Top 10 Kid Friendly Things To Do and Attractions in Bethesda

"The most visited museum of its kind in the world, the Museum of Natural History features a collection of exhibits and galleries that explore our natural surroundings. Learn about dinosaurs, discover the story of man, the importance of the world’s oceans and view the famous Hope Diamond through the museum’s interactive displays."

"First on the list is the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Located on the National Mall at 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, it is the most popular museum in Washington, boasting 4.5 stars out of 1,036 reviews on Yelp."

"Hours are limited and seasonal, so check in advance of your visit. Kid-friendly exhibits: all. The Oceans Hall, Hall of Mammals, Insect Zoo, and dinosaurs are classics."

"Often featured in movies and TV shows as the location is symbolic in American history, the Lincoln Memorial is housed in an impressive Greek-style columned building at the west end of the National Mall. This memorial can get incredibly busy with tourists during the day, so it’s best to arrive here at dawn to make use of the early morning light, or late in the evening when the memorial is lit up. Take along a wide angle lens to capture the monument up close, and experiment with different angles while inside."

"A 19-foot-tall (5.7-meter-tall) marble statue of President Abraham Lincoln dominates the Lincoln Memorial, situated at the edge of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on the National Mall in Washington DC. The most visited National Park Service site in the city is an homage to the 16th president of the United States, who helped to preserve the Union during the Civil War and delivered the Gettysburg Address and the Emancipation Proclamation.More"

"Washington, DC is home to many famous monuments and memorials. Visit the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Memorial and WWII Memorial. If you can’t fit in a tour of the monuments during the day, try our Monuments by Moonlight tour to see them fully illuminated at night."

"Danita Delimont/Gallo Images Collection/Getty Images (cropped). Architect Robert Mills' initial design for the Washington Monument honored America's first president with a 600-foot tall, square, flat-topped pillar. At the base of the pillar, Mills envisioned an elaborate colonnade with statues of 30 Revolutionary War heroes and a soaring sculpture of George Washington in a chariot."

"Erected in honor of the nation’s first president, the Washington Monument is the tallest building in Washington DC, reaching 555 feet (169 meters) high. The white, marble obelisk is also one of the capital’s most famous structures, made even more remarkable when seen with its mirror image reflected in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.More"

"Standing 555 feet high and anchoring one end of the National Mall, the Washington Monument is especially beautiful at sunset or sunrise (there are fewer crowds as well). The base of the monument is ringed by 50 American flags (one for each state)."

"Crowning Capitol Hill and on a perfect axis with dozens of monuments on the National Mall is a worldwide symbol of democracy, visible across Washington. The Capitol Building is the home of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the seat of the legislative branch of the Federal Government of the United States. For much of its past it has also housed the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court."

"The United States Capitol is both a monument and a working office building. You'll enter the building through the Capitol Visitor Center which is open to visitors from 8:30 a.m."

"The world's largest library – with 164 million books, manuscripts, maps, photos, films and other items – awes in both scope and design. The centerpiece is the 1897 Jefferson Building. Gawk at the Great Hall, done up in stained glass, marble and mosaics of mythical characters, then seek out the Gutenberg Bible (c 1455), Thomas Jefferson's round library and the reading room viewing area. Free tours of the building take place between 10:30am and 3:30pm on the half-hour."

"One of the world’s most important libraries; all the books housed here are alongside stunning architecture. The view from the balcony and the Instagram shot you get here will be stunning. View this post on Instagram"

"When it was created in 1800, the Library of Congress was primarily a resource for Congressmen. The library was located where the legislators worked, in the U.S."

"DC's best meditation spot has to be the West Potomac Park, the area between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. It includes the Tidal Basin, which shimmers pink when the beautiful cherry trees bloom around March or April (according to spring's whim)."

"This is a national park adjacent to the National Mall, west of the Tidal Basin and the Washington Monument. Major attractions in the area include Constitution Gardens, the Reflecting Pool, the Vietnam, Korean, Lincoln, Jefferson, World War II, and FDR memorials."

"With plenty of street parking, Windmill Hill Park is a great place for a family outing. Enjoy the swing set overlooking the river or venture onto the dock with views of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Park Features: Basketball court, playground, riverfront seating, and sand volleyball"

"Just across Union Street, let the children in your group run off steam at the large playground and athletic fields at Windmill Hill Park."

"Arlington’s lone skatepark is located near Powhatan Springs (currently slated for renovation). Outside of providing the chance to shred, visitors can enjoy grass fields, an ornamental rain garden, and a fountain. // 6020 Wilson Blvd., Arlington"

"Rock Creek Park was one of the first national parks developed by the federal government. Dating back to 1890, the park is a DC treasure that affords visitors a scenic getaway from the hectic pace of the day-to-day in the nation’s capital. Boasting 32 hiking trails, landmarks such as Civil War strongholds, colonial houses, and activities like horseback riding, picnicking, and the opportunity to play tennis or golf, among others, a trip to the Rock Creek Park can quickly fill up your day with immersion in nature."

"Since becoming one of the first federally managed parks in the United States in 1890, Rock Creek Park has been a green oasis in the heart of Washington DC. Covering an astounding 1,700 acres, Rock Creek is larger even than New York’s Central Park. Nature lovers exploring its grounds may catch a glimpse of some of its residents: the white-tailed deer; red foxes, or even coyote. Hikers enjoy more than 32 miles of trails, while cyclists can follow a paved path all the way to the Lincoln Memorial."

"Venture away from the city by exploring the hiking trails of Rock Creek Park. This park isn't very well known, so you won't find too many tourists there."

"The L. Ron Hubbard House, located in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C, is also known as the Original Founding Church of Scientology. Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbard lived in the home from 1955 until 1959."

"The First Division Monument, standing in President's Park next to the White House and in front of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, is dedicated to those who served and died in the First Division of the American Expeditionary Forces."

"If you're seeing a show or catching a game at the Verizon Center, Carmine's Italian Restaurant offers one of the largest dining rooms in D.C. and family-style menus. Each order serves six, so order a meaty lasagna and a Titanic (a banana split with five scoops of ice cream, roasted pineapple, strawberries, hazelnuts and enough whipped cream to keep the kids wired all afternoon)."

"Southern Italian is on the menu at Carmine's in Washington, D.C. Located in the Penn Quarter, a night at this family-friendly restaurant is accessible from every area of the city."

"We ordered for the first time last evening and everything from the pizza to the salad to the chicken strips was phenomenal."

"Former Top Chef finalist Marjorie Meek-Bradley has formed a dynamic team with restaurateur Stephen Starr (of Le Diplomate fame) to bring DC diners the finest grilled dishes at St. Anselm. This sleek, 7,000 square-foot hot spot can be found just across the street from bustling Union Market in the NoMa neighborhood. Start your meal off right with grilled oysters dressed in smoked herb butter or clams before choosing any number of grilled meats (think: ribeyes, flat irons, New York strips)."

"Chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley smashed the city’s stuffy steakhouse conventions with a menu at this Union Market tavern that gives vegetables equal billing. Her butter-packed biscuits with pimento cheese have become the stuff of legend, and a salmon collar practically melting under a butter-lemon bath has its own cult following. Ax-handle ribeyes and pork chops are priced by the ounce for communal feasts."

"St. Anselm built an impressive covered, cubicle-like structure on its patio near Union Market for outdoor dinners, lunches, and brunches starring buttermilk biscuits, cinnamon roll monkey bread, and NY strip steak. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by St. Anselm DC (@st.anselm_dc)"

"Pre-game drinks options near the Verizon Center can be very sports-centric, unless you know where to look. Flight Wine Bar pours wines from around the world, offering an impressive mix of options, all sans snobbery. The playful menu features 20 flights with themes like Sailing on the Mediterranean and Hipster and Proud of It."

"There are 28 available flights, naturally, all three pours each. In addition, there are more than 40 wines by the glass. The bar also hosts regular wine education and tasting classes."

"Located across from a park-like square, Georgia Brown’s is well recognized for its upscale Southern cooking. The butter-yellow interiors are comfortable and warmly lit, which matches the homestyle, yet sophisticated cuisine. Beginning with a basket of fresh biscuits and cornbread,..."

"Georgia Brown’s offers a Sunday Jazz Brunch which has achieved the honor of being among the top 100 best brunch restaurants in America for 2018. Brunch is served from 10:00 to 16:00. Saturday also sees a delicious brunch selection from 10:00 to 14:00."