By Beth
On Monday, I took my five year old and my three year old to the United States Botanic Garden. We spent about two hours there and then headed out for a picnic lunch, after which we offered to take them down to Air and Space. Airplanes! Rockets! Spaceships! But the kids begged to return to the botanic garden, so that's what we did.
Those are my kids so excited to be at the botanic gardens that they are dancing together without throwing a single punch. Also, that spire growing out of the top of my daughter's head is the U.S. Capitol dome. Bonus D.C. destination!
My inner child couldn't help cringing at the idea of parents dragging their poor children to something as terminally boring as a botanic garden, but once I gave it some thought it is actually pretty perfect. Most of the exhibits are outside or meant to appear to be outside, which means that the kids can get away with Acceptable Public Behavior rather than Enforced Best Behavior. There is no shushing and only occasional reminders to please just try to run a little slower. It is basically a park with educational opportunities and even some added value for the parents. Provided, that is, that you have reached the point in your life where a trip to the gardens is more appealing than horrifying and have gotten over being appalled by the discovery that you have turned into your parents.
(Photo credit: my husband)
I love the botanical gardens! I don't have kids but I sent my parents there when they came to visit me in DC. Fun for all ages!
Posted by: K | April 22, 2011 at 11:16 AM
We took the kids to Bok Tower Gardens last weekend and it was a lot of fun (except for the 4 weddings we had to sidestep). I packed a picnic lunch and we sat on the grounds and enjoyed our sandwiches among the flowers and fed Koi fish and let the toddler run pretty much free. Good stuff!
Posted by: april | April 23, 2011 at 11:33 AM