Tag: Free Kids Fun

Splish Splash in Maryland

Posted in DC-Maryland-Virginia, Free Kids Fun, Read Them All, United StatesTagged , , , , , , , , Leave a comment
Outdoor pool with slides at Truxton Park in Annapolis

Maryland summers are notorious for being hot and humid, so we are always looking for a place to stay cool. From Memorial Day to Labor Day there are lots of splash pads and outdoor pools open. Splash pads are great because they are generally free and can be enjoyed long before learning to swim. Outdoor pools are our family favorite because my husband and I can take turns getting in the water with our daughter while one of us relaxes in a lounger. This post focuses primarily on outdoor pools with some splash pads at the end. Always remember to bring and wear sunscreen, even on a cloudy day. Water bottle, snacks, towels, something for breaks, and goggles too! This post was first shared with subscribers to my free newsletter, Trek, Travel and Treat | Edition 11.

Montgomery County (MoCo)

There are 7 outdoor county run pools and our personal favorite is the Wheaton/Glenmont pool because there is truly something for everyone from a small gated area for littles to slides and lily pads based on various heights and diving boards. Check out my Instagram reel to get a feel for it. I love that my daughter and I can visit for $12! Our second favorite is probably the MLK pool with the lazy river.

  • Babies under 1 are free. Price is much cheaper for county residents, but non-residents can enjoy too. If you plan to use the pools quite a bit in the summer, see if the punch pass may make sense to buy (12 adult tickets for the price of 10). Check prices here.
  • Check for the most current hours, weather and maintenance closures, etc. on the official site before going to avoid disappointment. This is good advice for any place you may visit!
  • Anticipate mandatory breaks dictated by the pool where everyone must exit the water.
  • Read the rules ahead of time so you know what to expect and what you can bring in.
City of Gaithersburg Water Park | TeamTravelsBaby

The City of Gaithersburg in Montgomery County has an incredible outdoor pool called the City of Gaithersburg Water Park at Bohrer Park which has beached entry, slides and an enclosed splash pad. If you are outside of city limits, make sure to visit when it’s open to non-city residents. Residents outside of Montgomery County are not able to visit. Check the website for hours, rules, exclusions, etc. Pricing differs on weekdays versus weekends and costs quite a bit more than MoCo or PG country run pools.

Prince George’s (PG) County

PG County is super close to where we live in Silver Spring (MoCo). And the best part is that PG County allows MoCo residents to pay the same price as in-county residents making it comparable to MoCo pools. There are another 7 to pick from here and our personal favorite so far has been Ellen Linson Splash Park. Make sure to check the official site before going. You may be able to save by making reservations online and in advance too.

Anne Arundel County

We love to adventure and find that a trip to Annapolis is only about 45 minutes from Silver Spring. There is a municipal pool at Truxton Park. While we liked this pool, the downside is there is a required swim test in order to go down the slides. We found other pools were more conducive to our little swimmer (who was not a strong swimmer at the time we went). You can find pictures of this pool along with other splash pads in the DMV in this IG highlight. And in a previous newsletter, I shared some Annapolis ideas (don’t forget to subscribe – it’s free, just don’t enter your card #) as well as some in an IG highlight.

Truxton Pool | TeamTravelsbaby

Howard County

Living near US-29 makes Columbia and Ellicott City, Maryland an easy 30-45 minute drive from Silver Spring. There’s a simple indoor pool at Roger Carter Community Center and an outdoor splash pad. Addy and I had a fun mommy/daughter date here. I really liked the beach entry. The price is comparable to PG and MoCo county pools and 2 years and younger are free here. I really want to return here so Addy can climb the rock wall which has specific hours. I do have a few ideas in my Columbia highlight and know I have more I need to add there.

Frederick County

Downtown Frederick is such a fun walkable town and there is plenty to do in the area for a day trip. I’ve shared quite a bit in this Instagram highlight. We checked out the Edward Thomas Memorial Pool which didn’t have all the extras, but I really liked the layout for continuing to move in the water.

Pool in Frederick | TeamTravelsBaby

Indoor Pools

If it’s a rainy summer day and you still want your pool fix, we like the Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center and the Rollingcrest-Chillum pool. If you want to venture to Virginia, the Claude Moore Recreation and Aquatic Center is a good deal with more than just the pool included in the pass. And if you want to plan a bigger adventure to Great Wolf Lodge near Baltimore, check out my post.

Super Unique Water Features in DC

If you’re venturing to D.C., check out the Yards Park Canal Basin. This is super unique and free, especially if you find free street parking on a weekend. Just check the baseball schedule for the Nationals first. If the National Zoo is on your list, there are water features there too so don’t forget a change of clothes. Misters on the main walking path and a splash pad by the seals and sea lions. Have you read my separate blog post about all the fun free places in DC?

Yards Park in DC | TeamTravelsBaby

Splash Pads

I will make a separate post for splash pads, but to get you started here are a few you can find on my Instagram: Maryvale Park in Rockville, Rockville Town Square Splash Pad, Walker Mill Misting Park in District Heights, Takoma Splash Park and Playground in DC, and Turkey Thicket Splash Park and Playground in DC. Bring a bucket or cup to add to the fun.

Chevy Chase Splash Pad and Fenced In Park | TeamTravelsBaby

What is your favorite outdoor pool in Maryland? We hope to check out some of the incredible looking Virginia pools in the summer too. If you have any recommendations, feel free to add them to the comments.

About the Author

Lydia Garry and her family, TeamTravelsBaby, live in Silver Spring, Maryland, and are working to achieve “vagabond status”. Much of their affordable family travel experiences include U.S. travel, national parks and Europe. Adventure with them here, subscribe to their free newsletter and follow along on Instagram!

Gulf States Winter Break Adventure

Posted in Free Kids Fun, Read Them All, State Capitol, United StatesTagged , , , , , , , , Leave a comment
Panama City Fireworks | TeamTravelsBaby

We spent about two weeks adventuring from Maryland down to Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. We also made quick stops in the Carolinas. It was an epic roadtrip with a family favorite being the drop of 15,000 beach balls with a free kid focused event in Florida. This post will share an outline of how we covered so much ground and what we did in each place along with how much this trip cost. I share details around things we loved and recommendations if I planned it again. If I found a helpful IG account, I included that as well. Much of this trip was planned last minute, with the goal being for Addy (6 years old) to visit her last three states in the lower 48 and for my husband to visit his last three states – he’s a 50 stater now. (I still need Hawaii!) We are ambitious travelers so buckle up!

Travel Dates: Friday, December 20, 2024 to Saturday, January 4, 2025 (to beat a huge winter storm and return our rental car ahead of it)

Rental Car: I like CarRentals.com and rented an unlimited mileage car from 12/19/2024-1/6/2025 from Next Car in Wheaton, Maryland. This was my second time using them and my only note is to ensure you know your car insurance coverage days (i.e., 30 days) or credit card coverage days that you used for the rental, at least for this place. We ended up with a 2025 hybrid car since the first car smelled like smoke, which was a nice upgrade. I paid $779.74 for this rental and booked on 12/9/2024. I did see it for cheaper if I booked in the Fall. It’s also worth checking each of the airports (e.g., BWI, DCA or IAD) to compare prices if you have that flexibility. I don’t recommend Turo for a trip like this because unlimited mileage is key.

General Approach: I used a Word document to start putting all of my ideas in one place. I also read quite a few blogs and looked on Insta. For hotels, I tended to sort by price for brands I recognized (that were a step up from a Motel 6 or Super 8) and then read recent reviews to find places with hot breakfast (having a pool was a bonus and we got lucky at the end of the trip). I would stay again at all of the hotels and I booked each either the same day we stayed or the night before. Even on New Years Eve, I didn’t book our hotel until almost 9 pm that day (the hotel did sell out that night). For this trip, I exclusively used Super.com.* When we slept in the car, Addy and I had Cracker Barrel breakfast (sign up for the app to get points towards discounts) the next morning (which is our family deal), but typically we did not eat out and got our food from Wal-Mart. We are treat people, so ice cream, donuts, coffee were purchased when exploring! We buy the Maryland Science Center pass each year on Groupon (typically posted in November for a few months each year and you have a few months to redeem and start the one year clock) and this gives us FREE access to ASTC Passport museums outside 90 miles via reciprocity. Read my article, Your Family Needs the ASTC Passport. You won’t need more convincing than this.

*This is a referral link. You should receive a bonus (like $15) for signing up and it will prompt you for your phone number. I appreciate you using my link if you’ve never booked with them before.

Oyster in Mobile; Babyland in Georgia near Helen; Town Creek accessible playground in Auburn; hotel in New Orleans; Space Center Houston; Rivertown near New Orleans; Fairhope pink door; Destin Commons in Florida

Itinerary:

  • Friday, December 20 – North Carolina to see family
  • Saturday, December 21 – South Carolina to see family
  • Sunday, December 22 – Cleveland, Helen and Dahlonega, Georgia
    • IG accounts to follow: AlpineHelenGA and Discover.Dahlonega
    • Babyland General Hospital (Cleveland) – We spent about 30 minutes here walking around. It’s a unique place that’s free to visit and see the home of the Cabbage Patch Doll. They had a room beautifully decorated with Christmas trees and a chance to see Santa too. We did not buy anything and did not get a witness a “birth”.
    • Downtown Helen – This town is cute and was on my list for years! We illegally parked in the Dollar General lot, which I don’t recommend. Seems we could have found some free parking by the City of Helen Riverside Park (all lit up with holiday lights) or paid around $10 to park in a lot close to the toy store. The town is very walkable. There were holiday lights everywhere (which are kept up until mid-February) and it was fun to wander through the stores.
    • Downtown Dahlonega – This was a last minute add after seeing it marketed as a “Hallmark Christmas” town. It was cute, with horse drawn carriages, a fun general store, chocolate shop, etc. around a public square and free parking. But don’t feel bad if you skip it and opt for more time in Helen instead.
    • Sleep: We slept in the car in a Cracker Barrel parking lot, just south of Atlanta.
  • Monday, December 23 – Auburn and Montgomery, Alabama
    • IG accounts to follow: DowntownAuburn and ExperienceMontgomery
    • Auburn – Such a great college town (but don’t, worry, I’m not trading in my beloved Gamecocks). We got our free kids cookie from Publix (and learn from us, don’t walk off the property and leave your car). Luckily, parking in downtown during this time of year is free. We saw the most incredible gingerbread displays of Auburn landmarks at the Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center for free. Then we walked the small town and went in some stores like Toomers Corner, drove the college campus and enjoyed their epic new inclusive playground called Town Creek Park (don’t miss this with kids) that’s 6,000 square feet.
    • Montgomery – We found free parking and headed to the Museum of Alabama. It’s free to visit and had a wonderful Children’s Gallery called Grandma’s Attic. It is closed in 2025 and is supposed to reopen, fully renovated in 2026. From here we went inside the First White House of the Confederacy. This was beautifully decorated for Christmas and the docent was very engaging. And as we love to collect Capitol buildings, we went into the Alabama State Capitol. We then drove so I could try coffee at Prevail Union (the specialty latte was a little too expensive for my taste). We then found parking to explore the Riverfront. You go through a tunnel and then end up along the water, where you can see the Harriott II (ship) decorated along with other holiday decorations nearby. The sunset was very pretty here.
    • Sleep: Best Western in Daphne, Alabama for $78.81
  • Tuesday, December 24 – Daphne and Mobile, Alabama; Ocean Springs and Biloxi, Mississippi
    • IG accounts to follow: VisitMobileAL, CammiesOldDutch, and TheTatonutShop
    • Bass Pro Shops (Spanish Fork) – We love seeing Bass Pro in different cities. This one has alligator door handles and since it was the holidays, you can sign up in advance or walk-in for a picture with Santa. There are also kids games and coloring – all for free. We love seeing the large fish tank and the taxidermy animals too.
    • Daphne – We went to Gator Boardwalk, which is free, but did not see any gators. We then drove to the historic area, near Daphne City Hall to see pretty decorations. There is a nice playground across the street and some shops nearby, but we opted to skip. We did get our Publix cookie nearby (love the south for this grocery store) and then headed toward Mobile. If we had more time, I would have liked to try Maurice’s BBQ, which was recommended to me.
    • Mobile – We really liked this city and I would love to return here for Mardi Gras. There’s free parking near the parks, like Mardi Gras park and Bienville Square park and both parks are worth walking around. We found metered parking before we realized this. We enjoyed walking Lower Dauphin Street and finding the gorgeous oysters that were painted. It was a HUGE hit to find Mardi Gras beads everywhere that I’m guessing were from a holiday parade. Collecting them was a highlight for Addy. The children’s museum was closed when we visited, but I would have liked to visit since it’s covered by the ASTC Passport. If you don’t know what that is, check out my article ___.
    • Cammie’s Old Dutch Ice Cream Shoppe (Mobile) – This is an absolute must and has been in business over 55 years! Visit the Old Shell Road (original) location. The flavors were absolutely incredible and so many holiday ones! Usually we split ice cream, but for the price and flavor, we splurged and each got our own. Check their Instagram for up to date hours, especially during the holidays.
    • Ocean Springs – This was my favorite small town we visited! There are some great shops and I loved that they were open on Christmas Eve. Free parking at the visitor center and this town has street art, the most fabulous donuts at the Tatonut (go early), a toy store, candy store, a coffee shop (closed unfortunately), clothing, etc. Make sure to drive down to the beach too!
    • Biloxi – We stopped to see the Beau Rivage casino. If you like Christmas decorations, it had beautiful trees, nutcrackers and polar bears on display.
    • Bay St. Louis – We essentially drove by, but the tree that’s been shaped into an angel by the de Montluzin Boardwalk is unique. There were quite a few restaurants here.
    • Louisiana – We stopped at the Welcome Center off the highway to take pictures by the huge “Welcome to Louisiana” sign and state shaped sign. This was a jam packed day and we were exhausted by the end.
    • Sleep: Comfort Suites New Orleans, Louisiana for $97.99
  • Wednesday, December 25 – New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette, Louisiana
    • IG accounts to follow: VisitNewOrleans, VisitBatonRouge and DowntownLafayette
    • New Orleans – So technically we did explore here on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We found a free meter parking both days near H&M – check the official website for free holiday parking dates. At least some stores are open and people are out and about. It was fun to wander the French Quarter, Bourbon Street and pop into some of the fancy hotels to see their holiday decorations. Royal Sonesta had a beautiful row of trees that was a great photo opp and we cut through the courtyard and there’s a bathroom. The Ritz Carlton has a door person, but you are allowed to enter. There was an amazing larger than life gingerbread making of a riverboat. Windsor Court was another favorite with a gorgeous street and a train running around it and a pelican made of chocolate. PJ’s Coffee was open in the DoubleTree by Hilton, surprisingly inexpensive (like $5 for a flavored latte) and another great place for a bathroom. The one that shouldn’t be missed is going into the Canal Place mall and going to the 11th floor to see the view from the Westin! I love a free, incredible view. Plus there’s free water and cups out. There’s also great animal street art by the aquarium. (Don’t worry, we returned later for Café du Monde.)
    • Baton Rouge – We stopped and saw Mike, the tiger on LSU’s campus. It is free to see this real tiger. We then drove to view the outside of the tallest state Capitol building and the Mississippi River. (We went inside on our return trip.) Knock Knock Children’s Museum looked amazing! It’s not covered by the ASTC, but if we had more time, I may have splurged for this one.
    • Lafayette – There is a small downtown and another museum covered by the ASTC Passport. Everything was closed on Christmas Day and unless you need this stop to break up your drive, I would skip. Louisiana is quite boring to drive through in my opinion.
    • Sulphur – Pecan Street is a magical holiday lights street. We drove it and wanted to drive it again it’s so well done. We drove it from east to west, but it seemed you could drive from either direction.
    • Sleep: La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Beaumont West for $98.84 (I had originally booked a different hotel for around $81, but they had a fire the night before and couldn’t offer breakfast, so I cancelled for free, then got a letter from the hotel so that Super reimbursed me in full for this extenuating circumstance.)
  • Thursday, December 26 – Houston, Texas
    • IG accounts to follow: Visit_Houston, MommyPoppinsHouston, Houston_with_Kids
    • Houston Children’s Museum – We parked in Hermann Park for free and walked by McGovern Centennial Gardens to get here. This museum was free with our ASTC Passport from the Maryland Science Center, but it’s also free on Thursday nights from 5-8 pm. It is huge with multiple floors and an outdoor space. We loved finding the hidden elves and Addy loved all of the tables with crafts and climbing the huge structure.
    • Museum of Fine Arts – Free on Thursdays! We loved the colorful rooms and came to see the Yayoi Kusama “Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity” room (get a free timed ticket). It’s huge and no doubt there’s more to see, but this is all we came for.
    • The Health Museum – Free on Thursdays from 2-7 pm. Can you see the pattern? This is also covered by the ASTC Passport. It’s a fun interactive museum and Addy liked the screaming room, hanging on the bar and the hamster wheel.
    • The Galleria (mall) – Free parking and this is one of the biggest malls in the US. It was fun to see the huge Christmas tree, watch the ice skaters and play in the free playspace. We also built Lego characters in the store.
    • Bass Pro (League City) – We were tired, but this was a smaller location not worth visiting. We picked this area to stay in so we would be close to the Space Center the next day.
    • Sleep: Holiday Inn & Suites Houston (League City) for $103.97
  • Friday, December 27 – Houston, Texas
    • Space Center Houston – This is the official visitor center of NASA Johnson Space Center and it was free for us with our ASTC Passport. Our one-day admission would have been more than we paid for our Maryland Science Center pass on Groupon. It’s $10 to park. We spent 3 hours here and could easily have spent more. There are experiences you can reserve for free (wish I had known) that sounded really cool. We took the tram out to see Rocket Park. I definitely recommend doing this – the tram line gets pretty long, so may be worth arriving when it first opens and going right away. There were interactive stations for kids, including upstairs which is easy to miss.
    • Houston Central Library – We have been to quite a few big city libraries, and this one was underwhelming. There is a dedicated kids room with some play items and coloring, but it fell short for us. You also pay for parking in the parking garage that’s underground.
    • Waterwall Park – We returned to the Galleria and then walked over to this very unique waterfall that’s a fun place to take pictures.
    • Sleep: We slept in the car in a Cracker Barrel parking lot in Louisiana, I believe near Lafayette.
  • Saturday, December 28 – Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana
    • Louisiana State Capitol – We love free fun and this is a very unique Capitol and the tallest one! It’s incredible to go to the top and walk around on the outside for the views of the Mississippi River. Don’t miss the states on the outside steps too.
    • New Orleans – We returned because we couldn’t leave without getting beignets from Café du Monde (bring cash and skip the coffee). I tried them the summer after high school graduation, right before Hurricane Katrina hit. It was a full circle moment to return and they were even better than I remembered. We also enjoyed watching street performers. Addy was mesmerized. We then went to the brand new (in 2024) Goodwill Outlet. It’s the nicest one I’ve ever been to (and I’ve been to many). Here you go through buckets and everything is by weight. I was thankful this location allows kids too.
    • City of Kenner – This is a cute area that’s beautifully decorated and called Kenner Christmas Village. It’s a park you can walk through and it’s free. Prior to Christmas, there are chances to see Santa. We parked off 3rd St. in a free lot.
    • Sleep: Best Western Seaway Inn in Gulfport, Mississippi for $84.98
  • Sunday, December 29 – Ocean Springs in Mississippi, Fairhope and Foley in Alabama
    • IG account to follow: VisitOWA
    • Ocean Springs – I woke up early in order to drive to the Tatonut. Since we missed the open hours on the front end, I made a point to try this on the way home. My only regret is that I only got one donut. It was so reasonably price and it’s to die for!
    • Gulf Islands National Seashore – We love national parks and when we saw this was close to us, we decided to check it out. Addy got her Junior Ranger badge, we took in the view from the back and continued on our trip within 40 minutes.
    • Fairhope -This was another adorable small town to get out and walk around with free street parking. They had a bookstore, ice cream shop, candy store, toy store, an alley kitty in their French Quarter and some street art. I was excited to get my popcorn jelly beans at Fairhope Sweet Shop.
    • Foley – OWA is a great shopping area with pretty fountains. We timed it so we arrived for their Bubbles and Beats event which was free and had quite a few activities for kids, including a bubble truck, face painting, bounce house, a sprite toast and lots of photo opps. Heritage Park is in downtown Foley and was great to walk around to see the variety of holiday decorations, including the little village of kids sized houses (couldn’t go in them). Also some great backdrops for pictures. I would return to this area.
    • Sleep: Econo Lodge Inn & Suites in Foley, Alabama for $70.72
  • Monday, December 30 – Gulf Shores, Alabama and Florida panhandle from Pensacola to Destin
    • IG accounts to follow: VisitPensacola, DowntownPensacola, HWVDestin, TheDestinCommons, BaytoneWharf
    • Gulf State Park Nature Center (Gulf Shores, Alabama) – I think there’s a small cost, but we didn’t get charged to get on the property (where there’s lot of camping/RV sites). We arrived for a great birds of prey event and got to see some owls and a hawk up close. There are additional animals inside the building and below the building (birds). Bike riding seemed very popular here and the main beach had flat rate parking.
    • Pensacola – We parked for free not too far from Palafox Street and walked between the pier, where we saw real pelicans to down a few blocks so we could find the painted pelicans. Check if the Palafox Market is happening. There’s lots of street art and we particularly liked the blue trees and art behind the Pensacola Museum of History. The Pensacola Children’s Museum (looked small) was closed, but is covered by the ASTC Passport if you visit at a different time.
    • Emerald Coast Science Center (Fort Walton) – We got in to this small kids museum for free with our ASTC Passport and arrived about an hour before closing. Loved their unique animals like the chincillas and flying squirrels. Addy liked getting sucked into a bubble, building an arch and playing with legos. There’s also an outdoor section where you can sit on a boat and see more real animals.
    • HarborWalk Village (Destin) – This was one of our favorite places to walk. We enjoyed the various art and decorations, wandering into shop, counting blue herons and watching pelicans wait for scrap fish at the end of the day. It was free parking in the garage when we were there and the turn is right after the bridge. I didn’t indulge since we had just been in New Orleans, but the Beignets & Brew looked good.
    • Gator Beach (Destin) – Attached to Fudpucker’s, this is a fun free stop to see some real alligators of various sizes. There’s also a very small playground.
    • Destin Commons – This is a great outdoor shopping area with a Bass Pro, BAM, Starbucks and tons of other stores. We liked finding the street art, the play structure was a fun climbing one (reminded us of Summerlin near Vegas) and seeing the Christmas tree and holiday decorations. I believe there’s a kids fountain in the summer too.
    • The Village of Baytowne Wharf – This is a shopping village inside a gated and guarded community. You stop at the gate and tell them you’re going here and get a free pass for your car. The parking structure at Baytowne is small and there’s also valet. This is another cute area to walk around and we went to see the tree light up at the top of the hour to music. It was about 10 minutes long. There are lots of bridges, many who ride golf carts to get here and a carousel, plus shopping, adventures and restaurants.
    • Sleep: Comfort Inn Miramar Beach, Florida for $76.32
  • Tuesday, December 31 –
    • IG accounts to follow: SeasideFL, Rosemary_BeachFL. Visit_PCB
    • Seaside – I really wanted to stop here, but there was zero parking available. There’s a designated public parking lot. Recommend going early. Learn from my mistake!
    • Rosemary Beach – This place is adorable and the white post office with the huge holiday wreath is photogenic. We found free parking and walked around. The white sand beach was incredible. We walked right on behind people, but seems you’re supposed to be a member of being staying at a nearby property (and perhaps have a fob or something). Check out the toy store, coffee shop and bookstore (The Hidden Lantern).
    • Pier Park (Panama City) – This was the trip highlight with free parking and a free event. My only regret is we didn’t arrive exactly when it started. We got free New Years hats, played games (like a darts type game), Addy got her face painted and got a balloon animal bracelet. There were also tons of bounce houses, caricature drawings and a jewelry making station. There were also real bathrooms at this park – Aaron Bessant Park. We loved the live music and lucked up and received VIP passes to enjoy the front row for the music. Taylor Shines was so good! At 8 pm, 15,000 beach balls dropped. Addy loved this! At first we didn’t get one, but then people who had many, offered some to us and we ended up with three. We then went to the main Pier Park which is a fun shopping area to explore and you can walk straight to the beach. We enjoyed music here too! I would 100% return for this event and hope to do so in a future year.
    • Sleep: Wingate by Wyndham Panama City Area in Lynn Haven, Florida for $72.63 had an indoor pool and hot tub that we enjoyed
  • Wednesday, January 1 – Panama City and south of Columbus, Georgia
    • Oakland Terrace (Panama City) – This was an incredible playground that’s fully fenced in and has options for a wide range of ages.
    • Providence Canyon State Park – An unexpected red rock park in Georgia. It’s $5 to park and you put a tag in your car. There are different canyons to explore. We walked the loop and ducked in to see a few canyons. Make sure to grab a map or take a picture of one and follow the signs to respect the canyons by not climbing them. This helped break up our drive from Panama City to Atlanta.
    • Sleep: Wingate by Wyndham Atlanta Airport in Fairburn, Georgia for $113.17 with an indoor pool that Addy and Mike enjoyed (opened early)
  • Thursday, January 2 – Atlanta, Georgia and then return to South Carolina family
    • Georgia State Capitol – We paid for meter parking nearby and then ventured around the building, which is free to visit after going through security. Given we were here right after President Jimmy Carter’s death, we saw them put a white wreath in front of his portrait. There’s also a statue on the grounds.
    • Atlanta Aquarium – We bought our tickets off Groupon (recommend having the app downloaded for entry) and bought nearby parking on Spot Hero. We arrived in the afternoon and enjoyed a few hours here, staying until it nearly closed. The bonus of doing it this way, is the crowds thinned out and we could revisit places we wanted to see again and take better pictures. Even without tickets in hand, I was able to book the Sea Lion show and the Dolphin show through the app as soon as they became available for the day. These cannot be missed and we scheduled these for shortly after arriving for our timed ticket, which I would do again. Make sure to bring a poncho or avoid sitting in the “get wet” seats – we saw people get soaked! Make sure to keep consulting the map so you don’t miss anything. Everything feeds back to the middle.
    • The only place I’m bummed we didn’t get to visit was Boarding Pass Coffee. This is on my list for next time since I love coffee and it looks kid friendly.
    • Sleep: Returned to see family in South Carolina
  • Friday, January 3 – South Carolina to see family
  • Saturday, January 4 – Drove home with stop in Raleigh, North Carolina
    • Marbles Kids Museum – Downtown street parking was free and access to this museum was free with our ASTC Passport. This is an incredible two-story museum. There’s a real workshop area to make something, a big crafting/painting area, a sports room (including a hockey set-up), a submarine, a slide in a hallway and lots more. This is a museum we would definitely like to return too as well as a city we would like to further explore.

Total Cost: Thank you for reading this far. The total cost came to $2,650.80 and here’s the breakdown:

  • Rental Car: $779.74 for 18 days (43.32 per day)
  • Gas/Oil Change: $269.59 for gas and $94.38 for an oil change for the brand new hybrid
  • Hotels: $797.43 for 9 nights ($88.60 on average)
  • Food: $460.94 This includes shopping at Wal-Mart, coffee shops, ice cream/treats, Sam’s Club cafe, Cracker Barrel, etc. Since we left from our house in Maryland and drove, we did take some food/snacks and a flat pack of water that are not included here.
  • Miscellaneous: $248.72 This includes shopping at Goodwill Outlets (our fave in four different cities), parking, Atlanta Aquarium tickets on Groupon (like $153), etc.

Closing Thoughts: I was happy with our spending for such an involved roadtrip. My personal goal was to spend under $100 per night, on average for accommodations, so I feel like I succeeded there. And keeping the trip under $3,000 total feels like a win. Staying a few days with family members also helped our overall cost since we had a place to sleep and meals. It was a lot of driving, but I feel like we did a good job breaking up the drives where we could. I would love to know your thoughts or additional questions you have. Did the cost surprise you? Any place you want to visit now after reading this?

Cafe du Monde in New Orleans; art in Houston; museum in Houston; collectinb beads in Mobile; and Cammie's delicious ice cream in Mobile

About the Author

Lydia Garry and her family, TeamTravelsBaby, live in Silver Spring, Maryland, and are working to achieve “vagabond status”. Much of their affordable family travel experiences include U.S. travel, national parks and Europe. Adventure with them here, subscribe to their newsletter and follow along on Instagram!

Visiting DC is for everyone with so many free spots

Posted in DC-Maryland-Virginia, Free Kids Fun, National Parks, Read Them All, United StatesTagged , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment
US Capitol Building

When I was growing up, I had the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C. Then when I was in college, I had the opportunity to study abroad one summer in Europe between London and Paris/Tours, France. One thing I realized during this time was that I loved the convenience of public transportation and I wanted to live in a city that offered this. Flash forward to 2011 and I moved to D.C. for grad school.

When I lived in D.C. I would walk, metro and bus everywhere! I wanted to experience it all. Since moving to Silver Spring, Maryland, I try to remember that my goal is to be a tourist in my own town! I don’t want to lose sight of the fact I’m only a mile from the Silver Spring metro station and can be back in the heart of the city in no time! Most links will take you to pictures on my IG and I focused on free offerings unless otherwise noted. Always check the official site for hours, closures, ticketing, special events, etc. And if you’re taking metro, add your card to your phone ahead of time (it even works when the phone is dead)! Kids 4 and under are free.

The Best Free Views of D.C.

For all of these places, be prepared that you may have to go through security.

  • Washington Monument – Since I moved to D.C. and then there was an earthquake that shut this for many years, I did not want to miss a chance to visit when it reopened. It is iconic and I’m happy I finally got a ticket (I clicked on Group instead of Individual) for my daughter and I to go up (thanks to FamilyTripGuides for this tip). You can’t bring strollers up and be prepared for security. It’s $1 per ticket and you reserve through Recreation.gov either 30 days in advance or a day in advance (or take the chance of standing in line for a walk up ticket). Stand in the middle of the door on either side on the way down so you can see out the window that lights up.
  • Old Post Office – I still feel like this is a bit of a hidden gem because it was closed to the public for many years. Kids can earn a Junior Ranger badge (free) here. It’s also conveniently located by the National Children’s Museum so it could easily be combined. Enter behind the building and be prepared for security.
  • View of D.C. – This is in Arlington and metro accessible. This is also a venue space and it was super fun to take the glass elevator up spot all the sites. This closed sometime in 2024 (sad face), but I left it here in case it reopens in the future under a different name or owner.
  • Other great views include the back of the Lincoln Memorial to see the eternal flame at Arlington Cemetery, going to the top of the Kennedy Center and rooftop of the MLK Library.

Unique Non-Smithsonian Places for Kids

  • Planet Word – This is an interactive place that can be enjoyed by every age! Sing karaoke, take a picture in the photo booth, make a book come to life, find the hidden bookcase door, tell jokes, etc. If you have visitors, this is the spot to go! Reserve a free (donation based) ticket ahead of time and before or after visiting, check out Franklin Park across the street for a small playground. Take the metro here.
  • The People’s House: A White House Experience – This is free (donation based) and it’s recommended to reserve tickets in advance. This is super close to the White House and the Renwick Gallery. Sit in the 1:1 ratio Oval Office that changes with each President, take pictures like you’re presenting the Easter Egg Roll and touch various objects to make them come to life. This opened in September 2024.
  • Rock Creek Park Nature Center – This is free and since the Planetarium reopened, it sometimes has a free kids show! It’s also a place to see taxidermy, a couple real animals, color and hike! There is free parking.
  • MLK Library – We are the people who go to libraries on vacation because there are so many unique ones! This one has a slide in the stairwell of the kids section. Visit the rooftop too and if you have a little, the story time is excellent here. We metro here and combine with a walk through City Center DC since the decorations regularly change in Palmer Alley and Chinatown’s Friendship Bridge.
  • Anacostia Park – The first time I came here, I thought it was just the “pirate ship park”, but there is more! Bring socks and an ID to swap it out for free roller skates. We haven’t made it yet, but there is a nature type center here too called Aquatic Resources Education Center. There is free parking.
  • Merry Pin – This is a business that offers free Saturday morning story time and craft/art. We have found free street parking in this area.
  • National Children’s Museum – This is a paid museum right by the Ronald Reagan Building and the climbing dream machine (bring socks) is always my child’s favorite. Here’s my biggest tip – if you live in the DMV, go get an Alexandria library card (via reciprocity) then reserve a free ticket to visit online (follow all the steps)! We went in August 2024 with a 2:30 pm slot and they let us in 30 minutes early so we got 2.5 hours of free play here.
  • I wouldn’t go to the White House Visitor Center with a little unless I needed a bathroom or to escape the weather elements since there’s minimal interactivity.
  • Eastern Market – This is a fun area to explore for the outdoor market on the weekends and the indoor fish market. It’s changed so much in the time I’ve lived here. There’s also a great playground and splash pad (seasonal) nearby. Get a poptart from Ted’s Bulletin. If time allows, venture to Shakespeare’s Library. You can reserve a free ticket and there’s a kids scavenger hunt inside.

Free Smithsonians Can’t Be Missed

  • Natural History – This is our family favorite as we love the taxidermy animals, dinosaurs, the big entrance hall (from the National Mall side) and special exhibits like photography of the year. On Tuesdays, the butterfly garden inside on the 2nd level, closer to the National Mall side is free, just wait in line to get a timed ticket. On the Tuesday before Montgomery County schools went back, DC was empty – no school buses, no long lines to get inside.
  • American Indian – The Native American museum has a great kids section. We usually pair this with popping into the U.S. Botanical Gardens. We love the Botanical Gardens during the holidays to see the the outdoor train and the atrium. You can also see the Capitol from here.
  • Postal Museum – This is a top museum for littles and it’s right next to Union Station. I love making a digital stamp, picking a few old stamps to keep and exploring the interactive displays downstairs.
  • American History – This is a huge museum with so many exhibits. If you have a little, check the hours for Wegman’s Wonderplace and if your child is older, check out Spark!Lab. We have enjoyed both spaces. Be prepared for security and arrive early to beat the buses.
  • Asian Art – This is usually a museum we skip over, but we recently attended an Art & Me family event that was fantastic (reserve free ticket in advance). We also loved seeing and learning about the Peacock Room. The last Thursday of the month in the afternoon, you can see the shutters opened to reveal the window. Don’t miss the ceiling or the coins in the peacock mural. Pop into the Smithsonian Castle if it’s open or see the Eisenhower Memorial nearby.
  • African American History – This is an incredible multi-story museum. If you start at the bottom, you weave through history. If you start at the top, you learn about music, sports, etc. Don’t miss the reflection room that is beautiful and peaceful. Reserve a timed ticket in advance.
  • Zoo – One of the free zoos in the U.S. and pandas returned in early 2025! Reserve a free ticket online. Be prepared for the hilly walking! In the summer there are misters and a water feature by the seals/sea lions. There’s also a couple of play structures at the bottom of the hill near the prairie dogs and also by the farm. The play space inside the newly renovated bird area is great for kids with crafts, storytime and outdoor play. This is only open certain days/times per week. We usually come on a Sunday when street parking is free or metro to Cleveland Park (downhill trek to zoo) and return from Woodley Park (downhill trek from zoo).
  • National Mall – This is the big green space that has many of the free museums and I had the good fortune to have my grad school graduation here when Kerri Washington from Scandal was the speaker. If you’re exploring Smithsonians, it’s hard to miss. Venture to all of the monuments along the Mall like WWII, Lincoln, Washington Monument, Vietnam and beyond to all of the ones along the Tidal Basin (body of water). Make sure you wear comfortable shoes. They are all free to visit and shouldn’t be missed. Many people like enjoying the sunrise or sunset by the Tidal Basin. Fun fact, my husband proposed at the Lincoln Memorial.

Paid Museums to Consider:

  • National Law Enforcement – We were gifted this opportunity and loved it. The museum is underground and metro accessible from Judiciary Square. It is very interactive. You can sit in a police car and touch all the buttons, learn about dogs that work with law enforcement, listen to 911 calls, watch a short movie on the wall, etc. I would definitely return here in the future and their t-shirt is one of my favorites because it is so soft. Check for discounted tickets on Groupon.
  • Museum of the Bible – Check for tickets on Groupon. We found one for $18 and my daughter was free based on her age. It was beautiful during the holidays and we loved hearing the people play chimes and bells. There’s a kids play area inside and a section to play games.
  • International Spy Museum – This was a super memorable museum when I was younger and visited DC. It has moved locations since then and I look forward to taking my daughter at some point.

Specific Time of Year

  • January or February. Discovery Days happens in Baltimore and Maryland residents can reserve free timed tickets to the National Aquarium. This is an amazing deal! The Maryland Science Center nearby is covered by the ASTC Passport, so if you’re visiting the area from out of town, definitely check out this museum and you may be able to visit for free via reciprocity. Read my article, Your Family Needs the ASTC Passport, for all the convincing you need.
  • March or April. The cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin at or around peak season are to be enjoyed. Yes, it’s crowded because people come from all around the globe to see this phenomenon because it’s incredible. It’s also a chance to see gorgeous magnolias. I haven’t tested this yet, but we were told by a park ranger that they have seasonal Junior Ranger badges for kids to earn during this time! Sundays will be busier than a weekday, but you may be able to find free parking.
  • March or April. The White House Easter Egg Roll is such a fun event to participate in, particularly if it doesn’t rain and it’s not too hot. In 2023 we “won the lotto” and got to participate! Every February there’s a lottery period to submit your interest. There were lawn games with athletes, free treats, crafts and characters! We skipped the iconic events.
  • Summer. Visit Yards Park Canal Basin for the most unique “splash pad” type experience. Bring bathing suits and go under the waterfall or splash around in the shallow water. The views are beautiful. Don’t forget the sunscreen.
  • July. The peak bloom of the lotuses at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens are beautiful! It is definitely hot and humid, but also unique! This is a fun place to earn a Junior Ranger badge (free program for kids). Make sure to walk back to the boardwalk to look for various birds. Parking is free in the lot, but it gets crowded and then you have to use street parking.
  • Holidays. Check out the adorable trains at the Botanical Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland. My daughter loved the various scavenger hunts. This is free to visit and there’s also a nature center and children’s garden. It’s also gorgeous in the spring. The Washington, D.C. Temple, which is actually just outside of DC is a beautiful, free place to see lights and nativity sets from around the world.

Right Over the D.C. Border are These Gems

  • Oxon Cove Park and Oxon Hill Farm – We timed it so we arrived in time to feed the chickens! There are other animals to see too, a nature building with coloring, games and books and a chance to earn a Junior Ranger badge.
  • National Harbor – The downside is parking (try to book ahead of time with SpotHero). Otherwise, play in the sand, catch a movie or sport on the big screen, find the famous statues, play in the little kid area or fenced in park and walk through the Gaylord. This is also close to the Tanger Outlets which has a small kids play area and free parking.
  • National Cryptologic Museum – This is a small museum with a decoding activity (and prize) for kids. We also got to use invisible ink. It has dedicated parking.

Thanks for checking out this article. This is not meant to be all-inclusive, but rather give you some ideas in one place from a local mom who enjoys adventuring and keeping the costs low. I could write full articles about the playgrounds in the area, cities like Alexandria, Annapolis, Frederick, etc., so make sure to check back if you’re interested in those. I would love for you to check out some of my other articles such as Airport Play Areas in the DMV, How To Save Money In Order to Travel, Keep Your Green at Great Wolf Lodge.

About the Author

Lydia Garry and her family, TeamTravelsBaby, live in Silver Spring, Maryland, and are working to achieve “vagabond status”. Much of their affordable family travel experiences include U.S. travel, national parks and Europe. Adventure with them here, subscribe to their newsletter and follow along on Instagram!

Your Family Needs the ASTC Passport

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Every family should strongly consider joining a museum that’s part of the ASTC Passport Program. ASTC stands for the Association of Science and Technology Centers and it covers a ton of museums and science centers across the United States, Canada and beyond! It even covered a zoo in Duluth, Minnesota, the Greensboro Science Center, North Carolina which had a zoo, aquarium and kids museum all in one and the Montreal Science Center in Canada (which had a great dinosaur special exhibit when we visited)!

In 2022, we were visiting Michigan for an extended visit and I found that buying an annual family membership to the Ann Arbor Children’s Museum paid for itself in two visits! And with that membership, we would be allowed to visit any museums beyond 90 miles of this museum and our home address for FREE! Museums within that mileage would be 50% off. This was a no brainer for us and we actually found that many museums did not check our ID, so even when we thought we would pay 50% of the admission price, we often got in for free with our pass!

In November 2022 and November 2023, we bought the Maryland Science Center (Baltimore) Groupon for around $80-90. This gave us a family membership for one year and there’s a long lead time before you have to redeem and start the one year clock. We actually waited until April (6 months later) in both cases to redeem our pass with a Sunday visit to the Maryland Science Center. If you join, which I highly recommend, check out my IG highlight for some more Baltimore ideas.

If you travel, this is the MUST HAVE pass!

I try to yell from the rooftops about the benefits of this program. From where we live in Silver Spring, I don’t think Baltimore is super convenient because it involves taking I-95! But we make a point of going two times in the year, on a Sunday, avoiding baseball game days. We go on Sundays because we can find free parking and we go twice, because that’s how quickly this pass pays for itself. in 2024, it’s $30/adult and $22/child (ages 3-12). In the DMV, there’s also the Children’s Science Center in Fairfax (inside the mall) that is also part of the ASTC Passport Program. It’s fun to check out downtown Fairfax while in the area too.

When we travel, I always look up all of the covered places using the ASTC Passport website to see the current brochure of places listed by state. In my mind, whether we visit a place for 30 minutes or for hours, it doesn’t matter, because it’s FREE. We have visited museums that would have cost us more than buying the Groupon for the Maryland Science Center. When I tell you it’s worth it, it is 100% worth it.

To give a quick example, when we cruised to Santa Barbara in April 2024, there were three covered places by the pass that we visited in one day. If we had paid for admission separately, we would have paid $148! Below is the breakdown by museum, but remember we paid $0 in Santa Barbara to enter these three places. The main takeaway is that spending $80-$90 for our Maryland Science Center pass in November when it’s on Groupon is a MUST PURCHASE!

  • MOXI The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation – This was an incredible kids museum, with a great makerspace. We even got to enjoy a beautiful rooftop view. In 2024, this museum cost $15/kid (3-12 years old) and $20/adult (13+). This would have cost our family (2 adults + 1 child) $55 to visit, but instead it was FREE because it’s more than 90 miles from our condo in Maryland and the Maryland Science Center.
  • Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History – We enjoyed seeing the indoor spaces, the huge dinosaurs in the back, the whale skeleton and we happened to be here during the Solar Eclipse so it was amazing to use the huge telescope. They also have an outdoor kids play space and small play room. This would have cost our family $52 to visit ($19/adult and $14/kid ages 2-12), but instead, we showed our Maryland Science Center pass and it was FREE.
  • Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (Sea Center) – This was a small aquarium. I loved seeing the octopus and watching an employee pull up items directly from the water. It was also conveniently close to the cruise port. This would have cost our family $41 ($15/adult and $11/kid ages 2-12).

I love this pass and I think you and your family will too. It also makes for a great experience gift! I set a reminder for each November to keep a look out for it! If you subscribe to the Maryland Science Center newsletter, you also get notified. I’ll do my best to share via my newsletter too!

Have you visited an ASTC Passport covered museum? Let me know in the comments.

About the Author

Lydia Garry and her family, TeamTravelsBaby, live in Silver Spring, Maryland, and are working to achieve “vagabond status”. Much of their affordable family travel experiences include U.S. travel, national parks and Europe. Adventure with them here, subscribe to their newsletter and follow along on Instagram!

DMV Landing Page

Posted in Free Kids Fun, Read Them All, United StatesTagged , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

Let it be easy! That’s what I want for whomever comes across my page, whether it’s from my Instagram, through my newsletter or some other way. As the family trip planner – whether it’s for an afternoon outing or a full blow vacation, I appreciate when I come across places that put it all together and make my life easier to create the best trip for my family.

Blog Posts

  • Airport Play Areas in the DMV – BWI, DCA, and IAD all have play areas and are accessible by public transit!
  • Free Mall Play Areas in the DMV – This article has much more than malls. I lay out other ideas for what to do near each mall.
  • Free Fun for Kids at Big Box Retailers – We are huge fans of free and affordable fun! There are so many companies that have weekly or monthly offerings.
    • Merry Pin is a new local store that has free story time and art each Saturday!
  • Keep Your Green at Great Wolf Lodge – We visited the one in Perryville, Maryland that’s north of Baltimore and had the best time! Definitely a core memory for my daughter (and me).
  • Maryland Ice Cream Trail Adventure – My daughter and I had the best time trying ice cream at cow to cone locations! We visited libraries, towns, playgrounds, etc. as part of our adventure.
  • Sligo Creek Parkway Playgrounds and Nearby Ones – There are so many incredible parks in Silver Spring, along the creek, as well as parks in the surrounding areas like Wheaton and Takoma Park.
  • Splish Splash in Maryland – Beat the summer heat and head to one of the outdoor pools! Also includes some splash pads to get you started.
  • Top Tips for New Silver Spring Parents – This is chock-full of suggestions and will benefit you whether you moved to Silver Spring ,are new to parenting in Silver Spring or you’re located in a surrounding area!
  • Your Family Needs the ASTC Passport – If you have a kid, you have to get an annual membership to an ASTC Passport covered museum, especially if you like to travel. If you’re in the DMV, I recommend joining the Maryland Science Center when its on Groupon.

Affordable Adventures

Newsletters

I created a Substack newsletter. It covers near and far travel, books, random learnings and more! I would love for you to subscribe for free. The content highlighted below are DMV places (or very close) but some posts may cover other areas like Edition 1 touches on Salt Lake City.

About the Author

Lydia Garry and her family, TeamTravelsBaby, live in Silver Spring, Maryland, and are working to achieve “vagabond status”. Much of their affordable family travel experiences include U.S. travel, national parks and Europe. Adventure with them here, subscribe to their newsletter and follow along on Instagram!

Explore the Eastern Shore

Posted in DC-Maryland-Virginia, Free Kids Fun, Read Them All, United StatesTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment
Red playground | TeamTravelsBaby

From our condo in Silver Spring, Maryland it takes us about 45 minutes to cross the Bay Bridge (make sure you have an EZ Pass for the toll) and then there are a lot of choices for exploring Maryland’s Eastern Shore. When we first started venturing to the Eastern Shore, I only thought of Assateague and Ocean City, Maryland. Let me assure you, there are a lot of fun places – ice cream shops, cute towns, playgrounds, beaches and art to see! If you prefer staying on Instagram, I have a highlight reel, but I have many more details here and it’s searchable. Some of my hyperlinks below will also take you to my Insta with pics.

Berlin

This is a cute historic town with ice cream, a thrift store (cash only), a coffee shop and some shops. If you pass through on a Sunday, there’s a seasonal market and stores are open too. This is very close to Assateague and Ocean City.

  • Island Creamery is located downtown and will let you split a single scoop so you can enjoy two flavors for just over $5. There’s often a line here but it moves fast and you can enjoy seating in the alley next to it.
  • Chesapeake Bay Farms is one of the stops on the Maryland Ice Cream Trail; this is directly off US 50 West so it’s an easy stop without adding too much time to your journey
    • You can learn more about it here and the possible prizes!
  • The library has toys and is a good stop if you need a clean bathroom.
  • The beautifully painted pumpkin scavenger hunt in October was so much fun! It’s free, the town is happening with music and activities for kids. See our reel here.
  • About 10 minutes from downtown is Wal-Mart which is a great place to stock up before the beach. We’ve also slept in this parking lot to save money!

Ocean City

This is a destination for many and it’s super fun with the ocean, the bay, a long boardwalk and many other family friendly offerings. We recently found a last minute deal for $92 for the Blue Wave Inn which was like a Motel 6 but with an incredible pool and parking that lasted until 3 pm on the day of check out. It was only 2 blocks from 9th street at the boardwalk. I would stay again.

  • No name park is new and a must visit near the skate park and views of the bay.
  • Check out CertifiKID* to see if there are any deals for Jolly Rogers Amusement Park (we saw some in June 2024). Many places, like miniature golfing offer deals if you look in hotels at the pamphlets.
  • Ocean City is fun in various seasons. We loved visiting in October for the enjoyable weather and the off-season pricing (see what we paid here) at the Francis Scott Key Family Resort which has an indoor pool, putt-putt, free popcorn and a movie room. Insta pics here.

* CertifiKID is very similar to GroupOn. If you’ve never used it, please consider using my referral link as it’s no extra cost to you and I will receive a small credit from CertifiKID. In the DMV, we have found deals for places like DoodleHatch (Columbia), Jolly Yolly (Westfield Montgomery) and HyperKidz.

Bivalve

Cove Road Beach is the only reason we came here which is on a river and very relaxing. It’s about 25 minutes from Salisbury.

Cove Road Beach | TeamTravelsBaby

Cambridge

Located along the Choptank River, this is a great halfway point to stop and stretch on the way to the Atlantic Ocean. It also makes for a fun day trip from the DMV area (90 minutes from Silver Spring).

  • Sailwinds Park has a great playground and is located along the river
  • Chick-fil-A is about 1 mile from Sailwinds and has a small play area
  • There is a downtown with coffee, ice cream and art! Set your GPS for Black Water Coffee Shop and you’ll be in the heart of it all. IG post here.
  • Dorchester County Library is a place to escape the heat but still let your kids stretch. They have kids toys.

Chestertown

This is close to Rock Hall and Betterton Beach. I definitely recommend combining all three for a great day trip away from the DMV. Chestertown is the biggest town and is fun for wandering in and out of shops like the bookstore.

  • Betterton Beach is one of those ideal beaches for littles! Check out my IG post. It’s under 2 hours from Silver Spring, MD and we’ve enjoyed this as a day trip.
  • Rock Hall – grab a treat at Sweet Cheeks Bakery, grab coffee from Java Rock and look for ospreys at Blue Heron Park.
  • Lockbriar Farms for ice cream is part of the Maryland ice cream trail and has delicious fruit flavored ones. The owners had a sweet cat who sat with us and then we took a little tour to see the chickens and flowers blooming.

Easton

Less than 90 minutes from Silver Spring is an Amish Market, indoor play space and great park! It can easily be combined with Cambridge.

  • Be with Me Playseum is an indoor playspace with different areas for pretend play, real animals and art. Be sure to check their hours here. This is located on US 50 West. There’s also a location in the Columbia Mall and one in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
  • Idlewild Park is an amazing wooden park that’s mostly fenced in, has a tot lot too and bathrooms! There’s also a book box and a really pretty court. IG reel here It’s only a couple of minutes off US 50 East, so it’s another great park on the way to the beach.
  • Amish Country Farmers Market – Check their hours and know that it’s closed Sundays. This is a great stop if you just need a quick outting and perhaps some affordable and delicious treats! We love Amish markets and have enjoyed exploring many in the DMV like Annapolis, Laurel and Germantown.
  • Chick-fil-A here has a small play area.
Be with Me Playseum | TeamTravelsBaby

Grasonville

The Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center is a great place for getting outdoors, especially if you enjoy walking/hiking or getting out on the water with paddleboards or kayaks. It is exceptionally affordable (like $20/day) and first come first serve. Read more on their site. Grab coffee from Dessert First Dockside Coffee and make sure to check out the marina.

Kent Island

This makes for a great trip and is great when the weather is comfortable for hiking and spending time outdoors.

  • Ferry Point Park – Park and check out the Chesapeake Heritage and Visitor Center, then go for a leisurely walk and enjoy the small beach.
  • Terrapin Nature Park – This is also a great place to walk and enjoy a small beach.
  • Pair with Old Love Point Park or other fun from Stevensville or Grasonville.

Oxford

I could come here just for the uniqueness of the ice cream! There is a small town along Main Street, a playground with shade near the water and a small beach.

  • Scottish Highland Creamery is so cute and right on the water!
  • Main Street has a little museum, a cute store of 30+ local vendors called the Treasure Chest, a market, Mystery Lovers Bookstore and my personal favorite was my iced lavender latte at Oxford Social Cafe. There’s a playground on the water and a little beach too.
Main Street Oxford | TeamTravelsBaby

Salisbury

This is the great stop to break up the drive to or from the ocean or to enjoy as its own trip.

Two Scoops Ice Cream | TeamTravelsBaby
Ben’s Red Swings next to the free zoo | TeamTravelsBaby

Stevensville

Will travel for ice cream should be our middle names. You can have a great day between the beach, ice cream and playground all within a short distance of one another.

  • Historic downtown Stevensville is small, but worth visiting for the Tasty Toucan which has a very kid friendly outdoor space. Check out my IG post.
  • Matapeake Beach is a small beach nearby. Parking is limited so get there early or come later in the day.
  • Old Love Point Playground

St. Michael’s

There’s a Saturday morning market and the library has toys if you’re visiting with a young child. It’s a fun town by the water. Grab coffee at Blue Crab and check out my IG post here.

So much to do on the Eastern Shore

If you have time and like birding, bring your camera and check out Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and the nearby Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center. And why not venture all the way to Delaware! You’re almost there anyways. Here’s our day in Rehoboth. I also have a beach highlight on Instagram that some of the beaches we’ve been to within a reasonable drive of the DMV.

Let me know in the comments what you love about the Eastern Shore or somewhere we should visit on a future trip!

Free fun for kids at big box retailers

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Did you know there are big box retailers that offer FREE fun? Check this out to learn about some of the companies I’m aware of and feel free to share additional ideas in the comments!

As a family, we aim to reduce consumerism and shy away from name brands and big box retail stores, BUT, I do make one exception and that’s when those big name stores offer FREE fun! Even I can’t resist! The other thing I love is we’ve been able to participate in these free events while traveling!

First up is Michaels, the arts and crafts store. On select Sunday afternoons (often 2-4 pm), they offer a window of time for kids to come in and do a make-and-take craft. When we visited Spartanburg, South Carolina, we tried this out for the first time and both my daughter (4 at the time) and I made tie-dye shirts. (See our experience on Instagram.) We got to pick out our shirt style and size from the t-shirt aisle in the store, the Michaels employee requisitioned it (aka made it free) and then provided the aprons, instructions and supplies for us to add the colors. Then she provided bags for us to take them home and told us how to finish them up three days later. This is still one of my favorite shirts and was such a fun experience for my daughter and I to do together.

Craft at Michael’s | TeamTravelsBaby
Tie-dye shirt making for free | TeamTravelsBaby

Tip: Call the store you plan to go to and verify that they indeed are doing the craft, as advertised online. (Trust me, I’ve learned from experience. For example, the downtown Silver Spring, Maryland location still does not offer in-person events.) Then reserve your spot online at the store you plan to go to.

Next up is Home Depot, the home improvement store. They offer a free kids workshop, typically on the first Saturday morning of each month between 9 am – 12 pm. I reserved her spot (to guarantee her a kit) online and my parents took her to the one in Spartanburg, South Carolina. This one was hosted outdoors. She was given an apron, a pin, and the necessary supplies to assemble, paint and decorate a bean bag toss (a mini cornhole). I am not one to use a hammer and nails, but my Mom is. This is such a great way to engage other family members and introduce your child to something new. See her fun on Instagram! Similarly, she enjoyed a different creation at the Home Depot in Michigan with her cousin and my in-laws!

Tip: Book your spot online in advance as you do not want to show up to the store and have your child disappointed. If you do not show up, they will give away your kit at the end of the allotted window.

Their competitor, Lowe’s, also offers a similar kids workshop. These workshops are typically the third Saturday of the month, but always check their calendar and sign-up in advance to reserve your spot. They offer different one hour windows, usually between 10 am – 1 pm. We finally gave this a try in January and loved it! We built a toolbox together and the instructions were super easy to follow. We’re already excited to return in February! Make sure they “check you in” so your child gets credit as there are different milestones to work towards.

Building a toolbox | TeamTravelsBaby

Tip: Book early if you’re in an area that only has one location within a reasonable distance. They’re usually available almost a month in advance for sign-up online. If you do not show up, they give away your kit at the end of the allotted window to walk-ins.

The last company I’ll highlight is Ikea, the Swedish company that offers furniture and home décor. The first step is to sign-up for their free Ikea loyalty card and add it to your Apple wallet or traditional wallet or purse. Every time you go there you can get a FREE coffee, with FREE refills! This is like a parent’s dream! Their restaurants usually have big windows, lots of seating and a couple of kid friendly (geared for little kids) items to touch. Drink your coffee hot!

Also, Ikea offers FREE childcare in their Smaland, while you shop. I love a kid free walk around Target with Starbucks, but free coffee and free childcare, I’m honestly blown away! The child must be potty-trained, must wear socks and there is a range for acceptable height (instead of age) which is 37 to 54 inches. The Smaland at the location closest to us (in College Park, Maryland) has been closed for some time, but they do offer a long table of free kids crafts and coloring in the restaurant on Wednesdays from 12 pm – 1 pm and 6 pm – 7 pm (always double check in case it changes and you may need to make online reservations or walk in and show your free family card, which I have saved to my Apple wallet). Plus with the FREE card, you can buy one adult entrée and get kids entrees for free the same night (which for us is like $12 for the three of us to eat). We have been multiple times and my daughter loves this! Check the College Park location for other offerings too! And we have visited many locations across the United States that have their own unique kids offerings (like at the one in Vegas, Addy got to paint a picture frame and make a placemat that got laminated and at the one in Minnesota by Mall of America she loved the little snoopy house and riding the slanted escalators).

Ikea in Minneapolis | TeamTravelsBaby
Ikea in College Park, MD | TeamTravelsBaby
Ikea in Las Vegas | TeamTravelsBaby

Tip: We have always been on weekdays in the late afternoon, which have never been busy. If you go on a weekend, expect that many others may have the same idea and there could be a wait for Smaland. 

So now you know! Big box retailers do offer kid-friendly FREE fun! I hope you’ll take advantage of these great offerings. Affordable family travel can be where you live or where you travel to. If you found this page without subscribing to my newsletter, I encourage you to check it out and subscribe. Here’s my Inaugural Newsletter and my second newsletter, Sunshine State of Mind.

And while there isn’t a craft or project to take home (although on occasion, we’ve seen coloring sheets), Barnes and Noble bookstore is another big box company that offers story time which is typically on Saturdays at 11 am! Please share any other free big box retailer offerings in the comments! We love adding new things to our list for the DMV area and for when we travel.

Story time at Barnes and Noble in Tucson | TeamTravelsBaby