re: Washington DC trip with kids (10 & 12yo)

Spent three years near DC courtesy the Navy. My kids loved the zoo and the museums - especially the aviation and the Natural History ones. They got a kick out of going to the Old Post office and riding the elevator to the top...we always stopped there for ice cream on our almost monthly trips. Mt. Vernon is only like 15 miles from DC and that is a pretty good place to visit (I got to lay the wreath in Washington's Tomb while there). There is a lot to do in the area - but as with other places, it is what you make it.