjoy a short play (well until Callen decided we had enough).

A Few D.C. and Ford Theater Tips

My biggest complaint about the majority of things to do in D.C. is their late opening times, 10am or later.  My husband and I like to get out early, at or before 9am.  Early in the morning the crowds are much smaller and you can accomplish so much.  The nice thing about the Ford Theater is that its open at 9am daily.  While we went on a Saturday, I highly recommend going to D.C. on a Sunday as there is free street parking (there is lots if you get into D.C. before 10am, you can still find some around 11 but the spots are not as good), but if you are willing to pay there is lots of garage parking.

You need to get a free ticket in order to visit the Theater (I'd assume they fill up during peak periods but it was not crowded 10am on a January Saturday).  Before you enter the actual Theater you are directed to a very interesting and well planned museum.  Plan to spend at least a half hour in the museum, more time if you are a huge history buff. Every hour or so you are allowed into the actual Ford Theater for a short performance (I do believe this changed).  There is a bit of time to look around before the performance begins but I don't know how much time you are given after as we had to leave because of a fussy baby.  If you have a loud baby or toddler the performance part of the tour might not be for you but don't let the stop you from checking out the museum and then take a quick look at the Theater.

If you are ever in the D.C. area I'd add this as a highlight for sure but if you are pressed for time, have loud kids, or don't care about Lincoln or history I'd skip it as there are more kid friendly museums near by (but not all are free).

My Parents and Callen in the Ford Theater Museum

Mom and Callen Brushing Up on their History

 Callen Taking a Break

 Go Lincoln 

The Place where Lincoln was Shot

A Painting Outside the Theater