This is an outstanding nature center and trail right off the beaten path in Silver Spring. It's adjacent to greenhouses and botanical gardens, and there is some sort of farm for horse riding down the road.
On the outside, there is a pond surrounded by a boardwalk, a short boardwalk interpretive trail from the parking lot to the center, and an extensive nature trail.
Inside the nature center, you'll find terrariums with local wild critters, taxedermied wild critters, a sun room looking out at birdfeeders, an "auditorium," an active beehive, and lots of educational materials.
Most importantly for you parents, there is a kids' room with Brio trains and tracks (for some reason), books, a tent, and tons of wildlife and nature educational items and interactive odds and ends.
Along the trail that leads away from the center, you'll come across an "authentic" homestead cabin and smokehouse, a frog pond, and an outdoor "natural" play area, including a sandpit with construction vehicle toys.
We didn't go too far down the trail on our visit due to time constraints, but we did come across their working beehives, and under some logs we rolled over we were treated to lots of creepy-crawlies, including some little salamanders, which pretty much made the trip for the kids. (Okay, it made the trip for me; they had the kids at Brio trains and sandbox.)
This is a wonderful stop for some fresh air and interactive nature time with you and the family! read more