31 May 2023
| Capital Region USA, made up of Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia, invites families to enjoy its endless year-round attractions. Well-known for American history, stunning coastline, and scenic greenery, the region also boasts a wealth of thrilling activities for families. From adrenaline-pumping theme parks and hands-on history adventures, to unmissable outdoor opportunities and high-profile football matches, there is something for every family. |
| Washington, DC |
| Famous for its monuments and outstanding architecture, Washington, DC is an exceptional destination for families, with a wealth of budget conscious activities that are sure to capture the attention of children of all ages. |
| Take advantage of the free museums on the National Mall Families are invited to expand their knowledge of US history, air and space, and the creatures that roam our world at one of the many family-friendly, free museums on offer along Washington, DC’s National Mall. Visitors can check out the National Air and Space Museum, which reopened with eight new galleries in 2022 and 15 more set to open by 2025 and journey through the stars at their live planetarian events or gaze at the sun through their safe filtered telescope. A special attraction for animal lovers, Smithsonian’s National Zoo allows families the ability to learn about over 1,500 animals as well as offering onsite demonstrations including the free ‘Birds in Flight’ shows taking place from 26 May – 4 September 2023. The National Museum of Natural History displays 127 million items to be marvelled at, including dinosaur bones, the Hope Diamond, and ancient Egyptian mummies, or join museum educators on Tuesdays and engage in play dates to explore fossils, birds and learn more about our world. |
| Catch Rooney leading the charge from the sidelines at Major League Soccer All-Star week Families looking to get their sports fix while travelling can do so during Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star Week. From 15th – 19th July, visitors can catch Premier League team Arsenal Football Club taking on the MLS All-Stars. Football fans can see Wayne Rooney acting as head coach to the All-Star team with the line up due to include key players from across the league. This packed week of events offers football fans an unforgettable experience. |
| Witness the power of language |
| Opened in 2020, Planet World is the first of its kind, offering an immersive language experience through a voice-activated museum. With regular events taking place throughout 2023 including author’s readings and book launches, Planet World incorporates the day-to-day experiences with specialist events to create a space for all visitors, young or old. Within the museum, families can expect to practice their speaking skills, use words to transform the colour of the room, share stories on how words have changed their lives and learn about the world’s languages. Visitors looking to test their brain are also invited to reserve a puzzle case and solve the language mysteries through different themes including Purplebeard’s Lost Pirate Treasure and trouble on Mount Olympus. |
| For more information visit: https://washington.org |
| Virginia |
| Virginia offers an abundance of family-friendly activities both indoor and outdoor, stretching from the Chesapeake Bay to the Appalachian Mountains. Whether families are laid-back, adventure seekers or something in between, travellers can find it all in Virginia.
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| Experience family-friendly thrills In Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Virginia, visitors will find North America’s first all-indoor straddle coaster. Opening on 19 May the all-new Busch Gardens Darkoaster will take riders on snowmobiles across 2,454 feet of track to escape an oncoming storm. This dark-ride experience will be sure to be a favourite for adventure seeking families.
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| Learn about the upcoming 250th anniversary of America Virginia’s Historic Triangle made up of Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamsburg offers visitors a chance to fully immerse themselves in American history. From the Jamestown Settlement, the first permanent English Colony in the Americas, where they can walk in the footsteps of settlers who lived on the land more than 400 years ago, to Colonial Williamsburg, the nation’s largest living history museum that stays in character 24 hours a day. History lovers can also experience the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, with interactive exhibits, films and outdoor living history to learn about the lives of soldiers through re-enactments of medical treatment, camp life and cooking.
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| Visit the ultimate LEGO playground Set to open mid-summer 2023, Springfield Town Centre will be welcoming a new LEGO Discovery Center. Visitors can experience 32,000-square-foot of LEGO themed activities fit for LEGO lovers of all ages. Described as the ultimate LEGO playground, this centre will be the first of its kind in America, with a wide variety of interactive experiences, from a new LEGO ‘Space Mission’ where families can build their own space rocket to the indoor play for under 5s with a dinosaur-themed carousel and slides. |
| For more information visit: https://www.virginia.org |
| Maryland |
| Maryland offers limitless adventures that everyone in the family can enjoy. With attractions ranging from thrilling slides to lion breakfasts, Maryland’s scenic shorelines and historic significance will ensure both children and parents are thoroughly entertained. |
| Find your haven at Great Wolf Lodge Set to open on 14 June 2023, Great Wolf Lodge, will become the brand’s 20th resort in North America and the largest of the bunch. Families can nestle down in one of the 700 family-friendly suites or branch out to one of their themed suites which boast a cave-themed sleeping area for children. Other unforgettable onsite experiences include mini golf or creating souvenirs to take home at the Build-A-Bear workshop. Guests can enjoy 16 unique indoor waterpark features including slides, playgrounds, lazy rivers and pools designed for various age groups.. |
| Share breakfast with your favourite animals Maryland’s Baltimore boasts many eateries, with the most exclusive ticket now located in Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. Families are invited to share their morning cereal with the likes of elephants, penguins, and lions at these VIP experiences taking Saturdays and Sundays from May to October 2023. Each date offers a different animal experience with special keeper chats, animal enrichment and activities. After a filling breakfast visitors can enjoy a day at the zoo and look out for the trumpeter swans’ babies after an eventful month of nesting and laying eggs. |
| Take a Bite Out of Family-Fun at Calvert Marine Museum Southern Maryland was once home to the Megalodon shark and at the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons families can view a skeleton of this massive predator, as well as other marine fossils uncovered at nearby Calvert Cliffs State Park. The museum also has a daily programming, lighthouse, boating basin, aquariums with native Chesapeake Bay creatures and a river otter habitat where “Squeak” will entertain you with his aquatic antics. |
| For more information visit: https://www.visitmaryland.org/list/top-family-friendly-things-do |
