Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around the Washington, D.C. Metro Area - 2023
Every May and June, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids. Here is the 2023 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!
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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 more than 2100 animals representing almost 400 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."
3. Walkersville Southern Railroad and Museum
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.
5. College Park Aviation Museum
The College Park Aviation Museum is dedicated to preserving and promoting aviation innovations at College Park Airport and in Prince George's County while fostering research, inventiveness, and lifelong curiosity about the history and science of flight.
6. 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.
7. 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).
8. Butler's Orchard
A family farm providing good, green fun and local produce for over 60 years. We offer 300 acres of pick-your-own fruits and vegetables, a Farm Market, and special events throughout the year. Hope to see you on the farm soon!
9. 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.
10. Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Take your family to a place where fun comes naturally, Williamsburg, Virginia, home to Busch Gardens® theme park and Water Country USA. Challenge one of Busch Gardens’ seven world-class coasters or discover family fun playing at Sesame Street® Forest of Fun™ and Land of the Dragons®. Water Country USA®, Virginia’s largest water park, is just three miles west of Busch Gardens and features state-of-the-art water rides and resort-style amenities.
11. Cox Farms
Your local tradition ... for generations. All the Cox Farms seasons are made possible by the enthusiastic, dedicated, high-energy Cox Farms team, most of whom are long-time members of the local community.
12. 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.
13. B&O Railroad Museum
The B&O Railroad Museum is home to the oldest, most comprehensive collection of railroad artifacts in the Westen Hemisphere. The Museum's historic 40-acre campus is home to an unparalleled roster of 19th and 20th century railroad equipment. Regarded as the Birthplace of American Railroading, visitors can even take a ride on the first mile of commercial railroad in the nation – the Mile One Express. The Museum also hosts a bevy of events and programming year-round for visitors of all ages to come and explore all that the Museum's rich history has to offer.
14. NOVA Wild (formerly Reston Zoo / Roer's Zoofari)
NOVA Wild is under new ownership and everything is changing! We are a 30-acre family Zoo located at 1228 Hunter Mill Road in Vienna, Virginia. NOVA Wild offers their guests a walkable tour (with a beloved bird aviary!) as well as a self drive-though Safari for one ticket price. ($20/Adult and $15 for Children ages 2-12, Seniors 65+ and Active Military.) We also offer Zookeeper-guided Animal Encounters and Camel Rides, both are guests' favorites! Field trips, Birthday Parties, and Private Events all include a haywagon ride on our new Wild Wagons, and are pulled by our new tractor, "Clifford." The Zoo and Safari have over 300 animals from 50+ species and we're constantly growing! We have cheetahs, bison, goats, buffalo, zebras, llamas, monkeys, anteaters, capybaras, and much more!
15. National Children's Museum
National Children’s Museum is a unique hybrid institution, combining learning elements found in a science center with children’s museum experiences. Through science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) focused exhibits and playful, in-person and virtual program offerings, the Museum sparks curiosity and ignites creativity for all learners.
16. Kings Dominion Virginia
Virginia’s Premier Destination for FUN! Unforgettable adventures await at Kings Dominion, home to some of the best things to do around Richmond, Virginia. With more than 60 rides, shows, attractions, a kids area, and a waterpark, Kings Dominion has AMAZING fun for everyone. Don’t miss Jungle X-pedition, an immersive x-perience x-ploring an ancient jungle civilization. Take a wild, tumbling ride on Tumbili, Virginia’s first 4D spin coaster.
17. Leesburg Animal Park
The Leesburg Animal Park is a exciting way to have fun with the whole family! We have pony rides, wagon rides, barnyard babies, giant tortoises, camels, lemurs and much more on 21 acres of fun. We welcome birthday parties and other group celebrations! Let us bring the animals to your event with our Zoo-to-You and Learning Safari programs!
18. Old Greenbelt Theatre
The Old Greenbelt Theatre is a historic dual-screen cinema showcasing classic films, contemporary movies, and immersive community-based programming. With its nonprofit mission and tantalizing concessions, this Maryland gem welcomes movie lovers of all ages and cultures to experience the magic of film. From engaging workshops to thought-provoking discussions, the Old Greenbelt Theatre is a place where movies unite memories and the timeless joy of the silver screen.
19. 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.
20. Children’s Science Center Lab
The Children’s Science Center Lab is Northern Virginia’s first interactive museum where children, families and school groups can explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts through fun, engaging hands-on exhibits, activities and programs included in four experience zones with changing exhibits and activities.
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: Imagination Stage
Our education programming inspires youth of all ages and abilities to grow as artists and innovators. We provide quality, year-round education in acting, musical theatre, dance, and filmmaking in an inclusive and welcoming environment. Imagination Stage provides equitable access to all programming, from added inclusion support to peer-group access classes in order to provide the most successful experience for each student.
Imagination Stage is also the region's premiere professional theatre for children, offering award-winning shows for kids year-round.
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.
