Arlington County Parks & Recreation

Check attached website

Arlington VA

website

Programs are offered throughout Arlington County. Check the attached website for the desired location, time and children's program. Discount offered to Arlington County residents.

Butler Orchard

22200 Davis Mill Road

Germantown MD 20876

301-972-3299

www.butlersorchard.com

Farm fun for all at this 50 year old orchard located in Germantown, MD. All the usual suspects can be found including: strawberries, jam, veggies, blueberries and, of course, pumpkins in the fall. Butler is full of year-round activities, bring the kids out to pick their own fruit. Noteworthy, Butler has an awesome Annual Pumpkin Festival throughout the month of October.

Capitol River Cruises

Check attached website

Washington DC

301-4607447

www.capitolrivercruises.com

Ahoy mate; this is a fun, festive and inexpensive way to cruise the Potomac River. Pick up this riverboat cruise/tour at the Georgetown Waterfront and spend the next 50 minutes seeing the major DC landmarks that hug the Potomac. Noteworthy, this is an awesome deal and they allow kids on board. Rates run $12.00 adult, $6.00 kids (3-12) and kids under the age of 3 ride for free. The cruise is historically narrated. Beer, wine, soda and snacks are available. This is great entertainment for the entire clan!

Catoctin Wildlife Preserve & Zoo

13019 Catoctin Furnace Road

Thurmont MD 21788

301-271-3180

www.cwpzoo.com/

Wonderful adventures and exciting new animal friends await you in our newly enlarged park - now over 50 acres. Up-close exhibits and personal information make you feel like one of the family. Get stalked by a tiger, jaguar or cougar and live to tell the tale. Feel the breath of a bear, follow a fallow deer, or tickle a tortoise. Hand-feed goats, sheep, donkeys, llamas, ducks and other curious creatures in the petting area.

Discovery Theater

11oo Jefferson Drive

Washington DC 20026

202-633-8700

www.discoverytheater.com/

The Smithsonian's Discovery Theater, located in the Ripley Center on the National Mall, seasonal offers over 300 performances. Shows feature puppets, storytellers, dancers, actors, musicians, and mimes in performances that present classic stories for children, folk tales from all over the world, Shows are funky and cutting edge yet kid-friendly. This isn't the Wiggles!! Discovery Theater offers interactive shows with a special emphasis on the diversity of the audiences. Noteworthy, Discovery Theater is hugely popular in the Metro D.C. Area. Teachers, parents and kids all seem enjoy!

District of Columbia Parks & Recreation

Check attached website

Washington DC

www.playmoco.org/cpk.htm

Programs are offered throughout Montgomery County. Check the attached website for the desired location, time and children's program. Discount offered to Montgomery County residents.

Fairfax County Parks & Recreation

Check attached website

Fairfax County VA

www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/rec/classes/

Fairfax County Park Authority's nine recreation and fitness centers serve over one million customers annually, offering the latest exercise equipment, the DC Metro area's top aquatics facilities and classes that cover the leisure alphabet from Aerobics to Zoom Photography. Recreation Centers are places where anyone can be comfortable improving their fitness level, whatever level it is. Friends and family can play together in the water or on the courts. All Recreation Centers have classes and camps for children and some have pre-school programs for our littlest customers. Recreation centers are conveniently located. They start early, close late, and are open seven days a week.

Friends 2B Made

Check website for DC Metro locations

Metro DC

www.friends2bmade.com/default.aspx

Friends 2B Made is brought to you from the folks who created Build-A-Bear. Expect the same warm staff and made-to-order experience. The shop offers mini-fashionistas a chance to create the perfect doll before your eyes with sweethearts dolls and fabulous accessories. In addition, the store has a fun selection of birthday party packages. Noteworthy, the darling doll destination has received big kudos from Parent's Magazine.

Gravelly Point

Accessible - Northbound GW Pkwy

Alexandria VA

http://bikewashington.org/parking/national/national.htm

If you have ever departed from National Airport via GW Parkway, you have probably seen Gravelly Point. My husband first introduced me to this unique parking area. It has now become my favorite starting point/parking destination when I am bike riding or rollerblading in DC. Kids and adults of all ages will love the incredible view of the numerous incoming and outgoing flights that leave National Airport. Gravelly Point is a mecca for bike riders, family picnics, league sports, kite flying and boaters. Sitting at the north End of Reagan National Airport, Gravelly Point provides easy access to the Mt Vernon Trail, downtown DC and Roosevelt Island.

Imagination Station

4908 Auburn Avenue

Bethesda MD 20814

301-280-1660

www.imaginationstage.org/

Imagination Stage is the largest and most respected multi-disciplinary theatre arts organization for young people in the Washington, DC region. Year-round professional shows for families and classes, performance opportunities, outreach programs and summer camps for ages 1-18 are overseen by a core belief in making the arts inclusive and accessible to all children, regardless of their physical, cognitive or financial status.

Loudoun County Parks & Recreation

Check attached website

Loudoun County VA

www.playmoco.org/cpk.htm

Programs are offered throughout Montgomery County. Check the attached website for the desired location, time and children's program. Discount offered to Montgomery County residents.

Montgomery County Nature Center

Locations in Montgomery County

Montgomery County MD

www.mc-mncppc.org/parks/nature_centers/index.shtm

Four nature centers in the Montgomery County Park and Planning system offer year-round, a variety of interesting, educational and fun programs for individuals (adults and children) and families. Hike with an interpretive naturalist and learn more about nature's hidden treasures. View special exhibits and displays in our visitors' centers. Group programs are offered for schools, scout groups and other organized groups.

Montgomery County Parks & Recreation

Check attached website

Montgomery County MD

website

Programs are offered throughout Montgomery County. Check the attached website for the desired location, time and children's program. Discount offered to Montgomery County residents.

Museum of Natural History

10th Street & Constitution Avenue

Washington DC 20560

202-633-1000

www.mnh.si.edu/

The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is part of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s preeminent museum and research complex. The Museum is dedicated to inspiring curiosity, discovery, and learning about the natural world through its unparalleled research, collections, exhibitions, and education outreach programs. Opened in 1910, the green-domed museum on the National Mall was among the first Smithsonian building constructed exclusively to house the national collections and research facilities.

National Air & Space Museum

Independence Avenue at 7th Street

Washington DC 20560

202-357-2700

www.nasm.si.edu/

This can be an incredible visit for a youngster that is interested in flight. The museum vividly outlines the history of air and space travel, starting with Orville and Wilber Wright and advancing to NASA's history. Noteworthy, we would be completely remiss if we didn't mention the new addition to the Air & Space family. The Steven F. Udvar Center near Dulles Airport. The facility houses the Enola Gay, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird and a too cool IMAX Theater that you must check out.

National Postal Museum

2 Massachusetts Avenue

Washington DC 20002

202-357-2700

www.postalmuseum.si.edu/

The National Postal Museum is divided into galleries that explore America's postal history from colonial times to the present. Visitors learn how mail has been transported, emphasize the importance of letters, and spotlight the creation and wondrous diversity of postage stamps.

National Zoo

3001 Connecticut Avenue

Washington DC 20008

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/

Located in the middle of Cleveland Park, the National Zoo is a beautiful urban park offering family fun and excitement, kid-friendly educational programs, and a great venue to introduce your little ones to some of God's creatures. Take in the 163 acres that are nestled in Rock Creek Park. The zoo is home to 2,000 indiviual animals, the most famous of course being the Giant Pandas. Noteworthy, take the Metro to the zoo and, if Junior is willing, have lunch at one of the nearby trendy restaurants on Connecticut Avenue.

Noodles and Noggins

7145 Main Street

Clifton VA 20124

703-815-8600

www.noodlesandnoggins.com

Noodles and Noggins is wonderful little store that is located in old Clifton, VA. Noodles and Noggins does an excellent job of offering parents creative toys, books and DVD for all age groups. The customer service is excellent. For those that aren't familiar with Clifton, think Norman Rockwell meets Mayberry. You will immediately feel transported into on another time as you enter Clifton. Local performers entertain children in the simple Clifton Town Hall . It is perfect for Junior. The meeting room has none of the usual distractions that you find in a traditional store. Check out Noodles and Noggins website for a full list of upcoming activities and events.

Our Kids

On the web

Metro DC

www.our-kids.com

Our Kids was one of my many inspirations when contemplating the creation of DC MetroMommy. It does a great job of outlining local events, activities and kid-friendly shops.

Prince George County Parks & Recreation

Check attached website

Prince George County MD

www.pgparks.com/

Programs are offered throughout Prince George County. Check the attached website for the desired location, time and children's program. Discount offered to Prince George County residents.

Prince William County Parks & Recreation

Check attached website

Prince William County VA

www.pwcparks.org/

Programs are offered throughout Prince William County. Check the attached website for the desired location, time and children's program. Discount offered to Prince William County residents.

Pump It Up

10110 Battlefield Parkway

Manassas VA 21009

703-749-8006

website

Pump It Up, is the inflatable party that kids adore! They have a number of birthday packages for kids two and older. It is a really cool idea for an active birthday celebration that little one and their friends will love! Don't forget to head over to Pump It Up for weekday Pop-In Playtime. Pop-In Playtime offers kids 2 and up the fun of bouncing, sliding, jumping, and climbing for 90 minutes. It is a great way to change up the week or just escape a bad weather day. Other fun events include, Family Jumptime and open sessions on the weekend. They even have pizza for family night! If you are in a playgroup, take advantage of Private Bounce Time. It is an ideal package for Mom's Groups. Check the website for locations and desired times. Note, Pump It Up tends to fill up during open sessions. Get there a little early to ensure a spot.

Reston Town Center

11900 Market Street

Reston VA 20190

202-263-8520

www.restontowncenter.com/

Concerts, ice skating rink, festivals and more for the kids. Reston Town Center also has an exceptional line-up of restaurants, stores and a movie theater. The family will enjoy this great outdoor venue all year long! Check the website for current events.

Reston Zoo

1228 Hunter Mill Road

Vienna VA 22182

703-757-6222

www.restonzoo.com/

Reston Zoo is a surprising find in the heart of urban Fairfax County. It's a thirty-acre, family-friendly zoo: an oasis in the middle of the city! Safari wagon rides (included in admission fee) take young and old to see zebras, antelope, bison, ostrich, and lots more. Park staff lead regular animal demonstrations. Reston Zoo encourages animal interaction. There are plenty of places to get "up close and personal" with the animals. Animal feed and lamb bottles are available, too! You won't want to miss the alligators, camels, reptile house, or waterfowl. You'll be amazed that such an opportunity is so close to you!

Six Flags

13710 Central Avenue

Mitchellville MD 20721

301-249-1500

www.sixflags.com/america/info/Directions.aspx

Lots of your standard high end amusement park rides and let us not forget, Hurricane Harbor! Waterparks have come along way and Six Flags has perfected its local DC offering. Noteworthy, Six Flags is a long and pricey day, I would stick with kids at least 36" in height with a tolerance for a full day.

Splash Down Water Park

7500 Ben Lomond Park Drive

Manassas VA 20109

703-361-4451

www.splashdownwaterpark.com/

Northern Virginia's largest Waterpark. This locations offers up 13 acres of fun and lots of H2O. The park serves as a great venue for swimming lessons, aqua camps, birthday parties and much more. With tons of waterslides and a 770 foot lazy river, you will want to make it to this destination for summer fun. Note, Splash Down is part of Prince William County Park Authority.

Strathmore Hall Arts Center

5301 Tuckerman Lane

Bethesda MD 20852

301-581-5100

www.strathmore.org/

High quality arts programming, designed for audiences of many tastes, served with the hospitality and warmth of a family enterprise, are the hallmarks of Strathmore. Seasonal outdoor events seek to be inclusive in their programming appeal, reaching out to people of all ages, interests and cultural heritage.