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Kidz Eye View of Washington, D.C.

“Beyond the Mall”

By Janis Hashe and Jo Knollhoff

Although we're known unofficially as Big J and Little J within our extended family, my 12-year-old niece Jo (Little J) and I had never traveled together before our recent trip to the nation's capital. So it was with some trepidation that I prepared for four days that included history, culture (both pop and classic), unfamiliar food and dealing with the airlines during summer.

I'm happy to report that we not only survived, but triumphed. A blast was had by both auntie and niece, and oddly, a little education managed to sneak in there as well. We've created a rating system for things we saw and did, with five stars being best and zero being "give this a miss." We both indicate our rating—then we'll let you decide.

The first big success: The Four Seasons Hotel, Washington, D.C.. Situated in the heart of Georgetown, the 259-room Four Seasons provides easy access to just about everything. The Four Seasons hotel group is known for its hospitality towards kids, and Jo was enthralled to find her name spelled out in sponges in the bathtub, plus a kid-size robe and welcome gifts waiting for her. The staff exuded classic Four Seasons graciousness, we slept like logs in the comfortable beds, and had we wanted to, we could have taken advantage of the "Pandas and Pillows" weekend package, which includes a panda activity book, coupons for National Zoo parking and discounts, overnight hotel parking and more.

Auntie: *****. Love those fabulous bathtubs.

Niece: *****. Great room service!

Four Seasons Hotel, 2800 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, D.C. 202-342-0444; www.fourseasons.com. Call or check online for special packages.

On our first night in town, we visited the ESPNZone, one of several "interactive restaurants" created by sports channel ESPN. I admit I groaned a bit before we got there, not being a big fan of loud, frenetic eating places, but I was surprised. Yes, the place is noisy, busy and not a fine-dining establishment, but boy, is it fun! After a quick meal of basic kid-type finger foods (chicken fingers, toasted cheese sandwiches, French fries, plus fresh fruit), we headed downstairs to the Sports Arena. We bowled in the mini-bowling alley, shot baskets, played air hockey, and nearly died laughing at my "performance" on the virtual mountain bike course.

Auntie: ****. Who knew it would be this much fun?

Niece: *****. I ride horses, so I enjoyed the racehorse game a lot.

ESPNZone, 555 12^th St., Washington, D.C. 202-783-3776.

Next morning, it was off to the White House for the official tour. The president was in Texas, but I was impressed with this American icon, its gorgeous furniture, priceless art and unique feel of history. Kids adored the tour guide's story of 360-pound William Howard Taft getting stuck in the bathtub.

Auntie: ***. Would have liked more time in some rooms.

Niece: ***. I was surprised that it wasn't larger.

Contact your congressperson or U.S. senator to arrange for advance tickets.

We then took off with DC Ducks, a 90-minute tour on vintage World War II amphibious vehicles that takes in the National Mall, then splashes into the Potomac for a little cruise. Everyone was given official "quackers" with which to quack unsuspecting fellow tourists. A big hit.

Auntie: ****. Guide was funny and informative.

Niece: *****. The quackers were fun. Mine was the loudest.

DC Ducks, 800-TOUR-HTA (868-7482); www.historictours.com. $24 adults; $12 ages 4 to 12; free for ages 3 and under.

Of course, no trip to DC is complete without a visit to the National Zoo, with its famous guests, Tian Tian and Mei Xiang the giant pandas. Inside the Panda House, we first saw what seemed to be a stuffed panda hanging over the edge of a rock shelf. But when Mei Xiang appeared from outside, Tian Tian woke up—and playtime began. The exhibit includes lots of information about pandas and their habits, and helpful docents can answer most questions.

Auntie: *****. Nothing is cuter than a panda.

Niece: ****. I especially liked the baby giraffe, but wished I could see it close up.

National Zoological Park, Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 202-673-4717; www.natzoo.si.edu. Free.

The day's last stop was the Newseum, the world's only interactive museum dedicated to the media. Here we saw a short film on "what is news," and Jo could have tested her skills at newscasting in the "broadcast studio." We opted to pretend to be newspaper managing editors choosing stories for that day's edition (via an interactive touch-screen monitor). For some reason, our choice of "mutant frogs" as the lead story didn't go over well with the program.

Auntie: ***. Outstanding for budding journalists.

Niece: ***. The interactive touch screen was the most fun.

Newseum, 1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA. 888-NEWSEUM (639-7386); www.newseum.org. Free.

Dinner that night was at the Hard Rock Café. Personable servers and more-than-decent veggieburgers and cheeseburgers made for an enjoyable time, especially when two employees jumped on the counter to do the "Time Warp" from Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Auntie: ***. Younger kids won't recognize any of the stars on the memorabilia. Who's John Lennon?

Niece: ****. True, I didn't know any of the stars, but the food and service were great.

Hard Rock Café, 514 10^th Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 202-737-7625.

We were up bright and early the next morning for a Washington Photo Safari, conducted by professional photographer E. David Luria. We learned a lot on the four-hour safari (such as the fact that I have been holding my camera incorrectly all these years), including how to frame pictures, how to eliminate trashcans and Federal Express trucks from photos, and more. In addition, we got to see the Jefferson Memorial up close and personal, as well as the giant sculpture "The Awakening."

Auntie: ****. Best suited to older kids and adults.

Niece: ****. I learned to take better quality photos.

Washington Photo Safari, 202-537-0937; www.washingtonphotosafari.com. $59 per person.

The afternoon was reserved for a visit to Arlington National Cemetery, resting place of both JFK and RFK, and home to the Tomb of the Unknowns. Enthusiastic and energetic guide Adam Wolf of Quest DC Adventure Tours did his best to make the expedition fun, but hot, humid weather followed by torrential thunderstorms undermined his efforts.

Auntie: *. This site is best saved for an adults-only visit.

Niece: **. I think I'll like it better when I'm older.

Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. 703-697-4967; www.mdw.army.mil. Free. Quest DC Adventure Tours, 240-432-5151, questdctours@aol.com; www.questdc.com. Cost depends on size of group and length of tour.

Our hunt for dinner took us to the beautifully restored Union Station and one of its several restaurants, America. Jo liked her chicken potpie and I was delighted with my blackened swordfish and perfectly sautéed spinach. But the evening's big event was a visit from none other than Abraham Lincoln, courtesy of Lincoln for the Ages and Lincoln impressionist Phillip A. Chetwynd. Mr. Lincoln discussed his life, his marriage to Mary Todd Lincoln, and his family, then answered questions such as, "Why did it take you so long to find a good general?" and "How long did it take to write the Gettysburg Address?"

Auntie: *****. Union Station is lovely, America is a fine restaurant, and Mr. Lincoln was most gracious.

Niece: ****. The station is really big and pretty.

America at Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Washington DC. 202-543-5005. Lincoln for the Ages, 703-490-6588; alincoln@erols.com; www.lincolnfortheages.com. Most appropriate for groups.

On our final day in DC, we zoomed off on the Metro to the National Museum of Natural History, one of the Smithsonian's many branches. We checked out the special Triceratops exhibit, oohed and ugged in the Insect Zoo, and Jo indulged one of Auntie's obsessions: Giant Squid. As a junior lifeguard, she was amazed (and grossed out) to discover that the tentacled behemoths, which can grow up to 60 feet long, lurk in the waters right off her Central California home!

Auntie: *****. Anything with giant squid gets top marks from me.

Niece: ****. The dinosaurs were amazing, but the giant squid was gross.

National Museum of Natural History, National Mall, Constitution Ave. at 10^th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 202-357-2700; www.mnh.si.edu. Free.

Basic Tip: Although rates will be higher, Washington D.C. weather is much pleasanter and more predictable in fall and spring. If possible, avoid a summer visit.

For more information, contact the Washington D.C. Convention and Tourism Corporation, 202-789-7000; www.washington.org.

— Janis Hashe and Jo Knollhoff

Janis Hashe is a freelance writer specializing in travel and the performing arts. Recent adventures have included biking in France, rappelling in Utah, and getting stuck in the ice for 24 hours off Quebec. And Jo Knollhoff is Janis' 12-year-old niece.

NOTE: The prices listed above were accurate as of posting; we suggest you call for current rates before your trip.

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