American History Museum

I think this is the museum that people are talking about when they say, "I'd like to go to the Smithsonian." "The Smithsonian" isn't so much an actual museum as a string of museums in DC - all free to the public and open almost every day. 

This one, The American History Museum just reopened. It features all kinds of great stuff like the flag that inspired The Star Spangled Banner, the Gettysburg Address, and Abraham Lincoln's top hat. Of course, I read all of that on their website because we spent the entire time in "America on the Move" - which features.... you guessed it... planes, trains and automobiles.

As you know, James is terrified of Santa, the Easter Bunny, clowns and puppets in general so he wasn't quite sure what to make of these statues.

James' favorite - a train you can "ride" on. We sat on every seat in that thing. Do I need to point out that it wasn't actually moving? To be fair (to our 2 1/2 year old) - the lights did flicker and the train rumbled as if it was moving...

As an aside, this museum also featured supersonic hand dryers in the restrooms. It blew out a frightening amount of air that dried your hands in about 5 seconds. Seriously.