Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around the Washington, D.C. Metro Area

The DMV's most popular places to take kids in 2026

Every May and June, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids. Here is the 2026 list of winners from our readers in the DC Metro Area. (Click here for the full list of nominees.)

Of course, there are literally hundreds of wonderful places to take your kids in our area, not just this year's winners! Browse through our site and calendar to find lots more, sign up for our fabulous weekly e-newsletter, and be sure to click on Everything That's Free! 

2026 Top 20 Places to Take Kids

D.C. Metro Area

 

Top 20 Ranking

Category Winners

1. Smithsonian's National Zoo 2. National Children's Museum 3. Smithsonian - National Museum of Natural History 4. Billy Beez - Manassas Mall VA 5. Busch Gardens Williamsburg 6. Encore Stage and Studio 7. B&O Railroad Museum 8. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum 9. Cox Farms - Centreville VA 10. Kings Dominion Virginia 11. National Gallery of Art 12. D. C. United 13. LEGO Discovery Center Washington D.C. 14. African American Civil War Memorial Museum 15. Butler's Orchard 16. Children's Science Center Lab 17. Flight Adventure Park - Springfield VA 18. George Washington's Mount Vernon 19. Hidden Oaks Nature Center 20. Maryland Science Center

Arts Educator: International School of Music Sports Educator: Jr. Wizards Summer Camp - Washington Wizards/Mystics STEM Educator: Children's Science Center Lab

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