Tag Archives: Northern Virginia Parks

October 27, 2013 · 6:44 pm

Where to Play on the Weekdays: October 28 – November 1

Rock hopping at Winkler Botanical Preserve

Monday – Enjoy the gorgeous fall weather as you get a dose of nature in an unexpected place: Winkler Botanical Preserve. Located just off 395 and Seminary Road in Alexandria, the park is a lovely outdoor surprise in an area full of office complexes and strip malls. Hours are 8:30am – 4pm, and admission is free.

Tuesday – Hit the playground at Wheaton Regional Park. Two levels of slides, climbing nets, monkey bars, swings, and more fun features will appeal to all ages and abilities. Pack lunch to eat at nearby picnic tables under the lofty trees. It’s open sunrise to sunset, and admission is free. You can also go in the evening to experience the Haunted Train and Creepy Carousel from 6-9pm. Recommended for ages 8 and up, admission is $5 plus a can of food.

Wednesday – Visit the animals, roam the peaceful grounds, and possibly join in a children’s program at Oxon Hill Farm. Hours are 8am – 4:30pm, and admission is free.

Thursday – Join Joanie’s Halloween Party at this month’s “Tot Rock: Jammin’ at the Smithsonian” session. Joanie Leeds and The Nightlights will perform songs from her latest album, Bandwagon, along with other hits and kid-friendly Halloween tunes. Showtimes are 10am and 11:15am both Thursday and Friday. Admission is $3-6.

Friday – See an amazing collection of model ships, peer into a real periscope, sit in the gun seats of old fighter planes, view naval artifacts hundreds of years old, and much more at the U.S. Navy Museum. Located on the Navy base in southeast DC, it’s a treasure trove of fascinating exhibits. Hours are 9am – 5pm. Admission is free.

Where to Play on the Weekdays: October 21-25

Get in the pilot’s seat at the Air & Space Museum

Monday – Take the money tour at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. It’s a perfect outing for DCPS kids off from school, since tours are only offered on weekdays. For the younger set, head to the library for story time or just to check out books — see this early KFDC post for background and links to local public libraries.

Tuesday – Stroll the lovely grounds, view wildlife in the ponds, and visit the Korean Bell Garden at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna. Admission is $5/adults, $2.50/ages 7-17 and seniors, free for ages 6 and under. Hours are 10am – 6pm.

Wednesday – Enjoy the day at a local go-to for fun and educational recreation: the National Air & Space Museum. Filled literally floor-to-ceiling with fascinating exhibits, there’s plenty to interest kids of all ages. Hours are 10am – 5:30pm. Admission is free.

Thursday – See the city from a new vantage point at the Old Post Office Clock Tower. It’s free to visit and go up to the observation deck of the third tallest building in DC. Open daily from 9am – 5pm on Monday – Saturday this time of year (12-6pm on Sunday). Just head to the Old Post Office Pavilion at 12th and Pennsylvania NW and follow the signs once inside.

Friday – Catch a performance of Goodnight Moon at Adventure Theatre before it closes after the weekend. Showtime is 11am. Tickets are $19.

1 Comment

Filed under All ages, DC, Educational, Exhibit, Fall, Free, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Museums, Nature, Outdoor, Park, Theatre, Virginia, Weekdays

Tagged as DC Children's Theater, DC Kids Activities, DC outdoors, DC Parks, DC Weekdays October 21-25, kids in DC, Northern Virginia Parks, Port Discovery, Things to do with Kids in DC, Things to do with Kids in Maryland, Things to do with kids in Northern Virginia

September 2, 2013 · 4:53 pm

Where to Play on the Weekdays: September 3-6

A team building effort at the National Building Museum’s PLAY WORK BUILD exhibit

Tuesday – Head to the National Building Museum for play, storytime, and Canstruction! The Book of the Month program takes place in the Building Zone at 10:30am and 11:30am with readings of Noisy Diggers by Sam Taplin and Construction Crew by Lynn Meltzer. Admission to the Building Zone ($3/non-members) is timed and on the hour, but if you don’t make it in, head upstairs for the interactive PLAY WORK BUILD exhibit (for non-members: $8/adult, $5/child; free for members). And while you’re in the Great Hall, view the results of Canstruction, amazing structures built entirely out of thousands of canned goods by DC architecture and construction teams.

Wednesday – Boogies Babes is back after an August hiatus! Kick off a new season with them at Union Market as Mr. Skip gets little ones shaking those sillies out. Showtimes is 10:30am. Admission is $5/child, free for siblings 6 months and under. (If you can’t make it Wednesday, catch Bridgette and the Band on Thursday at Eastern Market or Uno, Dos, Tres con Andres! on Friday at The Atlas.)

Thursday – Take a hike at Turkey Run Park. Located right off the GW Parkway near 495, it contains nearly 700 acres of woods, easy trails that ramble along the Potomac, streams that flow down from the woods to the river, great views from the shoreline, and a variety of wildlife (though sightings aren’t guaranteed). Hours are 6am -10pm. Admission is free.

Friday – Have a wild time at the National Zoo, as there’s barely a crowd on weekdays. Check the Daily Programs schedule before you go to help plan your outing or pick your animal visits as you go. Hours are 10am – 6pm. Admission is free, though parking in the Zoo lot for non-members is $16 for three hours, $22 beyond three (free for members). You can also try parking on Connecticut Avenue or a side street, or take Metro to Woodley Park or Cleveland Park stations.