Smithsonian's Natural History Museum in Washington D.C.

Last month we took the kids to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. The national museum is free for everyone and a great place for the kids to see dinosaurs or great replicas of wildlife. My oldest especially enjoyed the dinosaur and ocean exhibit. If the Butterfly exhibit is still running you should go and check it out. You walk through a small enclosure filled with butterflies flying around and snacking on pieces of fruit. My oldest thought this was so neat and when you walk out an attendant is there to make sure you don't leave with any butterflies.

Parking is a little tricky. You can park around the Smithsonians for free if you are lucky enough to find a spot. Or you can park in one of the many parking garages around the museums. We ended up parking under the Ronald Reagan Building and walking over to the museum. The car stayed nice and cool underground and the price wasn't too outrageous.  Inside the museum they don't allow snacking or drinks but they do have a nice cafe to grab a bite to eat. Caution: Around lunch time the cafe is very busy!

A great place to take the kids and the older they are the more they enjoy all the exhibits!

Exploring Luray Caverns!

A couple weekends ago my family and I checked out the Luray Caverns in Luray, Virginia. The caverns are located in the Shenandoah Valley about 80 miles west of Washington D.C. The kids and I had never experienced the caverns before and I wasn't sure what to expect.

Once we stepped inside the main building we were sent through a very unassuming doorway. A set of stairs took us to the beginning of the caverns. Here we were instructed on how to use our headsets they give out. At certain points along the pathways there are markers indicating you can listen to audio about the caverns. The pathways are made of brick and they wind down and around through cavern. The "Dream Lake" was breath taking and is actively replenished from rain water that finds its way into the cavern.

I wasn't sure that the kids would be super excited to see the stalactite and stalagmite formations but they loved being in the cavern or "tunnel". The cavern is lit up beautifully and I was in awe of its natural beauty. After the cavern you can take your ticket and check out the Car and Carriage Caravan Museum. You can also purchase tickets to run through the Garden Maze. Picnic tables are available near the parking lot if you packed a lunch and they also offer a cafe and ice cream shop.

Back to civilization......Take me out to Nationals Park for some baseball!