Washington, D.C. is home to wonderful independent museums and places of interest to adults & children. We suggest five places to find books and toys, four “off the mall” museums, and three relaxing green spaces. (Distances are given from the Convention Center).
Find a book, toy, or puzzle, or just cool off indoors and read:
1. Young Readers Center, The Library of Congress
Thomas Jefferson Building, Room LJ G29 (ground floor), 10 First St. S.E.
A book-filled haven welcomes children and teens 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Admission is free. The Friday morning story time for infants and toddlers has limited space—call ahead: 202-707-1950.
2. Barstons Child’s Play
5536 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20015 (5.4 miles) and other locations.
Red Line: .7 miles from Friendship Heights.
A neighborhood toy store with a terrific, well-thought-out selection of toys, games, and books.
3. Busboys & Poets
450 K Street N.W. (.3 mile) and other locations
The name of this restaurant chain is a nod to poet Langston Hughes who once worked as a busboy in D.C. Extensive and reasonably child friendly food menu—and an intriguing selection of books.
4. Carpe Librum Pop-up Bookstore
Union Station, 2nd level (1.2 miles); on the Red Line.
This pop-up used book store benefits Turning the Page, a D.C. and Chicago non-profit engaging families in children’s education.
5. Politics & Prose
5015 Connecticut Avenue N.W. (5 miles), Red Line: .8 mile from Van Ness/UDC.
Union Market 1270 5th St N.E. (1.5 miles), Red Line: .4 miles from NOMA/Gallaudet.
An outstanding children’s/teen section in a renowned independent bookstore.
Try these “off the mall” museums:
1. National Building Museum
www.nbm.org (Preschool and up)
401 F Street N.W. (.5 miles). Red Line: 1 block from Judiciary Square.
Visit the immense Great Hall museum shop, café, and take the historic building tour for free. Tickets for special exhibits: adults $10; ages 3-17, students, seniors $7.
Fascinating look at the history of architecture and building, plus a hands-on Building Zone for ages 2-6.
2. National Geographic Museum
www.nationalgeographic.org/events/visit/ (Elementary to adult)
1145 17th Street N.W. (1 mile). Red Line: .2 miles Farragut North.
The permanent exhibit, Exploration and the National Geographic Society, is free. Current exhibition (The Queens of Egypt): 0-4 free; 5-12 $10; adults $15; students & seniors $12.
3. Newseum
www.newseum.org (Middle school to adult)
555 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. (.8 mile). Green/Yellow Line: .2 miles from Archives/Navy Memorial.
Dedicated to the First Amendment and the idea that, as The Washington Post says, “Democracy Dies in Darkness.” Admission: 0-6 free; 7-18 $15; 19-64 $25; 65+ $20.
4. International Spy Museum
www.spymuseum.org (Elementary to adult)
700 L’Enfant Plaza, S.W. (1.5 miles). Green/Yellow Line: .4 miles from the L’Enfant Plaza station on the Green/Yellow line. Cost: Opens in May 2019
James Bond’s car, espionage, intrigue—and real spies you thought were ordinary people.
Relax for free with art, greenery, and a cool breeze in these garden
1. S. Botanic Garden
100 Maryland Avenue S.W. (1.3 miles). Blue/Orange Line: .2 miles from Federal Center S.W.
A remarkable collection of exotic plants and a children’s garden.
2. Hirschhorn Sculpture Garden
www.hirshhorn.si.edu/exhibitions/sculpture-garden-plaza/
Independence Avenue and 7th Street N.W. (1.1 mile). Green Line: .2 miles from L’Enfant Plaza.
Yayoi Kusama’s marvelous Pumpkin and (starting June 23) Yoko Ono’s Wish Tree for Washington.
3. National Gallery Sculpture Garden
www.nga.gov/visit/sculpture-garden.html
Constititution Avenue and 7th Street N.W. (.8 mile). Yellow Line: .2 miles from Archives.
Pleasantly shady; be prepared to encounter Louise Bourgeois’s alarmingly large Spider.
Look for more suggestions to come from ALSC Local Arrangements #alaac19.
Today’s blog post was written by Kathie Meizner. Kathie is Library Manager at the Montgomery County Public Libraries. She wrote this piece for the Local Arrangements committee.