Georgetown

{Winter} Staycation: DC-Area Hotels Your Kids Will Never Want to Leave

February 27, 2025

Looking for a memorable weekend escape without leaving the DMV? These local hotels offer far more than just a place to sleep – they’re destinations packed with family adventures, cozy vibes, and the kind of amenities that will make your kids beg to stay “just one more night.”

The Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City

Perfect for: Train enthusiasts and mall lovers This newly renovated property sits directly above the Pentagon City Metro station and connects to Fashion Centre at Pentagon City.
Kids will love:

Watching planes take off from nearby Reagan National from high-floor rooms
The “Very Important Kids” check-in experience with special welcome amenities
Indoor pool with dedicated family swim hours
Easy Metro access for DC adventures
Bonus parent perk: The Club Level lounge offers all-day snacks and drinks, perfect for hangry little ones.

Gaylord National Resort

Perfect for: Winter wonderland seekers During winter months, this National Harbor resort transforms into a festive escape with their annual ICE! attraction.
Highlights include:

Indoor atrium with “dancing” fountains
Winter village activities and ice skating
Multiple on-site restaurants catering to picky eaters
Rooms overlooking the atrium or Potomac River
Indoor pool with outdoor water feature
Pro tip: Book a room with atrium view to watch the nightly light show from your balcony.

The Salamander Resort & Spa

Perfect for: Outdoorsy families and animal lovers Just an hour from DC in Middleburg, this luxury resort offers country charm with plenty of activities.

Equestrian center with pony rides for little ones
Massive game room with ping pong and pool tables
Seasonal outdoor pool
Nature scavenger hunts and kids’ cooking classes
Don’t miss: Their weekend “Little Adventurers” program lets parents enjoy spa time while kids have supervised fun.

Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay

Perfect for: Water lovers (even in winter!) This Eastern Shore resort keeps families entertained year-round.

Indoor pool complex with outdoor pool as well
S’mores at the fire pits
Mini golf course
Game room and scheduled activities
Winter special: Look for their “Comfort and Joy” package with hot chocolate delivery and holiday activities.

The MGM National Harbor

Perfect for: Families seeking urban luxury while primarily known for its casino, MGM offers plenty for families.

Stunning conservatory with seasonal displays
Rooftop pool (seasonal)
High-end dining options with kid-friendly menus
Entertainment suitable for families
Insider tip: Request a room facing the Capital Wheel for nighttime light show views.

Four Seasons Georgetown

Perfect for: Urban explorers and pool enthusiasts.
This Georgetown gem offers sophisticated family fun in the heart of DC:

Indoor pool
Special children’s amenities and welcome gifts
Kid-sized robes and custom activities
Steps from Georgetown’s shops and waterfront
Bonus parent perk: The concierge can arrange exclusive experiences like private museum tours and kid-friendly cooking classes.

Salamander DC

Perfect for: Art lovers and city adventurers
The District’s newest luxury hotel (formerly Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC) brings family hospitality to downtown:

Indoor pool
Kid-friendly afternoon tea service
Art tours designed for young visitors
Location perfect for National Mall exploration
Don’t miss: Their special children’s programming and custom city scavenger hunts.

Riggs

If you’re looking for a staycation with a mix of luxury and history, Riggs Washington DC is an excellent option. This former bank building combines rich architectural history with modern touches, offering a unique experience.
Kid approved features:

Located near major attractions like the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian museums
Stylish accommodations with spacious rooms
Historic and memorable experience for the whole family

Omni Shoreham

For families who want a more traditional hotel experience with extra amenities. This iconic hotel has been a staple in Washington, DC, for over 80 years and is known for its sprawling grounds.
Family favorites:

Expansive outdoor pool and gardens
Close to the National Zoo and Rock Creek Park for outdoor fun
Spacious rooms and a range of dining options on-site

The Lyle

For families seeking a chic yet cozy staycation.
Family-friendly perks:

Spacious suites with ample space for families
Proximity to Rock Creek Park and family-friendly restaurants
Pet-friendly, so you can bring your furry friends along on the staycation
Featuring a special “Family Adventure at Lyle” package – ask me about this

Hyatt House Washington, DC/The Wharf

Offers the perfect balance of comfort, convenience, and fun for families.
Perks for the whole family:

Spacious suites with kitchenettes for easy meal prep
Rooftop pool with panoramic views
Close proximity to family-friendly attractions like the Smithsonian museums, National Gallery, and the National Zoo

Ready to plan your perfect family staycation? I’d love to help make it happen! Whether you’re dreaming of s’mores at the Salamander Resort or watching planes from the Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City, let’s create some unforgettable family memories together.

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Bonus: Mention “Beltway Bambinos” when emailing and booking through me to receive a special welcome amenity for your kids at participating hotels!

P.S. Planning a bigger family adventure beyond the DMV? I’d love to hear what destinations are on your wishlist. Drop me a message and let’s chat about making those travel dreams a reality!

Recent Posts:
DC Area Hotels with Indoor Pools
Welcome to Beltway Travel

17 family friendly places in Georgetown

January 31, 2022

Georgetown is not just a college town, it is home to many families. We’ve rounded up the best places to take your Bambinos whether it be for a sweet treat, playground or class. Many immediately think of shopping along M Street but in this guide there is no shopping involved just great things to do with your kids!

1. Georgetown Waterfront Park stretches along the banks of the Potomac River from 31st Street, NW to the Key Bridge. The park is best known for the labyrinth, fountain (pack swim shoes and suits), and rain gardens. Be sure and walk to the waters edge where you will find ducks along the banks begging for food and you may be lucky enough to see the Georgetown Crew team practicing. Your Bambinos will also get plenty of chances to watch airplanes soar overhead.

2. Skip the crowded cobblestone of M Street and walk, bike or run the C&O Canal towpath.

3. Tudor Place is a historical landmark, completed in 1816, lived in by six generations of a single family, and opened to the public in 1988. It is located at 1644 31st Street NW., Washington DC 20007. They offer programs for families, adults, camps and more.

4. Dumbarton Oaks boasts 53 acres in the middle of Washington, DC. A great place to wander for an hour or spend the afternoon relaxing in but be sure to come at all seasons to see the change in beauty. There is an indoor Museum as well.

5. Anna Banana Arts + Crafts is dedicated to teaching and encouraging the artistic process. Children learn about The Masters such as Picasso, Matisse, van Gogh and Lichtenstein. Art mediums such as painting, print making, sculpture and photography are presented in a child-friendly manner. Sign up for a class or camp!

6. Pinstripes Bowling + Bocce is a chic bowling alley and bocce ball courts. Monday-Thursday kids enjoy $5 kids meals and $1/hour gaming with the purchase of an adult entree.

7. Hinkley Pottery has a variety of kids and teenager pottery classes.

8. The Georgetown Public Library is beautiful and boasts an amazing kids section on the lowest level. There are plenty of free programming to take advantage of. Before leaving, grab a book and head outside to Book Hill Park take in a panoramic view of Georgetown, the Potomac River, and Virginia beyond.

9. There are several playgrounds, parks and even a public pool in Georgetown. A few of them are; Rose Park + Farmers Market, Montrose Park & Volta Park + Farmers Market, Volta Park public pool

10. Paddle the Potomac from the Thompson Boat Center or Key Bridge Boathouse.

11. Boomerang Pirate Ship is an opportunity to sail down the Potomac while your lads and lasses have the time of their lives with face painting, music, dancing, games and more.

12. Thomas Sweet opened in 1979 and is the place to go for ice cream and sweet treats.

13. Baked & Wired is a coffee shop with decadent cupcakes and sweet treats. My order: Vanilla cupcake with vanilla icing (sounds boring, but trust me). Hands-down the best cupcake in DC. This transcends the hype of cupcakes.

14. The Escape Game offers themed rooms you work collaboratively to unlock. The recommend age is 13 and up at this location.

15. Walk around Georgetown University campus and take in the stunning buildings which date back to 1789.

16. There are several playgroups for the youngest Bambinos. Volta Park Co-Op, Blue Igloo Playgroup, InTown Playgroup + Rose Park Co-Op.

17. In winter, you can ice skate at the Washington Harbour just around the corner from the Waterfront Park.

Volta Park Market & Fall Festival both perfect for families

September 9, 2021

Volta Park is full of good news and fun events this month. Perhaps you have been to the playground or the pool nestled in the quaint streets of Georgetown at 1555 34th St NW. With summer wrapping up, there is a lot to look forward to this Fall from a new farmers market to an annual fall festival; all perfect for families to enjoy.

Volta Park Market is a farmers market that will offer locally sourced produce and prepared foods, from independent growers and small businesses. The 2021 inaugural season will run from September 10th – December 17th every Friday afternoon from 3:00pm – 6:00 pm. Head to the market and grab dinner with a cold lemonade then enjoy the playground. Or invite a few friends to play basketball or tennis while enjoying a few tasty snacks from the market. Whatever you are craving on Friday, Volta Park Market has you covered.

Volta Park Fall Festival is BACK! Save the date: October 2nd 11:00am to 2:00pm. Bring your family and friends (and a blanket, if you would like to picnic in the park) to enjoy live music, food, carnival games, a bounce house, face painting and more.

Learn more about the rich history of Volta Park here. Please visit their website above for more information about the market as well as information on how to become a vendor. And be sure to follow the park on Instagram where they will have a spotlight for each vendor.

Current farmers market vendors & sponsors:

Georgetown Butcher

Green Planet Microgreens

Kinohi Poultry

Winding Root Farm

Lei Musubi

Chef Ewa Creations

Georgetown Main St

Little Folks School

Pickles DC

Intown Playgroup

Metropolitan Bakery

OZFEKA Catering

Pasta Ilgatto

Dress It Up Dressing

The FreshMobile

Yufka Bakery

Taim

The Chinese Street Market

Ana’s Twist

Qualia Coffee

J’aime Madeline

Grateful Pizza

Volta Park: 1555 34th St NW Washington, D.C

Weekend picks in and around Washington, DC

April 23, 2021

Georgetown Glow is another event we plan to cross off our Spring bucket list soon. Taking place from April 9-June 27 it is sure to be a must-see for everyone this spring as it takes place outdoors throughout Georgetown. It is the region’s only free curated outdoor public light art experience. Established in 2014, the innovative exhibition has quickly become one of DC’s most anticipated events each year. The 7th edition of GLOW is an extended, two-part series featuring a total of eight art works, including six by local DC artists, to ensure a safer and more comfortable visitor experience. Plan to head back this summer. Following Spring GLOW, visitors are invited back for Summer GLOW featuring three artworks that will transform Georgetown’s public alleys, July 2–September 26.

The National Museum of the American Indian has a virtual ongoing virtual festival through April 25 to celebrate Earth Day. The Living Earth Festival, a signature annual event at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, is going virtual in 2021. Stream this online experience on demand over four days. Presentations will explore agricultural trends, innovations, and sustainability in Native communities with a focus on Native agricultural businesses.

Saturday
9:30am: Carousel Story Time (virtual)
Kicking off this weekend with A Carousel Tale by Elisa Kleven. Says Kleven. You can watch Carousel Story Time our Glen Echo’s website and on their YouTube channel! Carousel Story Time is presented in collaboration with the Puppet Co.

9:30am: Saturday Morning Live!
Saturday Morning Live! At The National invites you to join for the final series of episodes in the first virtual season: Paige and Gonzo. Two fan favorites from this season are back! Paige Hernandez and David Gonzalez will each present one episode and combine their artistic styles for a finale episode you won’t want to miss!

12:00pm-2:00pm: Washington Nationals and Prince George’s County Parks and Recreation Department to Host Drive-Thru PLAY BALL Event
The Washington Nationals and Prince George’s County Parks and Recreation Department will host a drive-thru PLAY BALL event at Fletcher’s Field on Kenilworth Ave. in Riverdale, Maryland. To help encourage and promote youth baseball and softball participation, the Nationals and their mascot, Screech, will give away free plastic bats, balls, and other Nationals goodies to young fans within the D.C. metro area.

Sunday
10:00am: Wild Child Hike
This isn’t your average walk in the woods. Scamper like a squirrel, balance like a billy goat, and run like a rabbit through the park. We’ll be on and off the trail as we go on a hiking adventure. Wear shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Be sure to sign up 24 hours ahead so we can contact you with the meeting location. Intended for ages 4 – 12yrs.

2:00pm: Magic Show + Cake Pop Class (virtual)
Join Baked by Yael for two hours of fun! First, it’s the magic show that happens in your hands performed by acclaimed Chicago magician Scott Green, followed by a cakepop class taught by Yael Krigman of the world famous Baked by Yael bakery in Washington, D.C. It’s all live on Zoom, and it’s all very interactive.

Recent posts:
Outdoor swimming pools
Trains

Plan ahead:
A Day Out With Thomas at B&O Railroad Museum: May 14-16 & 21-23

Is your child ready for Montessori? The Children’s House of Washington welcomes you to find out on January 20th

January 15, 2018

Who: The Children’s House of Washington (C.H.O.W.) opened in September 1981 by Patti Harburger who retired in 2012.

This school is a place where children love learning and a place where they challenge themselves day-to-day.

Through a traditional Montessori education CHOW is a community committed to establishing the intellectual, emotional and physical foundation that will develop the skills for your child to become a self-directed learner, flexible thinker, creative problem solver and support their ever increasing curiosity about the world in which they live.

The Children’s House is child-centered within a nurturing environment where exceptional and experienced teachers support and guide each student with warmth and respect. The school’s single method focus is to teach children the necessary skills they will need to succeed in each school they attend as well as in the larger context of their adult lives.

Where: The Children’s House of Washington (C.H.O.W.): 3133 Dumbarton Street NW, Washington, DC 20007

What: Parents and children are invited to an open house on January 20th, 2018 from 9:00am-11:30am.

This open house is especially important because founder, Patti Harburger will be speaking from 10:00am-10:30am about the various aspects and benefits of the Montessori method. Topics include: hands-on-learning, enhanced social skills, independence building, curiosity and love of learning, executive functioning as well as Montessori approaches to teaching math, reading and writing.

If you are unable to attend the school welcomes you to contact the school director to set up an appointment that works for you! There will be other open houses in March & April.

Why: The Children’s House has rolling enrollment and accommodate children ages 2-5.

The children at CHOW get incredible personalized attention and leave the school with a great start to their academic careers.

Need a little more affirmation that you should check out CHOW? See the reviews on Facebook –all 5 stars from parents!

Is your child ready for Montessori? The Children’s House of Washington welcomes you to find out on Sept. 30

September 25, 2017

Where:
The Children’s House of Washington (C.H.O.W.)
3133 Dumbarton Street NW., Washington, DC 20007

Who:
The Children’s House of Washington opened in September of 1981 by Patti Harburger who

retired from C.H.O.W. in 2012.

This school is a place where children love learning and a place where they challenge themselves day-to-day.

Through a traditional Montessori education they are a community committed to establishing the intellectual, emotional, and physical foundation that will develop the skills for your child to become a self-directed learner, flexible thinker, creative problem solver, and support their ever-increasing curiosity about the world in which they live.

The Children’s House is child-centered within a nurturing environment where exceptional and experienced teachers support and guide each student with warmth and respect. The school’s single minded focus is to teach children the necessary skills they will need to succeed in each school they attend as well as in the larger context of their adult lives.

What:
Parents and children are invited to an open house on September 30th, 2017 from 9:00am – 11:30am.

If you can’t make this open house the school welcomes you to contact the school director to set up an appointment that works for you!

Why:
They have rolling enrollment and accommodate children age 2-5.

The children enrolled at C.H.O.W. get incredible personalized attention and leave the school with a great start to their academic careers.

Need a little more affirmation that you should check out CHOW? See the reviews on Facebook— all 5 stars from parents!!

Anna Banana brings meaningful arts and crafts to Georgetown

September 21, 2016

annabanana

Anne Freeman, Owner of Anna Banana Art and Crafts opened her art studio for kids ages 2-8 in January of 2013. Building on her Art History background, 20 years as an art dealer in D.C., teaching art privately and in preschools, Anna Banana Arts and Crafts is dedicated to teaching and encouraging the artistic process. Children learn about The Masters such as Picasso, Matisse, van Gogh and Lichtenstein. Art mediums such as painting, print making, sculpture and photography are presented in a child-friendly manner. Children explore materials such as charcoal, graphite, pastels, watercolors, paint and markers to encourage creative art making. Classes are for 2-8 year olds and Summer Camp for 4-8 year olds.

We were lucky enough to attend to a class in which the students were learning about Andy Warhol and creating a painting based on his work. Anne was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, engaging and just plain ole fun! The class began with kids free drawing and coloring, then followed the lesson and project. Once everyone finished at their own pace and cleaned their paintbrushes, Anne was eager to use her glow-in-the-dark paint she had just purchased hours earlier. Based on one little girls comment that she had a glow-in-the-dark rock at home, Anne excitedly found rocks and allowed them to paint their own on a whim. I love that she was so open to a last minute creation.

Classes fill up quickly, especially in the winter and summer camps. There are still spots available in the newest session (and she will prorate them), so check out the options and sign up today! Another perk: easy parking and for the older classes you can drop off at the doorstep! Anna Banana is also nominated for Red Tricycle’s Totally Awesome Award (in case you needed more convincing)!

Address: 3270 S Street, NW in Georgetown

annabanana2

(Painting the rock with glow-in-the-dark paint)

Live music this summer in Washington, DC

May 16, 2016

One of my favorite parts about summer in Washington, DC are the (mostly) free, outdoor concerts you can find. A few summers ago we took a sporadic drive to the Mall, walked around, played some ball by the reflecting pool with our then three year old and walked towards the Capitol where the U.S. Air Force Band was performing a free concert. A huge crowd was gathered on the steps and in chairs taking in the gorgeous evening and patriotic tunes. I had no idea they performed for free and for the public on random evenings. This post will help you take advantage of some great music that will help you relax after a long day and see a bit of our city while doing so. Also, included are family focused shows at some favorite venues. Get out and enjoy the lighter evenings, let your kids stay up a little longer and enjoy the music our city offers.

The Yards Park Friday Night Concert Series
The free Capitol Riverfront Friday Night Concert Series is back for its 8th Season. Every Friday night this summer, come to Yards Park to relax and enjoy the river view, fantastic bands, food and beverage, and a large variety of great restaurants within a few minutes walk from the park. Family-friendly lyrics and grassy open space make this an enjoyable event for adults and kids alike.

Strathmore’s Backyard Theatre for Children
Enrich your little ones’ summer mornings with sunshine, music, and laughter at Strathmore’s Backyard Theater for Kids. This eclectic program is the perfect summer escape for busy families. Pack a picnic and enjoy live performances by highly esteemed and innovative family-friendly entertainers. From folk and jazz to the amazing sounds of the steelpan, Backyard Theater makes it easy to engage kids at every stage. We promise to keep both kids and parents entertained, so bring your family for a morning of inspiration and celebration!