5 star for sure. It's affordable and fun…read more My kid loves it. Super great location and have coffee cup and horse and others. We always got 10 tickets deal. The staff are not the best, but the location outweighs everything.

Been riding this carousel since I was a kid. After covid, when they reopened a few days a week, I…read morewas happy to take my toddler. It is very ran down and needs repair. The person working doesn't even play the music, I had to ask. Not an isolated incident either. Recently, they jacked prices us to $4 a ticket. I'd hate to see it go but honestly, ridiculous.

I love this park and all the arts and crafts opportunities (and social dances!) they offer here! My…read morekids took pottery lessons here for years and had a lot of fun...the classes are in the very unique and interesting yurts close to the Arcade building (where the main offices are). I'd also highly recommend the super fun swing dances in the Spanish Ballroom ....the live music is great and the dances are usually well attended, meaning lots of dance partners! I've gone to the contra, swing, and waltz dances (there are free lessons before each), these have all been worthwhile and entertaining. Less well known but equally highly recommended are the folk dance lessons...these are usually given in the space behind the ballroom or in the bumper car pavilion...I really enjoyed these dances and they are quite different from the swing and contra dances. You feel as if you are dancing as a group, even more so than with the contra dances.... I feel it's a great way to bring everyone together, almost like singing in a choir but with dancing... My kids and I have also gone to puppet shows at the park and ridden on the antique carousel (which has limited hours or is often under repair)...there is a little cafe located in a building where I think they also used to have Irish step dance lessons. I believe the cafe is run by the great local bakery, Pralines (which has great sandwiches). The Washington Conservatory is also located at the park and offers music lessons. There is a lot packed into this little park, and the surrounding area also has a lot to offer (it is near one of the small parking lots that has access to C&O canal)

interesting place hidden and nestled in what felt like a secret pathway and maybe even a secret…read moregarden in the forest when I went here with my ex-husband Leo Mejia in 2013! Ill never forget how charming it was but how it hauntingly left something to be desired

I have wonderful memories of this place. What not to love?!…read more Countless of BBQ with my family and friends. My littles would love coming here and love going on the trains or carousel or the picnics we would have when I was a sahm. So many nice comminuty events held here etc. The parks been through a lot of renovations. One section has really clean bathrooms and there's an exercise stations which is geared for most ages. There's a part here that will connect you to Brookside Gardens. The park is very well maintained.

This park was so much fun. Great play equipment, lot of pavilions, and plenty of places for adults…read moreto hang out in the shade. There was not a lot of shade on the actual park and my kids got hot, but Kona ice was in the parking lot so they were happy about it. We also rode the carousel which was fun. $4 a rider and adults have to pay to assist their little under the 42 inch height requirement. The train was the same, but it was closed for repair the day I was there. The biggest downfall was I could only find portapotties. However, this park was a lot of fun to visit for a day.

Begrudgingly, I am rating Lake Fairfax with 4 stars. Let me preface by saying I am not an…read more"outdoor-sy" type of gal. Spas and sparkling rosé...more my speed, but I am always up for different experiences. Having said that...I've experienced it, and umm...with mosquito bites still itching, this was cool...not sure if I would say, "yes" again. While he set up the tents, I went to grab a margarita. Upon my return, I was impressed with the setup. Who knew camping could be "chic"? lol. After sending my daughter pics, she said it was, "glamping," not "camping." Lol Honestly, I enjoyed. Just hated the bugs. I love to read. If you do too, bring a good book. The camping ground is spacious. You're assigned a lot where you set up your tent(s). Seems like he had the entire gamut -- blow up couch, blow up bed, portable grill, speakers for music, bug repellent, food, and libations ;-) You will hear everything that is nature at night. I swear I heard a fox howling/barking. All-in-all, it was a cool experience...five days later, still itching from those bites. Oh! There's a water park too...arrive early to get in because they do have a capacity limit.

Wayyyyy back in the day, my dad bought a RV, and the one place that I can explicitly remember us…read moregoing, was Lake Fairfax Park. I also remember having a great time on the lake paddle boating and swimming in the big "L" shaped pool. Fast forward decades later, I have taken a liking to camping. I still consider myself a novice, and over the last 3yrs, I have accumulated some cool stuff. I have an annual camping trip with a large group next month, but I wanted to do a small intimate trip to one of my favorite childhood places. I must say, Lake Fairfax has one big change from when I was a child. It now has a HUGE waterpark that has giganic water slides as soon as you enter. I was a little disappointed to hear from the check-in Park attendant, who had the personality of a disinterested teenager, that the L shaped pool I referenced was no longer there. My picture of laying poolside or chillin in the pool were shattered, because with waterparks, comes tons and tons of young kids.. and honestly, I would just rather not..LOL! Once we made it to our assigned camping lot, I was super pleased at how close we were to the extremely clean rest rooms that were equipped with showers. The camping site was noticeably quiet, almost library quiet, so that suprised me a little. I didn't want to disrupt the flow, so I kept my speaker at a low level. :) All in all, I had a memorable experience at Lake Fairfax Park and I can definitely see myself coming back sometime next Spring/Summer!!

12/10 we love the Wizard of us playground and surroundings! It is always so magical…read more Love the vibrant colors and fun things to do! The carousel and mini golf are a great addition. We always make it a point to walk to the farm which is nearby and has a decent amount of animals. The nature center is a short drive away so you can really make this an all day outing!

The playground was packed with kids having the absolute best time, and there seemed to be at least…read moretwo parties happening in the nearby pavilions. But despite all of that, the park is so expansive that it never really felt crowded. One thing to keep in mind is the weather when you visit. On hot days, a lot of the playground equipment gets extremely hot and can become difficult to touch, so timing your visit definitely matters. We happened to pick an ideal day and were able to really explore and enjoy the park. I also wish we had been there when the train and golf course were open because both looked like they would have been so much fun! Overall, a great expansive park with plenty to explore and lots for kids to enjoy. We had a wonderful time!

My 4.5 year old niece really enjoyed riding on this Carousel as you get unlimited rides for one low…read moreentry price. This was probably the best value of anything in National Harbor I experienced during my time there. They have quite a selection of fine mounts to ride with multiple size horses, ponies, an eagle, a sea dragon, a panda, tigers, polar bears and likely several other creatures I've left out.

My 2 year old daughter LOVED this area of the National Harbor. I never knew this area existed…read more Behind the carousel it's a tot lot & In front of the carousel there are tables and chairs to Sit and eat your food. I'm going to see if they allow people to have birthday parties here. I would love to do that. Also the price is amazing. I paid $3 for unlimited rides on the carousel. You can't beat that price. As we all know how many times your kiddies want to go on the same ride a million times.

I love the history of this carousel but it doesn't compare to the one at the zoo! Most of the…read morehorses need some serious cosmetic help - it's just so sad to see this bit of history on the Mall lacking the maintenance it seems to need. I don't know if or when the policy changed (as one of the photos here shows credit card signs for payment at the ticket booth), but when we were here after the Smithsonian Kite Festival last month, we were (rather rudely) told that it was strictly cash only. That is not listed anywhere, and much to our daughters' relief, we had enough cash to cover one ride ($3.50 per ride but littles need to be accompanied by an adult). This carousel also has an unfortunate policy of letting riders with multiple tickets just stay on instead of getting off and giving the next round of people first pick at the horses (as they make you do at the Zoo). This caused a fair amount of anguish for one of my daughters who had her heart set on the dragon - we were the first in line, but because a boy the turn before us had another ticket, he just stayed on and stayed on the dragon. Small potatoes in the long run, I know, but kind of an annoying policy.

If I were to collect something creepy it wouldn't be dolls, or clowns, or Precious Moments…read morefigurines...it would be carousel horses. But, I would not collect one from the Carousel on the National Mall. These poor phillies have seen better days. The only super cool one isn't even a horse, it's a dragon and it's pretty awesome. Despite the wear and tear, it's a carousel and it's on the National Mall so it wins on location, location, location! I had a grand ole time riding in a tea cup with one of my boys while the other rode the cool dragon. It only costs $3.50 per person and we walked away with cute pictures that are worth much more than that.

My spouse, tween daughter, and I enjoyed our visit here. We went on a Sunday early afternoon and…read moredid the wagon ride for $6 per person. It was 25 minutes long and it took you to the back fields and through the woods. It wasn't mind blowing but it was a pleasant ride to immerse in and kind of feel like you are on a farm. We bought tickets at the store where they also have cool old-timey simple toys for sale, along with items like apple butter. We loved seeing the animals including cows, calves, horses, pigs, peacocks, ducks, and very vocal sheep! Parking and general admission are free! If you are in the area, this is a wonderful stop to make. You can even milk cows at certain times of day.

What a fun place! I went with my partner and it was very enjoyable. We greatly enjoyed seeing all…read moreof the animals, especially the baby goats. They were so adorable! The Fairfax county parks system does an incredible job making experiences all ages can enjoy. Will return!

Catoctin Mountain Park Visitor Center -- A Quiet Gateway to the Mountains…read more Tucked into the scenic hills of Frederick County near Thurmont, the Catoctin Mountain Park Visitor Center is a great starting point for exploring one of Maryland's more serene outdoor escapes. It's part of Catoctin Mountain Park, a federally managed park offering about 25 miles of hiking trails, plus camping and trout fishing. Worth noting: it's separate from nearby Cunningham Falls State Park, so plan accordingly if you're trying to hit both. We stopped by on a brisk, sunny weekday and were rewarded with light crowds and a peaceful atmosphere. There was some noticeable truck traffic passing through the area--turns out much needed road improvements are underway--but it didn't take away from the overall experience. The visitor center itself is on the smaller side but well maintained and thoughtfully curated. Informational displays, posters, and plaques highlight the region's history--from its Native inhabitants to the communities that later shaped life in these mountains. It's a nice touch that adds depth before you hit the trails. Inside, you can find maps, books, and a modest gift shop selection. The park rangers were approachable and knowledgeable, offering helpful updates on trail conditions and access points. Bonus points for clean restrooms and a convenient place to refill your water bottle before heading out. For the youngsters in your group. Don't forget to join the Junior Ranger program and get your booklet stamped! Fun way to get kids excited to visit and appreciate the many beautiful National Parks in our country throughout their lifetime! Whether you're gearing up for a hike or just passing through, this is a solid place to get oriented, learn a bit of history, and soak in the surrounding natural beauty.

I've been here twice and have hiked the same loop, but both times it has been enjoyable!…read more On this occasion I brought a friend. We parked at the visitors center and went inside to use the facilities prior to our hike. It's a cute visitors center with historical information about the area, the wildlife, and trees. They also sell trinkets, magnets, bug spray, etc. The rangers are always cordial and will answer any questions you may have. They have a charging station!!!! This was clutch as I drove my EV this time. It's free and had me charged and ready to go by the end of my hike. We hiked up to Wolf Rock, Chimney Rock, and back. The trails are rated (if you have the All Trails app and/or based on the map). I'd say this hike was moderate. It's mostly shaded which is nice. There weren't too many insects, but you should apply insect repellent nontheless. They have several other trails. This one was a bit over 3 miles, but the full loop connects all the trails. I would like to make it to Cunningham Falls. This is a great option for me as I live in Maryland. The trails are clean, litter free so take your trash with you. Come check it out!

This is one of my family's favorite parks. My 6 year old grandson and soon to be 4 year old…read moregranddaughter love coming here. They love playing in the sandpit & on the swings that are adjacent to them. This part of the park is shaded by trees & is a perfect spot for parents to relax too when their kids are playing. There's a fun jungle gym play area just a few steps away from the sandpit with a small slide, club house and climbing wall. All this is behind the restrooms & the water fountain next to the parking lot. This is just a small part of the fun activities this park has to offer! There's a great family workout area in full sun. The kids love it as much as the adults. For the bigger children there's a large play area with swings, jungle gyms of the spiderweb design, tunnels, tall tube slides, monkey bars & a small hill for climbing up and sliding down. This area is also in full sun most of the day. The woods offer shady walking/running trails. If you are planning a big family outing or a party there are plenty of picnic tables and shelters & another restroom facility on the side of the park. We attended the annual Wheaton Friendship Picnic here this past weekend. It was a great Sunday afternoon in September for it! There was free food, games & information booths, a live reptile display with cool snakes and turtles & fire trucks. The park also includes a train ride & carousel for additional fee & an ice skating facility. Until next time be kind to each other. # Wheatonregionalpark @yelpdc #carousel #trainrides #sandpit #familyfuntime