Budget Travel magazine once ranked 15 monuments and parks that every child should see by the age of 15. It’s an ambitious list because you’d have to spend every summer at one and who has the money for such big trips every year?

Personally, I’ve seen 14. The lone exception – the San Diego Zoo.

I’ve seen the Grand Canyon, Redwood National Park, Freedom Trail in Boston, Niagara Falls, Williamsburg, Walt Disney World, Independence Hall, Alcatraz Island, Monticello, Yellowstone National Park, Craters of the Moon park and Fenway Park as an adult. My parents thought vacation was for visiting family and friends. We drove by a Six Flags theme park once, though.

That leaves the National Mall – which I agree every kid should see. Frankly, we’re under siege each spring with 13-year olds on field trips, which is the worst age to come. First time away from mom and dad and general unruliness at that age makes the trip a waste. They won’t remember any of it. I would bring kids between the ages of 8 to 12 or 15 to 17.

Most tour companies offer a “highlights” package. It’s the mall over a few hours. Frankly, it’s a whirlwind.

Since I’m a native Washingtonian, I’ve spent many hours on the mall. Taken my kids to the mall. And until becoming a tour guide, didn’t totally appreciate what I was seeing.

Next time I take visiting family members downtown, here’s my Mall priority list.

• Lincoln Memorial — the granddaddy of memorials.
• Vietnam wall – brings home the sacrifice.
• Korean War Veterans Memorial – provides real sense of standing among soldiers.
• World War II Memorial – my favorite, but stay out of the fountain.
• Washington Monument – even if you don’t go up, just a great structure.
• FDR Memorial – A little complicated, but very interesting.

You’re thinking that’s everything. Not really. There are many other places on the mall. Lots of museums and statues, but I’d jump off the mall to visit Capitol Hill to provide a sense of government and then Arlington National Cemetery to gain insight into true sacrifice.

The 15 places to visit is a great primer for parents. Wish I had written it myself. Maybe I’ll pen a 15 places to visit in Washington.