Washington DC · With kids
Washington DC with kids: things to do
| Place | Ages | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Smithsonian's National Zoo | Free entry | Listed kids' price: free ($0). |
| National Air and Space Museum | All ages | Listed kids' price: free ($0). |
| United States Botanic Garden | Free entry | Listed kids' price: free ($0). |
| National Building Museum | see source | Listed kids' price: $7. |
Washington DC is one of the easiest US cities for a budget family trip because the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo have free admission. Free timed passes are required at some of them, so plan ahead. The Metro lets up to two children 4 and younger ride free with each paying adult, and spring and autumn bring the mildest weather for walking the National Mall.
Everything on this Washington DC page comes from the linked official pages, last opened on 18 October 2026. A price appears only when the source gave one for children.
Where children go, by age and price
[Smithsonian's National Zoo](https://nationalzoo.si.edu/visit). Admission is free for everyone, but a pass is required for every guest including infants. Kids' Farm has cows, alpacas, goats and more, and there are carousel and playgrounds. Strollers can be rented on site. Listed kids' price: free ($0).
[National Air and Space Museum](https://airandspace.si.edu/visit/museum-dc). Free admission, but free timed-entry passes are required for everyone, including children. Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight has hands-on activities for the youngest visitors, and TEXTRON How Things Fly has over 45 interactives. Age band: All ages. Listed kids' price: free ($0).
[National Museum of Natural History](https://naturalhistory.si.edu/visit). The Mammal Hall has four hands-on discovery zones.
[United States Botanic Garden](https://www.usbg.gov/visit). Admission is free with no tickets required. The Conservatory is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Listed kids' price: free ($0).
[National Mall and Memorial Parks](https://www.nps.gov/nama/index.htm). A park of more than 100 monuments and memorials including the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and WWII Memorial, with ranger-led programs.
[National Building Museum](https://www.nbm.org/visit/). Visits to the Great Hall and the Museum Shop are always free. Exhibition tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for youth and seniors. Listed kids' price: $7.
Transit, strollers and the airport
Child fares. Metro: up to two children age 4 and younger ride free with each fare-paying adult. Children 5 and older pay the regular fare.
Strollers. Open strollers have been allowed on Metrobus since March 2023 (use the priority seating area and lock the brakes). Metrorail already allowed open strollers per a local report, and stations are elevator accessible, though elevators can be out of service so plan a backup.
Airport. Reagan National Airport has its own Metrorail station on the Blue and Yellow lines, linked to Terminals B and C by enclosed pedestrian bridges, with Terminal A a short walk away.
Transit sources: wmata.com, masstransitmag.com, flyreagan.com, ggwash.org.
A year of highs and lows
| Month | Average high | Average low |
|---|---|---|
| January | 7.1 C | -1.1 C |
| February | 9.1 C | -0.1 C |
| March | 13.6 C | 3.7 C |
| April | 20 C | 9.1 C |
| May | 24.7 C | 14.4 C |
| June | 29.5 C | 19.7 C |
| July | 32 C | 22.4 C |
| August | 31 C | 21.7 C |
| September | 27.1 C | 17.8 C |
| October | 20.8 C | 11.2 C |
| November | 14.6 C | 5.3 C |
| December | 9.3 C | 1.4 C |
Best months: Mid-April to mid-May and mid-September to mid-October, when highs sit around 20 to 27 C, well short of July's 32 C.
Source: climatestotravel.com (Reagan National Airport, 1991-2020).
Which area to base in
Near the National Mall. The Smithsonian museums and memorials are free and the National Mall hosts the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument, so many days out need no transport.
Connecticut Avenue corridor near the National Zoo. The zoo is at 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW, with a Kids' Farm, carousel and playgrounds.
What costs nothing and what is listed
Listed as free for kids on the source page: Smithsonian's National Zoo; National Air and Space Museum; United States Botanic Garden.
Kids' prices that the pages state, lowest first: National Building Museum at $7.
Adult and resident prices, extra-fee exhibits and promotions are in the sight notes above where the source gave them; confirm the date-specific price on the operator page before you buy.
Ages that matter for each stop
- National Air and Space Museum: All ages
No age band or kids' price was stated for: National Museum of Natural History; National Mall and Memorial Parks. Check the operator page for those before you plan the day around them.
Picking the month
On the monthly table, the warmest average high is 32 C in July and the coolest is 7.1 C in January. The spread between the two is 24.9 C, which is the number to weigh when you choose dates. The source's pick, repeated from above: Mid-April to mid-May and mid-September to mid-October, when highs sit around 20 to 27 C, well short of July's 32 C.
Questions
Which Washington DC attractions work for toddlers?
The National Zoo has a Kids' Farm and stroller rentals, Air and Space has Discovery Stations carts for hands-on activities, and up to two children 4 and younger ride Metro free per paying adult.
What are the cheapest family days out in DC?
The National Zoo, Air and Space and the Botanic Garden are all free. Zoo and Air and Space still require free passes, so reserve before you go.
What can we do on a rainy day?
The free Smithsonian museums are the obvious answer. Air and Space needs a free timed pass, so book it before you go.
Can we use a stroller in DC?
Open strollers are welcome on Metrobus since March 2023. Metrorail stations have elevators, but check ahead as outages happen, and the zoo rents strollers on site.
When is the best time to visit DC with children?
Climates to Travel recommends mid-April to mid-May and mid-September to mid-October. July and August highs reach 31 to 32 C.
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Sources
- Smithsonian's National Zoo: official site (checked 18 October 2026)
Smithsonian's National Zoo: Admission is free for everyone, but a pass is required for every guest including infants. Kids' Farm has cows, alpacas, goats and more, and there are carousel and playgrounds. Strollers can be rented on site. Listed kids' price: free ($0).
- National Air and Space Museum: official site (checked 18 October 2026)
National Air and Space Museum: Free admission, but free timed-entry passes are required for everyone, including children. Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight has hands-on activities for the youngest visitors, and TEXTRON How Things Fly has over 45 interactives. Age band: All ages. Listed kids' price: free ($0).
- National Museum of Natural History: official site (checked 18 October 2026)
National Museum of Natural History: The Mammal Hall has four hands-on discovery zones.
- United States Botanic Garden: official site (checked 18 October 2026)
United States Botanic Garden: Admission is free with no tickets required. The Conservatory is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Listed kids' price: free ($0).
- National Mall and Memorial Parks: official site (checked 18 October 2026)
National Mall and Memorial Parks: A park of more than 100 monuments and memorials including the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and WWII Memorial, with ranger-led programs.
- National Building Museum: official site (checked 18 October 2026)
National Building Museum: Visits to the Great Hall and the Museum Shop are always free. Exhibition tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for youth and seniors. Listed kids' price: $7.
- Washington DC transit: fares and airport (checked 18 October 2026)
Metro: up to two children age 4 and younger ride free with each fare-paying adult. Children 5 and older pay the regular fare. Reagan National Airport has its own Metrorail station on the Blue and Yellow lines, linked to Terminals B and C by enclosed pedestrian bridges, with Terminal A a short walk away.
- Climates to Travel: monthly climate (checked 18 October 2026)
Best months for Washington DC: Mid-April to mid-May and mid-September to mid-October, when highs sit around 20 to 27 C, well short of July's 32 C.