DC boasts activities, from arboretum to zoo, for big and little kids

Fortunately for AVMA Convention 2025 attendees, there’s so much to do and see in Washington, D.C., that it helps to nail down priorities. Do you want a historical focus that takes a deep dive into the monuments and museums, or do you want an overall tour that hits the highlights? Do you want to stick to famous places or seek out quirkier experiences?

Fully exploring D.C. might take more than one trip, which isn’t a bad idea, so plan accordingly. Here are just a few of the many activities to do in the city this July.

D.C. by water

The District Wharf, about 2 miles from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, is one convenient jumping off point for exploring D.C. Visitors can catch a water taxi from the wharf’s Transit Pier, which is one of the best ways to check out the region’s waterfront destinations and enjoy scenic views of the Potomac River.

The water taxi stops in D.C.’s historic Georgetown neighborhood, a charming area filled with stately townhomes, trendy shops, and restaurants where you might find yourself sitting in the same booth where D.C. notables such as John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy Onassis once sat. The area includes a scenic waterfront that also provides access to Boomerang Pirate Ship that’s kid friendly.

The water taxi also stops in Old Town Alexandria in Virginia and the National Harbor, which boasts a giant Ferris wheel with great views in good weather.

Gallery Place-Chinatown, accessible via the Metro, is another spot where you can access restaurants and shopping, as well as admire the elaborate Friendship Archway, a traditional Chinese gate constructed by the Washington, D.C., government and its sister city Beijing. Nearby attractions include the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery.

Tours galore

D.C., is home to the distinctive International Spy Museum, which is less than a half mile north of the Wharf. There you can learn about famous spies and methods, from secret writing, codes, and hidden cameras to more James Bond-esque tools of the trade. (Note that though it’s a short walk, the most direct route involves climbing several sets of stairs.)

There are several hop-on, hop-off buses that offer D.C. tours, and you can catch one of them, Big Bus, from just left of the entrance to the spy museum, where you can also buy a ticket.

Other D.C. tours include a trolley tour and a night-time tour.

Walk about another half mile north of the spy museum and you’ll be at D.C.’s famous National Mall, run by the National Park Service. The mall extends from the U.S. Capitol Grounds to the iconic Washington Monument, and is bordered by federal office buildings, gardens and museums, including the renowned Smithsonian Institution museums, which offer free admission.

Many of the Smithsonian’s national museums line the perimeter of the mall, including the Air and Space Museum, the Museum of Natural History, and the Museum of American History. Numerous significant monuments are immediately adjacent to the mall, including the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, and Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

D.C. is a very busy metropolitan area, and parking is at a premium throughout the city. Private paid parking garages and lots can be found downtown north of the mall, but there are other ways to get around the mall, too.

Finally, a trip to D.C. wouldn’t be complete without visiting the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park. Though it’s located 3 miles northwest of the convention center, it’s worth the trek, especially because beginning January 24, giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao are officially on view to the public. The 3-year-old bears arrived at the zoo this past October, undergoing a quarantine period before making their debut, according to Smithsonian magazine. It’s been more than a year since the zoo had pandas on display.

Play time

Just over a mile from the convention center is the National Children’s Museum, where kids can discover the wonder of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (or STEAM) through hands-on play—including bubble fun, some wild slides, and lots of fun with balls and balloons—all designed to spark curiosity and knowledge.

Lego Discovery Center Washington, D.C., is the home of LEGO play, where families can create their own adventures with over two million bricks. Various challenges from master builders at the Tree of Imagination are part of the fun along with building and customizing your own spaceship, and more.

For those who enjoy gorgeous architecture, be sure to check out the Gilded Age splendor of Anderson House, a 1905 Beaux Arts mansion at 2118 Massachusetts Ave NW, about 1.5 miles from the convention center.

Or, if you’re looking to escape some of the hustle and bustle for a more serene environment, venture a bit further to visit the U.S. National Arboretum, a research facility and public garden run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The arboretum hosts the world’s first museum dedicated to the art of bonsai and features a wide range of garden plants in a scenic, woodland setting.

For baseball fans, the Washington Nationals are scheduled to play the San Diego Padres on July 19 and the Cincinnati Reds on July 21 and 23 at Nationals Park. The park is accessible from the Navy Yard Metro stop.

Jeanne Johnson is a freelance writer and owner of a consulting firm based in Baltimore.