When you first arrive in New Orleans, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of restaurants and bars that seem to be on every corner. But if you read 8 Fun Things to Do in New Orleans, you know that visitors can also find other fun ways to spend the day. On our recent trip, we had a few new experiences on our to-do list to round out our New Orleans getaway, including a museum visit and cooking demonstration class. So whether you want to explore the historic French Quarter, or make a visit to City Park, here’s 6 interesting things to consider as you make your list of things to do in New Orleans. And in case you get hungry along the way, I’ve included a few places we enjoyed to grab a bite to eat while you are in the neighborhood.
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Washington, DC is a city that truly has something for visitors of all ages. There’s the impressive Smithsonian Institution, which includes more than a dozen free museums and galleries in the DC area, along with the National Zoo. Add to that all the history that comes alive at the memorials and monuments along the National Mall, plus places like Ford’s Theatre and the National Archives. Finally, throw in all the delicious opportunities to try cuisines from all over the world, and you can understand why DC averages over 20 million visitors per year. But where do you start in a city with so much to offer, and so many interesting free attractions? We pulled together a list of 20 things to do in Washington, DC to get you started. The bucket list is based on our experiences as a family growing up in the suburbs of DC. It’s a mixture of some of the classic must-sees, plus a few more cool experiences that we’ve discovered over the years.
*This post was updated November, 2024 
I recently got back from a fall girls trip to the Seattle area. It had been quite a few years since our Pacific Northwest family road trip, so I was excited when my friend invited me to tag along on her visit to see family in the area. We stayed in a house on the water in Bremerton, with amazing views of Mount Rainier. Given what I knew about Seattle weather, I was prepared for cold, rainy weather. It was definitely a pleasant surprise to have sunshine the entire time! Our plans included my friend sharing a few of her favorite places around Seattle and Bainbridge Island, along with a food tour at Pike Place market. We took advantage of both the Bremerton and Bainbridge Island ferries to get back and forth to Seattle on foot. Read on to learn about 4 fun things to do in the Seattle area and bookmark this page for your next visit to Seattle.
Washington, DC is a wonderful place to visit, and we are fortunate to live in the suburbs of this popular city. How many other towns can boast about such an amazing collection of galleries and museums with no admission fees? Over the years, we’ve learned about animals, airplanes, history, and art by visiting many of the Smithsonian museums. But we’ve also had the chance to enjoy some of the other unique museum offerings in DC. While some might not want to pay admission given all the free museums nearby, I think these 6 other museums in DC that aren’t part of the Smithsonian complex are worth considering. Many are popular with both tourists and locals for their unique exhibits, and we have enjoyed visiting them over the years. Always check online before you go, as you may find a discount for the museums that charge admission.
*This post was originally published in January, 2016 and updated January, 2024. 
When is the last time you took a road trip? Over the summer I decided that it was finally time to take a road trip to Niagara Falls, a 7 ½ hour drive primarily through Pennsylvania and into western New York. The trip was somewhat of a last minute idea with my youngest daughter, and I knew that it would also be a great opportunity to explore some new places along the way. With the help of the Roadtrippers trip planning tool, I was able to easily find several cool attractions including two state parks to explore and help break up our drive on both legs of the trip. We didn’t have time to check out everything that was on my list, but we did enjoy these 4 interesting places to stop on the way from the Northern Virginia area to Niagara Falls. And if you are looking for road trip itineraries and tips, check out other posts, including 5 Delicious Stops on the Road in Coastal Connecticut.
*This post was updated September, 2024  Washington, DC is hard to beat when it comes to cities with family-friendly museums. With over a dozen free Smithsonian museums ranging from history to art from all over the world, there are plenty of opportunities to to do some serious museum hopping. But if you are interested in exploring outside of the city, you will be happy to know there are several popular museums within an hour or two drive. Keep reading to learn more about a few favorite museums that my family and I have explored over the years that are perfect for an easy day trip from DC.
Washington DC is known for many things, including the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Smithsonian Museums. It’s also home to the National Gallery of Art, often found on lists of top museums both in the U.S. and around the world. And it’s no wonder, with free admission and a world-class art collection. But the National Gallery of Art is not the only place in DC to see interesting art exhibitions. There are at least a half dozen other museums and galleries on or near the National Mall, including the National Portrait Gallery, American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery, along with outdoor sculpture gardens. The best part? Free admission, which is hard to come by these days for a museum. This allows visitors and locals to pop in for a short visit, or spend hours browsing. Plus don’t miss the unique shopping opportunities found in the museum gift shops. So come along as we walk through the diverse collection of art museums in Washington DC.
*Updated January, 2024  One thing I love about the US is that you can find unique cities from coast to coast. Each has its own charm, ranging from history, museums and local foods, to unique parks and playgrounds. Our family road trips have always included spending time in cities big and small combined with visiting attractions and National Parks. It’s an awesome opportunity to explore activities that you might not find in your home town. For this post, I reached out to family travel bloggers near and far to come up with a list of their top 3 things to do in cities around the United States. From coast to coast you’ll find many family friendly ideas, each linked to a more detailed post. Hope your favorite city is on the list!
*This post was updated May, 2021.  As I put the finishing touches on this blog post, I hear the weatherman say that is going to be close to 70 degrees this weekend! All the more reason you should consider visiting DC during the colder months. Most tourists, as well as locals, tend to visit between March and October. But December and January are often wonderful times to see some of the more popular attractions like the National Archives Museum and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum because the crowds are much smaller (excluding the week between Christmas and New Year’s). With that said, the weather is never predictable, with 70 degrees temperatures one week and snow the next, so be prepared. You should always check before you go for any closings or late openings due to weather. Besides staying warm in all the free museums, here are five fantastic reasons to head to DC during the colder months.
 *This post was updated April, 2023
Visiting the Nation’s Capital is a wonderful opportunity to see history come to life, spend time in amazing free museums, and enjoy the view of the monuments that make the city so special. There is so much to see and do, but Washington, DC can often be overwhelming for the first time visitor. This post focuses on tips and tricks to help make the most of a visit to DC. You can read my Guide to Visiting Washington DC page for overall recommendations and information on favorite museums, walking tours, food, and other must-see attractions . And be sure to let me know if you have any other helpful tips to add to the list. |
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