Washington D.C. is in the spotlight with the upcoming inauguration – the district will hosts thousands next week for the celebrations and all sorts of special events are happening around town. If you look at any website that has to do with Washington DC, there is a special exhibit, contest, or party in light of the inauguration!

So even though most of us won't be attending in person, we'll surely see it on TV, or get clips from the internet or newspaper. Some of may even be inspired to travel there sometime soon….with our kids…so I have compiled  a special list: FREE in DC.

That's right – many of the best attractions are F-R-E-E. This is not a too-good-to-be true sub-prime kind of free. This is honest to goodness pay no money ever kind of free.

And – the kids should love it. (Ther'e ssomething for all ages…but if you wnat full impact so they understand a little more about the histroy and current government, wiat until they are older.)

1)Smithsonian Institution Museums: There are 19 museums…Some of my favorites are:

NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM: Some 50,000 objects on display…spacecraft, rockets, space suits… a moon rock you can touch…a space capsule you can climb into..and freeze dried ice cream in the gift store. Fun to try at home!

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY: Jan 16 marks the opening of a special exhibit on Abraham Lincoln…the young fashionites won't want to miss the special exhibit on First Ladies – they even show inaugural gowns!

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY: The one in Mew York is still my favorite, but this is still captivating.Kids can freak out at all the bugs in the insect zoo…

2) Bureau of Engraving and Printing:

This is pretty captivating! Take a free tour and see how money is made – literally. The BEP produces billions of dollars…as well as postage stamps and hand engraved invitations on behalf of the White House. You get up close and very personal with the printing process on this tour.

3) Arlington National Cemetery: Burial site for soldiers, politicians, and others wqho have served our country. The tomb of the Unknown soldier is moving..as is JFK's eternal flame.

4) Supreme Court –

You can tour the building – and watch a session…but it is on a first come first serves basis, and make sure they are in session when you go i fyou'd like to see that. (Not recommended for really young kids)

5) National Monuments;

One fun, hot summer long ago I lived in DC right down the street from the Lincoln Memorial…I would jog by every day on my morning run, or at sundown for an evening work out – and wow is it inspirational.

I would try to see all the national monuments at dusk or night – they are really magnificent lit up and less crowded.

–Lincoln Memorial 

–Washington Monument   

–Jefferson Memorial

–Holocaust Memorial and Museum – a history lesson for older kid s- 12 and older.

–World War II Memorial

6) FBI Tours – If they ever reopen again, the FBI tours are riveting. According to the FBI website they are closed indefinitely for remodeling…It's been closed a while, so hopefully if you are reading this in the future, you can double check and see if they've reopened. The tours used to look at fingerprinting, handwriting analysis, spy gear, and America's 10 most wanted.

(The Spy Museum has the same flavor, and is also cool – but it costs to get in.)

This Tues, be sure to "armchair travel" and watch history be made – the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States.

Happy Travels…and Go America!

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HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR! May 2009 bring safe and exciting travels.

I recently had a reader post a question about my Travel Channel show. "Are We There Yet: London"… He or she wanted to know all the places we visited. So today I will address that question..and remind you all that London is a great place to visit with children. Is it a long airplane ride? Yes. Is it expensive considering the economy right now? Yes – always expensive. BUT – there are ways to make the trip easier and more affordable….

We adventured to many places off the beaten path in this show – some require driving out of London for an hour or so, but I would say these locations are worth it.

1) London Eye – A must see – kids love it, and it gives every visitor a big picture of how London is laid out. It is a giant ferris wheel like ride that takes a half hour to go around. Wonderful views of London – even if it is touristy – what's wrong with that?

You can order your tickets in advance online to avoid any ques…www.londoneye.com

2) Portobello Market – A very fun place to stroll – open every Saturday. All the shops on Portobello Road are open every day – but the market with dozens of vendors makes it special. All kinds of antiques, and interesting things to look at – tourists and Londoners alike come here. I would recommend for older kids – teens might like the fashion angle…

3) Duck tour on the Thames – My kids really enjoyed this – once again, a great way to orient yourself with London, as you go by many important landmarks, and have a guide who gives info on each (as well as cracks jokes.) www.londonducktours.co.uk

4) Buckingham Palace and the changing of the guard – we actually didn't stay for the changing when we were in London because we had just watched the same thing on a smaller scale in Denmark. Still a pretty cool thing – the little ones might get bored if they don' t have a good view.

5) Groombridge Place – What an enchanted forest this is!! Over-sized swings…boat rides…hiking paths through Jurassic times…sand boxes…life-size chess game..

And I would highly recommend the raptor show. The kids can practice the art of falconry – oops my husband was the center of a joke…

Groombrigde Place is in Kent – a ways out of London but this is a kids wonderland.

6) Diggerland – Also out of London but there's nothing likeit (A Diggerland was supposed to be built in Virgina last year.) Basically this ia  huge amusement park where kids get to control tractors and diggers in muddy paths.  This is also in Kent….for more info www.enjoyengland.com

7) Tate Modern Museum – The BEST kids' program to get them into the arts. They go on a scavenger hunt, looking through all the same art you are, trying to find certain items. It is very clever, and it allows the adults to actually enjoy the art with the children. Oh – and did I mention what a fabulous and varied collection exists at the Tate Modern? It is NOT a stuffy British museum.

Outdoor theater in Regent's Park. Most of the time they offer kid-friendly productions. Pack a picnic and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

I hope that answers all the questions -one hotel I would recommend is Jermyn Street – especially if you are traveling with kids. They have suites, which are actually more like apartments – make sure to ask for the ones that accommodate your size family. It is reasonably priced and right near Piccadilly Square. They have games for kids, child proof locks on mini bar, etc.

Happy Travels – and once again – Happy New Year!

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