Jennifer Marino Walters

Jennifer Marino Walters is the DC and travel editor for Mommy Poppins and the author of over 20 beloved children's books. A proud mom of three—plus twins!—she lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and busy brood. When she’s not writing or editing, you’ll find Jennifer cheering from the sidelines of a baseball game, supporting her daughter’s cheerleading squad, diving into a good book, or exploring new destinations. Connect with her on Instagram @jmwalters718.

Latest posts by Jennifer

Best Family Vacation Spots in the US That Are Off the Beaten Path

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sat, 02/18/2023 - 12:00pm

Jekyll Island, Georgia is full of unique beaches for kids to explore. Photo by Charlotte Blanton

The best family vacation spots in the US aren't always the most popular ones (no hate towards Disney World, New York City, Washington, DC, or Los Angeles, of course). America is a big country, and there are so many great places to visit that may not be on every family's radar. There are lots of benefits to visiting places that are off the beaten path, including fewer crowds, lower prices, and the thrill of discovering something new and different.

Here are 15 of the best family vacation spots in the US that are off the beaten path. These places in the northeast, south, midwest, and western part of the country offer plenty of things to do with kids, including beautiful beaches and parks, family-friendly museums and cultural institutions, delicious restaurants, and all of sorts of other fun activities and unique places to explore. Check out our Family Travel Guide for even more amazing family vacation destinations.

Visiting Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in DC with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sun, 02/05/2023 - 10:00am

The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in DC in 2016. Photo by Alan Karchmer

Since its 2016 opening on DC's National Mall, Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture has been a hot ticket—and for good reason. Housing more than 40,000 artifacts (with over 3,000 of them on display), it's the only national museum dedicated exclusively to documenting African American life, history, and culture. The massive museum features exhibits on the civil rights movement, slavery and freedom, famous African Americans including athletes and musicians, and so much more. And with its unique and breathtaking design, it wows visitors even before they enter.

The best part? Like all of the Smithsonian institutions and other museums in DC, entry to the National Museum of African American History and Culture is absolutely free. But is it appropriate for kids? My family and I visited several months ago when my twin boys were 10 and my daughter was 7, and I will say that the answer is a resounding YES! My kids were interested and engaged throughout our entire four-hour visit, and they can't wait to go back.

Read on for all of my tips on visiting Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture with kids. Then check out our Museum Guide for Kids and Families in Washington, DC for more great museums to check out.

3 Days in DC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 01/27/2023 - 10:33am

Explore amazing interactive exhibits at the National Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

Visiting DC with kids can be very overwhelming, especially if you're only here for a long weekend. After all, DC is home to the iconic monuments and memorials of the National Mall, loads of free museums (including the incredible Smithsonian institutions), government buildings to tour, and historic neighborhoods to explore. So how can you narrow down all of these great things to do in DC if you only have three days?

If this is your first trip to Washington, DC, here is a three-day itinerary that will help you visit some of the city's top attractions. I've saved neighborhoods and attractions outside the city itself—like Arlington National Cemetery, Old Town Alexandria, and National Harbor—for a later trip. The best part? Other than the restaurants and shopping, every single attraction on this itinerary is absolutely FREE! Yes—you can spend a long weekend in our nation's capital without breaking the bank.

Read on for a three-day itinerary of 21 fun (and mostly free) things to do in DC with kids. If you have more than three days to fill, check out our Guide to Free Things To Do in DC with Kids or our list of 100 things to do in DC with kids for more fun ideas.

Best Baby Boutiques for Cool Baby Clothes in DC

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sun, 01/22/2023 - 10:00am

Find items that will help your little one show off their DC pride at Yinibini Baby.

When I was pregnant with my first babies (twins!), I remember how overwhelming it was to figure out which baby gear I really needed and which I could skip. To make matters worse, the city I lived in didn't have much in the way of baby stores. But expectant DC-area parents can choose from a variety of baby stores in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia where they can see and try things in person, speak to knowledgable salespeople, score unique finds, and determine whether they really can fit that giant glider in their baby's nursery.

Here are someof the best baby stores in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, from locally owned boutiques to consignment shops to big-box retailers. Whether you're in the market for a crib, organic onesies, or your baby's first bath toys, at least one of these baby stores in DC and beyond will have you covered. And when you're ready to take a break from shopping, check out our article all about how to get free baby stuff.

Free Museums Near DC to Visit with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 01/13/2023 - 9:42am

The remodeled National Air and Space Museum is a sight to behold. Photo courtesy of the museum

Looking for a fun indoor activity with kids that won't break the bank? Bring your family to one of the many free museums near DC that are engaging, fun, and provide a much-needed dose of culture. While many of these free museums in DC and Northern Virginia are Smithsonian institutions, there are also several other great ones relating to language, the US Army, the Holocaust, and more.

Here are 15 free museums near DC that will excite kids of all ages and interests, from art enthusiasts to history buffs to airplane and dinosaur fanatics. While they're listed in no particular order, one of my family's favorite museums—the incredible National Air and Space Museum—is at the very top. Read reviews of some of these museums in our Museum Guide for Kids and Families in Washington, DC, and check out our guide to free things to do in DC with kids for more fun ideas that won't cost you a penny.

Best Travel of 2022: Our Favorite Cities, Beaches, Hotels, and More for a Family Vacation

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sat, 12/31/2022 - 12:00pm

Have fun in the sun at Ocean Club Resort Turks & Caicos.

Here at Mommy Poppins we love to visit new places, and what a year of travel it was! In 2022 we explored some amazing US cities, frolicked on beaches from Texas to the Caribbean, and even visited fabulous destinations in Europe including Amsterdam and Paris. Along the way we got to enjoy some thrilling amusement parks, stayed at some great resorts with water parks, and took some epic road trips.

Here is our list of the best family vacation destinations of 2022, from warm and sunny vacation spots in the US and abroad to wintry adventures in Colorado.

Best of 2022 - DC Kid Edition: Top Openings, Happenings and Other Awesome Stuff We Loved

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sun, 12/25/2022 - 10:00am

The new Museum of Illusions will wow the whole family. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Illusions

After two years of pandemic-era closures and restrictions, DC opened back up in full force in 2022, and families flocked to enjoy all of the new goings-on. Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum reopened in October after a seven-month closure, four years into a seven-year, $1 billion remodel. The new Museum of Illusions came to CityCenterDC, and several buzzworthy exhibits—including a Yayoi Kusama exhibition at the Hirshhorn and an immersive King Tut experience at the National Geographic Society—drew crowds.

Families also enjoyed several new parks, playgrounds, and indoor play spaces in Maryland and Northern Virginia, as well as a massive new fitness and wellness center in Baltimore. And beloved holiday events Boo at the Zoo and ZooLights finally returned to Smithsonian's National Zoo.

Read on for our favorite kid-friendly openings and happenings of 2022. Here's looking forward to more exciting openings in 2023!

Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience Brings a Magical Walk-Through to the DC Area

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 11/04/2022 - 9:10am

Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience is a magical adventure for all.

Harry Potter fans, rejoice! A portion of Morven Park in Leesburg, Virginia has transformed into Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience, a magical walk-through that takes guests along a nighttime woodland trail filled with creatures, characters, and scenes from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films. Spectacular lighting and sound effects, mist, and interactive elements make visitors feel like they've truly stepped into the Wizarding World.

My family recently had the opportunity to visit Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience. Read on for my full review, and check out our review of the Yorktown Heights, New York experience. Be sure to purchase tickets soon: Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience is only in town until January 29, 2023, and tickets are selling fast!

Jennifer Marino Walters

Latest posts by Jennifer

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