Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around the DC Metro Area - 2022
2022's Best Places for Kids in the DC Metro area!
Here are the Top 20 21 places to take kids in the D.C. Metro area, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey.
Every May and June, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids. Typically, we showcase the Top 20 winners... but this year, in honor of KidsOutAndAbout.com's 21st birthday (we originally launched in June of 2001), we bring you the DMV's
TOP 21 Places to Take Kids!
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!
1. The Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
The Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute demonstrates leadership in animal care, science, education and sustainability. Always free of charge and open 364 days a year, the Zoo is one of Washington D.C.’s, and the Smithsonian’s, most popular tourist destinations, with more than 2 million visitors from all over the world each year. Founded in 1889, the Zoo is part of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum and research complex. Today, the Zoo sits on 163 acres in the heart of Washington, D.C.’s Rock Creek Park and is home to 2,700 animals representing more than 390 species.
2. Clark's Elioak Farm
Clark's Elioak Farm is a petting farm in the heart of Howard County, Maryland. It is also the home of many attractions from The Enchanted Forest, Maryland's Storybook Park. The farm is open to visitors from April 1 through early November and features the chance to visit with farmyard animals, take wagon, pony and train rides and enjoy a day "down on the farm."
5. Walkersville Southern Railroad and Museum - MD
All aboar-r-rd! Visit us for a trip back in time on the Walkersville Southern Railroad. Travel over track that the Pennsylvania Railroad originally built in 1872. Come see our turn-of-the-century railroad station and tool house. Ride in vintage 1920s passenger cars, or on an open flatcar, as your rail excursion runs past a 100-year-old lime kiln, and then out into picturesque Maryland farm country. Whether it is a scenic excursion for the whole family or a romantic dinner for two, we have something for everyone. You will find history and adventure on the Walkersville Southern. We operate regular trains on weekends May through October, with charters and special trains all year. The regular excursion is about one hour and 10 minutes.
6. B&O Railroad Museum
The B&O Railroad Museum brings alive the adventure of railroading. This historic national landmark allows you to see, touch, hear and explore the most important railroad collection in America.
9. The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
The Zoo’s mission is to inspire and educate people to join with it in the active support and conservation of wildlife and wild places. The Zoo is committed to serving its communities by engaging people with the wonder of the living world through personal encounters that foster lifelong harmonious relationships with nature.
10. Alden Theatre (McLean Community Center)
The Alden presents high-quality, professional performances year-round for youth and family audiences. All seats have a great view—especially important for young audiences and those young-at-heart. The 2022-2023 season includes performances of: “Paddington Gets in a Jam,” “The Joyfully Jolly Jamboree,” “Frosty,” “Danny Carmo’s Mathematical Mysteries,” “The Griegol,” “Hiccup!” and many more!
The Alden proudly offers some of the lowest ticket fees in the area, free parking and discounted tickets to our funders in Dranesville Small District 1-A. Discover the DMV’s hidden gem of a venue!
14. Maryland Renaissance Festival
The Maryland Renaissance festival starts the last weekend in August and runs 9 weekends. The first weekend kids 15 and younger are admitted FREE with an accompanying adult. The Festival is a 16th-century English village with 10 stages, a 3,000 seat jousting arena, 250 performers, 140 craft shops and 42 food and beverage emporiums.
15. National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA displays more than 3,000 aviation and space artifacts, including nearly 200 airplanes, sharing the story of flight from early ballooning to recent advancements in space exploration. Education is a primary focus and visitors can find out about collection from docents and enjoy science demonstrations, presented by the Museum’s Explainers. Additionally, family-friendly activities are offered online, including story times, virtual family days, and more. The Udvar-Hazy Center is open daily from 10:00 am – 5:30 pm. Admission and public programs are free. Parking is $15/car (free for those arriving after 4:00 pm).
16. National Museum of Natural History
The Museum is dedicated to inspiring curiosity, discovery, and learning about the natural world through its unparalleled research, collections, exhibitions, and education outreach programs.
17. National Museum of the American Indian
In partnership with Native peoples, the museum fosters a richer shared human experience through a more informed understanding of Native peoples.
18. My Local Library
Of course, the libraries in the DC Metro area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication.
19. Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine is a unit of the National Park Service, and the birthplace of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' in 1814.
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in three categories. Here were their choices.Top Arts Educator: Wolf Trap
Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is a majestic natural setting for over 100 performances across all genres every summer. Home to the architecturally stunning Filene Center and the charmingly intimate Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, the 117-acre Park offers dining and hospitality amenities throughout the summer season, and year-round recreational opportunities, including hiking trails, picnic areas, and sledding.
Top STEM Educator: Maryland Science Center
We are the Maryland Science Center. We inspire. We empower. We engage. Let’s science!
The Maryland Academy of Sciences is Maryland’s oldest scientific institution and one of the oldest such institutions in the entire nation.
At its inception in 1797, the Academy was an amateur scientific society—members met to discuss papers on astronomy, botany, zoology, and other subjects then known as the “natural sciences.” Rembrandt and Raphael Peale, sons of painter and scientist Charles Wilson Peale, were among the distinguished early members.
We believe that science forms a foundation for lifelong learning and curiosity. Our signature brand of science education celebrates the “how come?” and the “what if?’’ And we celebrate a collective exploration that leads to a shared sense of discovery. Let’s science.
