Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

Parents with kids in tow should make a beeline to the Air and Space Museum on the National Mall (there is another branch in Virginia). The museum, which claims the largest collection of historic air- and spacecraft in the world, is a slam dunk for all ages, with a multitude of cool planes dangling overhead, not to mention rockets, cruise missiles and satellites. I still remember the thrill of seeing the Apollo 11 command module and Buzz Aldrin’s space suit for the first time when I was a kid. Equally fascinating are gems like Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis. The interactive displays for kids are fun and interesting. And, yes, the famous IMAX film To Fly! is a must. Open daily, except Christmas.