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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.

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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

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About the Author

Drew Kristofik
Drew Kristofik’s career took a twist from editing teen magazines to a seven-year stint at MacNeil/Lehrer, followed by a long run at Nickelodeon/Viacom as Director of Content for Nick Online and Editor-in-Chief of ParentsConnect.com. A founding member of the Webby Award-winning GoCityKids, she’s written for Family Fun, Vanity Fair, and New York. Her middle school novel, The Time Boat, is available on Amazon Kindle. Drew keeps the MommyPoppins New York Events calendar spot-on and can be reached at events@mommypoppins.com.
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