Join Kate and Mary Jo, two of our team's DC natives, as they walk us through a SCOUT employee’s guide to exploring the District of Columbia with kids! The nonnegotiables include: no children on leashes, always stick to the right on the Metro escalators, and pack your favorite SCOUT product with plenty of snacks.
Car needed: Work your way around DMV
Butler’s Orchard - Take a gander at the crop calendar and head to Germantown, Maryland to pick your strawberries, peas, cherries, and raspberries, to name a few.
Mount Vernon - Spend a day visiting George Washington’s home on the Potomac River. There’s so much to see, you’ll be busier than a day at Disney.
Great Falls - Support National Parks and visit Great Falls in McLean, Virginia.
National Arboretum - The gardens, collections, and roadways are over 9 miles long. The Kegans love to play by the National Capital Columns and the reflecting pool. You’ll genuinely feel you’ve been transported to ancient Greece.
Union Market - The dining options are limitless here, plus a giant turf rooftop where you can enjoy your lunch and hang with the kids.
Heavy on foot: Enjoy our favorite hoods
Cleveland Park - Be sure to pop into Open City for a lovely little lunch break or breakfast to fuel your day at the National Zoo, National Cathedral, and Beauvoir Playground. If you go to the Zoo, Kate recommends working your way from top to bottom and ending with a picnic!
Georgetown - Do a little shopping in SCOUT HQ's neighborhood, then head down to the waterfront to play in the fountains. Remember to pack a change of clothes, and take the Georgetown Water Taxi to the Southwest Waterfront for dinner at Boardwalk Bar.
Adams Morgan - Walking to Meridian Hill Park for a drum circle is a must!
The Wharf - Cool off and splash around in the fountain at the 7th Street Park or play on the swings at the Recreation Pier. There are plenty of boating options, if you have a nautical-loving little one.
No car needed: Explore the National Mall
Sunrise at the Lincoln Memorial - This is a Slidell Family Tradition. The National Mall is still, peaceful, and calm at sunrise. An unobstructed and quiet viewing of your favorite monuments is a core memory.
The American Museum of Natural History- Stegosaurus fossils, extinct and endangered insects, and gems and minerals are just a few subjects to keep you occupied for an afternoon. This is one of the more memorable of the Smithsonian's!
Tidal Basin Paddle Boats - Paddle around with a fabulous view of the Jefferson and MLK Memorials (and the ducks, of course).
National Children’s Museum - This museum was artfully designed for hands-on play and to embrace the wonder of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math).
Less walking and driving: Sitting opportunities for mom and dad
Washington Nationals - Nothing like metro-ing to the Navy Yard for a hot dog and a cold beverage. The kids will love the mascot races.
Washington Capitals - The great thing about hockey is that it’s cool, fast-paced, and indoors!
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts - Support the arts! No trip is complete without a visit to the theater. We’re trying to raise future thespians, singers, and musicians!
We hope our guide has inspired you all to celebrate life’s colorful adventures with us in the District this summer. Now, go ahead and book those Southwest flights while they’re cheap! We’ll provide all the packing and exploring materials.
