Outdoor fun in and around Washington, DC

(Photo: United States Botanic Garden)

Washington, DC

National Arboretum
Explore the 446 acres with 9.5 miles of winding roadways, the famous Capitol columns, nature walks, season specific displays and the Washington Youth Garden.

United States Botanic Garden and Children’s Garden
Admission to the U.S. Botanic Garden is free.The Conservatory and National Garden are open every day of the year from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM, and the National Garden has extended evening hours staying open until 7 p.m. from Memorial Day until Labor Day. Bartholdi Park is open every day of the year from dawn till dusk. Explore the outdoor Children’s Garden in the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory where kids can grow their imaginations while checking out a variety of colorful garden plants. The Children’s Garden gives kids a chance to get hands-on in a garden where they can explore and use gardening tools and watering cans.

Franciscan Monastery.
Walk around the gardens or even take a garden tour on Saturdays and admire the incredible architecture.

Smithsonian National Zoo
Always free of charge and open 364 days a year, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is part of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum and research complex. Founded in 1889, the Zoo sits on 163 acres in the heart of Washington, D.C.’s Rock Creek Park and is home to more than 1,500 animals across 300 different species.

Rock Creek Park
An oasis in the city. Rock Creek Park is truly a gem in our nation’s capital. This 1,754 acre city park was officially authorized in 1890, making it the third national park to be designated by the federal government. It offers visitors the opportunity to escape the bustle of the city and find a peaceful refuge, recreation, fresh air, majestic trees, wild animals, and thousands of years of human history. Find many things to do here.

Washington National Cathedral
Explore Bishop’s Garden, go on a scavenger hunt, play at Beauvoir Playground and more fun for kids can be found here.

Yards Park
The Yards Park, a premier waterfront destination, provides green space and water features for all to enjoy the outdoors along the Anacostia River. This award-winning park is an ideal place for recreation, special events, and festivals throughout the year. See schedule of events for more fun throughout the year. Head on to the water with the help of Ballpark Boathouse.

Nationals Park
Nationals Park is located in Southeast Washington, south of the Capitol, along the fast-developing Capitol Riverfront adjacent to the Navy Yard and home to the Washington Nationals. The new park not only redefines modern sports facility architecture but also serves as the catalyst and cornerstone of a new mixed-use Capitol Riverfront in our nation’s capital. Tour the ball park April-November.

The Wharf DC
Newly opened and has lots to do, eat, see and play!

Rock Creek Park Horse Center
This horse center is truly a gem in our nation’s capital. Deep in the woods of Rock Creek Park, you can find peace in the company of horses and those who love them. They offer boarding, camps, lessons and trail rides for equestrians at all skill levels.

(Photo: Audubon Naturalist Society)

Maryland

Lake Needwood
Enjoy the beautiful 75-acre Lake Needwood in rental kayaks, rowboats, canoes or pedal boats, or on a tour of the lake aboard the Needwood Queenduring the summer season. They have beach areas you can lay your towels out and bring your sand toys. Fishing is permitted at both lakes in Rock Creek Regional Park: Lake Needwood and Lake Frank (just 10 minutes away).Visit the Boat House for boat rentals and boating permits; fishing equipment, including bamboo fishing poles, hooks, bobbers, bait and bottled water for sale. The new accessible/ADA compliant dock and launch system makes it possible for people with limited mobility to launch both canoes and kayaks.

Dinosaur Park
Saturdays of each month, 12:00pm to 4:00pm. Garden and play area open daily, sunrise to sunset. (Located near Climb Zone)

Capital Crescent Trail
The Capital Crescent Trail (CCT) is a shared use off-road trail from Georgetown, D.C. to Silver Spring, MD, suitable for walkers, joggers, bikers, and rollerbladers.

Audubon Naturalist Society
Weekend Walk in the Woods: Join a Master Naturalists on the first Saturday of each month from 9-10am for a nature hike around Woodend Sanctuary. Each hike will have a unique and engaging natural history theme. Programs are appropriate for members of all ages. Programs are free but require registration. REGISTER HERE
Nature Backpacks: Visit the Naturalist Shop to check out a themed backpack (ID required) that will have tools and activities you and your family can use to explore nature at Woodend Sanctuary. Photo above shows my Bambinos journaling and creating art from the materials from the backpack we checked out.

Pirate Adventures on the Cheasapeake
See our review and read about the fun we had here.

Brookside Gardens
Brookside Gardens is Montgomery County’s incomparable, award-winning 50-acre public display garden situated within Wheaton Regional Park. Included in the gardens are several distinct areas: Aquatic Garden, Azalea Garden, Butterfly Garden, Children’s Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Style Garden, Trial Garden, Rain Garden, and the Woodland Walk. Admission to the gardens is free. Wings of Fancy is a live butterfly and caterpillar exhibit.

Cabin John Regional Park
A very shaded, large park with an “older” area and a “younger” area. Many climbing structures, cars or trains to sit in, slides, play houses, and swings. They have a ride-on train that takes you through the woods and runs every 30 minutes in the summer.

Hiking Trails and Great Falls
Billy Goat Trail is an Epic Trail Trilogy: There are three sections that make up the Billy Goat Trail: A, B, and C. You can access all three of them off the towpath between Great Falls Tavern and Carderock (Anglers is between section A and B). All three combined are approximately 8 miles. Section A is a technical and strenuous hike. Section B is challenging, and Section C is an easier hike. All three have beautiful scenery and views of the Potomac River- and spotty cell service.
Great Falls: At Great Falls, the Potomac River builds up speed and force as it falls over a series of steep, jagged rocks and flows through the narrow Mather Gorge. The Patowmack Canal offers a glimpse into the early history of this country. Great Falls Park has many opportunities to explore history and nature, all in a beautiful 800-acre park only 15 miles from the Nation’s Capital.
Junior Ranger Program for Kids: Children 5 and up are invited to participate in the Junior Ranger Program. The program is an exciting experience for those wanting to explore the park. There are two booklets, grouped by age, which can be signed out at the Visitor Center desk. Most Junior Rangers complete the booklet in one to two hours, but may take as much time as they wish to finish. Children who complete the booklet earn a Junior Ranger Badge to honor their accomplishments.

Watkins Regional Park
This park has playgrounds, trails, picnic areas, a Nature Center, the Chesapeake Carousel, Old Maryland Farm, the Watkins Regional Park miniature train and much more.

Wheaton Regional Park
Amazing and enormous park! Your family can spend all day playing and picnicking here. New playground with three slides each a different height. There are climbing structures, swings and a sand pit. They have an old fashioned carousel and a train ride that goes through the park every half hour in the summer. The train goes through a tunnel and over a small bridge.

(Photo by Stefanie Harrington: Pirate Adventures on the Cheasapeake)

Virginia

Netherlands Carillon
The 50 bells of the Netherlands Carillon hang in an open steel tower, a symbol of Dutch regard for American aid during and after World War II. The carillon’s peaceful setting, with its floral libraries and sculpted lions, is the perfect place to listen to the music of the bells. The grounds of the Netherlands Carillon offer sweeping views of Washington, DC. In temperate weather the grassy slope and large shade trees form a perfect picnic spot. A computer plays automated concerts on the carillon each day at noon and 6 pm. A guest artist plays a live concert on the carillon each Saturday in June, July, and August from 6 pm to 8 pm. Special holiday concerts take place on Memorial Day and Labor Day from 2 pm to 4 pm. To request a ranger program about the Netherlands Carillon please call 703-235-1530.

Frying Pan Farm
Frying Pan preserves and interprets farm life of the 1920s to 1950s. See events here.

Roer’s ZooFari
Hop on board and take a narrated tour through a free roaming safari. Feed and learn about animals such as zebra, bison, watsui, buffalo, deer, llamas and many more. Enjoy feeding and petting sheep, goats, rabbits, and many more barnyard favorites! Bottle feed baby goats! You can even feed some of our exotic animals like a giraffe, camels, and more! All feed options are available for purchase at the admission booth and at the gift shop. Walk into our special free flight aviary and let the adventure begin! You can feed these gentle, colorful birds as they land on your feed stick.

Leesburg Animal Park
The Leesburg Animal Park is a family-owned and operated business that opened in March of 2000. The Park has many animal residents that you can meet, pet and feed. Enter the “Contact Area” to roam around with farm animals such as goats, sheep and llamas. Jump onto a Wagon Ride, take a Pony Ride or join a Live Animal Show! We offer an up-close animal experience that you won’t get at a larger zoo.

Gravelly Point
Gravelly Point is an area within the National Park Service’s George Washington Memorial Parkway in Arlington. It is located on the west side of the Potomac River, north of Roaches Run and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The paved Mount Vernon Trail travels through the area. Airplanes fly right overhead passing over Gravelly Point while approaching the airport– like literally over your head! It’s a perfect spot for a picnic.

Burke Lake Park
Newly renovated playgrounds and a train, carousel, ice cream parlor, nature trails, a lake, fishing, boating, and soccer fields. Burke Lake Park has something for everyone tucked away in its 888 acres. Whether it’s riding on the miniature train or carousel, picnicking, testing your skills on the mini-golf or disc golf courses, indulging in a scoop of ice cream, taking in the sights from the tour boat, fishing, biking, boating, camping, or taking a walk around the 4.7 mile lake trail, Burke Lake is the perfect place to start you next family tradition. With so much to do you won’t want to leave and thanks to our campgrounds you can feel free to spend the whole weekend with us or even the week! When you visit you can also take advantage of the many family-friendly classes, camps, and special events.

King Street Trolley
Discover a convenient, environmentally friendly and fun way to get around Old Town Alexandria. The King Street Trolley transports riders between the King Street Metrorail Station and the Potomac River waterfront. The trolley runs daily every 15 minutes. With many stops for hopping on and off to explore the shops, restaurants and attractions found along Alexandria’s historic main street. Trolley runs all day, beginning at 10am.

Clemyjontri Park
The park features a unique playground where children of all abilities can play side-by-side. It is a playground where every child is welcome. This park is a place where children who use wheelchairs, walkers or braces, or who have sensory or developmental disabilities, can have a parallel playground experience of fun and exploration. This is by far the largest playground we have gone to and there is even a carousel.

Need an adult getaway? Try the W&OD (Washington & Old Dominion)Trail. Bike Arlington lays out a 2-day ride for you to hit breweries along the way.

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