Tag Archives: Indoor Places Open During COVID in the DMV

Little Kid-Friendly Places for Indoor Play with Precaution

A COVID-era visit to the Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center

[Note: This round-up was written by KFDC contributor Emily Moise, local mom to two young children.]

 

“Winter is coming” brings a whole new shiver this year, as parents of little balls of energy are bracing themselves for the COVID Winter. Most will bundle up and tough it out, with fingers crossed for lots of sled-able snow. Many will enter a new phase of pandemic panic shopping for indoor play equipment. For those seeking respite at indoor spaces, some local businesses have taken extra measures to open with COVID precautions. Here are six little-kid-friendly indoor places to consider as the days get colder. (Please keep in mind CDC guidelines to limit activity indoors, and masks for ages 2+.)

 

Kids Play Gallery
When: 9:30am – 2:30pm daily
Where: Gaithersburg, MD
Admission: $15/ages 1+ (more details here)
COVID policies

An imaginative play space with a tiny town of play houses suited for ages 5 and under. The space is very clean and well-maintained, with a separate, closed-off area for eating. Business hours have been reduced and private play reservations are available. Call ahead to confirm drop-in play hours are as listed.

 

Launch Trampoline Park
When: Varies by location
Where: Rockville, MD | Columbia, MD | Herndon, VA
Admission: $22+ or $13+ on Groupon
COVID policies

Kids can run, jump, and literally bounce off the walls here, expending lots of energy. My active 18-month-old has held his own here, but it’s generally recommended for preschool ages and up. With timed-entry reservations, you should have plenty of space to yourself/your family. Professional-grade sanitizing is done between sessions. Reserve time online in advance; call to reserve time if tickets purchased through Groupon.

 

OmniFun
When: 12:30pm – 7:30pm daily; closed Tuesdays
Where: Gaithersburg, MD
Admission: Starts at $11.99/age 6 months+ (more details here)
COVID policies

Recently opened in 2019 and now reopened with COVID precautions, OmniFun features a soft climbing zone, giant building blocks, an arts and crafts space, a toddler play area, and more. Now, two hour sessions are reserved in advance for up to 9 kids at a time, and groups are rotated in 40 minute intervals. Recommended for ages 6 months – 12 years.  Reserve a time sot in advance.

 

BusyBees
When: 9am – 5pm weekdays; 11am – 5pm weekends
Where: Falls Church, VA
Admission: $15/child, free/parents and ages 1 & under
COVID policies

A chain of indoor playgrounds known for cleanliness, BusyBees features soft play climbing structures, slides, and spinning rides. Currently, only the Falls Church location is open, and it is unfortunately the smallest of the three locations. The space is closed for 30 minutes every hour-and-a-half for cleaning, so plan your visit accordingly. Be sure to check the website daily for modified hours.

 

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
When: 10am – 5:30pm daily
Where:  Chantilly, VA
Admission: Fre
e with timed-entry passes
COVID policies
The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum annex has found itself to be a relatively low-risk space in COVID times with its spacious facility and timed-entry passes. Little kids should be well-attended here but have the flexibility to roam and, on a slow day, maybe even run circles around the massive aviation and space artifacts.

 

Shopping Malls
While their actual play spaces are closed, malls may make it into your weekly activities rotation. They are barren right now offering wide open lanes for kids to roam and browse. Plus, hand-sanitizing stations are set up throughout. Check your local mall for updated hours and safety precautions like these. (PS: A new LEGO Store is expected to open at Westfield Montgomery mall this fall!)

 

Tips for decreased risk:
* Go weekdays at opening times or midday when some places empty out for lunch and naps.
* Call ahead to see how crowded a place is prior to your planned arrival time.
* For a more controlled environment, look for places that allow reservations for private group play times like Kids Play Gallery, My Gym or Kids Ground.

 

For more indoor spaces, see this recent KFDC post for what’s currently open.

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Filed under 2020, 2021, Coronavirus, COVID-19, DC, Educational, Gradeschoolers, Indoor Play, Maryland, Reopened, Social Distancing, Virginia, Weekdays, Weekend

Inside Info: Indoor Places Open During COVID

Social distancing indoors at the National Gallery of Art

 

 
 

 

More and more indoor places around the DC area are figuring out how to safely open their doors to visitors again. I’ve been to a couple of Smithsonian museums and felt very comfortable and safe with the extra measures taken for COVID — and was very happy to wander the galleries and enjoy art in person once again.  As weather gets colder and our itch for outings that aren’t outdoors grows, having some go-to indoor spots will be appreciated by many.  (But, of course, everyone should do what they’re comfortable with during this unusual and uncertain time!)  Here’s a handy list of them, and I’ll continually add to it as more places reopen.  Happy revisiting! 

 

DC

National Gallery of Art
When: Daily, 11am – 4pm
Where: 6th Street & Constitution Ave NW | National Mall
Admission: Free, no passes required
COVID policies

National Museum of African American History and Culture
When: Daily, 10am – 5:30pm
Where: 1400 Constitution Ave NW | National Mall
Admission: Free with timed-entry passes
COVID policies

National Museum of Natural History
When: Daily, 10am – 5:30pm
Where: 8th & G Streets NW | Penn Quarter
Admission: Free, no passes required
COVID policies

National Air & Space Museum
When: Closed for renovations until October 2022
Where: 655 Jefferson Drive, SW | National Mall, DC
Admission: Free, no passes required
COVID policies

National Portrait Gallery & American Art Museum 
When: Tuesday – Sunday, 11:30am – 7pm
Where: 8th & G Streets NW | Penn Quarter
Admission: Free, no passes required
COVID policies

National Postal Museum
When: Daily, 10am – 5:30pm
Where: 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE | Union Station Area, DC
Admission: Free
COVID policies

Hirshhorn Museum
When: Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 5:30pm
Where: 7th St. & Independence Ave. SW | National Mall, DC
Admission: Free, no passes required
COVID policies

Renwick Gallery 
When: Temporarily Closed
Where: Pennsylvania Ave at 17th Street NW | Downtown DC
Admission: Free, no passes required
COVID policies

National Museum of American History 
When: Daily, 10am – 5:30pm
Where: 1300 Constitution Avenue NW | National Mall
Admission: Free, no passes required
COVID policies

National Museum of the American Indian 
When: Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 5:30pm
Where: 4th Street & Independence Avenue SW | National Mall
Admission: Free, no passes required
COVID policies

National Museum of African Art
When: Daily (except Tuesday), 10am – 5:30pm
Where: 950 Independence Avenue, SW
Admission: Free, no passes required
Covid policies

National Museum of Asian Art (Freer | Sackler)
When: Daily (except Tuesday), 10am – 5:30pm
Where: 900 Independence Ave, SW | National Mall, DC
Admission: Free, no passes required
COVID policies

Arts & Industries Building
When: Daily (except Tuesday), 10am – 5:30pm & Fri/Sat, 10am – 7pm
Where: 900 Jefferson Drive SW | National Mall, DC
Admission: Free, no passes required
COVID policies

Anacostia Community Museum
When: Wednesday – Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Where: 1901 Fort Place SE | Anacostia, DC
Admission: Free, no passes required
COVID policies

National Children’s Museum
When: Thursday – Sunday, 9:30am – 12:30pm & 1:30-4:30pm
Where: 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW | Downtown DC
Admission: $15.95/ages 1+ for two-hour timed session
COVID policies

International Spy Museum 
When: Daily, 9am – 7pm
Where: 700 L’Enfant Plaza SW | Southwest DC
Admission: $24.95/ adult, $16.95/age 7-12, free/6 & under | purchase online
COVID policies

Washington Monument
When: Starting July 14, 9am – 5pm daily
Where: 2 15th Street, NW
Admission: Free with timed-entry tickets (small online service fee)
Covid policies

ARTECHOUSE
When: Monday – Thursday, 12-8pm & Friday – Sunday, 10am – 10pm
Where: 1238 Maryland Ave SW | Southwest DC
Admission: $24/adult, $20/senior & first responder, $17/age 4-14, free/under 4 (purchase online for $5 off)
COVID policies

National Museum of Women in the Arts 
When: Monday – Saturday, 10am -5pm & Sunday, 12-5pm
Closed for renovations
Where: 1250 New York Ave NW | Downtown DC
Admission: $10/adult, free/child – timed entry tickets required
COVID policies

Kennedy Center Grand Foyer and The REACH 
When: Fri 4-8pm, Sat 12-6pm, Sun 12-6pm
Where: 2700 F Street NW | Foggy Bottom
Admission: Free and passes are not required for this short walk-thru
COVID policies

Mansion on O Street 
When: Daily, 11am – 3pm
Where: 2020 O Street NW | Dupont Circle
Admission: Tours start at $25 — online reservations required
COVID policies

Ford’s Theatre
When: Wednesday – Monday, 9am – 5pm
Where: 511 10th Street NW | Penn Quarter
Admission: $3 – reserve timed tickets online here
COVID policies

Phillips Collection (See more about the museum)
When: Thursday – Sunday, 11am – 6pm
Where: 1600 21st Street NW | Dupont Circle
Admission: $16/adult, free for kids – reserve in advance
COVID policies

Planet Word
When: Thursday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Where: 925 13th Street NW | Downtown DC
Admission: Free timed entry passes required
COVID policies

National Building Museum
Where: 401 F Street NW | Judiciary Square, DC
When: Friday – Monday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: $10/adult, $7/child (free for members)
COVID policies
[Note: It’s free to hang out in the Great Hall, most exhibits require admission.]

Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building
When: Thursday – Saturday, 10am – 4:30pm
Where: First Street SE, btwn Indie Ave & East Capitol St.
Admission: Free with timed-entry passes
Covid policies

National Museum of Asian Art/Freer Gallery
When: Wednesday – Sunday, 11am – 4pm
Where: Jefferson Drive and 12th Street, SW
Admission: Free, no passes required
Covid policies

The Lane Social Club
When: Reservations for Open Play
Where: 1408 Okie Street NE
Admission: $15
COVID policies

Kreeger Museum 
When: Tues – Sat, 10-10:50am/11-11:50am/2-2:50pm/3-3:50pm
When: 2401 Foxhall Road | Foxhall-Palisades, DC
Admission: $10 suggested donation for adults
Covid Policies

Tudor Place 
Where: 1644 31st Street NW | Georgetown, DC
When:  Saturday & Sunday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free with timed-entry passes (donations accepted)
Covid policies

Dumbarton House
Where: 2715 Q Street NW | Georgetown, DC
When: Friday – Sunday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: $10/adult, free for children
Covid policies
[Note: The wonderful Dumbarton Oaks Garden is also open. Timed-entry passes required.]

Museum of the Bible
When: Thursday – Monday, 10am – 5pm
Where: 400 4th Street SW
Admission: $20-25/adult, 10-15/age 7-17, free/6 & under
COVID policies

 

MARYLAND

Maryland Science Center
When: Friday, 10am – 4pm | Saturday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Where: 601 Light Street | Baltimore
Admission: $25.95/adult, $19.95/age 3-13
COVID policies

Port Discovery
When: Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Where: 35 Market Place | Baltimore
Admission: $17.95 advance purchase required
COVID policies

B&O Railroad Museum
When: Monday – Saturday, 10am – 4pm & Sunday, 11am – 4pm
Where: 901 West Pratt Street | Baltimore
Admission: $20/adult, $17/senior, $12/ages 2-12
COVID policies

National Aquarium
When: Sun-Thurs 9am – 5pm | Fri 9am – 8pm | Sat 9am – 6pm
Where: 501 E Pratt Street | Baltimore
Admission: $39.95/adult, $29.95/age 3-11, free/2 & under
COVID policies

American Visionary Art Museum
When: Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Where: 800 Key Highway | Baltimore
Admission: $15.95/adult, $13.95/senior, $9.95/age 7-17, free/6 & under
COVID policies

Baltimore Museum of Industry
When: Friday – Saturday, 9am – 3pm
Where: 1415 Key Highway | Baltimore
Admission: $12/adult, $7/youth, free/under 6
COVID policies

College Park Aviation Museum
When: Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Where: 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive | College Park
Admission: Reserve in advance | $5/adult, $4/senior, $2/child
COVID policies

Watkins Nature Center
When: Tuesday – Sunday, 11am – 4pm
Where: 301 Watkins Park Drive | Upper Marlboro, MD
Admission: Free, but advance reservations required
Covid policies

Calvert Marine Museum
When: Daily, 10am – 5pm
Where: 14200 Solomons Island Road | Solomons
Admission: $9/adult, $7/senior, $4/child — reserve two-hour time-slot
COVID policies

Pinstripes – Bistro, Bocce, & Bowling 
When: Mon-Thurs 12-9pm/Fri 12-10pm/Sat 10am-10pm/Sun 10am-9pm
Where: 11920 Grand Park Ave | North Bethesda
Admission: Varies by game, # of people
COVID policies

Glenstone
When: Indoor areas Thursday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Where: 12100 Glen Road | Potomac, MD
Admission: Free with timed-entry tickets
Covid Policies
[Note: There is also an outdoor area that shouldn’t be missed.]

ClimbZone
When: Mon-Wed 12-7pm | Fri 12-8pm | Sat-Sun 11am – 8pm
Where: 13200 MidAtlantic Blvd Suite 130 | Laurel
Admission: $15/age 2-5, $25/age 6+ for 2 hours — reserve online
COVID policies

Zava Zone
When: Thursday – Monday, hour vary by day
Where: 40 Southlawn Court | Rockville
Admission: Starts at $21.50/hour
COVID policies

Baltimore Museum of Art
When: Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Where: 10 Art Museum Drive | Baltimore
Admission: Free with timed entry passes
COVID policies

Walters Art Museum
When: Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Where: 600 N. Charles Street | Baltimore
Admission: Free
COVID policies

 

VIRGINIA

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center 
When: Daily, 10am – 5:30pm
Where: 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway | Chantilly
Admission: Free, no passes required
COVID policies

Mount Vernon – Museum & Mansion
When: Daily, 9am – 5pm
Where: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway | Mount Vernon
Admission: $20/adult, $12/age 6-16, free/under 6
COVID policies

Super, Awesome, & Amazing at the St. James
When: Monday 10am – 7pm Saturday & Sunday 9am – 7pm
Where: 6805 Industrial Road | Springfield
Admission: $13/hour, $23/2 hours
COVID policies

Zava Zone
When: Thursday – Monday, hour vary by day
Where: 45685 Oakbrook Court Suite 110 | Sterling
Admission: Starts at $12/hour
COVID policies

Flight Trampoline Park
When: Daily, times vary by day
Where: 7200 Fullerton Road | Springfield
Admission: Starts at $14
COVID policies

Buddie Ford Nature Center
When: Thursday – Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Where: 5750 Sanger Avenue | Alexandria, VA
Admission: Free
COVID policies

National Museum of the Marine Corps
Where: 18900 Jefferson Davis Highway | Triangle, VA
When: Daily, 9am – 5pm
Admission: Free
COVID policies

Looking for indoor places that are especially great with little kids?  Check out this KFDC post!

 

 

 

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Filed under 2020, All ages, Coronavirus, COVID-19, DC, Educational, Exhibit, Free, Indoor Play, Maryland, Museums, Reopened, Social Distancing, Virginia, Weekdays, Weekend