Georgetown & Dupont Circle
A mix of commercial and residential streets, these neighborhoods are the city's hub for shopping and eating. You'll find historic charm in Georgetown's Federal and Victorian houses (JFK and Jackie lived here), as well as primo window shopping at the boutiques along Wisconsin Avenue and M Street. Just south, transport yourself to the 1870s with a barge tour of the Chesapeake Ohio Canal. At Rose Park, 10 blocks east, the kids can hit the playground and walk down to the Potomac to watch crew teams. Also nearby is Massachusetts Avenue, home to a number of embassies. Follow it northwest and smack-dab to the center of Dupont Circle Park to rest and people-watch by the marble fountain.
RESTAURANTS
Restaurant Nora
This rustic-chic spot will happily modify its seasonal dishes (veal scaloppine with potato gnocchi, duck breast with truffled spaghetti squash) for kids. 2132 Florida Ave. NW, (202) 462-5143.
Teaism
This temple of tea has cozy banquettes upstairs and serves light Asian-inflected cuisine-plus the best salty-oat cookies in town.
2009 R St. NW, (202) 667-3827.
Leopold's Kafe & Konditorei
The cartoony orange spiral banquette in the center this café's high-design interior can entertain young ones while they sample exquisite Viennese pastries, fresh lemonade, or heartier Austrian fare. 3318 M St. NW, (202) 965-6005.
Thomas Sweet Ice Cream & Chocolate
Along with its frosty treats daily, there are 19 flavors of fudge at this local favorite. 3214 P St. NW, (202) 337-0616.
STORES
Urban Chic
Find stylish dresses for Mom from Trina Turk and Rebecca Taylor and cool toddler gear, like Lacoste polo shirts and Ella Moss tees. 1626 Wisconsin Ave. NW,
(202) 338-5398.
Kramerbooks & Afterwords Café
Browse the aisles of books, have a drink at the full bar, or sit down for mushroom crostini or catfish fingers at this funky indie hangout.
1517 Connecticut Ave. NW, (202) 387-1400.
Tugooh Toys
Crafted from materials like untreated wood and food-grade paint, the lovingly analog playthings are high on design value, like a Le Corbusier-inspired dollhouse and Takashi Murakami soccer ball.
1419B Wisconsin Ave. NW, (202) 333-0032 .
Yiro
A sister store to Tugooh Toys, Yiro's stylish clothes and accessories for infants (like dresses from Lilli Pilli and Serendipity) are entirely organic.
3236 P St. NW, (202) 338-9476.
Piccolo Piggies
Armchairs and rugs give this quaint two-story kids' boutique a homey feel. Check out the excellent selection of shoes on the first floor and dresses from Helena and Lily Gaufrette upstairs.
1533 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-333-0123.
Tabletop
Angela Adams rugs, Inhabit wall slats, Mibo lamps and other brightly patterned home wares to dress up kids' rooms.
1608 20th St. NW, (202) 387-7117.
ACTIVITIES
Chesapeake Ohio Canal
Take an hour-long boat tour of this old area and learn from historically garbed park rangers how freighters moved through the locks. 1057 Thomas Jefferson St. NW, (202) 653-5190.
Phillips Collection
At this intimate museum in a Georgian Revival home, kids will love the colorful works by Klee, Kandinsky, and Matisse. Don't miss the serene Rothko room. 1600 21st St. NW, (202) 387-2151.
