Maryland- 

Cabin John Regional Park
(7410 Tuckerman Lane, Rockville, MD)
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. They have a Halloween train in October also.

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 Road, Wheaton, MD)
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.

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 our 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. Seasonal changes include a distribution of Santas around the layout as part of a Christmas scavenger hunt. They also do Halloween and Christmas layouts in Lego especially for our Lego room. Prices for Kids 3-11 $4, adults $7. Hours are Monday, Thursday & Friday 10am-5pm Saturday – 10am-5pm Sunday – 12pm-5pm Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

The National Capital Trolley Museum 
(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. Open Saturday and Sundays 12:00pm-5:00pm, year round and Thursdays and Fridays in the summer. $4 admission without trolley ride, $7 museum admission and unlimited rides, $5 children aged 2-17 museum admission and unlimited rides.

 

Virginia- 

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.

King Street Trolley
(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. Trolley runs all day, beginning at 10am.

 

 

Washington, DC-

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.

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. July 26 and August 23 your ride is FREE! Stroll and Roll on H St. Free pedicab rides along H St on the same route as the upcoming streetcar line.