Review my Itinerary!

Question

We're a family of four (two teenagers age 15 and 17) - kids are visiting Wash D.C. for the first time. A lot of my plans came directly from help on this forum - thanks! I'm looking for any advice about lunch spots in particular (but open to all comments, ha). But also, have I booked us too tight, or are there any absolute highlights that I've missed?

We're hoping to get around mostly on the Metro and on foot, with maybe an occasional Uber.

Day 1:

arrive mid-afternoon, check in near DuPont Cr

walk to The People's House

dinner at Founding Farmers

walk around tidal basin/memorials in the evening if we're up for it

Day 2:

either Museum of Natural History or American History (any thoughts??)

(lunch?)

Old Post Office Tower

Portrait Gallery

easy dinner (maybe Ben's or Pupatella)

Day 3:

Archives (reservation 10:45)

(lunch?)

Museum of African American History (res 2:00)

Dinner at Jaleo

another chance at memorials in the evening

Day 4:

Capitol Tour (res 9:50)

(lunch?)

Library of Congress (2:45 res)

Dinner at Dukem

Day 5:

check out

Zoo (reserved)

Rock Creek Park or Mount Vernon, or Monticello on the way out of town

I've read conflicting info on lunches - it sounds like we can't bring food into most of the buildings, so bringing sandwiches is out. Is that correct? Are there reasonable and reasonably quick lunch options along our itinerary? I'm hoping for "sit down for a few minutes and fuel up" lunches, whereas our dinners will be more like splurges. Interested in any general thoughts or specific recommendations.

Thanks!

Answer

Your itinerary for Washington D.C. looks well thought-out and packed with a great mix of museums, monuments, and iconic experiences. With teenagers, you have a good balance of historical and interactive stops, but there are a few points to consider for pacing and meals.

Regarding your lunch concerns: most Smithsonian museums do not allow outside food, so bringing sandwiches is generally not permitted. However, there are plenty of quick sit-down or casual restaurants nearby that offer fast service without taking much time from your day.

Day 1: After walking to The People’s House, if you need a light afternoon snack, there are cafes in the DuPont Circle area such as Kramerbooks & Afterwords Café or Le Pain Quotidien for sandwiches and salads. Evening walk around the Tidal Basin may not need lunch if you plan to have dinner at Founding Farmers.
Day 2: For the museums, both the National Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of American History have cafes with reasonably quick options. Natural History has the Atrium Café and the Food Court; American History has the Stars & Stripes Café. For a sit-down lunch offsite, consider Old Ebbitt Grill, which is a short walk from the museums and offers classic D.C. fare.
Day 3: Near the National Archives and the African American History Museum, there are nearby casual options such as Penn Quarter eateries, including Matchbox or Taqueria Habanero. If you prefer to eat within the museum, the Museum of African American History has a café with sandwiches and salads; National Archives has a small cafe as well.
Day 4: Near the Capitol and Library of Congress, options include the Capitol Visitor Center café for a quick bite or nearby restaurants like Good Stuff Eatery (burgers) or We, The Pizza for a quick sit-down experience.
Day 5: Zoo visits often allow snacks purchased on site, or you can stop at nearby cafes in the Woodley Park area before heading to Rock Creek Park or Mount Vernon.

General itinerary advice:

Day 1 is manageable for arrival afternoon, dinner, and evening walk, but allow some flexibility depending on jet lag.
Day 2: If you’re choosing between Natural History and American History, consider what appeals more to your teens. Natural History has the dinosaur and ocean hall exhibits, often more engaging for younger visitors, while American History has iconic artifacts like the Star-Spangled Banner.
Day 3: With two reservations and museum visits, your day is full; allow extra time between lunch and the 2:00 PM reservation to account for walking and security lines.
Day 4: Capitol and Library of Congress are both highlight attractions. Consider that post-lunch fatigue might set in, so a light lunch and short rest may help.
Day 5: Zoo plus either Rock Creek or Mount Vernon makes for a long day; decide based on proximity and energy levels. Monticello is actually in Virginia, but Mount Vernon (George Washington’s estate) is closer and practical for a half-day.

Overall, your plan is doable but packed; consider flexibility for meals and walking. Lunch options near your itinerary points exist for a quick sit-down without slowing your pace. Your teenagers will likely enjoy the combination of interactive and visual exhibits, and the mix of sit-down dinners balances the busy daytime schedule.

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