D.C. for Tweens

Our highly edited list of what's cool for tweens in Washington, D.C. - where to go, what to eat, what to do - all reviewed by real tweens. And don't miss our Calendar - everything cool for tweens updated daily (see the column on the right).

There's even more to read in our newspaper column on D.C. Tweens in the Examiner.

Look!
- Museums:

• New hall at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History (March 2010)
• First Ladies' Inaugural gown exhibit at the Smithsonian Museum of American History (March 2010)
• Also check out Trekaroo's post on the Smithsonian American History museum (July 2010)
• The Newseum is free for kids July-Aug 2010 (July 2010)

Yum!
- D.C. Kids' Restaurant Week (June 2010)
- Frozen:

• The Dairy Godmother in the DelRay neighborhood of Alexandria, VA - awesome authentic frozen custard and gourmet popsicles. Tips: Check out their website for the flavors of the day. And they're closed on Tuesdays. President Obama took First Tweens Malia and Sasha there too!
• Serendipity is Coming to D.C.! (March 2010)
• Toasted Marshmallow milkshakes at Good Stuff Eatery on Capitol Hill (August 2009)

- Pizza:

• Sasha Obama celebrates her 9th birthday at CPK in Bethesda (June 2010)
• Two Amy's in Cleveland Park - authentic Neapolitan pizza at a local favorite. Tips: Go early for lunch on weekends (they open at noon) for their handmade sugar donuts (heaven! but they sell out early). Also, there is outdoor seating in the back - ask for one of those tables on a nice day. Our tweens also LOVE their Polpettine al forno (little risotto balls filled with cheese).(June 2010)

- Burgers and Other Savories:

• Good Stuff Eatery on Capitol Hill - great burgers (veggie ones too!), amazing fries and to-die-for milkshakes. First Lady Michelle Obama brings Sasha and Malia here too. Tip: They are closed on Sundays. (August 2009)
• Ben's Chili Bowl is a Washington institution
• The hot dog cafe in the Spy Museum is a lot of fun because they have a range of spy-themed hot dogs to choose from (the restaurant is actually called The Spy City Cafe). This year they started offering sliders (mini-hamburgers) from swanky Zola next door (named for Emile Zola and his role in the Dreyfus Affair). If you are looking for a great place for dinner, Zola is fantastic, and tweens will love the see-through floor (towards the back). In the Penn Quarter neighborhood.
• Also in the Penn Quarter neighborhood is a hidden gem: Poste. It's a brasserie in the interior courtyard of Hotel Monaco and a super nice spot for dining away from the crowds - go in the warm weather and sit outside. The menu may be a bit much for tweens (braised rabbit anyone?), but it's a great place to go for appetizers or a late night nosh (hand cut pomme frites served in paper cones, little plates of mac and cheese, and a really good cocktail menu for the adults in the party).

- Cupcakes and Other Sweets:

• Georgetown Cupcake (in Georgetown and Bethesda) usually has lines winding around the corner, but these are worth the wait. They're known for their red velvet, but our tweens also love their lava fudge and coconut cupcakes.
• Hello Cupcake! in Dupont Circle (we love the Peppermint Patty) (Feb 2010)
• Teaism's Salty Oat cookies - TDF! Locations in Penn Quarter, Dupont Circle, and Lafayette Park (by the White House)

- Breakfast:

• The Cereal Bowl - a fun place to go for breakfast - the waitstaff is in pajamas, and cartoons and ESPN are shown on big screens round-the-clock (March 2010)
• Blueberry buckwheat pancakes ("Blue Bucks") from Market Lunch inside local landmark Eastern Market on Capitol Hill. Tips: They accept cash only, and the lines are long, but the wait is worth it. We recommend taking turns holding a spot in line and walking around the market while you wait. Coffee drinkers: you're best off grabbing a cup to go BEFORE you get in line. Breakfast is served Tuesdays through Saturdays but NOT SUNDAYS (and all of Eastern Market is closed on Mondays).