Discover the best attractions and activities for families in the nation's capital

Washington DC is not only the seat of the US government, but also a vibrant and diverse city with plenty of fun and educational things to do for kids of all ages. Whether you want to explore the history, culture, nature, or science of this amazing place, you will find something to suit your interests and budget. Here are some of the best attractions and activities for families in Washington DC that you should not miss.

I visited the Arboretum for the first time this month. It was full a wonderful day full of calm, open space, and plenty of room to run.

If you love nature and plants, you will enjoy visiting the National Arboretum, a 446-acre botanical garden that showcases a variety of trees, flowers, shrubs, and herbs from around the world. You can walk, bike, or drive through the scenic trails and gardens, and admire the stunning displays of seasonal colors and blooms. Kids will love the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum, where they can see miniature trees and landscapes that are hundreds of years old, and the National Capitol Columns, where they can climb and pose with the original columns of the US Capitol building. The National Arboretum is free and open to the public every day except Christmas.

Best of all it is free entry and free parking.

I know this one might sound boring, but I have to tell you how engaged my entire family from my 6 year old son to my 60 year old mother was at the mint. If you are curious about how money is made and what it means, you will enjoy visiting the US Mint, a facility that produces coins and medals for the US and other countries. You can take a self-guided tour of the production floor, where you can see the machines and processes that turn metal blanks into shiny coins. You can also see exhibits and displays that explain the history, design, and symbolism of the US currency and coinage. Kids will love the interactive games and activities, where they can learn about the value and features of money, and design their own coins and medals. The US Mint is free and open to the public on weekdays, except federal holidays, and requires a reservation that can be made online or by phone.

You can't come to DC without a stop at the Smithsonian Museums, where you can see exhibits and collections on art, history, science, culture, and more.

Some of the most popular museums for kids are the National Air and Space Museum, where they can see planes, rockets, and satellites. The update to this museum has made it very kid friendly and the hands-on activities are "Out of the World."

Don't forget to check out the Dulles Air and Space Museum too. That is where the BIG planes and Shuttle is.

National Museum of Natural History you could get lost in there for hours. If you love dinosaurs, fossils, and animals it is the place to be. But you can also see the Hope Diamond and meteorites! Again, the hands-on learning makes this stop very memorable.

The National Museum of American History, could be hit or miss for some families. But, if you decide it might be a miss, at the very least enter the front doors and walk through the Star-Spangled Banner exhibit. It is on the first floor the first thing you do, and totally worth the stop. I am not a fan of fashion or first ladies for that matter, but I also found the First Ladies' gowns to be facinating. Lastly, you will find the Ruby Slippers, Kermit, the MASH signpost, R2D2 and C3PO there if you go looking.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture, where you can see exhibits and artifacts on the history and culture of African Americans, such as slavery, civil rights, music, and sports. You can also explore the interactive and immersive galleries, and learn about the stories and contributions of African Americans to the nation and the world.

The Smithsonian Institution has a main website (https://www.si.edu/) that provides an overview of all its museums, galleries, gardens, and research centers. It also has links to specific websites for each museum, such as the National Air and Space Museum (https://airandspace.si.edu/), the National Museum of Natural History (https://naturalhistory.si.edu/), and the National Museum of American History (https://americanhistory.si.edu/)