The DC Winter Lantern Festival features over 1,000 Chinese lanterns. Photo courtesy of the festival
Christmas Weekend 2024 in DC Top Things To Do: Christmas Lights, Breakfast with Santa, Waterskiing Santa, and More
Take a lighted trail walk at Reston's Winterfest. Photo courtesy of Winterfest
24 Best Things to Do in DC December 2024 with Kids: Sing-A-Longs, Christmas Events, and New Year's Eve
GUIDE
Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids
Tackle the slides at Ice! featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas. Photo courtesy of Gaylord National Harbor
What's Open on Christmas Day in DC: A List of Awesome Things To Do
Christmas vacation is the perfect time to catch Monet: The Immersive Experience before it leaves town in January! Photo courtesy of the experience
Christmas Vacation in DC: 19 Staycation Ideas for Things To Do With Kids
The DC Winter Lantern Festival dazzles through January 12. Photo courtesy of the festival
Ultimate Winter Bucket List: 35 Best Things To Do with Kids in DC
Photo courtesy of Canva
Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens will dazzle the whole family. Photo by Tony Ventouris for Montgomery County Parks
30 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in DC for Kids
Take a stroll through the Marshall Pond Christmas Village in Burke, VA. Photo courtesy of Kristy Case, from the Marshall Pond Christmas Village Facebook page
Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights Near DC in Maryland and Northern Virginia
Photo courtesy of Canva
Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
The Holiday Boat Parade is visible from both the Wharf and the Alexandria waterfront. Photo courtesy of the Wharf DC
32 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for Kids
Pull on a signature blue parka for Ice! featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas. Photo courtesy of Gaylord National Resort
Christmas in DC: Ultimate 3-Day Itinerary for a Magical Holiday with Kids
Enjoy snow every night at Winter City Lights. Photo by Kyle Lanzer courtesy of the Winter City Lights .event.
Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Skate in the shadow of the National Gallery of Art. Photo by Elvert Barnes/CC BY 2.0
GUIDE
DC Winter Vacation Guide: Best Getaways and Activities for Families
The popular Sculpture Garden ice rink is back at the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art. Photo by Elvert Barnes via Flickr 2.0
Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for Kids and Families
There are so many places to have breakfast with Santa throughout the DC area. Photo courtesy of Theissman's Restaurant's Facebook page
Breakfast with Santa in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
The Washington Ballet gives The Nutcracker a historic twist at the Warner Theatre. Photo by XMB photography
The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Find the perfect tree for your family at Snickers Gap Tree Farm. Photo courtesy of the farm
Christmas Tree Farms Near DC
Sometimes you can lend a helping hand, sometimes you need a helping hand. Because every kid deserves presents on Christmas. Photo by Jaime Sumersille
How To Find Free Toys for Kids this Christmas and Holiday Season—Apply Soon!
Child's Play has a great selection of toys, games, children's books, and more. Photo by Tony Ventouris Photography
Coolest Stores for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Enjoy storytime each Wednesday at the Hirshhorn. Photo courtesy of the Hirshorn Museum
101 Free Things To Do in DC with Kids

Great Mini Golf Courses Near DC for Kids and Families

East Potomac Mini Golf is an oldie-but-goodie course, which has catered to generations. Photo courtesy of East Potomac Mini Golf
East Potomac Mini Golf is an oldie-but-goodie course, which has catered to generations. Photo courtesy of East Potomac Mini Golf
7/17/20 - By Drew Kristofik

Teeny tiny pencils, brightly colored golf balls, windmills, waterfalls, and more whimsical obstacles await at these mini golf courses. For many families, mini golf is a quintessential spring and summer activity. What better way to while away this strange time than chasing a ball around outside on artificial grass?

In its heyday —about a century ago!—there were more than 30 mini golf courses in the District, and the sport was a major craze. Of that abundance, only one remains in town: The historic East Potomac Mini Golf, which opened in spring of 1931. But, there are several within easy driving distance and worthy of a half-day trip.

Read on for more than a dozen mini golf spots in Washington, DC and beyond.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Mini Golf Courses in Washington DC and NOVA

East Potomac Mini Golf

East Potomac Park, Washington DC
The East Potomac Mini Golf Course is on the National Register of Historic Places and is listed as the oldest continually operating miniature golf course in the country, with 18 classic holes. READ MORE

Upton Hill Regional Park Mini Golf

Arlington, Virginia
Upton Hill's mini golf course is a nice blend of easy and challenging, with enchanting landscaping features that include fountains and bridges. READ MORE

Cameron Run Regional Park Mini Golf

Alexandria, Virginia
Cameron Run has a classic 18-hole mini golf course, in addition to tons of other park pleasures. Cameron Run's mini golf course can also host your child's next birthday party READ MORE

Dulles Golf Center Mini Golf

Sterling, Virginia
Lighthouses are the stars of Dulles' 18-hole mini golf course, including the iconic towers at Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, Assateague, Virginia, and Fire Island, New York. READ MORE

Burke Lake Park Mini Golf

Fairfax, Virginia
Burke Lake's mini golf putting greens present some twists and turns to challenge seasoned players, but newbies will have fun too. Reserve your tee time and pay online before arriving. READ MORE

Treasure Island Mini Golf

Lorton, Virginia
Land Ho! If your scurvy gang of tiny pirates is looking for a mini golf course to plunder, X marks the spot at Pohick Bay Regional Park's Treasure Island Mini Golf. READ MORE

The Magic Putting Place Mini Golf

Manassas, Virginia
The Magic Putting Place doubles the fun with two 18-hole mini golf courses. Choose from the Magic Castle course or the Windmill course. Family-friendly music wafts over both courses as you putt-putt your day away. READ MORE
Kids get a kick out of the obstacles at Gaithersburg Mini Golf. Photo courtesy Gaithersburg Mini Golf.
Kids get a kick out of the obstacles at Gaithersburg Mini Golf. Photo courtesy Gaithersburg Mini Golf.

Mini Golf Courses in Maryland

Gaithersburg Mini Golf

Gaithersburg, Maryland
Bohrer Park's Summit Hall Farm is home to a lovely 18-hole course with has plenty of water features, including waterfalls, streams, and ponds. READ MORE

Laurel Golf Center

Laurel, Maryland
Laurel's 18-hole mini golf course is perfect for the preschool set: It's not too challenging but lots of fun. The complex's batting cages are also open, so sport-loving kids can practice two kinds of swings. READ MORE

Rocky Gorge Mini Golf

Laurel, Maryland
Rocky Gorge's unique 19-hole fairway boasts it's "the world's longest mini golf course." It also boasts some practice areas that are sheltered from weather, should a summer storm blow through. READ MORE

South Germantown Park Mini Golf

Boyds, Maryland
South Germantown's mini golf course is open for the season, and we're hoping the adjacent splash park will follow suit as the days get hotter. In the meantime, safety precautions are in full effect, with putter and ball cleaning after each session. READ MORE

Places featured in this article: