Morning

Walk the mall. Download the official national parks service app to help guide you around the national mall and memorial parks, starting at the steps of the capitol and including the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The route spans about 2 miles.

Midday

White House view. Although tours of the white house must be booked far in advance and through your congressional representative, no trip to the capital is complete without a look at the building that once housed Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and John F. Kennedy.

Lunch near the White House. Just three blocks west of the white house, founding farmers is a cozy spot to refresh after a morning of sightseeing. The menu of this farmer-owned co-op is locally and seasonally driven and features burgers, salads, and lots of meat-free options.

Afternoon

Hotel hunt. After an active morning, retreat back to the Ritz-Carlton, Washington D.C. to enjoy a more restful afternoon while the kids take on the hotel’s scavenger hunt, with a special prize awarded at the finish line.

Evening

Cookie decorating dinner. At a nearby restaurant Firefly, a live tree grows within the dining room, and kids are given cookies to decorate while they wait for dinner. After finishing the meal, the freshly baked treats are returned to their designers to enjoy for dessert.

Morning

Take flight. The National Air and Space Museum is one of the most visited museums in the world, so arrive when the doors open to peruse the expansive collection of air and spacecraft. Don’t miss the 1903 wright flyer and a touchable moon rock that returned to earth on apollo 17.

Midday

Native American-inspired lunch. After an air- and space-filled morning, walk next door to the national museum of the American Indian to explore the collection of Native American art and artifacts, and stay for lunch at Mitsitam Café, the museum’s popular cafeteria-style eatery. Specializing in indigenous dishes from the western hemisphere, seasonally changing options from fry bread and lobster rolls to tacos on yellow corn tortillas will appeal to everyone in the group.

Afternoon

Historic afternoon. Ward off museum apathy and visit the National Museum of Natural History. Another sprawling museum with myriad exhibits, first-time visitors should focus on a few highlights, like the 45.52-carat hope diamond, as well as a live coral reef and a 45-foot whale replica inside Ocean Hall.

The Yards Park. About a 10-minute drive south, find the Yards Park and decompress over views of the Anacostia river and dancing fountains that illuminate at night.

Evening

Italy on the Anacostia River. Within the park, find osteria morini on the Anacostia River. Chef Michael white hails from new york city, where he’s known for northern Italian cuisine that includes handmade pastas, plates of cured meats and cheeses, and wood fire-grilled steaks. There’s alfresco seating, but the walls of windows ensure a lovely river view from the airy space inside, too.

Morning

Bagel breakfast. Before heading to the zoo, stop into nearby Baked by Yael for juice and an egg sandwich on a freshly made bagel. The shop is also known for its colorful cake pops, and after all, this is vacation.

Midday

A wild time. One of the oldest zoos in the country, the Smithsonian National Zoological Park makes for a fun morning, especially with a visit to the playful giant panda exhibit.

Afternoon

Gelato break. Locally loved Dolcezza has locations throughout the city, but head south from the zoo to the Dupont circle outpost and refuel with a scoop or two of their house-made, small-batch gelato. Flavors range from the classics to the more inventive lemon ricotta cardamom and Thai coconut milk. They also serve excellent coffee, if the parents need a little pick-me-up.

Art for the family. After savoring coffee and gelato, walk the two blocks to the Phillips Collection, America's first museum of modern art. Housed in a stately brick townhome, the collection includes over 4,000 works ranging from french impressionist to modernist. Ask for a discovery pack, which has cards designed to engage the whole family in the artwork.

Evening

Dinner in Georgetown. Feel free to stop at the hotel first, or go right to dinner from the museum — pinstripes in Georgetown is less than 2 miles away from each. The family-friendly restaurant has homemade pastas and wood-fired pizzas, an outdoor fire pit, and both bocce and bowling.

Morning

Breakfast with the locals. A historic tavern that dates back to 1856, Old Ebbitt Grill is just steps from the White House and offers a kid’s menu to ensure that there’s something for everyone. Dine on classic breakfast fare among politicians and tourists alike.

Midday

In the news. About a mile away, find the Newseum. Dedicated to promoting a free press and exploring the evolution of communication, the vast, interactive museum has exhibits that will engage the whole family. Touch sections of the berlin wall or peruse the daily front pages of 80 newspapers from around the world in today’s front page gallery. The interactive newsroom lets kids (or adults) step in front of the camera to fill the role of on-air reporter or anchor.

Afternoon

I spy. Another interactive spot, the International Spy Museum is just a few blocks away from the Newseum. The collection of spy devices is particularly cool, with a lipstick pistol, buttonhole camera, and hundreds of others. For anyone over 12, the hands-on operation spy experience makes for an adrenaline-fueled afternoon. Visit the gift shop for spy gadgets and more fun souvenirs.

Evening

Bon appétit. A charming and celebrated french bistro by restaurateur Stephen Starr, Le Diplomate features all the classics, from roast chicken and steak frites to beautiful plateau de fruits de mer and carafes of house wine.

Showtime. See a touring broadway musical or another show at the National Theatre, situated a few blocks from the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue for over 180 years.

Morning

Westend breakfast.Enjoy a relaxed morning at the ritz-carlton, washington d.C. With breakfast at westend bistro, where updated bistro classics are prepared with seasonal ingredients.

Midday

Road trip. Less than 20 miles south of D.C., on the Potomac River in Virginia, is George Washington's Mount Vernon. The sprawling estate is home to his historic mansion, heritage breed animals, a functioning reconstruction of the original whiskey distillery, and the founding father’s final resting place. Hands-on activities for kids include crafts, games and a 4-d movie — all delivering an entertaining history lesson disguised as pure fun.

Afternoon

Presidential ice cream.After lunch at mount vernon, head north to the dairy godmother in alexandria. The wisconsin-style frozen custard shop offers an array of seasonal flavors and is beloved by locals, including the obama family.

Torpedo Factory. As the name suggests, the Torpedo Factory Art Center was once a factory for making torpedoes during world war ii. Now, the vast facility is home to working artists who display and sell their work, but evidence of its former home is on exhibit. Events and programs are scheduled throughout the year, including an art safari, with hands-on family crafts and activities.

Evening

Dinner on the water. Stay in old town Alexandria for a coastal-inspired dinner at Hummingbird, with a riverfront view. Order the clambake, with a lobster tail, clams, mussels, and local corn, and a slice of hummingbird cake or an order of milk and cookies for dessert.

Morning

Hit the mall. Rise early for a less crowded walk around America's front yard. The National Mall spans 1.9 miles from the capitol steps to the lincoln memorial, but start at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the southwest outskirts of the mall and walk clockwise to see the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and reflecting pool, Vietnam veterans memorial, and the Washington Monument.

Midday

History on display. A short stroll from the Washington Monument, find the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Its vast collection chronicles many aspects of our nation’s history and includes Julia Child’s kitchen, the ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in “the wizard of oz” and Abraham Lincoln’s top hat.

Lunch at the gallery. Tucked inside the National Gallery of Art, the Garden Café may be the most serene spot on the mall for a lunch break. The menu changes seasonally but usually features a local cheese plate, a selection of salads, and roasted meat and fish. Before leaving, walk over to the east building and see the Rothko room — the sunlight-filled space displaying 10 works by the abstract expressionist is worth the detour.

Afternoon

Shakespearean Library. One block east of the National Mall, behind the capitol, find the world’s largest Shakespeare collection in the beautiful Folger Shakespeare Library. Docent-led tours might highlight the reading rooms, elizabethan garden and famous stained-glass window by nicola d’ascenzo.

Evening

Greek dinner. Head to Mirabelle for a taste of Chef Frank Ruta's distinctive French-American fare, including foie gras poached in consommé and wild Scottish wood pigeon.

Cocktails at Quadrant. Return to the Ritz-Carlton, Washington D.C. To unwind with a cocktail by the fireplace at the plush Quadrant Bar & Lounge. Flip to the back of its menu book and browse a special list of cocktails assigned to each president along with an accompanying historic story. Listen to a flamenco guitarist on Fridays or a Dj spinning funky, soulful rhythms on Saturdays.

Morning

Founding farmers. Start at farmer-owned restaurant Founding Farmers to fuel up with an early breakfast of bourbon-battered french toast or an egg scramble before plunging into the day. Take in views of the White House on the walk to your first stop.

Midday

Contemporary art. Situated on the National Mall, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden boasts a vast collection of modern artwork, both inside its stately buildings and outside in the serene sculpture garden. Before leaving, find the Dolcezza pop-up cafe for a pick-me-up espresso or scoop of locally-made gelato.

Portraits. Head north for the National Portrait Gallery, and peruse the complete collection of presidential portraits (the country’s only such collection outside of the White House) as well as the equally comprehensive collection of first ladies, starting with Martha Washington.

Afternoon

French bistro. Recharge over a late lunch at Central Michel Richard. The American bistro by the late, celebrated French chef features classics of both varieties. Try the excellent Michel's fried chicken and indulge in a glass of wine or, better yet, champagne.

Georgetown waterfront. On the banks of the Potomac river in the Georgetown historic district, the waterfront park is the perfect peaceful spot for a late afternoon stroll.

Evening

Buzzy dinner. If you don’t have the time or inclination to wait for a table at the justifiably popular rose’s luxury, book a table at Michelin-starred The Dabney. Formerly of Charleston’s McCrady's Tavern, Chef Jeremiah Langhorne offers modern takes on recipes garnered from old-fashioned mid-Atlantic cookbooks. Dessert is a must.