With Kids

From the free Smithsonian museums on the Mall to the cuddly pandas at the National Zoo, D.C. is a family-friendly town. Major convention hotels don't always cater to families, so we recommend looking Downtown, in Foggy Bottom, or in Upper Northwest; in the latter, many hotels offer special panda packages for the zoo bound. Also, the closer your hotel is to a Metro stop, the quicker you can get on the sightseeing trail. The Metro itself often ranks as a favorite attraction among the under-12 set. Consider a stay at an all-suites hotel, which will allow you to spread out and, if you prepare your meals in a kitchenette, keep costs down. It also gives the grown-ups the option of staying up past bedtime.

A number of well-known chains, including Embassy Suites, Fairmont, Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, and St. Regis offer special programs or packages for kids and—stars be praised—have babysitting services. Holiday Inns allow kids under 12 to eat free in their restaurants and several of the Kimpton properties offer family-friendly rooms complete with bunk beds and child-size bathrobes.