Teeny tiny trip report:
What we ended up doing in DC over 2 full days and 2 half days, which was mostly based on what DD11 wanted to do:
–Crumbs and Whiskers cat cafe in Georgetown, twice 
–Planet Word
–Zoo
–Natural History Museum, although we didn’t get there early enough to even try for butterflies
–National Gallery of Art
–Portrait Gallery, briefly
Where we stayed:
Kimpton George close to Union Station
–Liked hotel mostly, although got approached by some aggressive people at Union Station, this was not unexpected from what I’ve read / experienced there before
–Hotel is themed to George Washington and is very cute; I like Kimptons and this is my 3rd. The Monaco over by the Portrait Gallery is a bit fancier and bigger.
–I didn’t take into account that we’d have to be changing trains to go everywhere, and that was a lot of work. Next time I’d stay somewhere where I could just take one train each way if possible.
–We did take taxis to Georgetown twice and a few other places. It was easy to get a taxi. I had a lot of trouble getting rideshare or taxi in Philly last August so I could tell the difference.
–the unseasonably hot temps really did a number on me even though I planned and packed for it
Going from 60s to high 80s with no in between was too much
–I’ve never seen so many tour buses and food trucks on the Mall, ever, but I usually avoid going there around spring break time (we’ve seen cherry blossoms a couple of times so didn’t go there for that)
–I was thrilled to finally see the new dinosaur skeleton exhibit at Natural History. The last time we were there was right before it closed for 5 yrs, in 2014, and it reopened in 2019 but we hadn’t been.
–I was also thrilled to go back to Crumbs and Whiskers after not going for 3 yrs due to the pandemic, and also just that we live pretty far away. It was the same delightful experience I remembered. We went twice b/c my DD11 was so happy with it the first time.
–First time ever at zoo! Have lived here almost 15 yrs. Wish we’d had more stamina for the zoo but it was too hot. In fact the red panda we wanted to see wasn’t out b/c it had to be inside in AC. Saw the famous large pandas. Was thrilled to get a video of a panda moving around and doing stuff–until he decided to use the bathroom while I was videoing. Of course, about 50 other people were doing the same thing.
I want to return to the zoo to see the big cats, as we only saw one cheetah. The other big cats were on the opposite side of the zoo and we just didn’t have the stamina. But there is another pedestrian entrance to the zoo on that side so I’ll plan to do that next time. I definitely want to go back, as we saw maybe 1/6 of what is there.
–I will also plan to go back to Natural History specifically to see the butterflies during a non popular tourist time. I’ve found that very late August and Sept are good times for things like that b/c so few want to travel when it’s the beginning of school.
–I’m an art historian and was thrilled that DD11 decided on the National Gallery for the last stop, although the Postal Museum would have been a lot easier b/c it’s next to Union Station. I definitely noticed that the galleries right next to the main entrance, with Impressionism, were horribly packed but everything else was ok. Some of the other very interesting areas were actually almost empty.
If you go, be sure to check out the waterfall by the gelato cafe downstairs, and the walkway to the east bldg that has a Leo Villareal installation. Basically, there are lights shining in different patterns all around you as you are on the moving walkway. I love this and do it every time I am there.
–Overall DD11 really had a great time which was the goal. I also wanted a spring break trip and this was a good one. I’d do it again. But I will hope for the cooler weather that is typical of our spring breaks.
