Playgrounds

All aboard Washington, DC train enthusiasts!

April 19, 2021

Chugga chugga choo choo! We have trains and carousels for those train lovers. Most are at local parks which will make for a full day of playing, riding and picnicking while some are great museums you can save for those hot summer days. All aboard!

Cabin John Regional Park
(7410 Tuckerman Ln, Rockville, MD)
Children and adults alike are captivated by the Cabin John Miniature Train. The train’s five passenger cars carry visitors on a scenic two-mile ride through the Cabin John Regional Park (about a 15-minute ride).

Watkins Regional Park
(301 Watkins Park Drive Upper Marlboro, MD)
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
(2000 Shorefield Rd, Wheaton, MD)
The Wheaton Miniature Train and Ovid Hazen Wells Carousel offer a unique and whimsical adventure for the family as two of the crown jewels of the Montgomery Park system. Drop by while you enjoy many of the other fine attractions in Wheaton Regional Park or make it a destination for your next party in the party room.

B&O Railroad Museum
(901 W Pratt St. Baltimore, MD)
In the late 19th century, an overzealous publicity agent developed a trade show exhibit for a major American railroad headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. This exhibit survived the railroad that sponsored it and grew to become a “national treasure” of railroad artifacts. Today, it comprises the collection of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum, the oldest, most comprehensive American railroad collection in the world. Many family friendly events take place here, including the famous Day out with Thomas!

Roads & Rails Museum
(200 N. East St. Frederick, MD)
Roads and Rails has one of the world’s largest model train layouts, but reasonably sized enough for small children and seniors. There are buttons all around the display for the kids to press, and they enjoy it so much they’ve often joked that they should have just made a button museum! There is a scavenger hunt for older children and adults, who take in the detail while the little ones chase the trains. There are benches for relaxation, and lightweight portable step stools so the smallest of visitors won’t miss a thing. Cars drive thru cities, roller coasters hurl their passengers through loops, volcanoes roar and flash. Pop culture fans will be amused at the numerous references to their favorite shows and movies. Those who appreciate craftsmanship will enjoy the scratch-built buildings and natural features. They have a Lego room which will excite Lego fans of all ages, and has Lego trains that come alive at the push of a button.

The National Capital Trolley Museum: Temporarily closed
(1313 Bonifant Rd., Colesville, MD)
This museum is not very large but will have the attention of those train enthusiasts in your family. Summer is the perfect time to go as they have family programs throughout; storytelling, crafts and videos featuring trolley cartoons. They have a model train, a working trolley kids can take rides on (rides are unlimited with paid ticket), silent films displaying trolley life, and a large area full of old street cars. Check here for the information on operating hours.

Clemijontri Playground, Carousel and Train
(6317 VA-193, McLean, VA)
All aboard Clemyjontri Park’s new trackless train! Children and adults can enjoy a ride around this unique park. This wonderful new attraction includes a ramp for easy access. Clemyjontri 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.

Frying Pan Park Carousel
(2709 West Ox Road; Visitor Center: 2739 West Ox Road
Herndon, VA)
The 1920s Herschell carousel at Frying Pan Farm Park underwent an extensive restoration during the winter and spring of 2018 so it can keep turning round and round for many years to come. It is now up and running. Come on out for a ride at the farm.

Burke Lake Park
(7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, VA)
Newly renovated playgrounds and a train, carousel, ice cream parlor, nature trails, a lake, fishing, boating, and soccer fields.

Fairfax Station Railroad Museum: Temporarily virtual
(11200 Fairfax Station Rd.)
Take a step back in time and discover the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum and the role it played in the history of Northern Virginia.

King Street Trolley: Temporarily discontinued
(King St, Alexandria VA)
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.

Union Station
(50 Massachusetts Ave., NE, Washington, DC)
Take a ride on the Amtrak (day trip to Baltimore anyone?), the MARC, VRE or the Metro, all leave from the impressive Union Station.

DC Streetcar
After more than fifty years since streetcars last serviced the streets of Washington, DC, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is poised to introduce their return. Free trips every day from Union Station to Oklahoma Avenue along H Street NE and Benning Road.

Weekday Adventures: Our favorite places in and around Washington, DC

August 17, 2014

We’re switching up the Weekday Adventures this week and providing you with a list of some of our favorite and fun places to visit in and around Washington, DC.

See live animal encounters, pet an alpaca and feed the goats at The Leesburg Animal Park.

Rent a paddle boat, go fishing or hop on a pontoon ride on Lake Needwood.

Take a fun ride on the hop on and off bus that tours around DC, your Bambino(s) will love the double decker Big Bus.

Pick your own raspberries and blackberries at Butlers Orchard. Stay and play on the climbing equipment and have a picnic.

Your kids will want to spend all day at Clemyjontri Playground. Designed for children with all abilities, this playground is colorful and has something that will appeal to every child. Arrive early as parking becomes hard. The carousel costs $1.50 to ride.

Your airplane enthusiast will love sitting at a picnic table and watching the airplanes from Reagan fly over their head at Gravelly Point.

Celebrate Bao Bao’s birthday a few days earlier, beating the crowd at The National Zoo.

Taxi! Grab a water taxi from The National Harbor and relax on a 20 minute ride to Alexandria. The Potomac Riverboat Company charges $10 for children 2-11 and $16 for adults for a roundtrip.

Take a quick and simple trip to a farm at Oxon Hill Farm. Check schedule of events for the week as they offer story time, wagon rides and a chance to feed the chickens. Be sure and check driving directions before leaving since the newly 295 has been finished, my directions took me an old way and I couldn’t find the farm.

Looking for indoor fun on a rainy or hot day?

There’s many splash and water parks in our area to spend the day.

All aboard the choo choo train!

Summer Spray and Splash (and boathouses) in Washington, DC

August 4, 2014

We’ve got you covered for summer splashing and swimming. Cool off at one of these amazing outdoor waterparks and splashparks.

(Yards Park)

Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole (Reston, VA)

This family water park captures the excitement of the Old West’s Gold Rush with attractions tailored for all ages. The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole offers more than an acre of slides, flumes, sprays, showers, floatables, and an interactive water playground. Careen off covered wagons, float on wild animals and dash through showers tipped from water-filled ore carts. The activity pool is encircled by Rattlesnake River, a 725 foot lazy river you can enjoy a relaxing float as the current gently nudges you along.

Ocean Dunes Waterpark (Arlington, VA)

Enjoy a day at the beach at Ocean Dunes Waterpark, Arlington’s favorite place cool off and have fun! Located within Upton Hill Regional Park, Ocean Dunes is loaded with fun features for adults and kids. Ocean Dunes includes a 500-gallon dumping bucket, water slides, waterfalls and squirters! Visitors will find themselves amidst dune grasses and the feeling of being at the beach, but without the drive! Next to the park is a 18 hole mini-golf course and 6 batting cages.

Great Waves Waterpark (Alexandria, VA)

Great Waves offers some of the most unique and fun water attractions in Northern Virginia! Whether you’re zipping down the speed slides, shooting through the tube slides or body surfing in the massive wave pool, you’ll enjoy hours of water fun the whole family can enjoy! And we certainly didn’t forget the little ones – our Kids Zone is a great place for you and the kids to cool off while having a great time – whether it be speeding down the rock slide at the Lagoon, or relaxing in the waterfalls at Minnow Bay. And don’t forget about the giant splash pad!

Atlantis Waterpark (Centreville, VA)

Discover all the fun of the fabled lost continent at Atlantis Waterpark, Centreville’s biggest and best waterpark! Loaded with fun features for your campers and kids, Atlantis includes a 1,000 gallon dumping bucket, water slides, waterfalls and squirters! Visitors will find themselves amidst mermaids, dolphins, Greek architecture and images of the deep! And keep your eyes peeled for the mighty Neptune himself!

Water Park at Bohrer Park (Gaithersburg, MD)

Enjoy a summer day at the Water Park! Intended for recreational swimming, the main pool is like a dream vacation on an island resort with palm trees, multiple slides, floatable animals, and a “tumble bucket” water feature for children to enjoy. The pool also has a zero-depth entry, making it accessible to all.

Chesapeake Beach Water Park (Chesapeake Beach, MD)

At the resort community of Chesapeake Beach, less than an hour from Washington, DC, you can have a splash-in fun- in- the- sun time in our eight water slides, fountains, waterfalls, a lagoon, kids activity pool and more, guaranteed to treat everyone to a cool time! Prices listed here, twilight hours offer a discount and Calvert Chesapeake residents also get a discounted rate.

Special Harbor Spray Park at Lee District RECenter (Fairfax, VA)

If you like running through the sprinkler, you’ll love Special Harbor spray ground at Lee District Park in Franconia. The fully accessible complex features Chesapeake Bay-themed attractions including a spraying osprey nest, Chessie the sea serpent, misting sunflowers and a lighthouse. The beach area is quieter with softer bubblers and interactive water tables. The computerized water maze and dumping crab basket provide more lively activity. Children will also enjoy the fully accessible tree house and the accessible Tiki Village playground in the nearby Family Recreation Area.

Washington, DC Parks and Recreation Spray Parks

Washington, DC Outdoor Children’s Pools

Yards Park wading pool

Canal Park dancing fountains

Georgetown Waterfront Fountain

Arlington, County Spraygrounds

Montgomery County Outdoor Pools

Want to head on to the Potomac with a kayak or canoe? Try these boathouses:

Ballpark Boathouse

Fletcher’s Boathouse

Mariner Sailing School

The Wharf

All aboard Washington, DC train enthusiasts!

July 30, 2014

Chugga, chugga, choo, choo! All aboard!

Cabin John Regional Park
(7410 Tuckerman Lane, Rockville, MD)
Children and adults alike are captivated by the Cabin John Miniature Train. The train’s five passenger cars carry visitors on a scenic two-mile ride through the Cabin John Regional Park (about a 15-minute ride).

Wheaton Regional Park
(2000 Shorefield Road, Wheaton, MD)
The Wheaton Miniature Train and Ovid Hazen Wells Carousel offer a unique and whimsical adventure for the family as two of the crown jewels of the Montgomery Park system. Drop by while you enjoy many of the other fine attractions in Wheaton Regional Park or make it a destination for your next party in the party room.

B&O Railroad Museum
(901 W Pratt St. Baltimore, MD 21223)
In the late 19th century, an overzealous publicity agent developed a trade show exhibit for a major American railroad headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. This exhibit survived the railroad that sponsored it and grew to become a “national treasure” of railroad artifacts. Today, it comprises the collection of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum, the oldest, most comprehensive American railroad collection in the world. Many family friendly events take place here, including the famous Day out with Thomas!

Roads & Rails Museum
(200 N. East St. Frederick, MD 21701)
Roads and Rails has one of the world’s largest model train layouts, but reasonably sized enough for small children and seniors. There are buttons all around the display for the kids to press, and they enjoy it so much they’ve often joked that they should have just made a button museum! There is a scavenger hunt for older children and adults, who take in the detail while the little ones chase the trains. There are benches for relaxation, and lightweight portable step stools so the smallest of visitors won’t miss a thing. Cars drive thru cities, roller coasters hurl their passengers through loops, volcanoes roar and flash. Pop culture fans will be amused at the numerous references to their favorite shows and movies. Those who appreciate craftsmanship will enjoy the scratch-built buildings and natural features. They have a Lego room which will excite Lego fans of all ages, and has Lego trains that come alive at the push of a button.

The National Capital Trolley Museum: Temporarily closed
(1313 Bonifant Rd., Colesville, MD 20905)
This museum is not very large but will have the attention of those train enthusiasts in your family. Summer is the perfect time to go as they have family programs throughout; storytelling, crafts and videos featuring trolley cartoons. They have a model train, a working trolley kids can take rides on (rides are unlimited with paid ticket), silent films displaying trolley life, and a large area full of old street cars. Check here for the information on operating hours.

Clemijontri playground, carousel and train
All aboard Clemyjontri Park’s new trackless train! Children and adults can enjoy a ride around this unique park. This wonderful new attraction includes a ramp for easy access. Clemyjontri 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.

Frying Pan Park Carousel
(2709 West Ox Road; Visitor Center: 2739 West Ox Road
Herndon, VA 20171)
The 1920s Herschell carousel at Frying Pan Farm Park underwent an extensive restoration during the winter and spring of 2018 so it can keep turning round and round for many years to come. It is now up and running. Come on out for a ride at the farm.

Burke Lake Park
(7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, VA)
Newly renovated playgrounds and a train, carousel, ice cream parlor, nature trails, a lake, fishing, boating, and soccer fields.

Fairfax Station Railroad Museum: Temporarily virtual
(11200 Fairfax Station Road, PO Box 7 Fairfax Station, VA 22039)
Take a step back in time and discover the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum and the role it played in the history of Northern Virginia.

Union Station
(50 Massachusetts Avenue Northeast, Washington, DC)
Take a ride on the Amtrak (day trip to Baltimore anyone?), the MARC, VRE or the Metro, all leave from the impressive Union Station.