Day or Weekend Trips:
Let’s face it — we are SPOILED in the Mid-Atlantic. There are books and books about excursions in our area, but I wanted a place to start noting fun things either our family has done or wants to do — feel free to let me know about some of your favorites! Consider this a page always in progress…
Pirate ship adventure in Annapolis, MD. It looks like it would be a lot of fun for the kids. See the Captain’s Log for special savings days such as $5 ticket day, free tickets for fathers and grandfathers on Father’s day and so on. Visit their website for details on ticket pricing and availability — reservations recommended. http://www.chesapeakepirates.com/
Camping – you can camp at either Burke Lake Park or Lake Fairfax Park. Other camping ideas at: http://www.our-kids.com/public/t/?f=1&s=101&t=283
Parktakes offers too many day trips and tours to list them all, but you can get a free subscription to the Parktakes catalog by calling 703-222-4644. You can see a lot of them at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes.htm
Day Out with Thomas - (various dates, various locations) Join Thomas the Tank Engine™, a full-sized operating steam locomotive, as he greets friends of all ages. Ride a train pulled by Thomas and meet Sir Topham Hatt™. You’ll find lots of other exciting activities, and a complete selection of Thomas merchandise in our gift shop. Your travels may allow you to meet Thomas in different locales, but for many of my readers, a popular one is The Strasburg Rail Road, located on Route 741, 1-1/2 miles east of the center square in historic Strasburg, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. – Approx. 3 hours from DC. Tickets ranger from $14 – $24 depending on whether you ride Thomas or Thomas and a regular train as well.
Crayola Crayon Factory – in Easton, PA http://www.crayola.com/factory/
National Zoo - 3001 Connecticut Ave, NW in DC http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ Easily done in a day, you can drive or take the Metro. Food is available, but expensive, so you may want to pack your own lunch. The small mammal house was a big hit with our children. Check the website for activities and special notices specific to the day you are going.
Museums – we certainly have a bounty of them in DC as well as the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum in Dulles.
National Aquarium in Baltimore - 501 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202, at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. http://www.aqua.org/ Note that strollers are note allowed in the aquarium. Additionally there is Port Discovery and the Maryland Science Center.
Children’s Museum of Richmond – 2626 West Broad Street Richmond, VA 23220 804-474-CMoR (2667) http://www.c-mor.org/ A great hands-on museum for kids. In addition to the exhibits (playing with shadows, water, etc.) there is a fantastic art room where kids can paint, rubber stamp and do all kinds of wonderful art projects.
Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum (Children’s Museum) Winchester, VA – http://www.discoverymuseum.net/ A small but terrific children’s museum closer than Richmond and worth the drive. Not as big as the Richmond one, but still fun, especially for smaller children.
