Tag Archives: Family Getaways from DC

November 29, 2023 · 9:32 am

5 Festive, Kid-Friendly Destinations for the Holiday Season — Within 3 Hours!

[Note: This post was written by KFDC Contributor Emily Moise, a local writer and mom of three young children, who just visited Koziar’s Christmas Village with her family. She always has excellent recommendations for kids’ activities around the DC area as well as products for little ones and more — see all of them here.]

Mix it up this holiday season with a quick getaway to a festive destination! When you feel like you’ve seen and done it all around DC, or just want to add a little extra magic to the season, road-trip-it to one of these locations less than three hours away from the DC metro area — and maybe make some fun stops on the way. Your kids will love the thrill of it all (and, for overnighters, your heavily-tinseled hotel)!

Koziar’s Christmas Village – Bernville, PA
Experience an old-timey Christmas Village unlike anything in the DC area. The self-guided tour features a 75-year-old collection of lights and decor, housed displays of memorabilia, a garage of vintage sleighs, gift barns for your holiday shopping, and snack shops with candy cane straws for your hot cocoa. Arrive early to avoid long lines into the winter wonder-farm-land.

Festive stops along the way: Dutch Winter Wonderland, Strasburg Rail Road Christmas Train Experiences

* * *

Photo: Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens Christmas Town – Williamsburg, VA
Go for the big thrills with a holiday celebration at this popular amusement park. Enjoy spectacular light displays, over 25 rides and coasters (many with a 48” height requirement), live entertainment and shows, the Mistletoe Marketplace, a holiday scavenger hunt, visits with Santa and Rudolph, and much more.

Festive stops along the way: Christmas in Williamsburg, Christmas at Mount Vernon

* * *

Photo: Experience Harpers Ferry

Old Tyme Christmas – Harpers Ferry, WV
This two-weekend-only Christmas celebration offers seasonal activities for the whole family. Featuring historic tours, wagon rides, caroling, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, shopping at the Handmade Holiday Market, and much more. View the full schedule of activities for December 1-3 and December 9-10 here.

Festive stops along the way: The Old Lucketts Store, Christmas in Middleburg

* * *

Sesame Place “A Very Furry Christmas” – Langhorne, PA
Bring the littles to a holiday celebration with their favorite Sesame Street friends. This amusement park is transformed with millions of twinkling lights and festive decorations. In addition to fun rides, you can sing and dance along at music and light shows, and enjoy the Sesame Street Christmas Parade with festive floats.

Festive stops along the way: Baltimore’s B&O Polar Express & Christmas Village, Longwood Gardens, Philadelphia’s Christmas Village & Macy’s Christmas Light Show

* * *

Photo: Schellville

Schellville Enchanted Winter Celebration – Rehoboth Beach, DE
Head to the beach for this family-friendly event with endless activities—most included with your free admission. Featuring live music, train rides, sledding, roller skating, maze of lights, play house village, holiday shopping, beer garden, and visits with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. You can even splurge on a heated Alpenglobe.

Festive stops along the way: Berlin’s Christmas Parade & Hanukkah Celebration, Chocolate Binge Festival

What is your favorite festive destination? Let us know in the comments!

Great Wolf Lodge Perryville: 5 Things to Know Before You Go

[Note: This post was written by KFDC Contributor Emily Moise, a local writer and mom of three young children. She always has excellent recommendations for kids’ activities around the DC area. See some of them here, here, here, and here.]

In case you missed it, a Great Wolf Lodge opened this summer in Perryville, MD, less than two hours away from the DC metro area. The appeal of a sparkling new indoor water park and lodge – because we all know the wear and tear of kids – is a big draw. If Great Wolf has been on your radar, now’s a great time to check it off your kid bucket list.

Many bloggers can give you the ins and outs of Great Wolf, including this previous KidFriendly DC post, but there were a few main takeaways from my family’s visit this past month. Here are five things to know before you go…

1. Timing may be everything. We booked our August stay using an opening deal, however, summer was not ideal timing. Even on our weekday visit, the place was packed. If you’re crowd-phobic like me, try going on a random weekday during the school year. If the timing is right, take your child on their birthday (and add a birthday package).

2. Age matters. If your little ones need constant supervision in crowds or around water and they outnumber you, consider holding off. The water park is massive and not a place to “sittervise” (you’ll want to get in on the action anyways!). Expect to stay one-on-one with young children and to accompany confident, but young swimmers. Note that there are height restrictions for several water slides (42-48” requirements), as well as the indoor ropes course (48” requirement).

3. You’re not going for the food. We added the breakfast package, which ended up being unnecessary for my family. There is a Dunkin’ Donuts on-site which could have sufficed (bagels, breakfast sandwiches, COFFEE). We ate dinner at Barnwood, which offers reservations for up to 14 people. And we brought our own food for the rest. Rooms have mini-fridges, and coolers are allowed in the Lodge. No outside food or beverages are permitted in the water park.

4. After the water park, it’s the hotel lobby. The water park is the main attraction, MagiQuest is a must, and you’ll have to peel your kids out of the arcade… but there is something special about the free activities in the hotel lobby. The dance party was a highlight for us. Don’t miss the story time before bed and morning yoga if everyone can rally.

5. Less is more. If you’re local, a one night stay gives you two full days (read: plenty) of fun. Check-in is at 4pm, but guests can check in early to access the water park when it opens at 9am as well as other activities. Your room may or may not be ready early. Day passes are also available and more than feasible coming from the DC area.

Read more Great Wolf FAQs and details here.

PS: CertifiKid currently has offers for 40% off an overnight stay and 15% off day passes!

Great Wolf Lodge Perryville Resort
Where: 1240 Chesapeake Overlook Pkwy | Perryville, MD
When: Ongoing
Admission: Check rates here

Have you been to a Great Wolf Lodge? Tell us about your experience in the comments!

3 Comments

Filed under Getaway, Maryland

Tagged as Escape from DC, Family Getaways from DC, Fun Things to do with Kids in Maryland, Getaway with Kids, Great Wolf Lodge Perryville Maryland, Great Wolf Lodge Review, Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg, Indoor Water Park, Maryland Family Resort

April 12, 2022 · 10:59 am

Five Things for Today: April 12, 2022

1. As many DC students are on Spring Break this week and the weather has been fantastic, it’s a good time to (re)share the big list of the Best Places to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids. Gravelly Point, pictured above, is one you’ll find among them. (And don’t forget about the guide for Where to Go & What to Do During Spring Break 2022!)

2. Most Smithsonian museums have extended returned to regular hours being limited due to Covid,; just a few still are still closed one day a week — see all current hours here. And not a Smithsonian, but neighboring them them on the National Mall, the National Gallery of Art is open daily, 10am – 5pm (and the new Afro-Atlantic Histories exhibit there looks great!)

3. If you’re celebrating the holiday and need help with the meal (or just really love matzo ball soup and brisket), Eater has a round-up of where to find Passover meals around DC.

4. Did you know Little Free Library has an app? It shows you where nearby (or farther away) LFL’s are located, even providing directions and a map. Some of them also include sweet stories and background about the Library.

5. We’re spending Spring Break in Folly Beach and Charleston, SC, and highly recommend the area for family getaway! This is actually the second time we’ve spent a Spring Break here. Have you been? If so, what are some of your favorite things to do? (One of mine is fossil hunting — the shores in Folly are great for it!)