Pirate train!

Here’s a tip for the zoo, especially if you have little ones who will get tired: start at the top near the pandas and work your way down. There’s a shuttle that will take you back up the hill at the end of the day, or you can take the metro from either entrance if you’re not driving. The zoo is a giant hill, and most people start at the bottom, so you’ll get a good spot to view the pandas if you start there early in the day.

I recently toured the Larz Anderson house with a friend and found it fascinating! It’s a Golden Age mansion in DUPONT circle right off the red line metro. Free tours every hour at the 15 minute mark. Enjoy your visit!

What time of year are you visiting? In summer it’s very hot and humid. In winter it’s cold enough you’ll need parkas and gloves and hats. Spring and fall are mild and pleasant usually.

Also if you’re willing to travel out of the area, look into visiting the Udvar Hazy air and space museum in Dulles if you have anyone in your traveling party interested in planes or space travel.