Capital Nights

ITINERARY #3

Pools Rule. Make sure you choose a hotel with a swimming pool. The newly refurbished Holiday Inn on the Hill at 415 New Jersey Avenue NW., has one on the roof, a welcome way for kids (and adults) to expend energy and enjoy the ambience of the city. Summer rates start at $119. Call (202) 638-1616.

I Spy. The Smithsonian's National Museums of Natural History and American History offer extended summer hours, as does the National Zoo. But we recommend the International Spy Museum at 800 F Street NW. (call (202) 654-2853). Watch imaginations soar as your children crawl through air ducts, test their wits on spy games, and decipher cryptic codes. The museum stays open until 8 p.m. from April through October, with the last ticket sold at 7 p.m. Admission is $13 adults; $12 seniors, military, and students; $10 ages 5-11.

Dinner and a Dunk. The ESPN Zone offers a perfect dining option for high-energy clans. The food is basic and the service can be slow, but the kids can play some hoops while you wait. If yours is not a sporting brood, opt for dinner and a movie in Washington's fabulous Union Station. The food court here offers enough choices to satisfy even the most finicky eaters in your family.

Splash Down. After dinner, return to your hotel, and unwind by the pool. You can join in the fun or stretch out on a chaise longue and watch as the kids wear themselves out.

For more information: Contact the Washington, D.C. Convention and Tourism Corporation at 1-800-422-8644 or www.washington.org.

This article is from the August 2004 issue of Southern Living. Because prices, dates, and other specifics are subject to change, please check all information to make sure it's still current before making your travel plans.