Guides for weekends with kids around Washington DC
Hand-picked lists for the way parents actually plan a weekend: by your kid's age, the weather, your budget, the kind of outing, or where you live. Every place links to full details — drive time, stroller notes, parking and tips.
In season
- Cherry blossomsCherry blossoms with kids around Washington DC: Tidal Basin, Kenwood and spring gardens6 places
- U-pickU-pick with kids around Washington DC: strawberries, blueberries, peaches and apples4 places
- Pumpkin patchesPumpkin patches and fall farms with kids around Washington DC6 places
- Holiday lightsHoliday lights and festive outings with kids around Washington DC6 places
- Water playWhere to cool off with kids around Washington DC: splash pads, water parks and lake beaches6 places
By age
By weather & budget
By type
- HikesFamily hikes and nature walks around Washington DC18 places
- FarmsWhere to see farm animals with kids around Washington DC6 places
- PlaygroundsThe best playgrounds around Washington DC10 places
- LibrariesLibraries worth a trip with kids around Washington DC7 places
- BeachesLake beaches and bay beaches with kids around Washington DC4 places
- TrainsTrains, miniature railroads and carousels with kids around Washington DC7 places
- GardensGardens and arboretums to visit with kids around Washington DC5 places
- ZoosZoos, aquariums and nature centers with kids around Washington DC6 places
- MuseumsKid-friendly museums and science centers around Washington DC8 places
By area
Every place, by type
Hike
- Billy Goat Trail (Section A / C)
- Black Hill Regional Park (Little Seneca Lake)
- Centennial Park lake loop
- Claude Moore Park
- Ellanor C. Lawrence Park (Walney Visitor Center)
- Gravelly Point plane watching
- Great Falls (Maryland side) and the C&O Canal
- Great Falls Park (Virginia side)
- Huntley Meadows Park wetland boardwalk
- Lake Needwood (Rock Creek Regional Park)
- Patuxent Research Refuge National Wildlife Visitor Center
- Riverbend Park
- Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium
- Scott's Run Nature Preserve falls
- Seneca Creek State Park (Clopper Lake)
- Sligo Creek Trail
- Sugarloaf Mountain
- Theodore Roosevelt Island
Farm
Playground
- Blandair Regional Park playgrounds
- Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm
- Cabin John Regional Park playground and train
- Chessie's Big Backyard (Lee District Park)
- Clemyjontri Park
- Hadley's Playground (Falls Road Local Park)
- Long Bridge Park plane and DC views
- South Germantown Recreational Park (Adventure Playground)
- Van Dyck Park
- Yards Park canal and fountains
Library
Beach
Train
Garden
Zoo
Museum
- College Park Aviation Museum
- KID Museum
- National Building Museum
- Port Discovery Children's Museum
- Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (National Mall)
- Smithsonian National Museum of American History (Wegmans Wonderplace)
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
- Udvar-Hazy Center (Air and Space Museum at Dulles)
Seasonal
- Butler's Orchard u-pick and Pumpkin Festival
- Cox Farms Fall Festival
- Garden of Lights (Brookside Gardens)
- Great Country Farms
- Homestead Farm u-pick orchard
- Kenwood neighborhood cherry blossom tunnel
- Lake Fairfax Park and the Water Mine
- Montgomery County Agricultural Fair
- Pentagon Row outdoor ice rink
- Tidal Basin cherry blossoms and paddle boats
- Winter Walk of Lights (Meadowlark)
- Wolf Trap Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods
- ZooLights (National Zoo)