Exploring Washington DC with kids Washington DC can be a powerful town to visit for business but it also presents lots of fun (and free) sites for tag-along travelers. Whether it's your preschooler or teenager, Washington DC offer hours of learning and amusements in it's many museums, parks and monuments. It's a great place to take the family along next time business beckons a visit. • Where to Stay • What to See Where to stay Omni Shoreham 2500 Calvert Street N.W. 1-202-234-0700 Features: Upscale, family friendly environment. This facility has a great view, near the National Zoo and if staying over July 4th period can view fireworks display from hotel without the hassle of crowds. JW Marriot 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue 1-202-626-6991 Features: Great overall facility with connecting mall, video arcade and health club Hyatt Regency 400 New Jersey Avenue NW 1-800-233-1234 Features: Offers family package deals such as Camp Hyatt. Families can book a second room for half price for kids. Children's menu available. Rates run $235-$340 double- ask about special packages Things to Do with The Kids in DC National Zoo 3001 Connecticut Ave N.W. 1-202-673-4800 The earlier you go the better. The majority of the animals are more active in the earlier hours of the day. Over 5,000 animals can be seen as well as rare and endangered species. Admission is free-open daily Nation Museum of Natural History 10th Street and Constitution Ave. N.W. Highlights include dinosaur exhibit, fossils, ocean planet, rain forest exhibit and plant and animal species. Millions of objects in its research collection. Admission is free-open daily. National Air and Space Museum Jefferson Drive & 6th Street SW Display of planes range from the earliest times, flight film offered on IMAX screen that is 5 stories high. Planes are suspended from ceiling and kids of all ages will be amazed. The National Air and Space Museum is the most visited museum in the area. Admission is free - Open daily. Visit the Web site Capital Children's Museum 800 3rd Street NE This museum has everything to thrill a young child. Bubble demonstrations, hands on activities, an animation exhibit and much more. Admission charge. From Labor Day through Memorial Day, hours are Tuesdays through Sundays, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Open on Mondays throughout the summer and on the following Mondays: Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Easter Monday, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day Monday between Christmas and New Year's Visit the Web site White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue 1-800-717-1450, 1-202-456-7041 A must see for older kids. Tour tickets are available at the White House Visitor Center in the north end of the Commerce Department at 1450 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. Visitor Center opens at 8 am. Tours are offered Tuesday-Saturday at 10 am or 12 noon. GO EARLY TO GET TICKETS! - Compiled by Lisa Bailey