Find the Best Places to Go with Kids in the DMV (DC, Maryland, and Virginia)

Do you find yourself always looking for new and fun places to go with kids in the DMV?  Are you endlessly googling “find fun for kids near me” or “fun things to do with kids today”?  That’s because there are always new things popping up and the classic places to go with kids are some of the best kids attractions in the country.

At Pirate Adventures on the Chesapeake, we pride ourselves on offering quality family-friendly fun in an incredible setting on the Chesapeake Bay.  It is with this discerning eye that we have created an A to Z guide for the best places to go with kids in the DMV.

A to Z Guide for Fun Places to Go With Kids in the DMV

A is for Apples and Adventures

A is for apple picking at Larriland Farm, Butler’s Orchard or Great Country Farms.

A is also for adventures on the water at Pirate Adventures on the Chesapeake or in the trees at The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring Park or Go Ape Treetop Adventures and Terrapin Adventures.

B is for Building

Build to your heart’s content at the National Building Museum’s PLAY WORK BUILD exhibit or one of their special art installations that take place each summer.

C is for Creativity

World class art museums are waiting for you all around Maryland, DC, and Virginia.   Start with the fantastical American Visionary Art Museum or take advantage of free family programming at the National Gallery of Art.  Find kid’s art classes with Must Try Art Classes for Kids in Washington DC.

D is for Dinosaurs

Dig into dinosaur history at multiple places across the DMV.  Fun can be found for the young dinosaur fanatic at the National Museum of Natural History, the classic Dinosaur Land, or the Maryland Science Center.  Search for real fossils at scenic Calvert Cliffs or Flag Ponds Nature Park.

E is for Elephants and Exploration

Say hello to the elephant in the rotunda of the National Museum of Natural History or visit the real thing at the National Zoo. Both places get top marks for fun places to go with kids in the DMV.

Get inspired to explore the natural world at the National Geographic Museum.

F is for Fishing

Introduce the kids to the sport of fishing with the kid-friendly fishing trip at Family Fishing Adventures in Annapolis.  Take advantage of a free fishing day in Maryland or Virginia and cast your own lines.

G is for Gardens

Our area is chock full of beautiful gardens to visit, most with hands-on children’s gardens.  See the butterflies at Brookside Gardens or travel a little further to the fairly like children’s garden at Winterthur.  Discover even more magical gardens with Family Day Trip Ideas to Spring Gardens in MD, DC, and VA.

H is for Headlines

Visit the Newseum just off of the National Mall and start your tour with the front pages of newspapers with all 50 states.  Check out the NBC News Interactive News Room or learn more about presidential pets with the First Dogs Exhibit.

I is for Ice Skating and Ice Cream

Ice Skating abounds in the DMV with some out of this world locations.  Lace up at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden or Top of the Gate Ice Rink at the Watergate Hotel.

Spend the summer searching for the best ice cream cone.  Follow the Maryland Ice Cream Trail or head to Annapolis and hit one (or two) of the many ice cream shops on Main Street.

J is for Jump

Trampoline Parks are popping up everywhere in the DMV.  Try Sky Zone in Columbia, Rockin’ Jump in Towson or Gaithersburg, or Launch in Rockville and get your jump on.

K is for Kite

Flying a kite on the National Mall is an experience every kid in the DMV should have at least once.  Blow their minds with professional kite demonstrations at the National Cherry Blossom Kite Festival.

L is for Lighthouses

In warmer weather visit the restored Hooper Strait Lighthouse at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels or the Cove Point Lighthouse at the Calvert Marine Museum on Solomon’s Island.  Visit Thomas Point Park in Annapolis for views of the iconic Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse.

M is for Maze

Spend the day at the farm with one of the many corn mazes found throughout the fall in the DMV.  Find corn mazes and more family fun at Sunrise Farm in Gambrills, Temple Hall Farm in Leesburg, or the Corn Maze in the Plains.

N is for Neptune

Explore the galaxy and beyond with one of the many museums or planetariums devoted to outer-space in the DMV.  Visit the tried and true National Air and Space Museum or the Maryland Science Center.  Dive deeper into space at the Goddard Space Flight Center, the David M. Brown Planetarium, the Montgomery County College Planetarium, and the Howard B. Owens Science Center.

O is for Octopus

We are lucky to have one of the worlds premier aquariums close by in Baltimore.  Visit the National Aquarium and watch in wonder as the giant sea turtles make their way around the open tanks.  Discover all kinds of different jellyfish with the Jellyfish Invasion Exhibit and see if you can find the Octopus.

P is for Pirates

We can’t write an A to Z post about fun places to go with kids in the DMV without devoting P to PIRATES!  Come search for treasure with us at Pirate Adventures on the Chesapeake.  Tell us in person your favorite places to go with kids in the DMV and fire the water cannons while you’re at it!  Plan ahead and take advantage of our discounted tickets and special events.

Q is for Quiet

Discover your local library or make a road trip to visit a library in the DMV with extra special features for kids.  Visit Storyville in Baltimore County, the Noyes Library for Young Children in Montgomery County, or the Kids Kingdom at the Towson Library.  Don’t miss the Library of Congress in DC or the George Peabody Library in Baltimore.

R is for Reptiles

The National Zoo Reptile house is a great place to go when the weather is not cooperating for an outdoor visit.  Also, check out nature centers in the DMV for a rainy day exploration of frogs, snakes, lizards and more.  Try the Irvine Nature Center, the Meadowside Nature Center, the Robinson Nature Center or the Rock Creek Park Nature Center.

S is for Slides

When the weather cooperates don’t miss the best playgrounds in the DMV or make it an aaarghmazing day with these pirate themed playgrounds in the DMV.

T is for Truck

Climb a vintage firetruck and dress-up at the Maryland Firetruck Museum.  Touch the modern day version and get the chance to meet a fireman in real life at these Touch a Truck Events in the DMV.

U is for Umbrella

Find rainy day activities for kids in Maryland, DC, and Virginia when the weather takes a turn for the worse.  If you’ve exhausted all of the free options try ClimbZone for something different or the Play ‘N Learn Superstore and pretend your outdoors.

V is for Vacation

Take a Staycation in the DC area, find plenty of ideas in Shenandoah, Philadelphia, Baltimore and DC.   Pack a bag and stay in a family-friendly hotel with a pool like the Embassy Suites in DC or a room with a view that will impress the whole family.  Check out the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel.  For outdoor fun check into the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay on the Eastern Shore.

W is for Waves and Waterfalls

Celebrate summer with a swim at one of these undiscovered Chesapeake Bay Beaches.  Hit up one of the regions best water parks.  Wander through the woods and discover hidden waterfalls with these kid-friendly hikes.

X is for Express Yourself

Cheating a little bit here.  Take in a performance designed for kids at one of the many theatres and performance venues around Washington DC.  Imagination Stage and Adventure Theater are always a hit.  Special shows at the Theater in the Woods and the Kennedy Center make for a perfect family outing.

Y is for Yo-Yo

There is no outing like a trip to a toy store to make a little one’s day.  Barston’s with multiple locations checks all the boxes.  With Lego building, special events and interactive play stations throughout the store – kid’s are in toy heaven.

Z is for Zoos

Z is for Zoos and there are plenty of them in the DMV.  If you feel you have exhausted the National Zoo (which is hard to do) head to one of the smaller regional zoos.  Try the Plumpton Park Zoo, The Catoctin Wildlife Preserve, The Leesburg Animal Park or the Virginia Safari Park.

There you have it – places to go with kids from A-Z, and there are still so many more fun places for kids in the DMV.  Leave your favorites in the comments below and don’t miss Pirate Adventures on the Chesapeake with your kids this summer!