We visited two months ago the mem'l with our toddler and found the experience to be a great hour from both perspectives. We got to learn about FDR and our son got to run around and climb on some of the stonework and ham it up around the other tourists. From the Lincoln memorial it is a 15 min walk tops and gets you on the circuit around the Tidal basin, which also connects to another masterpiece of DC, the Jefferson Memorial. A must do if you have small kids while in DC.

The American art museum is also known for the portrait gallery of the presidents. It is well laid out and has a HUGE atrium in the middle that was opened only 2 years ago. Inside the atrium are several fountains and a long area to let little feet loose to burn some energy. We found it the perfect place to bring our son and to get some culture at the same time. And as all museums in DC, the price is right!

The best part about the Zoo is getting there. We are local to DC and were in a pinch for time, so we took the car figuring that parking couldn't be too hard. Wrong --- long line to get in only to pay $15 for our short visit. Much better to take the Metro and walk.

Elephant house is in Transition too, and the Giraffes and Hippos are no longer part of the zoo, which is a bummer.