Washington DC - Frisco,TX

In the summer we stay at the Omni Shoreham hotel in DC. Great outdoor pool. I am really not into museums but the IMAX movie at the air and space museum is entertaining. My daughter also loves the American Girl Store:).

I live just outside DC. We love it. Stay a full week. Your kids are THE perfect ages for DC. Pam is right - since it's the first visit for you, hit the classics, especially the FREE Smithsonian museums:

www.si.edu and click on "Museums and Zoo" tab at the top

That is the main site for the whole Smithsonian; look at each museum. Sometimes folks think there is one "Smithsonian museum" but it is actually a complex of many museums, including Natural History, American History, Air and Space, the Museum of the American Indian, and more. (The National Gallery of Art's two buildings are separate.) Be sure to do some research online before you come, so you and your kids can see what exhibits most interest them and you don't waste time just wandering around these wonderful but vast museums! Then when you get here, get a museum map and head for what interests you the most: Is it history exhibits at American History? Dinosaurs at Natural History? The first ladies' inaugural ball gowns? Exhibits on American Indian arts? If you don't do some online research first you may end up missing things you want to see because there's so very much.

The White House tour used to be a must, but the WH is closed to public tours right now due to the budget sequester -- HOWEVER, news just came this week that the WH may reopen for tours soon. Important note: You must arrange a tour through your member of Congress so get that ball rolling now; your member's office will say "they're not doing tours" but be ready to ask as soon as the tour ban is lifted, which I expect it will be. You cannot just walk up to the WH and ask for a tour, so be sure to go via your member's office if you want to do this.

Some other ideas:

Arlington National Cemetery is very interesting and somber; get there by tour bus as it's directly across the river. Kids will appreciate the cemetery much more if they learn beforehand about what it's about, why it is where it is (which is a fascinating Civil War story), etc.There are tour buses and trolleys you pay for but they let you get on and off all day long at differnet stops. Check them out.

The Capitol now has a large and lovely visitor's center with exhibits that are included as part of your Capitol tour. Worthwhile. Again, the kids will get more out of it if they read a bit about the building's history before they go.

The National Zoo (also part of the Smithsonian, and also free) is on the Metro so you don't have to drive there. It's too far to walk from the downtown area.

If you have enough time, spend a day (and it will take a day) at Mount Vernon, George Washington's fascinating home, down the river from DC in Virginia. If you are driving it should take maybe 25 minutes from DC but you can also find a bus tour that goes there; contact Mount Vernon for options on transportation from DC. (See below about why I would discourage driving here.) If you want to get out of the city and see a more colonial American experience, Mount Vernon is the closest way to do that. Lines for tours can be very long but do move quickly! There's a lot to do there with kids--look on ther web site: www.mountvernon.org

The monuments -- the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Vietnam and Korean and WWII memorials -- are all within an easy walk of each other and well worth seeing. The Washington Monument will not be open inside while you are here; they are just now starting extensive work after the 2011 earthquake damaged it. See below about the intense heat here -- visit the memorials in the early morning or at night when they are beautifully lit, but not during the heat of the day!

The International Spy Museum is best for ages 12 and up but both your kids will like it. It is not free (it's about $14 for kids I think and more for adults) but is worth half a day! Look online at their exhibits and see if your kids are interested.

If you are religious and/or like to visit churches, consider visiting the National Cathedral as a break from museums. It's outside the typical tourist area and a bit far from Metro but you could take a cab. Check out the cathedral's web site.

A few tips:

Frankly I would not come in the summer unless that truly were the only available time. Expect temperatures in the 90s, even the high 90s, and very high humidity; you will be sweating hard. DC was built on a swamp, quite literally. The trip is still great, but be warned that you will need to drink a lot and move from museum to museum. Going to Mount Vernon or the cemetery or zoo may depend on how well you do with heat. I know you live in TX and it's hot there but this is heat with VERY high humidity so be prepared.

Don't drive. Fly and don't bother with a rental car if you want to spend most of your time in DC. If you fly into National Airport (also called Reagan Airport but to locals it is National), you can take Metro right into DC from there. Parking in the city is nearly impossible and very pricey and driving is a total nightmare unless you're very familiar with things. Save yourself the hassles. There is a good Metro (subway) system and downtown, much is walkable, and there are many cabs.

Be careful where you stay. DC is fabulous but it is a city, and like any city has its areas you want to avoid. A cheap hotel means it's not in a great area; it's worthwhile to spend more and feel safer and be closer to things. You have to be careful even in some popular areas where there are lots of people around, but the Mall area, where the Smithsonians are, is pretty safe and you won't be going around late at night anywhere. You could stay across the river in Arlington, VA, but you will then need to go in and out on Metro each day. That's doable and can cost less but if it were me, I'd stay as close to the Mall as possible. If you have discount points with a hotel chain, now is the time to use them.

FYI, Georgetown is not on the Metro line and isn't worth spending limited vacationi time on, in my opinion. It's mostly expensive little shops and little else; while it's historic, there isn't a lot for a tourist to see unless you want to walk around looking at the lovely 18th and 19th century homes, but none are open to visit. Not worth the trip there (which would involve a cab ride -- parking is NOT going to happen). Shops and pricey eateries are about all there is.

I hope you and your kids have a great trip. Absolutely do a lot of looking online and come with a list of what you want to see and do. There is SO much in DC that you will be overwhelmed and miss things you might like if you just turn up without an idea of what's here! Have fun and stay cool!

You've already gotten some great answers. A few more specifics to add:

The times I would avoid are Memorial Day weekend and the 4th of July, unless you don't mind huge crowds. D.C. is busy all summer, but Those weekends are over the top.

One poster mentions unsafe areas, but doesn't get specific. I'm going to. The Southeast quadrant of the city is not very safe, and in your shoes, unless I had a specific reason to go there, I'd avoid Anacostia entirely. IF you need to be there, daylight hours only. I wouldn't even take the train through there after dark. Luckily, you will not need to be in that area at all to enjoy the Smithsonian and other central city attractions.

The last time we were there we stayed just across the river in Alexandria, VA, and took the metro over into the city. It's cheaper than staying in DC proper (though still not cheap), and quite convenient.

If you're over on the mall enjoying the museums and everybody gets hungry, walk up to Union Station to eat rather than eating in the museum cafes, which are pricey, very busy, and just not very good. In the lower levels of the train station there's a food court, and unless things have changed a lot since the last time I was there, it's not just burgers and fries. One Indian friend of mine swears that the best masala dosa in town is available in the Union Station food court.

Oh there is SOOO much to see and do. My kids loved the International Spy Museum at that age. Also the Smithsonian Museums. Their favorites of the Smithsonians are the Air and Space Museum and the Museum of American History, and the Museum of Natural History. The National Zoo is also part of the Smithsonian system. Then thing about the Smithsonians (if you don't already know), is that they are all FREE!! My daughter will go to the zoo just to see the pandas. Also, it's very moving to visit the cemetary in Arlington and watch the changing of the guards at the tomb of the unknown soldier. (also free).

If they're into it, it's also fun to visit the Monuments. When we were down last spring, the Washington Monument was still closed due to earthquake damage a few years ago. I'm not sure if they've fixed it yet, but if they have, it's worth going up. You have to get tickets in advance. They're only a couple dollars. We also like the Vietnam "Wall", and the Lincoln Memorial.

If you do go, go to Georgetown and eat the cupcakes at Georgetown cupcake. People line up around the block for them. They're awesome!

Parking is expensive in Washington. You can stay across the bridge in Virginia (I think it's Arlington) and catch the Metro a block or so from your hotel. You can get day or week passes for the metro. It's safe, and it's well marked. My kids love traveling by Metro.

Washington is crowded in the summer. No way around it. The museums are busiest on the weekends so if you can go during the week, you're better off.

One of our best family vacations was DC in April. Our daughters were around 10, 12 & 20 at the time. Some thoughts:

Spend the money & sign up for one of the on-off trolley tours (Old Town Trolley was the one we used & it was great). Your ticket entitles you to one full "loop". You can get off at any of the stops, tour that location & then wait for another trolley to come along (maybe every 15 minutes or so?) or you can just stay on the one trolley & listen to the tour guide explain what you're driving by. I'd strongly suggest this for the first day of your trip -- you get a quick, comfortable view of the area and it helps you plan where you may want to spend more time later in your trip. Also, spots that aren't right in the core area are accessible, like the National Cathedral (which is beautiful).

Yes!!! to the Smithsonians and the monuments.

Pack comfortable walking shoes -- because you'll be doing a lot of it.

Use the metro but, like any city, it gets really crazy around rush hour.

We found a little planning & preparation made it much more enjoyable for the kids -- and I mean having THEM do some preparation. There are a ton of websites you can visit with them and tour books you can get. They're old enough to be somewhat responsible for helping to decide what to see -- and they'll "get it" a great deal better if they're an active part of it (which means the money you spend will be much more worthwhile).

Have a blast!

We love DC!! There are a ton of good answers below, I just wanted to add a couple of things. My favorite place for lunch is the food court at the Native American museum. There are a ton of choices, plus lots of unique foods, all based around various native American foods. Prices are not bad, either.
If you are doing the museums, it is worthwhile to get a Smithsonian membership at the start of your visit. I think it costs about $18 and you get 10% off of your food and things in the gift shops. If you think you will be buying food and souvenirs for the three of you, it may well be worth it. Plus, you get Smithsonian magazine for a few months and that has some amazing educational articles.
The best hotel I have stayed at in DC with a balance of price and quality was le Meridien. I also stayed at the Hilton in Arlington recently...don't let them lure you in with promises of free breakfast, the place is NOT worth what they charge! The Meridien is more adult-oriented, so probably not the best for a family, but the area was nice.
The National Harbor across the river in Maryland has recently been renovated and has some very cool shops, restaurants, and events.
And the Botanical Garden is amazing!
Depending on your time constraints, you may want to consider a side trip to colonial Williamsburg. I was there for my 13th birthday and loved it!!
Have a great time!!!!

check this:

http://dc.about.com/od/childrensactivities/tp/15BestforKi...

Stay as long as you can-you won't run out of stuff to do and see, take tons of money and comfy clothing and shoes-it will be hot. If you stay in one of the nicer hotels downtown, the Concierge can probably help you with a lot of the activities and planning, including transportation. Have fun!

Agree with the poster about flying in - you can use that extra time to explore! If you use Southwest, you'd fly into BWI - there, use a private car service (booth was by luggage pickup) as those will be much nicer than the cabs we saw back on our trip and the limo ended up being cheaper to our hotel than the darn cab! (bet those kids would love a limo - but they also had town cars)

Arlington is a nice area to stay in. We stayed in a college area on our own trip and used the metro (my then 8yo figured out the system quickly). The metro can be a fun thing if they've never done such!

Oh - much of DC that kids can do does close up about 5pm. And if you do want to go thru the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, you must get there early to get tickets! It is free, but limited - we went 3 days to try before we got tickets to get in.

We live about 90 minutes south of DC. We like to spend several weekends a year staying in National Harbor. It's just outside of DC, but very nice and safe. We stay at the Wyndham Vacation Resorts there, but they also have several hotels, such as Aloft, a Marriott, the Gaylord, and I think a Hilton or something. Not 100% on those, but that's a great place to stay. They have buses that will take you in to the city.

We did the double decker on and off tour bus last summer. It was AMAZING! We did the presidential monuments on that trip. We plan to go back and do the war memorials too. Our kids have done some of the museums with field trips, but we still need to do more.

You can skip Madame Tussauds I think. We did that a few weeks ago and it wasn't all I expected it to be. It was fun, but a little pricey for what you get, in my opinion.

There is no "good" time to come to DC. It's always crowded. It gets hot here in the summer, so bring tons of water and plan on taking breaks if you're walking around. Last July it got to over 100 over the 4th of July!! I see you're from Texas, but we don't get that heat here very often :).

Have a blast when you come - it's really a GREAT place!

We drove to tour Mount Vernon and Monticello on our DC trip.

Taxis from the hotel to various sights were reasonably priced. We stayed a few miles from the center at a Hampton Inn, I think.

My boys liked the treasury where they print money, and the Air and flight museum.

MUST see: museum of natural history, native american museum show, the pandas and elephants at the zoo, air and space museums-both. I usually go for five days of exploring, not including travel days