Episode Details

Planning a trip to Washington DC with kids? In this episode of Chaos and Carry-Ons, Stephanie breaks down her family’s spring break trip to DC—sharing a real, day-by-day itinerary, honest hotel review, and the travel tips she wishes she knew before going.

From finally scoring a White House tour to navigating the Metro for the first time (and surviving those escalators 😅), we cover what it’s really like visiting DC as a family of five.

We’re talking:

• Staying at the Hyatt Place Washington DC / White House (pros, cons, and room size for families)
• Visiting the White House and what to expect on the tour
• Walking the monuments (and why we’d do it differently next time)
• Tips for the Smithsonian National Zoo — including how to get free tickets
• Riding the Washington Metro with kids
• Exploring the Museum of the Bible
• Where we ate, including the historic Old Ebbitt Grill

We also share what we’d do differently, how weather impacted our plans, and whether Washington DC is actually worth the trip for families.

If you’re planning a DC vacation—or just dreaming about one—this episode will help you set realistic expectations and feel more prepared.