Activities for Kids

Beyond the Mall: Off-the-Beaten-Track Museums (That You Must Check Out)

As fabulous as the museum-filled National Mall is, there are equally awesome (and kid-friendly) museums in other parts of D.C. Here are six absolute favorites to check out this winter.

By writerredri March 5, 2015

Millions of people visit the downtown national park and its surrounding museums (think: the National Gallery of Art and the Natural Museum of American History) each year. But, as fabulous as the Mall is, there are equally awesome (and kid-friendly) museums in other parts of D.C. Want to expose the kids to a little culture or history, but not in the mood for the crush of tourists? Here are six spots to check out this winter.

USS Barry (DD-933)

Give boat-loving tykes a taste of something a little different aboard the USS Barry, a destroyer docked at the Navy Yard. Among other distinctions, the vessel is credited with destroying more than 1,000 enemy structures during Vietnam. Decommissioned in 1982, the Barry became a permanent public display ship in 1984. Visitors can now view the machine repair shop, the crew berthing room, the ward room, the mess deck, the bridge, and the combat information center. You can leave your Dramamine at home—this boat stays put.

707 Riverside Dr., SE, Pier 2 (Navy Yard)
Open: Mon.-Fri., 9 am-5 pm; Sat.-Sun., 10 am-5 pm
Cost: Free
Online: hnsa.org

What is your favorite “off the Mall” museum? Tell us in the Comments section below.

—Katherine Gustafson

Photos courtesy of National Air and Space Museum via Facebook, CraigShipp.com Photos via Flickr, National Museum of Health and Medicine via Facebook, Madame Tussauds DC via Facebook, Ralph Toyama via Flickr, Aguilas2011 via Flickr