Washington DC w/kids - suggestions? (trailer, park, pickup, campground)

[gardener34]

We were thinking of maybe going to washington DC next summer with our children.

Any suggestions for a campground and options for us? We have been there before pre-children... and we did like taking the metro around. Mostly we will do the Mall and would like to see the mint as we have heard that is cool.

Has anyone camped around there? Thanks!

[StealthRabbit]

Summer camping in DC with kids.... Haven't tried it, nor would I, but there are some campground / state / federal parks within ez reach via train / then metro.

1) How old & how many are the kids? When ours reached ~ age 12, they were on their own in DC. We met at lunch (basement of U.S. Customs Building; Food Court), shared ideas and spent the afternoon together looking at the highlights. Cell phones would make this much ez'r...
Mint is good, as well as the Holocaust Museum, and FBI / Ford Theater (very near each other). Take the Architect tour of the 'Pensioner's Building' (Near police officer memorial). We do Arlington Cemetery a couple times as well as the Monuments and national Cathedral. (evening / morning to beat the heat) 4th of July was grand from Lincoln Memorial, but next time I'm bringing a floating lounge chair for reflection pools.

I find that as a family the transit fees can be burdensome. Thus we have always driven in and had no problem. (except for 4th, we took transit)

For lodging, we started using private guest home directories about 20 yrs ago, and they made our trips very special (and cheap). Basically $10 - $20 / night (Cheaper than campground). + you get first hand info of area, often free transportation and food. (and other kids to play with !)
We started with a homeschool guest home directory, and now use a 'retiree' (age 50) directory as well as previous ones. Can't recommend them highly enough for a quality vacation experience. I have sent several friends w/families to DC with my directories and they have come back with glowing reports of great fun and accommodations.

One July we took a DC 'break' and went to Ocean City, MD for a couple days. We bought an 'all-day-pass' to a go-cart track on south end. It had ~ 10 different tracks and we joined another family from PNW and had a blast. (kids were teenagers at the time).

[nimchimpsky]

From what I've heard, camping out near the Mall is a bad idea. You'll get harassed a lot by cops for being a terrorist.

[captain_hug99]

Camping in the summer in DC can be brutal. Depending on the heat wave, the overnight temperature may not cool below 80 or so which can make everyone very cranky and HOT.

Keep in mind you will need reservations to be guaranteed a spot at the mint.

[gardener34]

Thanks for the tips, we have an air conditioned trailer. Kids age 10 and 13. I am mainly concerned about getting some kind of shuttle around the Smithsonian mall. I have been there and did all the museums, but that was a LOT of walking. Thanks for the tips on the mint trip.

[Gottasay]

Try Lake Fairfax or Burke Lake parks (Fairfax County, VA) for camping sites. Enjoy your visit!

[terrydthiessen]

Don't remember the name of the park but it was a county park in Fairfax Virgina. left our camper and pickup there while we stayed with out daughter and son in law in DC. .

[rtandc]

Cherry Hill Park is the closest campground to DC. It is a very nice campground that even offers free transportation to and from the city, they can also assist you in setting up various tours of the city

[Katie1]

Dont forget the Zoo!

[Tulkas]

Also make time for Udvar Hazy out near Dulles.