National Mall, Washington, District of Columbia

I lived in Washington, DC for a while in my early twenties, and The National Mall was one of my favorite places to stroll when I had time off from work. It has indeed taken on a shabby appearance in recent years, but don’t let that stop you from visiting. Families (especially with older kids who enjoy long walks) will enjoy free admission to many museums and national monuments. My personal favorite are the Freer & Sackler Galleries, which comprise the National Museum of Asian Art, which I like to follow up with a steaming cup of jasmine tea from Teaism down the street. It’s a really good idea to visit the National Mall website before you go. Make a rough itinerary and check for free outdoor events, especially during the spring and summer months. Have a lunch spot in mind if you’re traveling with kids (many of the museums have cafes inside). Check out the Junior Ranger programs for kids, and also the “For Teachers” link on the site for resources that you can use to teach your children about the sites and museum-related content that they are about to see.