The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids. Now, this is how to enjoy a beautiful day. Today’s superb weather inspired me to put together a list of places that are made for beautiful days like this. Most of these locales have been recommended before, but never in one easy go- to list.

National Arboretum. Hands down one of the best places in the city to chill out with the kids outdoors — which is why I recommend it so often. Its nearly 4. 50 acres contain an amazing variety of plant, tree, and flower collections. Even if little ones aren’t into the flora, there still is plenty they will enjoy. The old National Capitol columns standing smack in middle of the Ellipse Meadow are a big draw – kids can play amid the pillars and check out the fountain, which flows down from the middle to a pool below. You can hike through woods, cross footbridges over small creeks, and seek out “magic” sitting areas like gazebos and spaces beneath tree canopies. The wonderful Washington Youth Garden invites visitors to watch the cultivation process, and the natural playground lets them engage in fun activities.

Little ones will also delight in the little trees at the bonsai exhibits. And the Grove of State Trees, a collection of trees from all 5. An urban oasis at The Yards. The Yards Park. One of the other best places to chill out with the kids, this relatively new recreational space is not a new recommendation from me, and for good reason.

The centerpiece of the still- developing Capitol Riverfront neighborhood has many elements that make it a gem — open grassy spaces, lots of artistically designed benches and seating areas, a boardwalk along the Anacostia, the sculptural Pedestrian Bridge, and a fantastic view of the river. But the real bonus for kids is the fountains. Located on the park’s two levels, the water features aren’t just there for people to look at; those who want to get wet can play in the sprays above and wade in the shallow pool below. Just be sure to bring a change of clothes for the kids – getting soaked is guaranteed. Walk or bike among the monuments and memorials,  but be sure to stop and take in the magnificent architecture and design. Stop and smell the roses and other pretty flowers at the Haupt Garden behind the Smithsonian Castle. Take a spin on The Carousel for $3.

Bring quarters for the food dispensers to feed the birds, and the Watkins Nature Center will have even more critters for guests to see. On the Cunningham Falls trail.

Walks in the Woods. One of my favorite ways to relish in a great day is on the trail, immersed in nature.

The Yards Park One of the other best places to chill out with the kids, this relatively new recreational space is not a new recommendation from me, and for good reason. Drivers License Test In Eagan Mn Jobs.

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Last spring I discussed how having kids changed the way my husband and I approach outdoor recreation, particularly hiking. We have to be mindful of our babes’ capabilities when hitting the trail, from how far their little legs can take them to how long they have before boredom kicks in. So, we try to find hikes that are short, not too strenuous, and include sights that we know they will appreciate. This post contains a list of some of the best places we’ve found to tramp with the kids. A pony ride at the Rock Creek Horse Center. Rock Creek Park. The sprawling urban park regularly offers all kinds of ranger- led programs and activities for children, many for free.

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Along with numerous trails, Great Falls is a showcase of some of the area’s best natural scenery and a harbor of historical sights. Remnants of 1. 8th- century locks are still on the Maryland side along the C& O canal, and if you look closely, you can find stone mason marks created to identify their work. Don’t forget sunscreen, hats, and water, as there’s no shade through the wetlands section of the park. Get directions to the Huntley Meadows here. What up, Teddy! Roosevelt Island. I always think of this national memorial honoring President Theodore Roosevelt and his contributions to the environment as very “DC.”  Its 9.

Potomac. And smack in the middle of it all – the “DC” part — is a stone tribute to Roosevelt, a 1. Teddy himself, flowing fountains, and large granite slabs inscribed with Roosevelt’s tenets on conservation. It’s all quite impressive to both kids and adults. Get a glimpse into the life of the first POTUS by touring the Mansion and other buildings, several gardens, and a four- acre working farm on the estate. That’s the hit or miss part. Homestead scores just as high on aesthetics as it does on its crops—the lovely pastoral setting in Montgomery County makes you feel like you’re way more than 2. Before you go, be sure to check the website for hours and to see what’s  ripe for picking.

Strolling and browsing the market. Weekends at Eastern Market. This one is quite special to me, as it’s just blocks from our house and one of my favorite things about living on Capitol Hill.

A variety of primary- colored play structures are scattered throughout a sublime wooded section of the park. Tall trees surround the area, and their long shadows streak across sunlit surfaces. Kids can climb up, slide down, scramble over, swing from, even pretend to drive the apparatuses. And while there are many structures of all kinds of configurations for varying ages, there’s also a lot of open space in which to run around. As if that’s not enough, there is also a Miniature Train that offers rides through the woods ($1. For a complete review of this playground nirvana, see this post.

Catching a taxi ride. Potomac by Water Taxi. The Potomac Riverboat Company operates daily between the National Harbor and Old Town Alexandria. It’s about a 2. 0- minute ride on the river, plenty of time to thrill young mariners.

Catch the taxi from either point, cruise to the other side, then stay awhile to eat and explore. A coupon for $2 off is available on the company’s website. Stay Cool at an Outdoor Pool. Nothing says summer like swimming under the sun. Starting Memorial Day weekend, DC outdoor public pools are open on Saturdays and Sundays from 1. Several are within the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, and you can find out where on their website. DPR Spray Parks open Memorial Day weekend on a Saturday- only basis, hours are 1.

Starting June 2. 1, they will open daily (check the website for hours). For spray fun with a riverfront view, the Yards Park has fountains and a great location on the Anacostia. Cafes and food stands offer a small selection of food, or you can also pack lunch and picnic in the grassy area by the Kids’ Farm (or just find an empty bench). The new Elephant Trails exhibit is quite popular as is the Giant Panda Habitat and lion cubs. And there are always daily programs and special events, so be sure to check the calendar before you go to help plan your visit. Woodley Park on the Red Line is the closest Metro stop, or you can pay $1. Zoo lot (or hope to get lucky and find street parking along Connecticut Avenue or nearby side street).

There was an old woman. And from a parent’s perspective, it’s the kind of place that makes me wish I were a kid again. The grounds are straight out of a fairytale, charmingly adorned with recovered installations from an old storybook park. Kids can peek in the windows of the Three Bears’ house, zip down a slide of the Old Woman Who Lived in A Shoe, tumble down a hill with Jack & Jill, climb aboard Cinderella’s pumpkin, sit on Humpty Dumpty’s wall.

If that’s not enough, there are also hayrides, cow train rides, pony rides, a playground area (not that the whole thing isn’t a giant playground), and farm animals – goats, ponies, sheep, and chickens—including a petting area that kids can actually enter to feed and pet baby goats. Check the calendar for hours and special events spring through fall when it’s open to visitors, including pumpkin patch fun in autumn.

Clark Elioak’s Farm is located in Ellicott City, Maryland, about a 4. DC. Admission is $5/person (free for children under 1), $2 each for pony rides, cow train rides, and hayrides. Time trip at Claude Moore. Claude Moore Colonial Farm.

This living history farm in Mc. Lean is straight out of the 1. Everything at Claude Moore has been recreated to look just as it did in 1. The farm isn’t huge — the whole walk is about 3/4 of a mile, and there is a dirt path that winds through it — but it’s a wonderful earning experience for all ages as well as a great way to spend a nice day outside.

The farm is closed during the winter, but will reopens in early April. All ages and abilities can play at Clemyjontri. Clemyjontri Park.

The park’s tag line, “Where every child can play. Unique among DC area playgrounds, Clemyjontri was designed with children of all abilities in mind and accommodates those who use wheelchairs, braces, and walkers, or who have sensory or developmental disabilities. Just looking at the sprawling expanse of brightly colored play structures with a fairytale- esque carousel at its center is an instant boost to any kid’s excitement meter. Clemyjontri Park is located at 6.

Georgetown Pike in Mc. Lean. Yet there it is in northeast Washington, right on the other side of the Arboretum. Numerous ponds are filled with giant lily pads, lotus flowers, water lilies, and a variety of interesting aquatic plants.

Paths winding among them make for excellent nature walks, letting visitors get a close look at the flora and fauna that thrives there. Along with the vegetation, it’s quite possible to see any number of marshland residents — frogs, turtles, geese, great blue herons, and more. The best times to go is when the weather is warmer and the flowers are in bloom.

Hours are 8am – 4pm. Over looking the Potomac River, the grounds welcome visitors to explore, relax, and play. There’s a little fort that kids can crawl under or over; the Boat Garden with a real row boat to climb aboard; a Little House on the Prairie Garden with – yup!

The large house on premises is also open to tour and contains the office, art to view, and bathrooms. Rocking chairs on the back porch practically beckon you to sit and enjoy the tranquil surroundings and beautiful riverside view. River Farm is located at 7.

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