Palmer & Cay Carswell

Capitol Coin and Stamp is a haven for both history buffs and political memorabilia collectors. The shop features a far-reaching array of items that include everything from bumper stickers, election pins, T-shirts and political posters that literally span the entire century of political activity. There are even some items that date back to Abraham Lincoln's Presidential campaign! So, there's no excuse for not leaving Washington without some type of political souvenir from this interesting shop.

The National Book Festival attracts both writers and readers of some of the world's best-loved books. Several award-winning authors head to the National Mall for this event every September to be on hand for autograph signing and seminar appearances. The kids will love meeting some of the characters from some of their favorite books as they come to life here and are available for photos.

Is great bowling right up your alley? Then head to Potomac Lanes Bowling Center for a great game or two. The facility is quite family friendly, with a great game room the kids will enjoy as well as lane bumpers set up by request if you have a young bowler in the family. Great prices, especially during the week, make Bolling an excellent place to bowl for the whole family.

When you think of the skyline in our nation's capital city, immediately the Washington Monument comes to mind. This 555-foot obelisk juts out into the sky to stand as a tribute to our first President. The monument, along with the Capitol Building and the Lincoln Memorial, is part of the areas trio of must-see landmark attractions. It is located at the western end of the Mall and the free elevator ride will take you to the top floor for a truly breathtaking view. The admission is free, but you need a ticket to enter. The ticket kiosk is located at the base of the monument on 15th Street and opens at 8:30am. Tickets are given out on a first-come, first-served basis.