Sujatha's Passport
 | Been to 5 Attractions |
 | 5 Reviews |
 | 3 First to Review |
 | 4 Photos |
 | 6 Helpful Votes |
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Send a ComplimentAbout Me & My Family
A peripatetic family with a penchant for cities, we try our hardest to live the life of the locals as much as we can by shopping in the local markets and cooking at least one meal a day in our kitchen.
Our Family's Travel Personality
adventurous, curious, spontaneous, easy_going
We Just Got Back From
Maine
Our Favorite Vacation Spot
Rome
A Place We'd Love To Visit
Spain
Favorite Vacation Memory
All of us gawking at the domed ceiling of the Pantheon; the drive along the Amalfi Coast; the caprese salad and the pizza in Naples; the view of Buda and Pest from the top of Gellert Hill; the open-air markets in Bangalore.
Worst Travel Moment With My Kids:
The six-hour layover in Boston following two eight-hour flights and a five-hour layover in Europe on a trip from India back to the US. That one extra flight from Boston to DC did us in.
Websites I Like:
Fun Washington, D.C. Activities that get Kids Fired Up
Washington, D.C. is a treasure trove of activities for elementary school age children. There are the usual stops, the ones we associate with government - the White House, the Capitol, the Supreme Court, etc. Then there are the fun stops, the ones that fire up a child's imagination and trigger their creativity. Come along for the ride!
2700 F Street N.W.
Washington, District of Columbia
reviewed on: November 30 2009
"Music and the arts in the nation's capital"
The pure delight that lights up a child's face when they first enter the grand and imposing foyer of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is a memory you will savor for a long, long time. But, the high ceilings, the tall glass windows, the chandeliers and the flags that line the halls are only precursors to the pure entertainment that will follow. With free programs 365 days of the year on the Millennium Stage (http://kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium/), and frequent ticketed music performances and plays targeted at children (http://kennedy-center.org/programs/family/), the Kennedy Center nourishes little minds and souls with world-class performances. If your child shows any inclination toward liking music or the arts, or if you're looking to expose them to the arts, the Kennedy Center is a must-visit destination on your trip.
11012 Edmonds Lane
Delaplane, Virginia
reviewed on: November 30 2009
"Just an Hour South of D.C., One Step Closer to the Heavens"
From the middle of July through the middle of November, one Saturday evening a month, the heavens and all their attractions are just that wee bit closer. The Northern Astronomy Club organizes public telescope observing of dark, starry skies. The event is open to any one with any interest in astronomy and is free (the Sky Meadows State Park charges a $4 parking fee per car).The event is especially awe-inspiring for children. The members of the astronomy club are generous with their massive telescopes, patiently explaining to the children (and their parents!) what they are seeing in the skies. What we might think are stars might actually be a planet. The pure excitement that comes from seeing something for yourself that you might have just read about in a book is quite something else.
A few tips:
1. The event is only open a few Saturdays a year, so make sure to confirm that there's a viewing by checking the Astronomy Club's website at http://novac.com/nasm/;
2. Dress warm. It can get pretty chilly out in the open even on summer nights;
3. Take food and plenty of water with you. There are not many food options close by;
4. Get there early to orient yourself;
5. Take chairs and flashlights.
3501 New York Ave NE
Washington, District of Columbia
reviewed on: November 30 2009
"Nature's Bounty Showcased to Perfection"
A few minutes' drive from downtown Washington, D.C. is a sprawling garden that pays homage to nature's bounty within the United States and around the world. Each season brings its own unique reasons to visit the Arboretum, fall colors and the cherry blossoms of the spring being the most attractive. The exhibit my kids enjoyed the most is their extensive bonsai collection. Room after room is filled with mind-bogglingly creative interpretations of trees. Somehow the miniature sizes of the trees that they've seen only in massive sizes in real life seems to draw the kids. The thrill of seeing a pint-sized oak never seems to wane.
If you find yourself having to deal with a rainy day and you're all museumed-out, the bonsai exhibit at the National Arboretum is the place to go!
6th & Independence SW
Washington, District of Columbia
reviewed on: November 30 2009
"Where Imagination Takes Flight"
The National Air and Space Museum is a fun place to easily spend a few hours in. The simulator rides, the IMAX movie theater with its rotating roster of superbly produced movies and the walk through the amazing history of this country's love affair with flight and space exploration is enough to keep children and parents satisfied and engaged for the good part of the day. Don't be surprised if you end up making a repeat visit during your stay in Washington, D.C.
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Mount Vernon, Virginia
reviewed on: November 30 2009
"History and Nature Come Together"
Mount Vernon, George Washington's home, is very well preserved and provides an authentic view of how life used to be all those years ago. For children just starting to learn this nation's history, a visit to Mount Vernon is an invaluable experience. Nestled on the banks of the Potomac River, the sprawling estate offers wonderful, tree-lined lung space for children to stretch their legs to the fullest. A tour of the house is a must and a hike through the gardens and a stroll along the river are definite pluses.
