As spring arrives, the kiddos will start to get stir crazy. Fear not—Washington D.C. is one of the most family-friendly cities out there. Here’s your guide to the perfect family day out in D.C. 

8:30 a.m. - Woodley Park

Photo courtesy of Baked by Yael

Brunch may be a way of life in D.C., but if you’ve got a bunch of hungry kids on your hands, chances are you aren’t interested in waiting around for the 10 a.m. brunch spots to open up. And who wants to wrangle a bunch of kids into a booth if you can’t really enjoy a bottomless mimosa anyway? 

Our solution: Get out early and grab breakfast to go. Baked by Yael is an awesome bakery in Woodley Park that’s known for its colorful and delicious cake pops. What many folks don’t know is Yael serves up bagels made the New York way—hand rolled and boiled before baked for the perfect crunch on the outside, with a soft, warm interior. Mom and dad get to enjoy a tasty bagel and lox, while the kids enjoy a sneaky weekend cake pop treat. Everyone wins. 

9 a.m. - Woodley Park

Smithsonian National Zoo photo by Shutterstock

With your breakfast in hand, take a few steps out the door and cross the street to the main entrance of the Smithsonian National Zoo. This is a great place to take your kids, with one awesome perk being that it’s totally free to get in. The zoo covers 163 acres and features over 1,500 animals and 300 different species, according to its website.

My favorite spot to visit while I’m there is the giant panda habitat, where you can watch these gentle giants roll around and enjoy treats most of the day. That might change, though, since western lowland gorilla Calaya just gave birth to a baby—a male named Moke. Be sure to have some good walking shoes on, though, since this zoo is built on quite the incline. 

Noon - Downtown 

Architecture of Washington DC. Washington

By the time you’ve walked the zoo for a few hours, you’re probably feeling pretty hungry. If you’re ready for a change of scenery, make your way back to Connecticut Avenue and hop on the Metro or snag a cab and start heading toward the National Mall. Rather than going all the way to the mall, however, hop out of your transportation of choice around Metro Center Station in Downtown D.C. 

Why? For food, of course. In Downtown, you can take a load off at a sit-down restaurant, or take a quick stop in a fast food spot, like McDonald’s. Now, it’s time for the parents to have a bit of fun and maybe sneak in some quick shopping. Downtown is well-equipped with some excellent shops, from Sephora to Nordstrom Rack to Jos. A. Bank. Once you’ve gotten some rest in, the National Mall is just a few blocks away.

1 p.m. - National Mall

Washington Monument and the reflecting pool photo by Shutterstock 

Of course, a day out with your family in D.C. is the perfect opportunity to take in the sights you might normally pass up. The monuments on the National Mall are an awesome way to get the kids to interact with our history and learn a bit while they have some fun. Kids love the open space on the Mall, especially near the Washington Monument where they have a bit more room to be wild. If you have the space in your backpack, consider bringing a blanket for the parents and a few kites for the kids to fly—it’s the perfect spot for that when there’s a bit of wind.

For parents, the best part of visiting the Mall is the stairs of the Lincoln Memorial. I know, I know, I can hear you from here—there are so many. And that’s the beauty of it. Let your kids run up those steps and I promise you, they’ll be asleep the second you sit them in a cab to head home. 

5 p.m. - Chill Out  

After a day packed with walking around exploring the city, it’s time to head home, settle on the couch, and order some UberEats. You’ve earned it.