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.

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.

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!

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.

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.