Experience · Washington

Family Afternoon at National Children's Museum

Ignite young imaginations with hands-on science and engineering installations at the National Children's Museum. Follow it up with creative doughnuts and fried chicken nearby, then let everyone run around the open lawns of Lafayette Square.

A 3.5-hour Washington afternoon plan for families — National Children's Museum, Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken, Lafayette Square.

Duration
3h 15m
Cost
$50–$90
Stops
3 stops
Area
Federal Triangle + 1 more
Walking
Moderate walking · Total 0.6-mile driving route
Best time
12:00 – 5:00 PM
Ideal for
Families · Kids
Start Plan
Customize
Family Afternoon at National Children's Museum

The plan

The plan

  1. 1National Children's Museum(1 hr 45 min)→
  2. 2Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken(45 min)→
  3. 3Lafayette Square(45 min)

Why this plan works

The 3 stops cover about 0.6 miles total, which keeps you in one pocket of Washington instead of crossing town between them. National Children's Museum is the main event and takes the biggest block of time; the other stops are built around it. It finishes at Lafayette Square — a short, low-effort stop you can skip if you're ready to call it. Best suited to families and families with kids who want a planned Washington outing without improvising between stops.

The story

Overview

Ignite young imaginations with hands-on science and engineering installations at the National Children's Museum. Follow it up with creative doughnuts and fried chicken nearby, then let everyone run around the open lawns of Lafayette Square.

The itinerary

3 stops, one great day

  1. 0.3 mi · 6 min walk or 4 min drive

    Then Walk north on 13th Street NW for three blocks to G Street NW, turning slightly right to find the doughnut shop.

  2. Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken
    2
    45 min
    Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken

    Food & Drink · Northwest Washington

    Hip counter-serve offering imaginative donuts & creative renditions of fried chicken.

    What to do — Order at the counter and grab an indoor table or take your box of savory chicken and sweet pastries to go.

    Scout Side Quest

    Invent the wildest imaginary doughnut flavor. Crown the most delicious—or most horrifying—creation.

    0.3 mi · 6 min walk or 4 min drive

    Then Stroll west along G Street NW for three blocks, then head one block north toward Pennsylvania Avenue.

  3. Lafayette Square3
    Optional 45 min
    Lafayette Square

    Outdoors · Northwest Washington

    This storied park with large statues set north of the White House is a National Historic Landmark.

    What to do — Take an easy 30-minute stroll through the square, checking out the historic bronze statues and the view toward the North Lawn.

    Scout Side Quest

    Find the statue striking the most dramatic pose. Count to three and have everyone strike the same pose.

Scout Stories

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The route

On the map

Open route in Google Maps

Common questions

Planning this outing

Is this a good Washington itinerary for families?
Yes. It's built for families and families with kids and runs about 3 hr 15 min across 3 stops, starting at National Children's Museum.
How long does this outing take?
Plan on 3 hr 15 min door to door, including time between stops.
How much does this Washington itinerary cost?
Roughly $50–$90 per person, before parking and tips. Free and low-cost stops are marked on each card.
Is this itinerary walkable?
Yes — every hop is under a mile, about 0.6 miles of walking in total.
Do I need reservations?
No. Every stop on this plan takes walk-ins, though weekends move faster if you arrive early.

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