Thanks to our friends at KidFriendly DC for the update on the holiday hours at Santa’s workshop on the White House Ellipse. It seems the workshop has not been open consistently due to it being staffed by volunteers this year. Read the KidFriendly DC article for more information: What’s Going on at Santa’s Workshop?
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Dec20
Santa’s Workshop update
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Aug21
National Harbor Ferris Wheel
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If you are planning to stay in the DC area for the long Labor Day weekend I encourage you to drive over to National Harbor and try the ferris wheel. It is simple fun, but still a thrill for the kids.
The Capital Wheel at National Harbor is 180 feet tall, has enclosed gondola type seats that are both heated and air conditioned and each compartment holds up to eight people. On a clear day you can see Old Town, National Airport, the Capitol and the Washington Monument. If you look down you’ll catch a glimpse of paddle boarders and boaters out on the Potomac River and the adorable swan and rubber duck paddle boats that you can also rent at National Harbor.
We rode the ferris wheel during the day, but I can imagine it is lots of fun at night as the whole wheel lights up. Check the National Harbor calendar to plan your visit. There are free outdoor concerts on Friday nights and family friendly movies shown on Sunday nights through the end of September. At different times during the month there are also free family nights offered at the National Children’s Museum, just a two block walk from the ferris wheel.
National Harbor is located in Maryland across the Potomac River from DC and is a quick 20 minute drive. In addition to the ferris wheel there are lots of restaurants and shops and a carousel. You will also find an outlet mall just up the road and Cirque De Soleil has a permanent home there.
As you can see, you can easily make a day of the trip.
Quick Facts
- Hours: The ferris wheel is open from 10:00 am – 11:00 pm through the end of August. Beginning in September the ferris wheel will open an hour later at 11:00 am.
- Tickets: Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at National Harbor. The ticket booth is located on the board walk as you approach the ferris wheel. Adults are $15.00 and children 11 and under are $11.25.
- Strollers are not permitted on the ferris wheel.
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May15
The Washington Monument is Open
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The Washington Monument reopened this week and is ready for the summer tourist season! The monument was closed in 2011 after it was damaged in a rare earthquake. For the last three years the monument has undergone an extensive restoration as some of the mortar and marble was shaken loose during the earthquake.
The Washington Monument is a 555 foot tower on the National Mall and it offers some of the best views of Washington, DC. There is an elevator to reach the top which makes it a family friendly activity. Click here for more information on securing tickets and summer hours for the monument.
To celebrate the reopening of the Washington Monument The Trust for the National Mall and Destination DC have partnered to launch a contest called A Monumental First. Go to www.Monumental4th.org for a chance to win a three-day trip to Washington, D.C. for the Fourth of July!
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Apr10
Cherry Blossoms 2014
Posted in: Current Events, Festivals, Sports, Spring Activities, Spring Break, Top Attractions, Travel Tips, Uncategorized | No Comments
Spring is finally here and after our never ending bitterly cold winer I am thrilled. In DC Spring means baseball!
Oh, I mean Cherry Blossoms! And with the cherry blossoms come the crowds. Pack your patience if you plan to head downtown this weekend for the annual Cherry Blossom parade as you won’t be alone!
Here are three websites to visit if you are looking for information about current events in the city and around the DC area.
National Cherry Blossom Festival this website is your go to resource for all things cherry blossom. Be sure to check out the specific Blossom Kids tab.
Red Tricycle is a great resource and one I use regularly to stay in the know. You can sign up to receive an email each week with a list of weekend activities. This is a great resource all year long, not just during the cherry blossom season.
KidFriendly DC is another great year round resource with lots of ideas for activities in DC and especially around the DC area. Check it out today for their tips on visiting the Cherry Blossoms. You can also sign up for a twice weekly email that gives you a list of week day and weekend activities.
My Cherry Blossom tip? Leave your car at home and go early in the morning. Have fun out there!
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Nov13
Holidays = Family
Posted in: Current Events, Holidays, Off the beaten path, Uncategorized, Winter Activities | No Comments
Have you got family visiting you for the holidays? Are you looking for somewhere other than a museum to take them? Here are some suggestions…
Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Arena
Rebounderz in Sterling, VA is a huge warehouse of trampolines.The trampoline park is open from 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm on Monday through Thursday and 10:00 am – 10:00 pm on Friday through Sunday. Be sure to check out their daily deals like unlimited jumping on Friday nights for kids 12 and older and take advantage of the option to buy tickets for a specific time 24 hours in advance. Rebounderz is located three miles west of Dulles International Airport in Sterling, VA.
Ice Skating
Ice skating in DC has gotten a lot more scenic recently with the addition of two new ice skating rinks. The rink at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden will always be a favorite, but now you can also skate away an afternoon at the Washington Harbor in Georgetown and at Canal Park near the Nationals Baseball Stadium. The ice skating rinks are scheduled to open soon so visit the below websites for more information about opening day and hours of operation.
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden – opening in mid-November
Washington Harbor – opening the second weekend in November
Canal Park – opening in mid-December
While you’re there sip on a cup of hot chocolate and take in the views. The National Sculpture Garden has a small cafe with snacks and drinks and there are several restaurants surrounding the rink at both Washington Harbor and Canal Park.
Imagination Stage
Imagination Stage will take your child on a journey to one of their favorite books or most loved stories with a musical performance designed especially for children, and more importantly a child’s attention span. With an ever changing offering of plays, a great gift shop and kid-friendly cafe it is a fun outing for the entire family. Visit their website for more information on the upcoming plays scheduled for this fall and winter, Lyle the Crocodile and Rumpelstiltskin. Imagination Stage
Washington National Cathedral
Fall is the perfect time of year to visit the Pilgrim Observation Gallery at the Washington National Cathedral. You’ll get a bird’s eye view of the beautiful changing leaves in the city and on a clear day you can see all the way to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Currently the observation deck has an exhibit of the broken pieces of the cathedral that fell during the 2011 earthquake and the reconstruction is visible from many of the windows. The observation deck is open Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 5:30 pm, Saturday 10:00 am – 4:30 pm and Sunday 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. If you are able to visit on a Monday or Wednesday at 12:30 pm you will hear the cathedral’s enormous organ and every Tuesday and Wednesday a traditional English tea is served on the observation deck at 2:45 pm. The Cathedral is open to the public and free to visitors, but donations are encouraged. Visit the Washington National Cathedral website for additional information.
ICE
Nothing puts you in the mood for the holidays like the ICE exhibit at the Gaylord National Hotel at Washington National Harbor. After putting on your complimentary parka you will enter a 9 degree winter wonderland made completely of ice. This year’s theme is ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and your kids will love the hand carved life size Santa and the two story ice slide. After your visit stay awhile and warm up with lunch or dinner at one of the many area restaurants. There are many family friendly options such as Elevation Burger and Rosa Mexicano. You also don’t want to miss the holiday decorations and nightly indoor snowfall at the Gaylord National Hotel. This year the holiday festivities begin on November 15th and run through January 5th. Visit the Gaylord website for information on purchasing tickets. Gaylord National’s Christmas on the Potomac
What are your favorite activities when you have family in town? Let us know…
About Kids Will Travel
Washington, D.C. is the perfect city to visit with kids of any age. I have lived here my whole life. I have friends and family who have visited us and we have learned the best things to do in the D.C. area. I’ll share our secrets and tips to make sure your family’s trip is memorable for all the right reasons.