A family views a rocket in the museum exhibit hall
National Air & Space Museum, Washington, DC
Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Virginia
National Aquarium, Baltimore, Maryland

Attractions & Family Fun

Captivating museums, famous zoos, theme parks – experience fun attractions for all ages in Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland.

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Interactive museums, zoos and outdoor exploration and adventure make Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland a favourite with children. Keeping both children and parents happy isn’t always easy. Discover a host of trip ideas and experiences for every member of your family.

Fun Fact: The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum complex, containing 19 world-class museums and a zoo, plus 9 research centres. Most museums are open 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. daily.

National Museum of Natural History

Located on the National Mall, the National Museum of Natural History is the third most visited museum in the world and the most visited museum in the United States.

Must-sees include the 45.52-carat Hope Diamond, a live butterfly pavilion, a 12-ton African elephant, tarantula feedings in the insect zoo, and the world’s largest collection of marine life and models, like an exact replica of a 45-foot North Atlantic Right Whale.

National Air and Space Museum

Also on the National Mall, the National Air and Space Museum is home to the world’s largest collection of historic air and spacecraft. 

See thousands of exhibits on display, including the 1903 Wright Flyer, the Wright brothers’ first powered airplane; the Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia, living quarters for Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins during the first manned moon landing; and a lunar rock you can touch. 

The museum is also home to the Albert Einstein Planetarium and the Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater, as well as a public observatory where you can look through telescopes to see craters on the moon, spots on the sun and more.

Smithsonian's National Zoo

Founded in 1889, the National Zoological Park (or the National Zoo, as it’s commonly known) is one of the oldest zoos in America. Admission is free, and it's open every day of the year except Christmas. The zoo is located in the Woodley Park neighbourhood of Washington, DC.

A highlight of the National Zoo are the giant pandas – Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, and Bei Bei – on the Asia Trail. In total, more than 1,500 animals call the zoo home.

National Geographic Museum

The National Geographic Museum displays rotating exhibits from scientific expeditions and explorations. Exhibit topics may include National Parks, rare species of animals, or popular photography.

It’s located off the Farragut North or Farragut West Metro lines, just a few blocks from the White House in downtown Washington, DC.

Did You Know? Busch Gardens got its name from its original owner and developer, Anheuser-Busch. 

Busch Gardens Williamsburg

First opening it's doors in 1975, this 383-acre theme park is host to around 2.7 million annual visitors. Widely known for it's roller coasters, Busch Gardens' Apollo's Charriot won 4th best steel roller coaster in 2012 from the Golden Ticket Awards.


Olney Theatre

Just north of Washington DC, the Olney theater offers a wide selection of professional stage productions.

Synetic Theater

Located in Arlington, VA within the Crystal City shopping center, this theater company uses the stage to tell stories appropriate for audiences of all ages. Visitors commend the the theater for it's stunning, unique performances.

Want the latest information on attractions and family-friendly things to do in the Capital Region? View our latest Holiday Guide online, or sign up for our enewsletter!

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