spring break: DC Edition
Spring break in DC has a sneaky advantage: the city wakes up. 🌸 Museums feel fresh again, outdoor spaces come alive, and you can mix culture with playgrounds, pastries, and a little bit of wandering.
If you're staying local this year (or visiting), here’s a relaxed, family-friendly way to spend a few spring days exploring the best of Washington.
museum morning & Market
Start the day at the always-magical Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Kids can wander from dinosaurs to gemstones to the Ocean Hall without anyone feeling rushed.
A few tips for visiting with kids:
Enter right at opening for the calmest experience
Let each kid choose one exhibit they want to see
Don’t try to see everything—this museum is huge
Alternative: If you don’t make the early opening time, museum hop! We like the Hirschorn Museum for their modern and engaging exhibits.
Once everyone is museum-ed out, walk about 15 minutes to Eastern Market for lunch.
Stop at Tortilla Cafe for flautas, tacos, empanadas or a Filipino treat. If it’s a weekend, you’ll also find street vendors and local artists outside.
Coffee stop: Peregrine Espresso.
Let kids burn off some energy at Lincoln Park, which has a playground perfect for a quick reset.
cherry blossom walk
Spring break often lines up with the beginning of blossom season. Even if peak bloom hasn’t hit yet, the Tidal Basin is beautiful for a walk.
Highlights along the way:
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial (lots of space for kids to explore)
If the weather is nice, rent paddle boats at Tidal Basin Paddle Boats—one of those classic DC experiences kids remember.
Coffee stop: Tatte Bakery & Cafe for pastries and excellent coffee.
Alternate: If you’re worried about parking / crowds, try Meadowlark Gardens in Vienna, VA or the National Arboretum instead.
under the radar museum Day!
If the National Mall museums feel overwhelming during spring break, try something a little quieter.
Start at the beautiful National Museum of Asian Art, where kids love spotting dragons, samurai armor, and intricate ceramics.
Before leaving, grab a drink or snack at Moongate Cafe, tucked inside the museum.
Then walk over to the equally fascinating National Museum of African Art, which is often surprisingly quiet and full of vibrant sculptures, textiles, and masks.
Outdoor break: stroll through the Enid A. Haupt Garden just outside.
enjoy nature in the heart of the city
When everyone needs a break from museums, head to Rock Creek Park.
A few easy spring activities:
Walk or bike part of the Rock Creek Park Trails
Visit the animals at Smithsonian's National Zoo
Pack a picnic near the creek
Coffee stop nearby: The Coupe.
day trip ideas!
If you want one day that feels like a getaway, drive about an hour to Annapolis.
Spring is perfect for:
Walking the historic streets
Watching boats in the harbor
Getting ice cream by the water
Lunch idea: Iron Rooster, known for homemade pop-tarts.
Another option is to head to our hometown, Frederick, MD.
We recommend:
Walking around Carroll Creek
Playtime at Baker Park
Lunch downtown, we recommend Pretzel & Pizza Creations with kids