Jennifer Marino Walters

Latest posts by Jennifer Marino Walters

DC Ghost Tour Uncovers the Creepy History of Washington, DC

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 10/13/2023 - 10:00am

We were all smiles both before and after the DC Ghosts tour!

In the weeks leading up to Halloween, it's not uncommon to see people dressed like ghosts, goblins, and other creepy characters at Halloween events all over the DC area. But if you're looking for a more authentic experience this October—or all year long—why not try a DC ghost tour? These nighttime walking tours take visitors past places that are said to be haunted by the ghosts of presidents, assassins, heroes, and more.

My family recently went on a DC Ghosts ghost tour operated by US Ghost Adventures. It was the perfect activity to kick off Halloween season, and it taught us some interesting DC history. My 12-year-old twin sons and 9-year-old daughter enjoyed the ghost tour as much as my husband and I did, and while the stories were definitely creepy, the tour wasn't overly scary. In fact, there were several other children in our tour group and no one went home crying. Our kids are still talking about how cool it was.

Did we see any ghosts? You'll have to read on to find out! After you do, visit our Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for DC Kids for more spooky (and not-so-spooky) ways to celebrate Halloween, from the best pumpkin patches and corn mazes near DC to the top free Halloween events in the DC area.

Fun Fall Train Rides and Halloween Train Rides for DC Families

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 10/06/2023 - 10:00am

Put on your best costume and hop aboard the Pumpkin Patch Express. Photo courtesy of the B&O Railroad

All aboard! Fall train rides are a fun way for DC families to soak up the autumn spirit and see the gorgeous fall foliage.

Some fall train rides offer a festive way to see the fall colors in all their glory. There are also Halloween train rides that offer both spooky and not-so-spooky activities such as pumpkin picking, trick-or-treating, ghost stories, and costumed characters. Whatever your family is looking for, there are fall train rides for every age and interest level within a four-hour drive of DC.

Here are 18 fall train rides and Halloween train rides to add to your fall bucket list. Find even more autumn fun, including our lists of the best harvest and pumpkin festivals and the best pumpkin patches near DC, in our Fall Fun Guide for Washington, DC Families.

Top Mommy & Me Classes in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

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

Mommy & Me swimming classes are a great way to get babies used to the water while having fun. Photo by Fat Camera courtesy of Canva.

Once our kids reach a certain age, it can often feel like we are spectators in their lives. That's why it's important to bond with children while they're still little by taking one of many great Mommy & Me classes throughout the DC area. These Mommy & Me classes in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia are not only fun, they also teach kids (and their grown-ups) new and interesting things.

Check out our list of great Mommy & Me classes near DC, from dance classes and music classes to swimming lessons and yoga. For more great classes for children, check out our Guide to Classes for Kids Near DC.

Best Classes near DC for Preschoolers and Toddlers

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sun, 09/10/2023 - 12:00pm

Gymboree classes are a ton of fun for little ones. Photo courtesy of Gymboree Play and Music

Classes are a great way to keep toddlers and preschoolers entertained, engaged, and learning—especially if they're not in daycare or preschool full-time. They also help little ones make new friends and bond with their caregivers. And they help young children determine and develop interests that may last them a lifetime.

Here are some top classes near DC for preschoolers and toddlers, many of which are Mommy & Me classes so parents can get in on the fun. These classes near DC include everything from art classes to sports classesfor the under-5 set. Check out our Guide to Classes for Kids Near DC for even more great options.

Fall Bucket List for Kids: 25 Top Things To Do Near DC This Fall

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 09/08/2023 - 10:10am

It's not fall without a visit to the pumpkin patch. Photo courtesy of Great Country Farms

Fall is just around the corner in DC, and that means gorgeous weather, no stifling humidity or bugs, and beautiful fall foliage. It's the perfect time to enjoy all of the wonderful outdoor things to do in DC this fall that are on our fall bucket list for kids, like pumpkin picking, petting zoos, and tons of family-friendly fall festivals. There are also Halloween events galore, amazing exhibits and shows to see, and exciting fall train rides.

Read on for our list of 30 things to do in DC this fall and its surrounding areas with kids. The list includes fall activities in Maryland, Northern Virginia, and the city itself for families and kids of all ages. For even more ideas for autumn activities, check out our Fall Fun Guide for Washington, DC Families.

The New Great Wolf Lodge Maryland: An In-Depth Review

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 09/01/2023 - 10:00am

The indoor water park at Great Wolf Lodge Maryland is the largest of all Great Wolf Lodge locations. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters

Great Wolf Lodge Maryland, North America's 20th Great Wolf Lodge resort, opened its doors in late June 2023 in Perryville, MD (under an hour's drive from Baltimore). With 700 family-friendly suites, a 126,000-square-foot water park with 22 water slides, and loads of indoor attractions (plus an outdoor pool), the resort is the largest Great Wolf Lodge location to date.

Great Wolf Lodge Maryland hosted my family for a weekend in late August, and we partook in almost all of the resort's activities. My 12-year-old twin boys and 8-year-old daughter all had a fantastic time.

Read on for my honest review of Great Wolf Lodge Maryland, including tips and tricks on making the most of your family's stay. Then check out Mommy Poppins' reviews of Great Wolf Lodge Poconos and SoCal. You'll find even more great places to stay on your next family vacation in our Family-Friendly Resorts & Hotels Guide.

Reclining Liberty Statue Comes to the DC Area — and Kids Can Climb and Touch It!

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 08/25/2023 - 10:00am

Kids are allowed—and even encouraged—to touch Reclining Liberty. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Arlington

Lady Liberty has come to the DC area—well, sort of. Reclining Liberty, a 25-foot sculpture modeled after the Statue of Liberty in New York City, was installed on the front lawn of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA) Arlington in Virginia on August 3, 2023. The statue, made by sculptor Zaq Landsberg, depicts Lady Liberty lying on her side with her head resting on one hand.

Reclining Liberty was originally installed in NYC's Morningside Park in 2021, then moved to Liberty State Park in 2022. It will remain on view at MoCA Arlington until July 28, 2024.

For more information about museums and exhibitions in the DC area, visit our DC Museum Guide for Kids and Families.

Free and Cheap After-School Programs Near DC

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sun, 08/20/2023 - 10:00am

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington's after-school programs sometimes include snacks or a light meal. Photo courtesy of the organization

After a summer of expensive camps, this handy list of free and cheap after-school programs near DC for kids is quite welcome.

Children across the DC area are heading back to school, which means it's already past time to start thinking about after-school programs. If you haven't found one yet, don't worry: Families looking for enriching, reasonably priced, and even free after-school programs near DC have several options from which to choose. These programs include sports, arts, homework help, and other activities. With offerings in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, you're bound to find a great inexpensive or free program for your kids near you.

We've rounded up 12 local organizations offering free or cheap after-school programs near DC for kids, tweens, and teens. If you're looking for more options, be sure to see our Guide to Classes for Kids Near DC.

Latest posts by Jennifer Marino Walters

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