Your Guide for Things To Do in DC With a Baby

Washington, DC is a rather compact and walkable city with many diverse things to do and see. From miles of historical attractions to stroll through, like The White House, War Memorial, reflection pool, and museums, Washington, DC is a place people love. Its relaxed yet urban vibe makes it an ideal location to visit with a baby. When traveling to Washington, DC with a baby, you’ll want to pack accordingly and plan ahead; expect to spend much of your time walking and exploring, but know there are plenty of activities that require less energy, too.

Read on as we highlight some of the top activities to do in DC when visiting with a baby.

Fun Things To Do in DC With a Baby

Take a walk through the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Learning American History is something that can start sooner than social studies class. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History features exhibits like the Entertainment Nation, FOOD, Inventing in America, Music HerStory, and more. All of the exhibits are designed to teach us about the history that has shaped our world today. This DC stop might be better for toddlers, but it’s kid-friendly if you want or need to bring your baby along.

With the museum's many exhibits, it’s smart to prepare for a long day on your feet. An open-style baby carrier with storage, like the Tushbaby hip seat carrier, can come in handy—especially when your toddler wants a break from exploring or if you bring another little one along. Tushbaby is designed for babies 0-3 years of age, with four carry positions and five storage pockets to help you ditch the diaper bag and stroller at home. It velcros and buckles around the waist for quick ons and offs and can be adjusted to share between caregivers. It’s ideal for long days of babywearing, such as when visiting the National Museum of Natural History.

Tiny Tots puppet show

The Tiny Tots puppet show is designed for children 18 months to 4 years old, and is an engaging way to entertain your baby and spark curiosity. The puppet show and theater room are designed for young patrons, so babywearing can make navigating and enjoying the show more comfortable and accessible. Tushbaby’s open-style design makes it easy to sit or stand while babywearing while offering a plush seat for your baby to sit on and interact with you.

Tushbaby features five storage pockets for your personal items and baby essentials like diapers, wipes, a bottle, and snacks. Still, if you’re planning a big day out with different kinds of activities, our sleek Totebaby diaper bag can come in handy. Totebaby comes with removable baby tote features like an organizer, vegan leather fold-up Changing Pad, extra crossbody strap, and divider pocket—perfectly designed to store a Tushbaby and your larger essentials.

Go plane-watching at Gravelly Point Park

There’s something about watching airplanes that makes our imagination run wild—where oh where could they possibly be going? When in DC, visit Gravelly Point Park to get front-row seats to the runway. When watching planes with a baby, you’ll want to keep your hands free to ensure safety—and keep your arms free for extra snuggles if they get scared. The Snug Attachment was designed specifically to connect to the Tushbaby, which allows you to keep baby close and safe while freeing up your hands. On its own, Tushbaby features four carrying positions so your baby doesn’t miss any views—and if they get hungry, the open-style design makes transitioning to the feeding position seamless. Take a seat, grab your nursing cover, and lay your baby across the seat for support. Life on the go with a baby is thrilling, but it doesn’t have to be complicated!

Speedwell Conservation Carousel at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

The Smithsonian National Zoo is one of the most popular tourist destinations in DC. With free entry, exotic animals, intriguing exhibits, and the Speedwell Conservation Carousel, the Smithsonian National Zoo is a baby-friendly and family-friendly place to visit. As your baby enjoys a ride on the Speedwell Conservation Carousel, you’ll want to offer them a helping hand to keep them safely on the carousel animal of their choice.

While your baby’s enjoying the ride and your Tushbaby’s not being used for babywearing, fold it up and flaunt it like your favorite purse with our range of Crossbody Straps! These chic little numbers clip onto your Tushbaby’s D-rings to keep your essentials and carrier close with a stylish twist.

Have fun at a nearby DC baby pool

That’s right: a pool just for babies. Splish splash as you make memories with your little one that will last a lifetime. Of course, you won’t stay in the pool all day, and regular activities like feeding and changing your baby will still exist. The Tushbaby carrier can be worn comfortably with a swimsuit as it straps high and tight above the waist with a padded waistband—and with the feeding position, it can be used poolside for feeding support. With Tushbaby’s ample storage space, you can stash sunscreen, an extra protective layer for baby, diapers, wipes, and even our slim vegan leather fold-up Changing Pad!

Babywearing can make exploring DC with a baby more enjoyable for both of you. With Tushbaby’s four carrying positions, you can strengthen your bonding time with your baby while allowing them to see the sights and switch up how they want to be carried. If you like going hands-free, The Snug can be attached to transform your Tushbaby into a hands-free baby carrier for babies 12lbs and up—hello, naptime. And when not in use, you can easily store The Snug in your Tushbaby’s under-seat storage pocket.

Traveling with a baby is all about practicality, as you’ll likely be limited in what you can bring, especially if you’re flying. Prioritize practicality (just as we do here at Tushbaby) to choose the must-have items for vacation.

Headed to DC with a baby? Make Tushbaby.com your first stop.