<p>We are headed out to Family Weekend on Thursday the 22nd. My two daughters (ages 65 and 11) are definately going, my husband hopes to, but may have to stay in KY for work reasons.</p>
<p>What are the top ten things to do at or near AU for families?</p>
<p>The girls are dying to tour the dorm, so we will put that as item one:</p>
<ol>
<li>See DS room!</li>
</ol>
<p>What is your family doing?</p>
<p>deirdre: ok, before I even attempt humor, please edit line #2 of your post…I had to giggle though.!!</p>
<p>Your girls might really enjoy the Spy Museum and the National Zoo.</p>
<p>In August we went to the Smithsonian. They had a huge exhibit on “Night at the Museum 2”. They were also showing the movie in IMAX 3D. I don’t know how long that exhibit will be up (if it’s still up now), but my 12 and 14 year old boys enjoyed it. They found something fun in each building. Each building is free. It’s a lot of walking and we didn’t make it to every building, but they want to go back. The Archives is another place we went. There was a long line to see the Constitution and Declaration of Independence but worth it…they have both written about it for school assignments.</p>
<p>Obviously, the Portrait Gallery, the Textile Museum and National Museum of American Art should be top choices. Spy Museum is touristy. Madame Tusseau’s is quite enjoyable and don’t forget premier restaurants like 1789, L’Auberge Chez Francais and Citronelle.</p>
<p>Actually, the Phillips Collection and the National Cathedral are closer. Try Cactus Cantina for impeccable mexican Cuisine on Wisconsin Ave.</p>
<p>My children (22 and 19) enjoyed the Portrait Gallery also and expressed an interest in returning there this weekend, but that may not work for younger visitors. I guess DeidreTours’ 65 year old daughter may like it though !! lol</p>
<p>My kids loved the Spy Museum when they were younger, even though it’s touristy, not like the Madame Tusseau’s , which I guess, since CR enjoyed it, makes it not touristy.</p>
<p>Although my young daughter often feels she is MUCH older than her years, the 65 is a typo-- she is 6!
We did the portrait gallery this last summer and most of the Smithsonian museums. I would love to see the Archives (line was too long for us last summer).</p>
<p>The Cactus Cantina sounds like a great choice for us…</p>
<p>Anything on or near campus not to be missed?</p>
<p>What are other families planning?</p>
<p>The Air and Space is great fun and The National Zoo was always a favorite with my kids when we visited Grandma when they we younger. It is not real far from AU. I personally love the Hirshhorn Gallery, but then I love sculpture. I have yet to go the Museum of The American Indian but I am hoping to go this trip. We are not planning to do much on campus but then we are going to see our kids and my family and friends and it just happens to be the same weekend.
Ellen</p>
<p>The Museum of the American Indian is terrific. During the summe,r they had Native Americans actually working on crafts at various stands for onlookers to see. The Fritz Scholder painting exhibit was also a must for Southwestern Art fans.</p>
<p>We loved the Indian museum when we went last summer! Has anyone been to the art museum on campus? Are any of the embassies open to tour?</p>
<p>Apart from sight-seeing–
What about buying some slice and bake cookies and making them with your daughters in the floor kitchen? If the weather is a bummer this weekend (it looks like it might be ) having fresh cookies and meeting your son’s friends is always fun. We did that with my S a couple of weekends ago–a definite hit!</p>
<p>Boysx3–What a cool idea! I wonder if i need to take a cookie sheet??</p>
<p>We bought a foil one at the grocery store…I wouldn’t trust anything in that kitchen!</p>
<p>Never mind, dont’ want to start anything</p>
<p>What ???</p>