Visiting the Washington Monument with Kids – DC/NoVA Adventures

We have been waiting since we moved here to go in the Washington Monument.  My oldest son has just been chomping at the bit to do it.  If you ask him what his favorite place in DC is, he would answer with this landmark. I have to admit, the fact that it just hangs out in my backyard is still probably the coolest thing. Its something you see on tv, in movies, documentaries, even in books that I read as a child {The Bobbsey Twins in Washington D.C.}.  Then, you move to where it is and its just there for you to see whenever you want. As you may or may not know the monument was damaged in the earthquake that occurred here a couple years ago. We’ve watched it being repaired in various ways, the coolest for the kids being when they put all the lighted scaffolding up.  It seemed like it had been up there forever.  But the time finally came….

We purchased our tickets online and way in advance.  This was mostly because everyone and their brother wanted to get in during the first few days of it opening, which I completely understand. You may a very small fee, like two dollars a ticket, when you would usually visit completely free. Visiting the monument during the summer without purchasing before hand could go either way.  If you’re looking to get in for free I would show up early to the gift shop because they are first come, first serve. I personally like the convenience of purchasing online for the exact date and time I want. The visit is not a long one, but you have to show up early to get in line because they go by groups and load you into the monuments “waiting room” of sorts, near the elevators inside. The kids loved it, even Phillip.  You look out the windows, there are old pieces of the monument to touch and various other historical things to read and check out.  On the way back down you get to check out all the donated placemarkers that line the inside of the monument. There’s also a “Stair Way Tour” you can take, which is on Mr. Air Force’s and my bucket list.

If you are going with kids I definitely recommend picking up the Junior Ranger booklet.  We try to get these wherever we go.  It provides an education experience and the kids usually get a patch or pin marking the occasion.

For more information on the Washington Monument visit the National Park Service’s website on it or leave questions here for me to answer.

If you are looking for tips for being a tourist with kids, check out my Five Tips post, here.
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Big Apple Circus in DC *Giveaway*

I’m so excited to be able to offer my local readers a chance to win two tickets to the Big Apple Circus here in the DC area next month. Please take a moment to check out my original post all about the Circus, and find out how to score some discounted tickets as well.

The Big Apple Story begins in 1974 in Kent, England with American Jugglers, Paul Binder and Michael Christensen.  In 1976 they took their act home after much success across the pond, and one year later they had their first tent-raising in Battery Park.  They set out to create the not-for-profit, Big Apple Circus; which has been a huge success in New York, as well as traveling around the country.  Giving back to the community is a large part of their core values, and they have created several community groups that do just that.  Another cool thing about Big Apple Circus is that they also provide Autism -Friendly shows, partnering with Autism Speaks and the Autism Theater Initiative; which just shows their full dedication to families.

Good Luck, and see you at the Circus!!!

**this giveaway is brought to you in partnership with US Family Guide. I received tickets to the show in exchange for my honest opinion and review, as well as to bring this giveaway to you. As always, my thoughts and opinions are my own, take them or leave them.**

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DC/NoVA Adventures – The River Farm

This summer I’ve been looking for some fun stuff to do with the kids.  I’m all for going to the pool and forcing the kids to develop those beautiful imaginations of theirs….however, what I really love is checking out this beautiful TriState area of ours.  While I imagine we will be here for awhile, I feel like we should live like this could be our last year.  So I set off in search of fun things to do and see for little, or no, cost.  I discovered The River Farm, in beautiful Alexandria, VA overlooking the Potomac River.

The River Farm is 25 acres of beautiful landscaped area which was once part of George Washington’s estate.  It is also the home of the National Horticulture Society.  One of the coolest things you can see is a set of White House gates that were first installed in 1819 as part of the repair to the building after the war of 1812.  Some of the flowers and shrubbery that surround the house is 100 years old!  Can you believe it?  As a side note this place is also available for weddings and heaven help me I would get married all over again at this place.  Goregousness doesn’t even accurately describe all the hidden and out in the open gems on this property.

 The White House Gates
 

 My new Dream House

Entrance to The Children’s Garden

The Meadow

I definitely recommend adding this to the list of places to see.  It can be low-key, the kids can get some energy out and you can see all the beauty nature has to offer.  The kids ran and explored and it was absolutely lovely!

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The Harlem Globetrotters are coming to town!!

A town near you to be sure!  The Harlem Globetrotters are about to kick off their summer camps for kids. If you are reading this and you’re in the DC area you have three chances to sign up for the clinic.  The Globetrotters will be in Falls Church, Annapolis and Vienna in July.    Inspired by their world famous shows, these basically clinics take your children on a wild two-hour ride of fun and basketball!  Designed for ages 6-12, and taught by actual Globetrotters, kids will learn tricks and moves, as well as play games alongside two of the Globetrotters.  What I love about the Globetrotters is that they will also spend time teaching the kids the importance of being a team player on and off the court.

 

Kids will receive an official clinic certificate, personal Globetrotters nickname and a ticket voucher for their 2014 Great American Tour.  The kids will also get a photo/autograph session after their clinic is over.

http://www.usfamilyguide.com/blogpromos/218/photo_3314.jpg   http://www.usfamilyguide.com/blogpromos/218/photo_3310.jpg http://www.usfamilyguide.com/blogpromos/218/photo_3311.jpg

Spaces are limited so take this opportunity to register and save with an exclusive USFamilyGuide link! Automatically save $10 OFF Harlem Globetrotters Summer Skills Clinics with promo code USFAMILY via this link

check below and see if they are coming to a town near you!
Arnold, MO
215 Arnold Crossing Arnold , MO 63010
5/28 to 5/31

St. Charles, MO
1095 Regency Parkway St. Charles, MO 63303
6/1 to 6/2

Shawnee, KS
11311 W. Shawnee Mission Pkwy Shawnee, KS 66203
6/5 to 6/8

Lee’s Summit, MO
900 NE Deerbrook Street Lee’s Summit, MO 64086
6/9 to 6/10

Overland Park, KS
12075 Metcalf Avenue Overland Park, KS 66213
6/12 to 6/15

Lewisville, TX
4866 State Highway 121 Lewisville, TX 75056
6/5 to 6/7

Fort Worth, TX
2701 Halloran Street Fort Worth, TX 76107
6/8 to 6/10

Gilbert, AZ
97 S. Val Vista Dr Gilbert, AZ 85234
6/10 to 6/12

Mesa, AZ
1844 W 8th St Mesa, AZ 85201
6/13 to 6/15

Austin, TX
12400 N IH 35 Austin, TX 78753
6/12 to 6/14

Pflugerville, TX
1401 Town Center Pflugerville, TX 78660
6/15 to 6/16

Clackamas, OR
8720 SE Sunnybrook Blvd Clackamas, OR 97015
6/12 to 6/14

Lake Oswego, OR
17942 SW McEwan Rd Lake Oswego, OR 97224
6/15 to 6/17

Beaverton, OR
11100 SW Murray Scholls Place Beaverton, OR 97007
6/19 to 6/22

San Diego, CA
6348 College Grove Way #109 San Diego, CA 92115
6/17 to 6/20

San Diego, CA
7715 Balboa Ave San Diego, CA 92111
6/21 to 6/24

Santee, CA
9906 Mission Gorge Road Santee, CA 92071
6/26 to 6/28

Aurora, CO
15900 E Briarwood Cir Aurora, CO 80016
6/17 to 6/19

Broomfield, CO
4650 W. 120th Ave Broomfield, CO 80020
6/20 to 6/22

Katy, TX
1550 S. Mason Rd Katy, TX 77450
6/19 to 6/22

Friendswood, TX
130 W. Parkwood Ave Friendswood, TX 77546
6/23 to 6/27

Houston, TX
8650 Endicott Ln Houston, TX 77096
6/28 to 6/30

Sandy, UT
10365 S 1300 E Sandy, UT 84094
6/25 to 6/27

Salt Lake City, UT
1121 E. Ashton Avenue Salt Lake City, UT 84106
6/28 to 6/30

Issaquah, WA
5712 E. Lake Sammanish Parkway Issaquah, WA 98029
6/25 to 6/28

Lynnwood, WA
18930 29th Ave W Lynnwood, WA 98036
6/29 to 7/1

Hollywood, CA
6380 West Sunset Blvd Hollywood, CA 90028
7/5 to 7/8

Carson, CA
945 E. Dominguez St Carson, CA 90746
7/10 to 7/13

Northridge, CA
19350 Nordhoff Street Unit D Northridge, CA 91324
7/15 to 7/18

Arcadia, CA
125 N 1st Ave Arcadia, CA 91006
7/19 to 7/22

San Jose, CA
1610 Crane Court San Jose, CA 95112
7/5 to 7/8

San Mateo, CA
93 Bovet Rd San Mateo, CA 94402
7/10 to 7/15

San Ramon, CA
4450 Norris Canyon Rd San Ramon, CA 94583
7/16 to 7/20

Falls Church, VA
1000 East Broad Street Falls Church, VA 22042
7/5 to 7/9

Annapolis, MD
200 Harker Place Annapolis, MD 21401
7/11 to 7/15

Vienna, VA
1500 Cornerside Blvd Vienna, VA 22182
7/17 to 7/20

Pembroke Pines, FL
8333 Pines Blvd Pembroke Pines, FL 33024
7/9 to 7/12

Miami, FL
8400 Mills Drive Miami, FL 33183
7/13 to 7/14

Sacramento, CA
8785 Center Pkwy Sacramento, CA 95823
7/22 to 7/24

Sacramento, CA
1020 7th St Sacramento, CA 95814
7/25 to 7/27

Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
459 Route 17 Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604
7/22 to 7/24

Paramus, NJ
260 E. Route 4 Paramus, NJ 07652
7/25 to 7/30

Nanuet, NY
5205 Fashion Drive Nanuet, NY 10954
7/31 to 8/3

Orange, CA
2102 N Tustin Ave Orange, CA 92865
7/24 to 7/29

This post is part of my partnership with USFamilyGuide Mom Bloggers.  I received product in exchange for this post

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DC/NoVA Adventures – Madame Tussauds *sponsored post*

If you’ve never been to a wax museum they are a pretty cool adventure.  We have visited several, including Madame Tussauds in Las Vegas.  We haven’t taken the kids yet, and I’m super excited to experience it with them.  How do you explain, I mean really explain that to a five and seven year old.  Explaining it to Phillip obviously isn’t going to happen; and if our experience with the Easter Bunny is any indication it might not go super well.

If you are visiting Washington, DC or call this area your home Madame Tussads is a fun little check mark to make on your way to completing your DC experience.  For those that call the DC Metro area your home did you know that MT’s does birthday parties?! Say what?!


You can help your child celebrate their birthday with their favorite celebrities, like Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez? How about The Rock or Beyonce. Book their next birthday party at Madame Tussauds Washington, D.C.! With three all-inclusive packages to choose from, we’ll help your child celebrate like never before. Whether you’re child wants a red carpet affair, the presidential treatment, or the whole ball of wax, we’ve got the perfect party package just for them!

 

Right now I also have a special little deal for you all!!

KIDS GO FREE – Free Child (Ages 4-12) Ticket to Madame Tussauds Washington, D.C. with purchase of regular same day Adult admission. Present this coupon at the Madame Tussauds box office and receive one free child’s admission with every purchase of a regular same day Adult admission up to 6 total admissions. Not valid on online, advance or combo ticket purchase or with any other discounts. Restrictions apply. Promo Code: V373. coupon link

I received free items as compensation for this post.  It is written in partnership with USFamilyGuide.com.

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