Celebrating International Women’s Day in Washington, D.C. with the Family

Look beyond the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial and you’ll find that Washington D.C. is one of the best places to teach your kids about the contributions of women to American history. Many of these sights and museums are located downtown and around the National Mall, an area well-served by Uber in Washington D.C., making it easy to call an uberXL for the family. Larger families may want to take multiple Uber rides at the same time on the same account, and you can simply set up your Family Profile to include those folks in your group.

While a museum dedicated entirely to women’s history is in the early stages, there are several places around the city that celebrate women. From women’s rights activists to famous figures of film and television, here are some of the best places to teach the kids about America’s leading ladies:

Museums and attractions to visit

Discover some of the many contributions women have made to U.S. history and pop culture at the National Museum of American History. Peek in on a recreation of Julia Child’s kitchen, Judy Garland’s ruby red slippers from The Wizard of Oz, and costumes worn by ballet’s great dancers.

The National Air and Space Museum is loved by kids, and not just because of the astronaut ice cream. Among the museum’s collection of planes you’ll find Amelia Earhart’s Lockheed Vega 5B, which the pilot flew solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She was the first woman to do so.

On the banks of the Potomac River, an easy Uber ride from Downtown D.C., is George and Martha Washington’s Mount Vernon estate. The grounds and gardens are a good place for the little ones to stretch their legs, and the exhibits share the story of the country’s very first first lady.

The National Museum of Women in the Arts focuses entirely on women artists. Turn your visit into a scavenger hunt with the “See for Yourself” art cards. The gift shop is full of fun art supplies to keep the kids inspired at home.

Learn about the women’s suffrage movement at the historic Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument on Capitol Hill. Home to the National Women’s Party for nearly a century, this has been a center for women’s rights in Washington and beyond.

Statues and memorials to visit

At one end of the famous reflective wall on the National Mall, you’ll find the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, a bronze statue of three U.S. servicewomen. The statue is a reminder that women played an important role in the Vietnam War, often as nurses, as these figures work on a wounded soldier.

The Mary McLeod Bethune Memorial in Northeast D.C. honors the women’s and African American rights activist, shown here with two children. The Mary McLeod Bethune Council House, which is currently closed for renovation, has a programs for kids to become junior rangers and learn about Bethune and the National Council of Negro Women that was first headquartered here. Keep this place in mind for a later trip.

Where to eat in DC

Pizzeria Paradiso is a beloved local pizza place owned by chef Ruth Gresser, who’s said to be the “matriarch of pizza” in D.C. There are locations in Georgetown, Dupont Circle, and Old Town Alexandria.

Seafood options include Hank’s Oyster Bar, where kid-friendly bites like goldfish crackers and fish sticks round out the offerings at this delicious local chain. The Alexandria location is the best bet for families.

Opened by two sisters with a nod to their grandmother, the women-helmed Georgetown Cupcake put D.C.’s sweet scene on the map. After starring in Cupcake Wars and opening locations coast to coast, the store always has a line out the door.