MsTwixt's Passport
 | Been to 55 Attractions |
 | 11 Reviews |
 | 7 First to Review |
 | 4 Photos |
 | 11 Helpful Votes |
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Send a ComplimentAbout Me & My Family
MsTwixt is mom to three tween daughters and a toddler son. Our family lives in Georgetown, a downtown neighborhood of Washington, DC and spends our weekends exploring the city. We tend to walk most places and love to support our local businesses. Ms Twixt is a nationally recognized expert on tween girls and writes a blog at www.MsTwixt.com
Our Family's Travel Personality
independent, energetic, spontaneous, sophisticated, artsy, social_butterfly
We Just Got Back From
Berkeley, CA
Our Favorite Vacation Spot
London
A Place We'd Love To Visit
Sydney
Favorite Vacation Memory
running around Murano, Italy with the kids
Worst Travel Moment With My Kids:
baby meltdown during flight to New Delhi
Websites I Like:
What to do with Tweens in Washington, D.C.
The must-see places, activities, and restaurants to include on your list of places to go in Washington, D.C. if you have tweens in tow.
800 F Street NW
Washington, District of Columbia
reviewed on: November 30 2009
"Spy For a Day (or a Night)"
Your tween, boys and girls alike, will FLIP for the Spy Museum! This venue is one of the few museums in Washington that require paid admission, but it's well worth it, so plan/budget accordingly (SPECIAL DEAL: Dec. 1-6 there is a 25% discount). And be sure to checkout their occasional KidSpy program - about one Saturday a month, kids can attend a special class on espionage, code breaking, disguises, etc. for an extra fee - these classes fill up fast, so be certain to book online well in advance. If your tween is an Alex Rider or Agent 99 in the making, you may want to also check out the Overnight programs for kids at the museum - these also require advance booking and are pricey, but there's nothing else like it - they do a superb job. There is an Operation Spy program that allows visitors to adopt the identity of a spy for the tour, complete with dossier, polygraph tests, and code breaking. More details at www.spymuseum.org
Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues, NW
Washington, District of Columbia
reviewed on: November 30 2009
"Gargoyles Over Washington"
The National Cathedral is a beautiful site in its own right, and walking the Close grounds is a peaceful way to spend a Sunday morning (be sure to check out the Bishop's Garden and the All Hallow's Gift Shop). Families love finding the real moon rock in the huge rose windows and the Girl Scout Trefoil in the stone carvings, but the Cathedral also boasts carvings that appeal more to kids: Star Wars' villain Darth Vader, a fierce bunny, and a unicorn. You can make the visit even cooler for your tween(s) by adding on a tour of the Gargoyles (including Darth Vader!). This tour is a guided tour and the cost is $30/family. As it includes outdoor viewing, the tour is only given during warm weather months, so check out www.nationalcathedral.org/visit in advance to be sure the tour is being offered during your visit.
303 Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E.
Washington, District of Columbia
reviewed on: November 30 2009
"The BEST Place to Eat on Capitol Hill"
After walking the halls of Congress, the steps of the Supreme Court, and the stalls of the Library of Congress, you're gonna be hungry. Ms.Twixt and tweens cannot recommend more highly Good Stuff Eatery on Capitol Hill for a bit to eat. This burger joint is wholesome and delicious (even Mrs. Obama and the First Tweens, Malia and Sasha Obama have paid visits) and is headed up by uber-chef Spike Mendelsohn. You can check out their menu online, but DEFINITELY order the Toasted Marshmallow Milkshake - you can thank me later. Good Stuff Eatery has seating upstairs away from the crowds and is a really comfortable, nice, clean and delicious place to take a break.
10th St & Constitutional Avenue
Washington, District of Columbia
reviewed on: November 30 2009
"Butterflies and Diamonds Oh My! at the National Museum of Natural History"
The National Museum of Natural History is part of the FREE museums (your tax dollars at work) open to all as part of the Smithsonian Institution. It's located right on the National Mall, and you'll know you're in right place because you'll see a gigantic mammoth when you enter. Of course you'll see the stunning Hope Diamond, giant pickeled squid, and the scary Mastadon jaw, but be sure to stop by the Butterfly exhibit on the 2nd floor. This requires a fee to enter but is FREE ON TUESDAYS. This amazing exhibit allows you to see hundreds of butterflies, and you can even try your hand at feeding a few. Bonus during the winter months: this warm, humid room can be a welcome respite from an afternoon of walking along the wind-swept Mall.
Constitution Ave NW
Washington, District of Columbia
reviewed on: November 30 2009
"D.C.'s Statue of Liberty Experience"
Viewing D.C. from the top of the Washington Monument is akin to scaling the torch of NYC's Statue of Liberty. The views are spectactular, the lines are long, and the space is crowded - but better vistas are impossible. Skip the lines and buy your tickets ahead of time via the National Parks' website. Tickets are about $4.00 each making this attraction a real steal.
part of West Potamac Park
Washington, District of Columbia
reviewed on: November 30 2009
"Paddling Boating in the Tidal Basin"
A MUST-DO for all late-spring and summer visitors to the D.C., taking a paddle boat out to view the Jefferson Memorial is a time-honored tradition enjoyed by tourists and residents alike. We've taken entire Girl Scout troops out for a spin and had a blast. Be sure to bring your camera - the photos are spectactular, especially during Cherry Blossom season (April). Be warned that very small children (toddlers and younger) are not permitted on the boats, so be prepared to have one parent sit this one out if your family includes the very young. Also, bring sunblock and sunglasses - the sun's rays are magnified out in the Tidal Basin.
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, District of Columbia
reviewed on: November 30 2009
"Plan Ahead, But An Amazing Experience"
Tickets to the White House must be requested via your member of Congress months in advance of your trip - so plan ahead - way ahead. But this is the only way in (unless you are a VIP) and the visit is well worth the trip. One can also now request tours of the White House Edible Garden (the First Lady's new project all about instilling healthy eating habits in kids), so request these as well (as the word has not gotten out about these tours, you may be able to get in here sooner). The tour requires one to go through a security screening akin to boarding a plane, and all visitors must provide SSNs and have a valid ID. A photo taken just outside the White House entrance is always a plum vacation memory - pack your cameras!
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, District of Columbia
2310 Mount Vernon Avenue
Washington, District of Columbia
reviewed on: November 30 2009
"The Obama's Favorite Ice Cream Place in D.C."
Okay, so Alexandria isn't technically in D.C., but The Dairy Godmother is WELL worth the detour. Located in the DelRay neighborhood of Alexandria, VA, this ice cream shop is just a stone's throw from Washington and can be easily fit into your day of touring historic OIde Towne Alexandria. The Dairy Godmother boasts old fashioned spun frozen custard. The owner is from Wisconsin where the real deal comes from, and her flavors are amazing! Flavors change about every other day and include the oldie-but-goodies of chocolate and vanilla but rotate in Coconut Cream, Dementor's Kiss, Kulfi, Toasted Almond - the list is endless. She also always has a vegan sorbet option. President Obama took First Tweens Malia and Sasha Obama here on Father's Day - you can even sit where he sat to enjoy your cone.
5015 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, District of Columbia
reviewed on: November 30 2009
"Best Kids' Bookstore in D.C. - Hands Down!"
Shop local! Politics and Prose is the most amazing, smart-staffed, and energizing bookstore we've ever been in. The selection is superb, and the helpful, always available staff are true experts. The Children's section is downstairs and is run by the former owner of the Cheshire Cat Bookstore (a late, great D.C. institution). For anyone who's ever watched "You've Got Mail" with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, Politics and Prose is very much like the bookstore Meg Ryan's character ran in the film. Be sure to check out their events page before you go - EVERY author touring D.C. speaks here and almost nowhere else.
