FRIDAY
2
OCTOBER
The Best Parks and Playgrounds for DMV Families
Three agencies run the DC area's best family parks — Fairfax County, NOVA Parks and Montgomery Parks — and each prices by its own definition of a local, per ride, with no unlimited wristbands anywhere. Clemyjontri is the one every family should know. Where the fee depends on where you live, we say so.
Updated September 30, 2026 · refreshed weekly
- Clemyjontri Park: McLean, VA — free, 7am to dusk, free parking; rides $4–$5 each
- Huntley Meadows Park: Alexandria, VA — free; half-mile boardwalk to an observation tower, 200+ bird species
- Brookside Gardens: Wheaton, MD — free; gardens sunrise to sunset, conservatory 10am–5pm, Children's Garden
- Meadowlark Botanical Gardens: Vienna, VA — $9 adults, $5 ages 6–17 and 60+, free under 6
- Burke Lake Park: Fairfax Station, VA — train $5/$6, carousel $4/$5; $12 weekend parking for non-residents
Clemyjontri: the one every DMV family should know
Clemyjontri in McLean is the region's default park for mixed-ability groups, and it is free to enter and to park. Only the carousel and the train cost anything.
Clemyjontri Park — McLean, VAVisit official site →
A “boundless” playground built for mixed-ability groups: ramps up to the elevated play components rather than steps, rubber safety surfacing instead of mulch, lowered monkey bars, sensory-rich equipment and four color-themed play areas.
Dates
- Open 7am to dusk, daily
- Carousel weekends only through late October, 9:30am–3:30pm
- Sensory-Friendly Trick-or-Treat, Sunday, Oct 18, 11am–5pm, $20 per trick-or-treater
Tickets
Park and parking are free. The carousel and the trackless train are $4 per person per ride on weekdays and $5 at weekends and on holidays, charged per ride with no unlimited option.
Know before you go
- Free parking in an 81-space lot with a drop-off zone, plus overflow at Langley Forks Park across the street
- The Liberty Swing is Virginia's first wheelchair-accessible swing, and not all chairs fit on it
- The trackless train has a wheelchair-accessible caboose car and does not run in rain, thunderstorms or below 40°F
- Accessible restrooms with baby changing tables at the picnic pavilion, which has wheelchair spaces for sixteen
- Call 703-388-2807 to confirm the train is running before you drive out for it
Who it's for
Mixed-ability groups, children who use wheelchairs, and a two-year-old on an ordinary Tuesday
Free nature, four ways
Four places here charge nothing at all, and between them cover a wetland boardwalk, a conservatory, lotus ponds and a wooded island.
Huntley Meadows Park — Alexandria, VAVisit official site →
A half-mile raised boardwalk through a beaver-created wetland out to an observation tower — the best introduction to nature in the region for a three-to-ten-year-old, with more than 200 bird species recorded.
Tickets
Free — no admission and no parking fee
Know before you go
- Beavers, frogs, dragonflies, herons and deer are all commonly seen, best at dawn and dusk
- The stroller-friendly surfaces are the boardwalk and the one-mile paved hike-bike trail from the South Kings Highway lot, which is also the only place bikes are allowed
- The two-mile interpretive trails are natural-surface
- No dogs on the Restoration or Heron trails, including the boardwalk
- The only restrooms are in the Norma Hoffman Visitor Center — closed Tuesdays, and open noon to 5pm at weekends
Who it's for
Three-to-ten-year-olds, and anyone pushing a stroller who still wants a real wetland
Brookside Gardens — Wheaton, MDVisit official site →
Free public gardens with a conservatory and a Children's Garden on site.
Tickets
Free
Know before you go
- Outdoor gardens sunrise to sunset
- Visitor center 9am–5pm; conservatory 10am–5pm daily
Who it's for
A warm indoor hour in winter, with a garden to run in afterwards
Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens — Washington
Lotus ponds in Northeast DC that bloom through the hot humid summer months.
Tickets
Free, and no entrance pass at all
Who it's for
Summer mornings — the blooms are the whole point
Theodore Roosevelt Island
A free, wooded Park Service island in the Potomac, walkable from Rosslyn.
Tickets
Free
Know before you go
- 10 to 15 minutes on foot from Rosslyn Metro across Key Bridge
- Driving: the lot is reachable only from the northbound lanes of the George Washington Memorial Parkway
- US Park Police ticket cars parked on grass
Who it's for
Walkers — leave the car in Rosslyn if you can
Where the money actually goes
Two agencies use two different definitions of local, and conflating them is how a day out goes wrong. Rides are never included in anything.
- Fairfax County Park Authority prices by Fairfax County residency
- NOVA Parks prices by member jurisdiction: the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church and the counties of Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun
- Only two parks here charge for parking — Burke Lake, and Bull Run, where everyone pays $8 to $14 per vehicle depending on residency and day
- Clemyjontri, Lake Fairfax, Huntley Meadows, Meadowlark and Cameron Run publish no parking charge
- There is no unlimited-ride wristband anywhere in the 2026 fee schedule
Burke Lake Park — Fairfax Station, VAVisit official site →
A county lake park whose one-third-scale replica steam engine runs a 1.75-mile loop in about ten minutes, alongside a carousel, a tour boat and mini golf.
Tickets
Train $5 weekdays / $6 weekends per person per ride; carousel $4/$5; tour boat $4/$5 with under-twos free; mini golf $9/$10 for adults and $8/$9 for juniors and seniors.
Know before you go
- Non-county residents pay $12 per passenger vehicle at weekends and on holidays from April through late October
- Weekdays are free for everyone and Fairfax residents are free always — bring a driver's license, since the surrounding jurisdictions no longer use property-tax stickers
Who it's for
Train-obsessed preschoolers — on a weekday if you live outside the county
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens — Vienna, VAVisit official site →
A 95-acre stroll destination with the Korean Bell Garden, lakes and gazebos on paved but rolling paths.
Tickets
$9 for ages 18–59, $5 for ages 6–17 and 60-plus, free for 5 and under — one price for residents and non-residents. A family of four with two school-age children is $28, and the $65 family membership pays for itself in two or three visits.
Know before you go
- Restrooms in the visitor center, and two free loaner wheelchairs
Who it's for
Walkers and stroller pushers — the paths are paved, though they roll
Skip if
You promised a playground — there isn't one
Water parks: the season ends on Labor Day
All three park-run water parks ran from May 23 to Labor Day, September 7, in 2026. The resident and non-resident gap is wider here than anywhere else in this guide.
The Water Mine Family Swimmin' Hole — Reston, VA
A county water park with the Rattlesnake Lazy River, the Tenderfoot Pond tot pool, slides and tunnels.
Tickets
Fairfax County residents pay $17.25 weekdays and $18.25 weekends over 48 inches, $14.25/$15.25 under 48 inches, free at two and under. Non-county residents pay a flat $20 weekday and $22 weekend with no under-48-inch discount.
Know before you go
- Sensory-friendly hours on selected Tuesday mornings, 10 to 11am, with the louder water features off
Who it's for
Fairfax County residents, and anyone who came for a lazy river
Skip if
You live outside the county with a small child — this is the biggest resident gap in the guide
Atlantis Waterpark — Centreville, VA
The cheapest and most toddler-friendly of the three: a baby pool, a sand play area and a 500-gallon dumping bucket beside 230-foot and 170-foot slides.
Tickets
$12 weekday and $16 weekend at 48 inches and over, $9.50/$12 under 48 inches, free under two, and $7 after 4pm on weekdays. Registered Bull Run campers get in free.
Who it's for
Toddlers, and anyone who can go late on a weekday for the $7 rate
Great Waves Waterpark — Alexandria, VA
A wave pool, seven slides and a Paradise Play structure built for ages 3 to 12.
Tickets
$17.50–$20.50 at 48 inches and over. The $25 in-season Play All Day pass adds mini golf and a batting cage, and is the best-value ticket of the three.
Know before you go
- No online or advance tickets at all — day-of and on-site only
Who it's for
Ages 3 to 12, arriving early
Skip if
You wanted to book ahead
Upcoming park & nature programs in our catalog
Live from our catalog — 34 upcoming, refreshed weekly.
Looking for an exciting workout experience? Follow a scenic trail and scan QR codes at each station to access video instructions for your next exercise. — Looking for an exciting workout experience? Follow a scenic trail and scan QR codes at each station to access video instructions for your next exercise. This program…
Join us as we hike through the woods, meadow, and ponds of Maydale exploring the sights, sounds, and stars that surround us! Who knows what we might find! All participants ages 6 and up must register, including adults.
SATURDAY
3
OCTOBER
The Milkhouse Ford trail offers both beautifully forested nature and a glimpse into Washington DC’s history. Ramble with a r anger for a guided hike on this 1.7-mile loop, where you will encounter 5000 years of history, from traces of Indigenous land usage, to Fort DeRussy (which saw action during the Civil War), to th…
Ages 18 to 35 months with adult. Tiny Tot programs provide opportunities to interact one-on-one with your child while discovering the wonders of nature. Each program will engage your child with hands-on learning and may include a variety of activities like songs, games, crafts, and mini-hikes. Tiny Tot programs are off…
Families. The whole family is invited to join us at the Long Branch or Gulf Branch fire ring for lots of old-fashioned fun. This engaging program will be filled with entertaining activities that may include stories, special animal guests, games, songs and of course, S’mores! (We will provide the marshmallows, chocolate…
We invite you to join a National Park Service volunteer birder for an engaging bird walk at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. This event is open to all, including those new to birding. We encourage participants to bring water, sunscreen, and binoculars if available. A limited number of binoculars are available for loan with…
Grab your binoculars or borrow a pair from us and join our park naturalist for a birdwatching adventure! Learn how to identify them by their field marks and see why birdwatching is a beloved hobby worldwide. Come and enjoy the beauty of nature with us! — Grab your binoculars or borrow a pair from us and join our park n…
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day with a guided family bird walk at Croydon Creek. This year’s theme, “Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter,” highlights how everyday birdwatchers help scientists better understand and protect migratory birds and their habitats. Participants of all experience levels are welcome…
Stop for water, chat with staff, or enter to win prizes at four stops along the 22 miles between Purcellville and Sterling. Fairfax and Arlington County Public Libraries will be participating as well, so you can enjoy all 45 miles of the trail if you wish. Catch a performance by Nic & Wil. They offer a coffee-shop-styl…
The Library hits the trails! Arlington County Public Library is joining forces with Loudoun County Public Library and Fairfax County Public Library to take over the 45 miles of the W&OD Trail, from its beginning in Shirlington, Arlington County, to its end in Purcelville, Loudoun County. You will find tents with Librar…
The library hits the trails! Herndon Fortnightly Public Library is joining forces with Loudoun County Public Library and Arlington County Public Library to take over the 45 miles of the W&OD Trail, from its beginning in Shirlington, Arlington County, to its end in Purcelville, Loudoun County. Enjoy any section of the t…
Learn about the experience of 19th century freedom seekers and Montgomery County residents in a guided hike of the Underground Railroad Experience Trail. Discover techniques used for navigation, eluding detection, and finding food/shelter on the perilous journey. Woodlawn Museum admission included. Hike covers 2 miles…
MOO! OINK! CLUCK! Join us for creative, drop-in play at the Zoo as we learn about different animals that live on the farm. Little Critters: Nature Play is designed for ages 0-5 and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome. Parents and guardians must re…
Each Adventure Seekers trip takes participants ages eight to twelve to a new destination for a day of outdoor exploration, discovery, and fun. — Ready for adventure? Join us for a trip to Patuxent River Park! Each Adventure Seekers trip takes participants ages eight to twelve to a new destination for a day of outdoor e…
Stroll with a naturalist to play detective on the lookout for signs of...birds! This walk-up bird walk welcomes birders of all experience levels, beginner to expert, to bird together. No registration is required. While optional, binoculars are also not required. The guide may take guests on various routes, depending on…
(3-Adult) Enjoy an evening in the woods and learn about the constellations, their stories and other night-sky features. Our naturalist will identify the stars and will have some telescopes to use. The program concludes with a campfire. S'mores ingredients provided. All participants, including accompanying adults, must…
(4-Adult) Barred owls inhabit our stream valley parks. Learn to identify these owls from other native owls while enjoying the campfire. Toast marshmallows over the embers. Canceled in case of inclement weather. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.
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Festivals · Kids' classes · Craft workshops · Live music
SUNDAY
4
OCTOBER
Bird Walk at Great Falls Park Volunteer Guided - Every Sunday 8:00 am. Meet in Great Falls Park Main Parking Lot. All those with an interest in the natural world - beginning and experienced birders alike - are welcome including youth, minors need to be accompanied by a responsible adult. No pets, please. The walk will…
We invite you to join a National Park Service volunteer birder for an engaging bird walk at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. This event is open to all, including those new to birding. We encourage participants to bring water, sunscreen, and binoculars if available. A limited number of binoculars are available for loan with…
MONDAY
5
OCTOBER
Author Mills Kelly discusses A Hiker's History of the Appalachian Trail . Several million hikers each year set foot on the trail for a few hours, a few days, or perhaps a few weeks. The trail was created for them, yet their role in its history is largely ignored. Working with trail shelter logbooks, hiker accounts subm…
TUESDAY
6
OCTOBER
We invite you to join National Park Service volunteer and expert birder Molly Hermann for an engaging bird walk at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. This event is open to all, including those new to birding. We encourage participants to bring water, sunscreen, and binoculars if available. A limited number of binoculars are a…
MOO! OINK! CLUCK! Join us for creative, drop-in play at the Zoo as we learn about different animals that live on the farm. Little Critters: Nature Play is designed for ages 0-5 and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome. Parents and guardians must re…
Join a Master Naturalist on the second Thursday of the month for an easy walk through the woods. Along the way, we’ll look for wildlife, wildflowers, and anything else of interest as the park transitions into autumn. This program is intended for participants 55+ but friends and family of all ages are welcome. Please re…
WEDNESDAY
7
OCTOBER
Calling all young birders and bird enthusiasts! Learn about local birds, how to identify, and how to use binoculars. Then, we'll comb the woods around Gulf Branch for commonly seen birds. Includes a short hike outsie (weather permitting).
THURSDAY
8
OCTOBER
Ages 18 to 35 months with adult. Tiny Tot programs provide opportunities to interact one-on-one with your child while discovering the wonders of nature. Each program will engage your child with hands-on learning and may include a variety of activities like songs, games, crafts, and mini-hikes. Tiny Tot programs are off…
Touch artifacts, ask questions, and learn more about your favorite animal ambassadors from the Naturalists who care for them! No registration required.
FRIDAY
9
OCTOBER
Bring your little ones to learn about the forest and how to explore nature! This program includes books, animal puppets, magnifying glasses, and a very short hike. During the walk, children are encouraged to search for shapes and colors and use their senses to explore the forest. Recommended for families with children…
Looking for a way to relax and escape the daily grind? Join us for a guided nature hike! — Looking for a way to relax and escape the daily grind? Join us for a guided nature hike where you’ll de-stress, enjoy the beauty of the outdoors, and reconnect with nature.
Gather around the campfire for an evening of stories, roasted marshmallows, and family fun! — Gather around the campfire for an evening of stories, roasted marshmallows, and family fun! Enjoy nature tales, connect with friends old and new, and make lasting memories in the beautiful outdoors. – Marshmallows and roasting…
SATURDAY
10
OCTOBER
Have you ever wondered how the trees in our treasured forests put on such a brilliant display in the autumn? Now you can join a ranger on this 2-mile hike to take in the fall colors and learn the science behind the spectacular color change as you feel the seasons shifting around you. This route has a steep but manageab…
Take a guided hike in Wheaton Regional Park with a park naturalist and staff trained in mindfulness practices. We'll explore what the lessons the season has to offer and take time to reflect. All attendees must register.
(10-Adult) Turtlehead, jewelweed, seed box, cardinal flowers; come see our beautiful fall wetland flowers. Discover how they live and how to draw them.
Take a walk at the nature center with a naturalist and a Fairfax County Police Officer. We will look for “evidence” of who is living in our woods and use clues to solve a nature mystery. Afterwards, have a chance to chat with our local police officer. Registration required by October 7.
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day! Join us for a screening and discussion of the documentary “ Bird Walk ,” produced by local filmmaker Cintia Cabib. Discover how an abandoned golf course in Rockville, Maryland became an oasis for birds and birders. Learn about the grassroots campaign that helped preserve the 131-acre…
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Festivals · Kids' classes · Craft workshops · Live music
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FAQ
Is Clemyjontri Park free?
Yes, and so is parking, for residents and non-residents alike. Only the carousel and the trackless train cost money, at $4 per person per ride on weekdays and $5 at weekends and on holidays. There is no unlimited-ride wristband.
Which DC-area parks charge for parking?
Only Burke Lake and Bull Run. Burke Lake charges non-Fairfax-County residents $12 per car at weekends and on holidays from April through late October, and nothing on weekdays. Bull Run charges everyone $8 to $14 by residency and day.
Is Huntley Meadows stroller friendly?
The half-mile boardwalk and the one-mile paved hike-bike trail are; the two-mile interpretive trails are natural-surface. Plan around two things: no dogs on the boardwalk, and the only restrooms are in the visitor center, which closes Tuesdays.
Do you pay more at Fairfax parks if you live outside the county?
At some, and the systems differ. Fairfax County Park Authority prices by county residency, so Burke Lake's weekend gate fee and the Water Mine's admission both change. NOVA Parks prices by member jurisdiction. Meadowlark charges one price for everyone.