K knows this sounds like a "duh" moment for DC, but remember how many museums are free as you plan your trip. Because they are free, though, they can be crowded. Try to time your visit when crowds are less likely if you can. Where we could avoid the crowds: Smthsonian's National Zoo, E's pick for the Smithsonian he most wanted to visit. We arrived early and, while we did start seeing exhibits as soon as we entered, we were deep in the zoo when most people started showing up. We recommend ensuring you reach Amazonia, a simulated indoor rain forest with "loose" animals like birds, and the Small Mammal House in particular. The Elephant House has been substantially renovated, becoming an elephant community room--a very interesting place to ponder how zoos are changing. If traveling with small kids who can get wet (think summer and quick-dry clothes), there is now a small fountain play area near the sea lions and on the way to Amazonia. It's perfect for about age 4 or 5, but E also adored it at age 7. Park in the shade as a parent--there's only one way in/out of the fountain system. A knowledgeable dad nearby suggested eating lunch in or near the "cave" used for viewing the sea lions to continue enjoying the cool. An aside: E had WAY more interest in this zoo than K has seen him have at the North Carolina Zoo and at Mill Mountain Zoo. We don't know if this was a function of age, changing interests, the zoo itself, or what--but it was delightful.
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History was also clearly navigable, even with field trip crowds. Just head to the interesting-but-less-traveled exhibits when you can. E was fascinated by the Human Origins exhibit: it was the first time we had a great opportunity to discuss different views on creation timelines and some scientific timelines, and it was great. E also adored the current Objects of Wonder special exhibit and its interactive quiz, as well as the opportunity to play a rebranded classic 1980s "Can you become a fossil?" arcade-style computer game that looked a lot like old MECC Oregon Trail software. Even with the main dinosaur hall under construction (it is right now), there's still plenty to take in here.
Where we had trouble avoiding crowds: The Smithsonian Museum of American History. Our experience of most of the security staff was that they seemed frustrated with large crowds, the design of the museum itself was a bit of a challenge (lots of sections are under renovation), and there were throngs of middle schoolers just walking around. We were there at closing time, and it felt like an emergency evacuation--we're talking security barking that everyone had to leave right NOW with no "We will be closing in 10 minutes"-type warning. To avoid some of this, find the transportation exhibit--it's often not crowded and is quite interesting--or make this an early day stop if it is a priority for you. Security check in is cumbersome here if you have any bags of any type as well--consider walking around "back" and entering from the entrance that is not right on the National Mall where lines are often shorter. Note to those traveling soon: A new exhibit opens June 28, 2017, which may produce more crowding.
If you go, we highly recommend Metro subway transportation to and from the National Mall. We found the best subway deal for us to be to buy a 7-day pass even though we were only there a few days. This pass allowed us better travel options during "peak use" times. If your trip is going to be over the allowable rate, just get off a few stops ahead and get back on--kids adore the process of getting on and off the train anyway. Before you plan your trip, search your favorite museums on Facebook and similar tools. This is how you'll find out about special events, like Hirshhorn's now-touring Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors installation. It's also how you will find more reasonable prices for the museums that do have a price tag, including the awesome non-Smithsonian Newseum. You can also check coupon outlets like CertifiKID for deals on cool places like the National Building Museum. The Halterman standard would be that one or two large museums a day is plenty--we are museum people, and we definitely don't just coast through them. On our next museum visit adventure, we'd like to stop by the Newseum (E saw it on the Travel Channel and really wants to go) and Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture (so popular it still requires timed passes, available at 6:30 AM online each day).
You'll want to pack in some food, too. K knows this seems obvious, but a bag of 99-cent-Mega-Sale-at-Kroger Goldfish makes a great breakfast, and 49-cent-Kroger-is-having-a-flash-sale giant Powerades are more refreshing than the smaller $2+ kind in the city. Taking a few things--it doesn't have to be a picnic--is a great savings and allows you to feel justified in a fancy dinner splurge. K took E to Dupont Circle one night for dinner, allowing E to select an interesting and upscale restaurant as part of the experience. We ate at Bistro Bistro DC, which was really still pretty reasonable. If you are eating in the Mall area, a good tip we heard was to head to a federal office building cafeteria--look up the one at the Department of Agriculture on weekdays (it's very near Smithsonian Metro).
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