Things to do with a toddler alone???

Hi everyone! We%26#39;ll be up in DC for 4 days at the end of April so that my husband can undergo some medical tests at NIH. I just got our tenative schedule for his tests and it looks like he%26#39;ll be needed at NIH for 2 days from early morning until early/mid afternoon. I thought it was only going to be for 1 day so I had planned to take our little guy to the zoo for a few hours so that he%26#39;s not stuck in a hospital environment while his daddy had tests done. But now there are 2 days.

Granted I can go to the zoo 2 days in a row, that%26#39;s not a big deal but is there anything else that I could possibly do with a toddler. He%26#39;ll be 18 months old when we come up. I don%26#39;t want to be too adventurous but figured you guys might have some good ideas.

Thanks!

Things to do with a toddler alone???

Wait until after the rush hour and ride Metro to the end of the line. Not long after the NIH stop, the Metro is above ground for most of the way to Shady Grove, so there is scenery to watch. Likewise at the other end of the Red Line starting just after Union Station and as far as Silver Spring is is above ground.

There may be a park with kid-friendly swings, etc somewhere near the Shoreham, but someone more familiar with the area will have to help you with that.

Things to do with a toddler alone???

Boys and bugs sure seem to go together. Why not take him to the Bug Room at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum?

There is a very nice old-fashioned carosel on the grounds of the Mall, not too far from The Bug Room, which kids really enjoy.

Then there is always the paddle-boats down by the Jefferson.