Top 10 Kid Friendly Things To Do and Attractions in Gaithersburg

"The most popular are the Air and Space Museum, Natural History Museum, and American History Museum. Choose the museum that interests you most and spend a few hours exploring. At the National Air and Space Museum, see the original Wright 1903 Flyer, the "Spirit of St. Louis," and the Apollo 11 command module. At the National Museum of Natural History, take a look at the Hope Diamond and other gems and minerals, examine the massive fossil collection, visit the 23,000-square-foot Ocean Hall, see a life-size replica of a North Atlantic whale and a 1,800-gallon-tank display of coral reef."

"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."

"Address: 10th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20560Phone: (202) 633-1000Website. This top-pick among Smithsonian museums has remained a crowd favorite."

"The most visited of the memorials, the 19-foot seated figure of Abraham Lincoln dedicated in 1922, never fails to inspire. It is flanked by inscriptions of his Second Inaugural Address and the Gettysburg Address. The 39 columns on all four sides of the chamber represent the states that existed at Lincoln’s death."

"Allan Baxter / Collection: Photographer's Choice RF / Getty Images. Many years went into planning the memorial to American's 16th president. An early proposal called for a statue of Abraham Lincoln surrounded by statues of 37 other people, six on horseback."

"The Lincoln Memorial sits on the opposite side of the reflecting pool from the Washington Monument. You can photograph Lincoln up close or get a distant view from across the reflecting pool (bring a long lens for this). Lincoln Memorial by Marc Andre"

"You will see the Capitol to the East and the Washington Monument to the West. The Smithsonian is comprised of 19 museums. Since you have limited time to tour the city, I would suggest that you pick just one museum to explore, either the National Museum of Natural History or the National Museum of American History. Both museums are located across the Mall (to the north of the Smithsonian Metro Station) There is so much to see and so little time--grab a museum map and spend an hour or two exploring the exhibits."

"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."

"The most iconic and recognizable building in DC is hard not to photograph since it’s DC’s tallest building. From the Tidal Basin, steps of the Lincoln Memorial or standing right next to it, the Washington Monument looks great from all angles. You can also get a unique angle of the Washington Monument from the POV bar at the W Hotel."

"United States Capitol Building, Washington, DC, Supreme Court (L) and Library of Congress (R) in Background. Carol M. Highsmith/Buyenlarge Archive Photos/Getty Images (cropped). For almost two centuries, America's governing bodies, the Senate and the House of Representatives, have gathered under the dome of the US Capitol."

"It is hard to believe it, but the Capitol is among the free things to do in Washington DC!. There is a free tour of the building if you book in advance!. Even if you aren’t able to book in advance, you can go into the lower level behind the Capitol and visit the museum."

"Day or night, the US Capitol building is one of Washington, D.C.'s most monumental sights. The marble edifice is a symbol of American Democracy, and the giant dome is based on St. Peter's in Rome. Make sure to step inside and see the rotunda under the dome."

"Designed in the Beaux-Arts style with giant columns, open light, granite and bronze doors and marble floors, the library surpasses all other local institutions when it comes to its comprehensive cultural collections. The numbers speak for themselves. The print and photographs division holds 15 million visual images, while the publication department has the world’s largest collection of graphic novels and comic books, at 5,000 titles, and an extensive collection of works by political cartoonist Herbert L. Block, or “Herblock,” on public view since 2011."

"The Library of Congress is unlike any other library in the world. The world’s largest library, it is home to more than 100 million books, maps, recordings, manuscripts, films and photos including items from Thomas Jefferson’s personal collection. In fact, it was Jefferson who donated many items to the library after it was destroyed by a fire in 1814."

"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."

"The monument to Civil War General William T. Sherman is elaborate and prominently placed, in President's Park (the Ellipse), right next to the White House."

"Anchored by the Capitol Building, the National Mall is lined with the museums of the Smithsonian Institution. It is also filled with many well-known monuments and memorials. Stroll along “America’s Front Lawn” and visit the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and the Reflecting Pool as well as the Vietnam Veterans, Korean War and World War II Memorials."

"The Mall – the 3-mile-plus-long rectangle of lawn, and the city's pride – is packed with monuments and memorials. You can visit everything from the Lincoln Memorial (which receives 5.4 million visitors), National WWII Memorial (4 million), Vietnam Veterans Memorial (3.8 million), the Martin Luther King Jr National Memorial and more besides."

"The first stop that you’ll want to make in Washington, DC is the National Mall. You’ve already seen it depicted in hundreds of films, shows, plays, postcards and art prints, so it’s time to gaze at its majesty in real life. The long, grassy slopes are home to dozens of iconic U.S. institutions."

"The National Children’s Museum is located in downtown Washington, D.C. near the famous National Mall. The museum moved to a brand-new building in late 2019 and expanded the space for many exhibits, and hands-on learning experiences help kids learn sciences, technology, engineering, arts, and math in a fun way."

"The name may be obvious, but this new museum joining the ranks of top kid-friendly museums is the National Children’s Museum. A massive three-level jungle gym is just the start of this newly built facility. In a virtual field trip, kids can become Climate Action Heroes."

"The National Children’s Museum in Washington, DC, is strictly for families of young children. The museum is set up so that the exhibits are just the right height for those little bodies. The museum is all about movement and interaction, learning by doing."

"Navy Yard, Arlington, and U Street With three locations and shelf space in local grocery stores (plus an online shop, where you can get pints shipped nationwide), Ice Cream Jubilee has become a staple since it opened its first DC outpost in 2014. The shop stocks unique flavors like Banana Bourbon Caramel, MarionBerry, and Honey Lemon Lavender, but adds in seasonal offerings and specials for local occasions. For example, coinciding with this year’s Presidential Inauguration, Ice Cream Jubilee launched special flavors to honor the president and vice president, including Biden’s favorite flavor, Vanilla Chocolate Chip, available through the end of July."

"If you have the cash to spend, this shop is a near-perfect destination. Each member of its rotating slate of flavors feels innovative, from honey lemon lavender to “everything” bagel. The latter was sold out when we visited — proof that when it comes to ice cream, weird can be good — so we went for sesame halvah instead and left quite pleased."

"Owner Victoria Lai believes that eating ice cream is meant to be a happy time and one shared by those you love. That is why she created these adorable shops to indulge in your favorite sweets. Ice Cream Jubilee is known for its seasonal flavors, international flair, and special events."

"The sweet and salty combo at Astro Donuts and Fried Chicken is sure to fix any hangover or sweet craving. If you are just looking for donuts, they have those too. Check the seasonal selection, especially during the Cherry Blossom Festival, but the creme brûlée is always our favorite."

"You could eat them separately, but Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken is combining glorious salty and sweet flavors into a fried chicken sandwich with a donut bun. If you ask me, that’s just perfection."

"I make it a habit to try donuts in every country and city I visit. Astro is by far my favorite donut shop worldwide!"

"Every morning, these unique and gourmet doughnuts are hanD.C.rafted right in District Doughnut’s very own kitchen. These donuts are one-of-a-kind, with a weekly menu of around 10 flavors. They also have a rotating variety of seasonal flavors, with everything from cookies and cream doughnuts to chocolate cake doughnuts with a decadent vanilla bean glaze."

"Okay, so we covered the healthy stuff, but what about the decadent desserts?. District Doughnut has you covered with plenty of menu items to satisfy your sweet tooth. The store’s cheery and colorful exterior perfectly matches their donuts."

"I have pre ordered mine before to make sure I get the certain flavors. With a rotating seasonal menu I always recommend trying those items. But a classic browned butter or vanilla glaze are always some of my favorites as well."