What to do in washington dc?

My family(2 adults & 2 teenagers) will be going to washington dc in the summer. What should we do and see?

I have five areas that you should persue - what you persue exactly in this area, will depend on your interests. But check out my web site for lots more information!

1. See the monuments and memorials. Most of the rest of what Washington has to offer is available somewhere in other cities, but this is a central unique thing. You do want to see the Washington Monument, the LIncoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial. Check out less known ones - Vietnam, Korea, FDR, WWII, the Navy Memorial, and tons more. This is a monumenal city - enjoy that. There is a great walk you can do - up the mall from the Washington Memorial, through the WWII memorial, through Vietnam Vets, to Korean VEts, to the LIncoln memorial, then south to the Tidal basin to take in the FDR Memorial, and continue counter-clockwise around the Tidal Basin to visit Mr. Jefferson.

2. Visit the Halls of Government. You have time, if you do it right now, to request a tour of the white house from your congressperson or representative. Do it! While you are at it request a congressional tour of the Capitol - they are great! Also consider stopping in the Supreme court (only open weekdays), the Bureau of Engraving and printing (also only weekdays, but both early and late in the summer), the Library of Congress, the National Archives (where the Constitution and Declaration of Independence are on display). Lines get long, so early in the AM is a good time to do these things.

3. Visit a museum. DC is the richest city in the country for museums, and many are completely free! There are 16 Smithsonian museums, including the Zoo, with all kinds of themes. Some are closed for renovation, but you should be able to find one that interests you. And the National Gallery of Art, housed in two buildings, is one of the best art collections in the country. You might also visit the free National Holocaust Memorial museum or the (for pay) Spy Museum. The Newseum should also be open then, and there are many more here in the city.

4. Get some nightlife. Take in the daily, free, concert at the Kennedy Center (maybe just after a tour of the center), or go to a concert or a play in one of the dozens of professional theatre venuses in the city. In June the Shakespeare Theatre has FREE performances in the CArter Barron Ampitheatre, but you can also get half price tickets at Ticketplace, at 7th and F street NW.

5. Visit a neighborhood. Georgetown is full of Colonial History, Chinatown is a thriving dining and nighlife area, and the home of many generations of immigrants, from German to Chinese. Adams Morgan is the most diverse neighborhood in the city with great dining and thriving Latino, African American, White, and gay communities. Shaw is an icon in black history, and the home of Duke Ellington - the location of the great jazz mecca of the early 20th century. Anacostia provided a long African American history, with the Smithsonian's most intimate museum and the home of Frederick Douglas.

So come an enjoy!

Definitely walk around the Mall. The White House, Reflection Pool, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Wall are all relatively close together and impressive to see.

I also liked the Smithsonian Institute Nature History Museum, but you need darn near a full day to view everything.

If you would like to visit the White House and have a tour of the White House you will need to write to your congressman right now and get a referral. I learned this the hard way. I lived outside DC and made a trip there at Christmas to see the decorations in the White House only to be told I needed to write to my congressman.
I would go to the Mall and see all of the monuments and take a trip to the Smithsonian. These are all free. I have been to the museums several times and have enjoyed them all. I think my favorites are The Air & Space Museum, The Museum of Natural History & The Renwick Gallery.
Be sure too put on some really comfortable walking shoes and wear sun screen because, it is a lot of walking.
I've attached a visitors guide for you.
Have fun!

The National Mall is the nearly 1-stop shop for DC visitors. Don't expect to see me then 1, possibly 2 museums a day. The Air & Space (currently holding the best picks of the American history museum while it is closed) is a great stop, and next door is the American Indian which can be either a 2 hour visit or a 6 hour visit depending on how much you read and are enthralled! If you are spending a few days visiting I suggest planning 2 museums a day then allow 1 day at the end to visit one you didnt get to but wanted to or to go back for a second trip.
I'd suggest an early morning trip to the Lincoln. If you take a cab from with hin DC, have it drop you off to visit the lincoln Memorial then walk over to the vietnam/korean memorials, down the reflecting pool to the WWII memorial you will have hit a large section of the mall before it gets horribly hot and humid and you can go i the air conditioned museums for the rest of the day!
If you want to go up in the Washington Monument, get tickets early thru the national parks website!
dont miss the museums off the mall tho- the national portrait gallery in chinatown and the postal museum (a really fun interactive museum for younger kids and postal dorks, teens might get bored by it) at union station.
visit the best food dc has to offer too! On the trendy U street corridor there is the Famous Ben's Chili Bowl (get a chili half smoke and thank me later) For afternoon snack Teaism in both DuPont Circle and Navy memorial have delicious snacks, cookies and chai milkshakes that are tasty and all foofy organic. For dinner hit U street again for some of the best Ethopian outside of Ethopia!
Use the Washingtonian magazine website- they rate restaurants, exhibits, etc by location as well as price. you can always find a good place to eat near you for cheap.
Check out Ticketplace in on 7th street near Archives and Chinatown if you like theater- DC has a great theater scene and they offer day of rush tickets for up to 50% off.
There is a lot to see and do! Bring some sunscreen and walking shoes, and don't forget to get your metro fare cards!

Arlington Cemetery should be on your list. The changing of the guard ceremony is every hour in the winter and every 30 mins in the summer. It is an awesome and very humbling experience. My advice is to take a tour-mobile trip. You can do a 2 day trip and see all the sights, even have the chance to get off and look around and then catch the next bus as it comes around. It will also take you through the monument mall and the history is so interesting.
The Smithsonian museums are all on the tourmobile also. Contact your congressman and check on a private tour of the capitol. The metro is the way to travel.
The Pentagon is very interesting and the new Air Force Memorial is an awesome view.
There is Chinatown and the MCI center. There is so much history in DC. The views are absolutely breathtaking. I wish you a wonderful trip and most memorable time.

I highly recommend the Air and Space Museum.

SO MANY THINGS, LIKE CONCERTS AT KENNEDY CENTER, WALKING THE MALL, MONUMENTS, LIKE WASHINGTON MONUMENT, SMITHSONIAN , GEORGETOWN, YOUNG TEENAGERS, NATIONAL GALLERY, POTOMAC RIVER, MANY THINGS, JUST LOOK AT IT. THE CAPITOL, THE WHITE HOUSE, THEY ARE MANY THINGS.