Washington, DC

National Air & Space Museum
DESCRIPTION: The world's most visited museum houses the Wright Brothers' 1903 Flyer, Apollo 11 lunar command module among others; also features Black Wings: The American Black in Aviation, a permanent exhibition of 180 photos tracing Black aviation achievements from WWI to the Space Shuttle; don't miss the short Tuskegee Airmen film narrated by Lt. General Benjamin O Davis, Jr., the first Black Air Force general; FREE admission to museum; IMAX theater shows films daily for an admission fee
ADMISSION: Free for the museum, but Albert Einstein Planetarium entry fee
DAYS & HOURS: daily 10a-5:30p, extended summer hours
ADDRESS: 6th & Independence Aves, SW  MAP
PARKING: limited garage parking on premises and on street
TRANSIT: L'Enfant Plaza Metro Station
PHONE: 202-357-2700
WEBSITE: http://www.nasm.si.edu

National Museum of Natural History
DESCRIPTION: While you are enthralled with the 45 carat Hope Diamond, the kids will dig the dinosaur fossils and spectacular Insect Zoo in this massive museum; an IMAX Theater provides a well rounded experience
ADMISSION: Free for the museum, but IMAX entry fee
DAYS & HOURS: daily 10a-5:30p with extended summer hours
ADDRESS: 10th Street & Constitution Ave, NW  MAP
PARKING: street
TRANSIT: Federal Triangle Metro Station
PHONE: 202-357-2700
WEBSITE: http://www.mnh.si.edu

National Aquarium
DESCRIPTION: A historic and unique aquarium, without the high cost of major aquariums today - perfect for families; animal feedings are at 2pm
ADMISSION: $3.50 Ages 11+, $1 Ages 2-10
DAYS & HOURS: daily 9a-5p
ADDRESS: 14th Street & Constitution Ave, NW in Commerce Building  MAP
PARKING: street
TRANSIT: Federal Triangle Metro Station
PHONE: 202-482-2826
WEBSITE: http://www.nationalaquarium.com

Verizon Center
DESCRIPTION: Hosting more than 220 events each year, this arena is home to the NBA Washington Wizards and WNBA Washington Mystics basketball, NHL Capitols hockey, Georgetown college basketball; this popular center also offers sports history, sports retail and a Discovery Channel retail store
ADMISSION: event-dependent
DAYS & HOURS: event-dependent
ADDRESS: 601 F Street, NW  MAP
PARKING: nearby garage
TRANSIT: Gallery Plaza-Chinatown Metro Station
PHONE: 202-628-3200
WEBSITE: http://www.verizoncenter.com

Nationals Park
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 2008 at a cost of $600 million, this LEED-certified, 40,000 seat baseball park hosts Washington Nationals; an outing in the park is always as good or better than the game itself; the park is ADA compliant; when building the park, workers uncovered layers of fill and old bricks were 12-14 feet below grade, indicating the probability of habitation at this level in the 1800s, until fill was dumped here; fear not though, 34,095 truck loads of soil was excavated to ensure a safe environment for fans
ADMISSION: cheap for outfield upper deck to expensive behind the plate
DAYS & HOURS: Baseball season runs April-September
ADDRESS: Potomac Ave at South Capitol Street, SE  MAP
PARKING: on premises and nearby garages
TRANSIT: Navy Yard Metro Station
PHONE: 202-675-6287
WEBSITE: http://nationals.mlb.com/was/ballpark/index.jsp

National Zoo
DESCRIPTION:  a 163-acre zoological park set amid Rock Creek National Park and part of the Smithsonian Institution, it really is the nation's zoo;, D.C; see more than 2,700 individual animals of 435 different species in natural-like habitats; of course, everyone comes to see the adorable panda bears; the zoo also enjoys premier status for its year round lecture and symposia activities; on a lesser note, many fans also emjoy its microbreweries beer tasting event each year
ADMISSION: Free
DAYS & HOURS: November-March 10a-4:30p, April-October 10a- 6p
ADDRESS: 3001 Connecticut Ave, NW  MAP
PARKING: one premises parking for a fee
TRANSIT: Woodley Park-Zoo Metro Station
PHONE: 202-633-4800
WEBSITE: http://nationalzoo.si.edu

Tidal Basin Pedal Boats
DESCRIPTION: A wonderful family activity with lots of rentals available from March-September
ADMISSION: $12/hour 2 passenger boat, $19/hour 4 passenger boat
DAYS & HOURS: daily 10a-4p
ADDRESS: 1501 Maine Ave, SW  MAP
PARKING: street or nearby garage
TRANSIT: L'Enfant Plaza Metro Station
PHONE: 202-479-2426
WEBSITE: http://www.tidalbasinpeddleboats.com

C & O Canal Lock & Boats
DESCRIPTION: Enjoy a one-hour narrated trip on a canal boat pulled by mules; National Park Service staff in period clothing guide the boat through an eight-foot lift lock and past historic buildings along the canal in Georgetown
ADMISSION: Adults $8 Seniors $6 and children $5
ADDRESS: 1057 Thomas Jefferson Street, NW  MAP
PARKING: street or nearby garage
TRANSIT: Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro Station, 5 blocks away
PHONE: 202-653-5190
WEBSITE: http://www.nps.gov/choh

Upper Marlboro, MD

Six Flags America Theme Park
DESCRIPTION: A theme and water park featuring over 100 attractions, highlighted by eight excellent roller coasters, including Batwing and the ultrafast Superman rides; entry to Hurricane Harbor waterpark is a separate fee
ADMISSION: $36, children $25
DAYS & HOURS: 10:30a-10p
ADDRESS: 13710 Central Avenue  MAP
PARKING: expensive parking fee
TRANSIT: Largo Town Center Metro Station
PHONE: 301-249-1500
WEBSITE: http://www.sixflags.com/parks/america