ANAIS DE VIEL CASTEL, FOUNDER PETITE LUCETTE, IN WASHINGTON
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Ana ïs De Viel Castel has been living in Washington for 10 years. This is where she gave birth to her 3 daughters and where she founded Petite Lucette, a lovely French-inspired children's fashion brand, with her sister, Clémence, 3 years ago.
According to Ana ïs, Washington has all the advantages of a big and international city coupled with the attractive charm of province. She simply loves it: "Fun, lively, eclectic and full of surprises!"
IN WASHINGTON WITH ANAIS DE VIEL CASTEL
Eating out with the kids. Washington is a very kid-friendly city. Wherever you go, you can find a high chair, a coloring-in kids menu and helpful staff. On weekends, our favorite neighborhood restaurant is 2Amys (see the map), where you can enjoy truly authentic Neapolitan pizzas. I recommend tasting their charcuterie, their Margherita pizza and the supplì al telefono! After your meal, enjoy a pleasant walk in the Bishop Garden or the wonderful Beauvoir School park (see the map).
Grabbing a snack. We are big fans of Baked and Wired's cupcakes (see the map). We also like Paul's viennoiseries (see the map). Afterwards we like to walk down towards the water front and along the Potomac river.
C for Culture. Culture is at the heart of the city. Most of the museums belong to the Smithsonian Institution and have free entry. Kids love the National Museum of Natural History (see the map).
The National Gallery of Art always features appealing exhibitions. The Impressionism section is one of my daughter's favorites! (see the map)
You can also visit the National Portait Gallery and their room featuring portraits of all the Presidents of the United States. A smart way to introduce your children to USA political history! After the visit, treat yourself and your kids to a refreshment and snack in their indoor cafe, which opens onto a wide space where little ones can run and play (see the map).
Your favorite activities on a sunny day. With its several gardens, the Arboretum is a fantastic place to spend a sunny afternoon, no matter the season (see the map).
You can also walk along the National Mall and its Memorials, starting at the Lincoln Memorial and ending at the Congress. This is a must-see here in Washington - almost all American spy movies have at least one scene shot here! The youngest ones will be rewarded with a turn on the lovely ride next to the Smithsonian Castle. There's also a little café outside with seats available and ice-skating during winter (see the map).
Last but not least, the huge and very well-kept zoo. You can quite easily spend a day here and there are volunteers around to answer your children's questions (see the map).
Your favorite activities during a rainy day. The Spy Museum is an entertaining museum for children aged 6 years and up. You'll learn about the most famous spies, what a spy's life looks like, and about the various spying techniques he uses (see the map).
ArtJamz is another great option on a rainy day. Buy a white canvas (any size you want) and the studio provides you with paintbrushes and paints. The staff are kind and helpful and it's great to see your kids express their creativity in such a free way.
Nap time - peaceful spots. I love to walk through Georgetown's peaceful little streets while admiring the Victorian-style houses.
I'm also keen on Dumbarton Oaks, especially in Spring when trees blossom. A very peaceful place... (see the map)
Shopping for the kids. My favorite toy store is Sullivan’s on Wisconsin Ave. They have a great selection including arts and crafts (see the map).
Museums shops are also a great source of inspiration for original and smart gift ideas.
Getaways outside Washington. For a nice family day, Alexandria is a cute historic town by the water, with pretty shops and boat tours. Try the famous Chesapeake Bay's blue crab (see the map).
There's also Mount Vernon in Virginia, with the house where George Washington used to live. You can visit the house itself and also walk among the pleasant gardens whilst admiring the breathtaking view on Potomac River and Washington.
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See more about Petite Lucette here:
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