Family Guide Washington, D.C. offers you the best things to see and do on a family vacation in Washington, D.C., from visiting magnificent sights such as The White House and the United States Capitol to exploring the treasures housed in the National Gallery of Art and National Museum of American History, and brings those places alive for children with fun facts, quizzes, and cartoons. The major sights are treated as "hub" destinations and are followed by places of interest near the "hub," ideal for planning your day ahead. These spreads offer a pragmatic as well as enjoyable itinerary, giving children a real insight into the destination, but balanced with opportunities to let off steam at a nearby park or playground. All the practical information you need appears alongside the sight, including transportation information, budget tips, age range suitability, and where to eat. Each spread is bursting with insider knowledge and loaded with ideas for activities that will engage children, from decoding secret messages at the Spy Museum to kayaking along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. Meanwhile, the most family-friendly, best-value accommodation options have been chosen with family budgets and needs in mind. Full-color throughout, with detailed maps of the main sightseeing areas for easy navigation and all the practical information you need for a fun, stress-free family vacation.

Throughout the twentieth century, African Americans challenged segregation at amusement parks, swimming pools, and skating rinks not only in pursuit of pleasure but as part of a wider struggle for racial equality. Well before the Montgomery bus boycott, mothers led their children into segregated amusement parks, teenagers congregated at forbidden swimming pools, and church groups picnicked at white-only parks. But too often white mobs attacked those who dared to transgress racial norms. In Race, Riots, and Roller Coasters, Victoria W. Wolcott tells the story of this battle for access to leisure space in cities all over the United States. Contradicting the nostalgic image of urban leisure venues as democratic spaces, Wolcott reveals that racial segregation was crucial to their appeal. Parks, pools, and playgrounds offered city dwellers room to exercise, relax, and escape urban cares. These gathering spots also gave young people the opportunity to mingle, flirt, and dance. As cities grew more diverse, these social forms of fun prompted white insistence on racially exclusive recreation. Wolcott shows how black activists and ordinary people fought such infringements on their right to access public leisure. In the face of violence and intimidation, they swam at white-only beaches, boycotted discriminatory roller rinks, and picketed Jim Crow amusement parks. When African Americans demanded inclusive public recreational facilities, white consumers abandoned those places. Many parks closed or privatized within a decade of desegregation. Wolcott's book tracks the decline of the urban amusement park and the simultaneous rise of the suburban theme park, reframing these shifts within the civil rights context. Filled with detailed accounts and powerful insights, Race, Riots, and Roller Coasters brings to light overlooked aspects of conflicts over public accommodations. This eloquent history demonstrates the significance of leisure in American race relations.

From the late nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century, African Americans in the Washington, D.C. area sought leisure destinations where they could relax without the burden of racial oppression. Local picnic parks such as Eureka and Madre's were accessible by streetcars. Black-owned steamboats ferried passengers seeking sun and sand to places like Collingwood Beach, and African American families settled into quiet beach-side communities along the Western Shore of Maryland. Author and public historian Patsy M. Fletcher reveals the history behind Washington's forgotten era of African American leisure.

A guide to visiting Washington, D.C., with a family that profiles, landmarks, points of interest, hotels, activities, and restaurants, and includes facts, travel tips, day trips, and suggested itineraries.

A family-focused guidebook to Washington, D.C., for traveling with children ages 4 to 12. DK Eyewitness Travel: Family Guide Washington, D.C. gives parents with children ages 4 to 12 the specific, family-friendly information they need to plan a vacation to a city with an abundance of history, outstanding museums, and beautiful parks. Decode secret messages at the Spy Museum, kayak along the Chesapeake River and Ohio Canal, and explore can't-miss sights such as the White House and Capitol. What's inside: + Each major sight is treated as a "hub" destination, around which to plan a day. Plus, DK's custom illustrations and reconstructions of city sights give real cultural insight. + "Let off steam" suggestions and eating options around each attraction enable the entire family to recharge. + Maps outline the nearest parks, playgrounds, and public restrooms. + "Take shelter" sections suggest indoor activities for rainy days. + Dedicated "Kids' Corner" features include cartoons, quizzes, puzzles, games, and riddles to inform and entertain young travelers. + Listings provide family-friendly hotels and dining options. Written by travel experts and parents who understand the need to keep children entertained while enjoying family time together, DK Eyewitness Travel: Family Guide Washington, D.C. offers child-friendly sleeping and eating options, detailed maps of main sightseeing areas, travel information, budget guidance, age-range suitability, and activities for Washington, D.C.