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Take the family on an incredible safari the next time you're in Washington, DC. How? By visiting the National Zoological Park that's part of the Smithsonian Institution. The kids will marvel at more than 5,000 animals that are presented in their natural habitats. The zoo sprawls out over 163 acres and includes informative displays and attractions placed throughout the grounds. Don't forget to see two of the zoo's most popular residents, Mei Xang and Tian Tian, the two giant pandas that are on loan from the China Wildlife Conservation Association. The kids will absolutely love it!

Ford's Theatre has a built-in drama all its own. This is where John Wilkes Booth shot President Abraham Lincoln, and that unsettling episode still resonates in the structure today. Take a tour that retraces the incident, and you can also get a look at some of the interesting backstage areas. And if you are visiting for a performance, the excellent acoustics and inviting seating arrangement will ensure that whether you are watching a play or a musical production, the entertainment takes on a deeper significance when you consider that you are sitting within some truly historic walls.

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History boasts the world's largest natural history collection that will inspire several "oohs' and "aahs" from visitors of all ages. Among the highly dramatic and memorable exhibits are a 70 million-year-old dinosaur egg, an incredible giant squid, and a look at a truly unforgettable tarantula feeding that will inspire several gasps among all who view it. In addition to all of these exhibits, the museum offers even more adventures via the 3-D IMAX theater within its facility.