Embrace the Unexpected

Several years ago, my wife and I took the kids to Disney World. Every day we were met with at least an hour of torrential rain which made us search out activities that were inside. Looking back, these rain storms were blessings in disguise because we were forced to go in to locations like The Country Bear Jamboree in the Magic Kingdom and to this day talk about how enjoyable this was. Sometimes the unexpected events such as rain can uncover wonderful, hidden gems that would go undiscovered in sunny and 70 weather.

In today’s newsletter:

• Travel News this Week

• City Spotlight: Washington, DC

  • Who should go?

  • When should we go?

  • What should we see?

  • Where should we eat?

  • Why here?

• Travel Hacks

Travel News this Week

Some helpful travel news for families that have occurred this week.

• Tariffs possible affect on travel: An outlook at what the tariffs could possibly have on travel costs as well as travelers’ choices for locations.

• Las Vegas Sphere to present a classic: Beginning in late August, the Sphere in Las Vegas has announced that the classic Wizard of Oz will be presented.

• 2025’s best spring vacation spots for families: Which locations are the trendiest vacation destinations for families this spring?

City Spotlight: Washington, D.C.

Our nation’s capital offers a plethora of museums and locations that celebrate our wonderful country. However, there are so many other things that make Washington, D.C. a great family destination.

Who should go to Washington D.C.?

A family with little ones will find Washington D.C. a challenge, however, if you are a parent with older children (ages 8 and older), there are a lot of great options for families and they don’t have to be historically based.

When should we go?

Spring brings crowds to “The District”. From people coming to see the cherry blossoms to the countless number of school tours, spring may have great weather, but the crowds are burdensome. Summer can bring oppressive heat, so if you can, try to visit in the fall which brings pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Also Christmastime gives your family the chance to see the city decorated for the holidays which makes the experience even better.

What should we do?

There is so much to do in D.C., and of course visiting the monuments is a must. However, there are a few other stand outs that families should prioritize on their itineraries.

• The International Spy Museum: This museum lets visitors become a spy and go on a variety of missions. A great mix of interactive activities and fascinating displays on the history of espionage, the Spy Museum offers a wonderful peak into a silent world.

• The National Zoo: The Smithsonian Institute offers a variety of museums and one that sometimes gets overlooked is the National Zoo. With a wide array of animals, the highlight for many is to see the pandas Bao Ling and Qing Bao.

• Mount Vernon: About a half hour south of Washington D.C. is Mount Vernon, Virginia. Visitors are able to visit the house of George Washington as well as his gravesite, the slave quarters, and the gardens of the estate. Walking the grounds of our first president make visitors appreciate the founding father and his lesser known life as a farmer and estate owner.

Where should we eat?

There are a lot of options in Washington D.C. to enjoy some quality food.

• Old Town Alexandria, VA: Normally a city is not a recommendation for a place to eat, but downtown Alexandria is only 10 minutes away from Washington D.C. and the Old Town has a lot of great dining options and offers a great place to simply walk the historical streets with your family.

• Ben’s Chili Bowl: The Washington staple, Ben’s Chili Bowl is a no frills restaurant that offers wonderful food that will make you want to come back the next day.

• The Founding Farmer: A great sit down restaurants for families, The Founding Farmer supports local family farms by creating mouth watering comfort food that all members of your family will devour.

Why Washington D.C.?

Visiting the nation’s capital is extremely popular and should be on every family’s to do list. Sharing the story of our nation and visiting the various museums (many of which are free) will help your children appreciate how important being an American is.

Travel Hacks

• When shopping for airfare, there are a few important dates that can help save you money. Booking six to eight weeks before your trip can be the best time for prices as well as buying tickets on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Also, if you can, try flying out on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday to get a lower price.

• Speaking of flying, when given a baggage claim ticket, take a photo of it as soon as possible. Then if you misplace the ticket, you will still be able to claim your baggage because of the photo.