Washington, DC with a toddler: free museums, the zoo and the Mall

Museums that work for toddlers

• National Museum of Natural History: dinosaurs, a giant whale model and the elephant in the rotunda. Q?rius has a junior area for young children with limited public hours, so check before you go.
• National Air and Space Museum: airplanes and rockets that wow small kids. Free timed-entry passes are required, so reserve them in advance.
• National Museum of American History: wide halls, elevators to every floor and some hands-on spaces.
• The Smithsonian carousel on the Mall is a toddler favorite when it is running, and a good reward between museums.
• Pick one big museum in the morning. Most toddlers are done after an hour or two.

Security screening and what to bring

Most museums screen bags at the entrance, which can mean a line on busy days. Strollers are allowed in Smithsonian museums. Pack light so bag checks go quickly, and keep snacks and water in a separate bag so you can eat outside, since food is limited to cafes and designated areas.

The National Zoo with a small child

The Smithsonian's National Zoo is free, but it requires free entry passes for every visitor, so reserve before you go. It sits on a hillside in Rock Creek Park, and the main path runs downhill from the Connecticut Avenue entrance, which means the walk back up is long. Go downhill in the morning and use the stroller for the climb back, or plan to exit at the lower end and take a car.

Small kids enjoy the Kids' Farm, the elephants at Elephant Trails and the playground areas. Go early, especially in summer, when animals are more active and paths are cooler.

The Mall, monuments and distances

• The National Mall is about two miles from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. A stroller is a must, even for kids who usually walk.
• Visit monuments early in the morning or around dinner time, when it is cooler and quieter. The Lincoln Memorial has many steps, and there is an elevator.
• Shade is limited. Bring hats, water and sunscreen, and plan indoor time in the middle of the day.
• Cherry blossom season in spring draws very large crowds to the Tidal Basin. Go at sunrise or skip the busiest weekends.

Metro with a stroller

Every Metro station has an elevator, which makes the system good for strollers. Elevators are sometimes out of service, so check the WMATA elevator status page before you set out and know the next station as a backup. Avoid rush hours, when trains are crowded.

Many Mall museums are a short walk from Smithsonian, Federal Triangle or L'Enfant Plaza stations. For the zoo, the main entrance on Connecticut Avenue sits roughly halfway between the Woodley Park and Cleveland Park stations, a walk of several blocks from either.

Where to stay and when to go

• Near the Mall (Penn Quarter, Southwest Waterfront): walkable to museums, which makes a hotel nap realistic.
• Woodley Park or Dupont Circle: near the zoo and good restaurants, with a Metro ride to the Mall.
• Arlington across the river: often more space and easy Metro access.
• Spring and fall have the best weather. Summers are hot and humid, with afternoon storms. Winter is cold but quiet, and the museums are a great escape.