If you are looking for a great place to take your kids for a full day, the Smithsonian National Zoological Park is a great destination. It provides a wide range of things for the kids to see and do coupled with an amazing experience. I recently visited this location with my children for the third time in the last three years. They are making some changes that should be done around 2013 that will also really enhance your experience.
This is one of the few places in North America that you can see the Giant Panda! You can also catch them on the Panda cams also available through the website.
Smithsonian National Zoo – Tortoise
Smithsonian National Zoo – Baby Giant Ant Eater
You should check out the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, especially for their Halloween Saturday. My kids went as the dynamic duo and have a blast.
The National Zoo really is incredible. I’ve been a half a dozen times in my life and mostly I remember the Elephant/Giraffe house and the little convenience store directly across from the zoo (always good to get a nice cold drink after the hike up some of those hills). I’m looking forward to taking my children next year.