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    Glen Echo Park

    4.3 (21 reviews)

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    Carousel organ
    Katie W.

    Really fun and quirky! It used to be an amusement park and is now an arts and culture center. The 100 year old carousel is still running and you can ride for $2 a person. Many of the artists showcase and sell their art in yurts on the property and there's a lot of beautiful pieces from local artists. There are also plays and other events held in what was an old arcade. It's a really fun place to wander!

    Mr F G And Mrs M S.

    This place used to be an amusement park. Now this place is an artistic and cultural event center. We enjoyed our visit here. Plenty of parking space.

    Thomas S.

    This place used to be an amusement park. Now, the park has turned into an artistic, cultural, and event center. The only remider of its former identity is the magnificent working carousel. The interior of the buildings were remodeled to theater, dance room, art classrooms, and galleries. All types of art were represented and for sale in the various galleries. Some outdoor spaces were used for dance, concert, and special events. It was a leisurely sightseeing tour for us, and we enjoyed it tremendously.

    Victoria N.

    Grand opening occurred recently! I visited here on a Saturday evening where there was a photographer-model event here. There is free parking in the back parking lot of Glen Echo Park. If you go toward the front part, the parking is reserved or for the restaurant. The parking for Glen Echo Park is at: 5998-5900 Oxford Rd, Glen Echo, MD 20812. It is across from a 7-Eleven, so you could stop by to grab some beverages or snacks before you hit the park. There were plenty of locations where we could shoot here, including a rock wall, Merry Go Round/carousel (need to purchase a ticket), trees/plants, and even a rooftop you could walk up to in order to get a better view of the park. When I was there, a wedding was also held. The photos were shot by @andrew_weiner_photography. P.S. As a photo idea, because the carousel is lit up, if you use long exposure, you can "light paint" with the carousel at night time.

    Deanna D.

    My fiancé, kids and I took engagement pictures at Glen Echo Park in 2019. I selected the park because of the unique scenery, especially the movie theater and the carousel. Unfortunately, the carousel was closed for repairs when we scheduled our photo shoot in 2019, which was quite disappointing, but we made the best of the areas which were open. I especially looked the "cuddle up" sign, which gave me old-fashion vibes! I have plan of visiting the park again in spring of 2021, with the hope that we can take a few professional photos on the carousel! We had to obtain a permit to shoot at the park. This permit was very affordable, considering we were not charged a fee for shooting in the park. The staff was also very helpful and accommodating whenever I contacted them with questions. If you are looking for a venue for your special day, they also have a beautiful Spanish ballroom, which the rent out for weddings. The park also hosts other events such as classes and shows. All and all, the park offers a quaint and unique experience!

    Carousel building closed for renovations
    Becky H.

    Historically speaking, what a rich past this place has had! I really enjoyed reading all the details of its several incarnations. Modern day speaking, though, I can't say too much. It looks like it's probably fun-ish, at least when the carousel reopens. But it's hard to tell what other "attractions" are functional and were simply closed on Saturday, 9/28. The shooting gallery, as the rest of the arcade, seems disused. I like the artists-in-residence but aside from the aquarium & carousel, I can see my grandkids (7&10) whining that there's nothing to DO. It's a pretty area, and the seem to host events. I did tell DD that we should bring the kids next spring, to hike nearby and ride the carousel.

    Austin G.

    Glen Echo Park is a fascinating piece of DC area history. It served as the main amusement park in the DC area in the early 20th century. Just outside of NW DC along the Potomac River, it attracted thousands. Inside the park was a pool called Crystal Pool that had a sandy beach and could house 3,000 people. It was HUGE! Sadly, the park was segregated. In the 1960s, Howard University students staged sit-ins and finally, the park was desegregated. Sadly, around the same time, the trolly from Georgetown was discontinued. The park closed down a few years later due to poor attendance. The park is now under the National Park Services and managed by the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture. Because of their creativity and care, there's a lot to do at the park. There's an indoor and outdoor dance area (that hosts frequent dancing), a puppet show area, art studios in yurts, a small aquarium and so much more. Nearby is the Clara Barton (the first president of the Red Cross) historical home. If you want a chill weekend with family, take them here. The sites are interesting and there's plenty to do for kids. My wife, daughter, and I even had a picnic here and ate as my daughter played on the playground.

    Mark C.

    We came here during their off season. Tons of free parking and great space to walk your pets / stroll around with the family. The location gives a retro view of what the environment looked like back in the 80s / 90s. This isn't a bad thing at all. It's really nice to walk around and explore this park. The park itself is very clean and has a lot of charm to it. Once the weather gets warmer, this place is quite popular with many attractions for kids to check out. There is an aquarium here, however it was closed when we arrived here. Probably closed for the holidays. If you come here. Please be sure to dress up whether it's hot / cold. There are a few shops within the park if you want to shop. They also have a playground for little kids to play. If you are in town, definitely consider checking this place out.

    Age Requirements
    Debra B.

    Important info about age restrictions for the Glen Echo Carousel in this review! We love Glen Echo-- I could go on and on about all its features, but this review is really about the beautiful Dentzel Carousel. Ever since my kid's first carousel ride at about 15 months (which may have been on this one), she's been a bit of an enthusiast. So we've been to Wheaton, the National Mall, Clemyjontri, the National Zoo and countless others... In my opinion, this is the best carousel in the DMV. Best maintained, most beautiful, moderately-fast ride, totally decent amount of ride time, and the piece de resistance-- the fantastic old carousel organ instead of some cheesy old CD on repeat. I believe it is also (in non-COVID times-- for now they require a wristband for $5) the cheapest carousel per ride, WITH ONE BIG CAVEAT. This carousel has the highest age requirement for kids riding alone I've ever seen. And the annoying thing is, I have never seen this information posted anywhere online, including on the official site. So my kid-- now 8!-- suggested I do the world a public service and post it here. Kids "6 and under" must be accompanied by an adult. One may infer this means that you must be 7 to ride alone. Most other carousels have lower age limits, mere suggestions, or height limits that correspond to ages around 4-5. My kid was easily able to get herself off and on every carousel and to behave responsibly by age 4, but certainly almost every kid should be able to do this by 5 or so. None of this matters all that much, in my opinion. Except that 1) if you have to buy 2 tickets per ride, it becomes one of the most expensive carousels in the area and 2) what if you (the adult) get motion sick, use a wheelchair, or otherwise can't easily ride the carousel? I'm thinking primarily of grandparents, but after 35, most of our vestibular systems ain't what they used to be. That means your capable 5- or 6-year-old may not be able to ride, or you may have to suffer. None of this takes away from the fantastic old carousel itself-- 100 this year! It's a 5-star feature, for sure. Of the ones I've enjoyed, I think only the indoor carousel at Trimper's in Ocean City is more beautiful, and the only longer/faster ride is in Wheaton. I will add just a couple more points for those planning a visit. -The old carousel organ is VERY LOUD. I'm pretty sensitive to loud noises and I find it tolerable, but just barely so. Most people will be fine with it (though good luck trying to talk with your kid during the ride), but those on the spectrum or otherwise very sensitive to loud noises, be forewarned. -As alluded to, it's a 100-year-old carousel, and is thus not really accessible. There are stationary horses and a few other animals (big cats, deer, a couple bunnies that move, etc.) and a couple of couch-like seats. But you will have to step up to get on the platform at all. -The oldest horse is specially-preserved and no one may ride on it. FYI, it has a medallion of a stereotypical generic "Plains" Native man, fairly typical of the time, and I'm not a fan. But if that's a dealbreaker, now you know.

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    Ask the Community - Glen Echo Park

    Review Highlights - Glen Echo Park

    7/21/20 Walking around this amusement park in it former glory can be a little depressing.

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    Carderock Recreational Area - Potomac River from Carderock Maryland side

    Carderock Recreational Area

    (16 reviews)

    I love the Canal Tow Path. I have run along it a couple dozen times. I usually enter in Georgetown…read moreor at Fletcher's Cove. But I also start at Carderock for a change or if that is how the race is set up. I don't do much in the park itself. But I see it is a lovely, underused facility (which I don't want to ruin). There is, as people have mentioned, a military facility nearby. I wonder as I drive around, if they are conducting surveillance or if you'd get in trouble for doing something such as taking photographs. I've never had an issue though, if you were wondering. I have gotten lost, however, because it's not quite clear (and GPS is not precise) how you get to where you want to go once you take the exit. I recommend Carderock highly for a hike. I believe it also is a nice place to hang out, even if you don't get to the trail (but why would you go here and not at least take a gander at the water).

    On Sunday during Tony's Birthday Trip, We stopped at CarderRock Recreation Area which is part of…read moreThe Great Falls National Park. It can be seen on both sides of the Potomac River Gorges, Virginia and Maryland. The fee is $20 per car. Once you pay, your receipt is good for 7 days at any park entry points, including both sides, either states. At this location there is plenty of Parking but no Visitors Center. There is a nice bathroom facility though and plenty of picnic sites. Several trails along the gorge walls with slippery rocks so wear correct footwear.

    Avenel Park

    Avenel Park

    (3 reviews)

    Coming here reminds me of when I was a young kind being picked up in a yellow school bus. I think…read moreabout the talks I had with my so called friends and all the stupid stuff we came up with. The ways of entertaining ourselves could get quite imaginative. Looking around see a kids playground and think of the old school jungle gyms and the extremely large climbing sets some parks use to have. They have now gotten smaller and safer, but I see some of the old designs this playground. I think about the how I got picked up in a yellow school bus and how at times I mouthed off to two different drivers. If I could go back in time I would have smacked myself. This would be very dangerous, because the same matter can't occupy the same space...but I digress. I am now working for a company that transports kids to and from school kids and now I am the driver. I have cool kids right now, but as my career goes on, I am certain that I will run into the rude kid at some point. It's all about how I handle it. Yelling and screaming back at the kid may or may not fo much...but it's not the road I wish to follow. I look at the fields in the park area and see football games, American Football games, many other events that schools and after school programs can come up with. I saw a picture of kids and teachers holding a rainbow colored cloth with a hole in the center and remember the games our teachers came up with this cloth. This park brings back memories from what I did as a kid. I wonder what these kids will remember when they become 41. The cell phones are their thing now, when it was books and magazines and dare I say it...Nintendo Power Magazine. Ahhhhhh the olden days...but olden days for whom?

    A fantastic family park. Nice and quiet in the mornings and can be energetic and playful on the…read moreweekends. I love walking my dog here. I love how they keep this park clean and safe. I hear that there are pick up soccer games here too?

    Glen Echo Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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