First, if you have an appt. to see someone in the Capitol Building show up early and if you get a visitor pass to the Capitol Building with a room number on it (vs. a special event pass or a tour pass)
then walk around the place like you own it. There is nothing more interesting than wandering around that place without a guide or escort. Go sit in the rotunda. Explore the hall ways and check out all the statuary all over the building. Fun!
Also, if you're lobbying, there are multiple doors to most of the office buildings. Put someone in line if it's long and send someone around the other side to scope out the line on the other side. This is especially important at the Hart Senate Building. It can take forever to get in there. You're going through a metal detector at
every entrance- be ready to put it all in a little bucket or better, carry a messenger bag and toss it all in there as you go through.
All of the Smithsonian Museums are free.
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The Air and Space Museum is fantastic. Take a docent led tour that is tailored to your kids' ages. There is so much in there that it's hard to make it very far. The docent will distill the information to make a broad but relevant tour.
If they dig the "Night at the Museum" shows the Natural History Museum is cool.
The National Archives has all the important documents (originals.) Could be relevant to the history classes. The line can get long so go first thing in the morning.
Call your congressperson's DC office and ask if they can arrange a tour of the mint and the White House for you. Time is short, but if anyone can get you into the White House, it's your congressperson.
If you can walk a couple of miles over the course of a day, start the the Jefferson Memorial, walk through the FDR, MLK, Lincoln, Korean War, Vietnam War, WW2 Memorials and the Washington Monument. (did I miss any? probably.) You may need a reservation for the Washington Monument- but skip it if it's too expensive or the line is too long. It's got a great view from the top but the windows are small and that's about it. If you want a great view go to the tower of the Old Post Office Pavillion. :thumbup Alternately, break the Mall down into sections and hit all the stuff in each section that you want to see. That way you don't have to cover too much ground each day. There is sooooooo much there you can go nuts trying to see it all.
I haven't been on the FBI tour in 30 years. It was cool then, probably is still cool.
Check this: If you are going to use the subway it's going to confuse you a little bit at first. EVERY STATION looks the same until you get used to the subtleties. It's not like here where you can look out the window and know where you are. It's a good system and can get you close to most of the places you're going but you have to pay attention and you're likely to still walk out the wrong end of the station and have to back-track once you're on the surface.
If you like Churches the National Cathedral is neat. If you like Cemeteries then head over the the Arlington National Cemetery. I can take or leave the place but the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier worth a looky if you have the time- plan on spending 10 or 15 soaking in the meaning of what's going on there.
Um, there's so much more and I just wrote a book.:wow
