Mary J. Murphy’s Guide to Summer in Bethesda and Beyond…the popular top spots, the hidden gems, and all the little secrets you need to have a memorable vacation in your own back yard!
Written and edited by Julie Kennon
Beat the Heat at Cool Neighborhood Pools
· Rockville Swim and Fitness Center (www.rockvillemd.gov/swimcenter) is conveniently located by Rockville Town Center, and it has a huge recreational pool with a beach entry (perfect for little waders), a waterslide, a tot pool with fountains, and an interactive “sprayground” with slides, fountains and waterfalls. If that’s a little too much action for you, head over to one of the two indoor heated lap pools or the outdoor 50-meter lap pool. There are locker rooms, a fitness center, a snack bar…it’s truly a one-stop shop for some summer fun.
· You’ll run into lots of neighbors at the Bethesda Chevy Chase YMCA (www.ymcadc.org), which has three pools. Check it out and you can channel the Village People with your kids! The Y is located at 9401 Old Georgetown Road and the phone number is (301) 530-3725.
· The Old Georgetown Club (www.vikaza.com/OldGeorgetownClub) is your quintessential neighborhood swim and tennis club. If you think you’ll be interested in joining in the next year or so, get on the waitlist now! This pool is an incredibly popular choice for many Bethesda families. The Club boasts vibrant and enthusiastic swim and dive teams and a great tennis program; they also have space to rent for pool parties. Visit OGC at 9600 Fernwood Road, or call them at (301) 469-9772.
· The Montgomery Aquatic Center (www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cultmpl.asp?url=/content/REC/recipix/aquatic.asp) features an indoor main pool, a warm-water leisure pool, two hydrotherapy pools, a ten-meter diving platform and an indoor water slide. There is also an exercise room, a snack bar, locker and shower facilities, saunas, a lighted outdoor jogging trail and enclosed racquetball courts.
· Bethesda Pool, located at Little Falls Parkway and Hillandale Road, is that irresistible pool that beckons if you’re one of the sweaty souls running or biking on the Capital Crescent Trail during the summer. Four pools, diving boards, a snack bar…who could ask for a better way to beat the heat? Call (301) 652-1598 for daily fees.
· Wildwood Manor Swimming Pool (www.wildwoodpool.com/index.html) is another option if you’re looking to join a community pool. This one offers a swim team, multiple pools, family cookouts, movies, raft nights and parties.
If You’re Looking for Something a Little Crazier than your Standard Pool….
· The South Germantown Splash Playground has an awesome 280-jet water maze, a waterfall with a cave, water bucket drops, AND a putt-putt course next door! This is a great option for younger kids and moms who don’t really want to wear their bathing suits but want to stay close to their kids. Be warned; the only food available comes from a vending machine, so pack your carrots and grapes at home. There are nice picnic tables so it’s easy to spend hours here. You can find information at www.gaithersburgmd.gov or call (301) 601-3581.
· Bohrer Park (also at www.gaithersburgmd.gov) on South Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg is designed for the entire family. The main attraction for guests over 48” is the 250-foot long double water slide that dumps kids into the pool. They can choose the blue slide for a hair-raising ride or the white slide for something a little tamer. The park also offers a children’s splash pool for kids five and under. This area features a frog slide, crab spray, and zero-depth entry for waders. There’s a play area outside of the pool, and lots of shade, spots to eat, and bathrooms close by.
· For a full day’s worth of fun, pack your sunscreen and head to Chesapeake Beach Water Park (www.chesapeakebeachwaterpark.com). It’s not quite an hour outside of our area, and this park has it all…eight water slides, fountains, waterfalls, a lagoon, and an activity pool.
· Virginia offers the Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole (www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/rec/watermine), which offers tons of slides, flumes, sprays, and showers, and is circled by the Rattlesnake River – a 2.5 MPH current that gently nudges tubes along. A bit of the old west is recreated here, as kids careen off covered wagons, float on rattlesnakes and dash through showers tipped from water-filled ore carts.
If you get in the car and feel like a road trip, and want some serious water fun, drive a few hours south to Great Wolf Lodge (www.greatwolf.com/williamsburg/waterpark). This will be an overnight trip, but your kids will be
· over the moon with the huge indoor waterpark, the amazing slides, the MagiQuest game, and all the kitchy things that make this place a wonderland.
Now That You’re Thinking of a Road Trip, Try Some of These:
· Six Flags America (www.sixflags.com/america/index.aspx) is the big daddy of theme parks in this area. It’s not too far away – only about 30 minutes – and offers everything from seriously high roller coasters to gentle rides for little ones. There are live shows, plenty of food options, games and a water park. This park is open April to October and concludes with a frighteningly fun Halloween festival.
· Hershey Park (www.hersheypark.com) is a couple of hours north of Washington, DC, in Hershey, PA. This park is all about chocolate, which makes it a favorite for kids. There are lots of rides, including drenching water rides, and plenty of live shows and entertainment. If you want to make this an overnight, you can stay in the family friendly Hershey Lodge or go a little upscale with the Hotel Hershey. Other than two weekends in April (“Springtime in the Park”), this park is open May to September. You can’t miss Chocolate World, which is a motorized tour of chocolate making – it is well done, funny, and ends with a sweet chocolate treat. Taste the ultra-fresh Hershey’s Kisses here and you’ll never again love the ones you buy at the grocery store!
· Dutch Wonderland (www.dutchwonderland.com) is a great option for families with younger kids. There are lots of rides for those wee ones under 36” as well as some coasters for older kids. There’s a water park, entertainment, food and souvenirs. This park is also located in Pennsylvania, in the heart of Dutch Country.
· Busch Gardens Williamsburg is another local favorite, offering rides, shows, animal attractions and a water park. This European-themed amusement park is home to the world’s tallest and first floorless roller coaster. If your kids aren’t quite up for that level of fun, there’s a new Sesame Street-themed area, as well as many other rides and a variety of authentic foods and shops.
· Dinosaur Land (www.dinosaurland.com) is located in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, and is the place to visit if you have a dino-phile in your family. This small park features 37 fiberglass replicas of prehistoric creatures, and is a wonderfully educational, imaginative place to turn back the hands of time. Your kids’ science teachers will applaud your visit!
· While you’re in the Shenandoah Valley area, stop in at Luray Caverns (www.luraycaverns.com). These are the largest and most popular caverns in the area, and they will amaze you. There are more than 11 caverns, including the famed “Stalactite Organ.” The scenery is gorgeous and you’re all sure to learn a little cave science during your trip.
· If you don’t get enough of George over the Fourth of July, a day trip to Mount Vernon (www.mountvernon.org) is always a fun adventure. George Washington’s home and gardens offer 20 structures and 50 acres of gardens as they existed in 1799. The estate sits on the bank of the Potomac River, so outside is as fun as inside. The estate includes a museum, the tombs of George and Martha Washington, Washington’s greenhouse, and a memorial to the accomplishments of 18th-century slaves.
· A mere 40 minutes away (which means only about 15 minutes of “Are we there yet??”), Annapolis, MD is a fantastic destination for boating enthusiasts. There are also plenty of historic sites, museums, galleries, theaters, restaurants, walking tours, and gorgeous water views that will quickly having you refer to your spouse as, “Matey!” The Naval Academy, which is just a sight to behold in its own right, offers athletic events that are open to the public year-round. There’s even an annual Renaissance Festival! Visit www.ci.annapolis.md.us for more information.
· While we’re on the subject of water and driving, it’s fitting to mention Deep Creek Lake (www.visitdeepcreek.com). Located about three hours northwest, in Garrett County, the mountains, rivers and lakes offer year-round outdoor fun. Deep Creek Lake is actually Maryland’s largest freshwater lake and is ideal for boating, fishing, swimming and sailing. There are marinas happy to rent you a boat, or you can watch the sailing races each weekend from the safety of the shore. Incidentally, this is also where Wisp Ski Resort is located.
Awesome Adventures for Rainy Days
· The Maryland Science Center (www.mdsci.org) in Baltimore has serious “wow” appeal. If you want your kids to learn without knowing they’re doing it, this is the place to visit. Want to learn about sound waves? Murmur into two huge “whisper disks” and have someone stand in the middle of the room to intercept the sounds. You can learn about dinosaurs, crabs, your body, space, and more. There’s an amazing kids’ area with water play, an undersea world, a pneumatic messaging system…this gem was named one of the Top Ten Children’s Museums by Parents Magazine, and it deserves the accolades.
· If you’re already in Baltimore, you can’t miss the National Aquarium on the Harbor (www.aqua.org). Home to the famous dolphin shows, this aquarium also offers a 4D Immersion Theater and plenty of informative shows and exhibits. If you’re not in Baltimore, there’s a newly renovated venue in DC (www.nationalaquarium.org) that will certainly give you a fishy fix.
· Not to show too much favor to the super-cool stuff in Baltimore, but there’s one more exceedingly fun spot if you visit our northern neighbors. The Port Discovery Children’s Museum (www.portdiscovery.org) guarantees an afternoon of imagination for your kids. There’s an exhibit on Curious George, a convenience store and gas station where kids can shop and learn about healthy eating choices, and a wonders of water exhibit where kids will a) get soaked and b) learn about human interactions with water through the eyes of meteorologists and astronauts. There’s a 50’s-style diner where kids can “cook” and serve food, practicing their math skills on the cash register, or they can visit Miss Perception’s Mystery House to follow clues and solve mysteries. For really young visitors, there’s even a sensory room where shapes, colors and textures abound.
· A secret of moms who want to stay local and have their kids burn off some energy, gyms usually offer an hour or two of unstructured free play time. Bounce U (www.bounceu.com), which is off 270N, even lets parents leave while their kids are entertained on giant inflatable slides and obstacle courses. Dynamite Gymnastics Center (http://www.dynamitegc.com), Silver Stars Gymnastics (www.gosilverstars.com), My Gym (www.my-gym.com), The Little Gym (www.thelittlegym.com), and Xtreme Acro and Cheer (www.xtremeacroandcheer.com) all offer hours of free play.
· It’s kind of cool (get it??) to ice skate in the middle of summer – and that’s just what you can do at Cabin John Ice Rink (www.cabinjohnice.com). They offer lessons all summer, and whether you want to figure skate, try hockey, or just do that funky lurching move all new skaters use, it’s a great way to get some exercise and escape either the driving rain or the blistering summer sun.
· Bethesda moms are abuzz about the Play with Me Playseum on Wisconsin Avenue (www.playseum.com). It’s all about imagination – there’s a room where the kids can pretend to cook or serve ice cream, a play supermarket with grocery carts, an art room, an animal room, a snuggle spot to read books…it’s been noted that it’s best to attend with your own grown-up friend, because the kids get engaged quickly and sometimes the adults can get bored. Kudos have been heard for the price, the people who run it and the cleanliness of the facility.
Sizzling Summer Fun for the Fourth of July
(http://washington.org/visiting/experience-dc/seasonal-experience/summer/fourth-of-july-celebration)
Washington, DC’s Fourth of July festivities include a host of celebrations guaranteed to delight your family. Note how many times the word “free” appears…being patriotic doesn’t have to cost you a penny!
· If you’re up for a beautiful drive down the GW Parkway, head to Mount Vernon for An American Celebration, which begins at 8:00 am. Bands, free cake and a visit from General and Mrs. Washington make this a unique birthday party.
· The National Archives start a party at 10:00 am, and there’s no better place to see a Presentation of Colors by the Continental Color Guard, or to hear a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence. A few of our founding fathers will appear, looking remarkably good for their ages. Activities will run until 2:30 pm.
· The 43rd Smithsonian Folklife Festival is open from 11:00 am to 5:30 pm, and transforms the National Mall into a celebration of the diversity of our nation. The festival, which runs from June 24 – 28 and July 1 – 5, includes music, dancing, crafts, and demonstrations of different cultures.
· The Washington National Cathedral offers a free Independence Day Organ Concert at 11:00 am.
· America’s National Independence Day Parade is, without a doubt, the perfect way to show off your red, white and blue! The parade features marching bands, military and specialty units, floats and VIPs. It begins at 11:45 am at Constitution Avenue and 7th Street NW, but you’ll want to stake out a good spot early, as this event draws a crowd.
· The U.S. Capitol’s West Lawn is the spot for A Capital Fourth, a free, 90-minute musical extravaganza. Jimmy Smits will host, the National Symphony Orchestra will perform and there will be many other famous acts. Bring a picnic blanket and absorb the privilege of sitting at the Capitol on July 4th! The gates open at 3:00 pm and the concert starts at 8:00 pm.
· And then, of course, don’t miss the main event! Fireworks at the Washington Monument begin around 9:20 pm. You can stay on the West Lawn of the Capitol, find a spot on the National Mall between 14th Street and the Capitol, have dinner at a DC restaurant with rooftop dining, or even hop on the Spirit of Washington for a Fireworks Dinner Cruise from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm. The Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, FDR Memorial, or Iwo Jima in Rosslyn, VA are also great spots to catch the fireworks. If you plan to take Metro, please note that the Smithsonian metro station will be closed on the Fourth.
Just as patriotic, but closer to home….
· Nothing says July 4th like the Wyngate Bike Parade. A fire truck leads a parade of children on or in wildly decorated bikes, scooters, wagons, baby joggers, rollerblades…if you’ve got wheels, decorate them and come on out! If you don’t have wheels, walkers are also welcome, as are friendly and leashed pets. Many families also just park themselves along Bulls Run Parkway to watch the colorful parade. Join us at 9:15 am, and then hang around for the games and crafts that take place after the parade. This is a memory-maker for our kids, so don’t miss the fun!
· A well-kept secret is that the local country clubs set off spectacular fireworks displays that can be seen from neighboring streets and parks. Congressional Country Club on River Road, Columbia Country Club and the Chevy Chase Club (both on Connecticut Avenue) light up the sky every July – so head to Norwood Park, Lynbrook Center, or just park your car on a side street and enjoy the show. Columbia usually schedules their fiesta for the first Tuesday in July, Chevy Chase always does July 3rd, and Congressional’s event is July 4th. You can certainly get your fill of free fireworks the first week in July!
The Arts in Bethesda
· If you want your kids to appreciate theater from toddler-hood on, you will love Adventure Theater in Glen Echo Park (www.adventuretheatre.org). This talented group takes stories even young kids know (such as Goodnight Moon, Frosty the Snowman, Harold and the Purple Crayon, If you Give a Mouse a Cookie) and turns them into musicals that will delight the children and even really entertain the adults. Some of these shows are almost funnier to the parents than the kids!
· Also in Glen Echo Park, the Puppet Co. Playhouse (www.thepuppetco.org) offers main-stage shows as well as tiny-tot shows. The latter allows kids to sit on the floor with their adults, keeps the lights on and keeps the subject matter of the shows suitable for a younger audience. The staging is always impressive, and the puppets are unlike anything you ever had in your basement. Glen Echo also houses the antique and ornate Dentzel Carousel, which is open May – September and delights riders of all ages.
· Imagination Stage (www.imaginationstage.org) is a non-profit, professional children’s theater that is well-loved by local elementary schools. Shows, such as Peter and the Wolf or The Dancing Princesses, win rave reviews for the quality of the performances. Imagination Stage also offers spring break and summer camps and classes for your budding performers.
· In DC, Discovery Theater (www.discoverytheater.org) brings a wide variety of entertainment to the National Mall. Classic stories and folktales are told through puppet shows, storytellers, dancers, actors, musicians and mimes. You can purchase tickets in advance by calling (202) 633-3030.
· The Shakespeare Theater Company’s “Free for All” (www.shakespearetheatre.org/about/ffa/index.aspx) offers free Shakespeare performances during the summer. The venue has moved to a new theater on F Street, and you are advised to arrive early – lines begin forming hours before show time, and tickets are distributed two hours before the curtain goes up. Each person in line can have two tickets, so send your spouse out for dinner while you wait to get in.
Tappin’ Your Feet to the Beat
If you love listening to music under the stars, there are plenty of options to hum about!
· From Children’s Theater in the Woods to Peter Frampton, Wolf Trap (www.wolftrap.org) has a show to suit all ages and tastes. This venue is America’s National Park for the Performing Arts, and performances cover all genres – from pop, country, folk and blues to orchestra, dance, theater and opera. While there are dining options, including catered meals and restaurants/concessions on site, the best bet is to haul out that picnic basket your great aunt gave you for your wedding, stop by Balducci’s to get some tasty treats and to grab a bottle of wine, and picnic alfresco with your sweetie.
· The Kennedy Center has free performances every night, and no tickets are required! Here’s a tip: if you take the Metro to the Foggy Bottom/GWU stop, there will be a free Kennedy Center show shuttle bus departing every ten minutes. Parking isn’t free, but the shuttle is! Visit www.kennedy-center.org for a list of performances.
· If you visit Veteran’s Park (Woodmont and Norfolk Avenues) in downtown Bethesda on Wednesday and Thursday evenings this summer, you will be treated to a delightful array of musical sounds for free. Pop, rock, Motown, it’s all here! If Veteran’s Park doesn’t sound familiar, it’s right near Ben & Jerry’s, which is a landmark we can all find in our sleep. Visit www.bethesda.org/bethesda/summer-concert-series for a schedule.
· Cabin John Park (www.mcgov.org/content/rec/sumcon.pdf) offers the annual Summer Sounds Concerts, which begin at 7:00 pm on Tuesday nights all summer and are free. Pack a picnic or bring a chair and enjoy one of the sweetest pleasures of a summer evening.
· The National Zoo offers free concerts on summer evenings – just visit the big hill at the bottom of the zoo! Visit http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ActivitiesAndEvents/Celebrations/Sunset/default.cfm for the schedule of the Sunset Serenades.
Getting Back to Nature
Our area offers fabulous gardens and nature centers for those days you want to be outside, surrounded by manicured lawns and fragrant plantings. Okay, perhaps it’s more accurate to say that these places are for the days you want your kids to be able to run wild and get fresh air. Regardless, here are some ideas…
· Brookside Gardens (www.brooksidegardens.org) is well known for both its annual summertime butterfly show and its impressive holiday light display in December, but don’t overlook the daily pleasures of visiting this spot all year long. There is an enchanted children’s garden with toadstools, a tree house and a bridge made of twigs. There are acres and acres of verdant lawn for picnics, a shaded gazebo where you can get a birds-eye view of the turtles and ducks in the lake, and a path that was just made for taking advantage of all there is to see.
· Managed by Brookside Gardens and closer to home, McCrillis Gardens (www.montgomeryparks.org/brookside/mccrillis_gardens.shtm) showcases ornamental trees and shrubs while bulbs, groundcover and perennials add color. This pretty little jewel in our neighborhood is a terrific spot to have a quiet stroll or – shh! – have a book club meet under one of the large shade trees.
· Locus Grove Nature Center (www.montgomeryparks.org/nature_centers/locust/index.shtm) lets you examine snakes and other wiggly creatures closely, learn about the natural history of Montgomery County or hike any of the numerous trails.
· Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium (www.nps.gov/rocr/planyourvisit/naturecenter.htm) is a pretty cool place to see bees and planets in action. The center, which is dedicated to instilling “an affection for wild places” in kids, uses exhibits, nature walks and books to teach about man’s relationship with nature. There really is an observation beehive, where you can watch the bees at work through a pane of glass. A really great secret is that you can get free tickets for the planetarium at the desk in the nature center – and you will be treated to a terrific show every weekend day at 1:00 pm. It usually begins with a visit from an astronaut – quite memorable!
· Imagine sitting in front a bush of juicy blueberries and picking/eating to your heart’s content. This is the experience that awaits at Butler’s Orchard (www.butlersorchard.com), which is open all spring, summer and fall (except Mondays, which you’ll never forget if you have to stare at the closed fields one morning). Butler’s is well known for its fields of strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, peas, cherry and blackberry crops. The pick-your-own prices aren’t prohibitive, and they never actually weigh your children upon exiting to charge you for all the fruit that’s been consumed while picking! You can pick your own flowers from a beautiful garden, and shop for locally made preserves and pies in the market. Two little secrets: the caramels at the register will literally melt in your mouth, and the dill seasoning mix on sale in the store makes a fantastic dip for potato chips at backyard barbeques.
· Come fall, everyone wants to taste fresh apples and jump off hay bales, right? All area farms offer fall crops, but Homestead Farms (www.homestead-farm.net) is just a great apple place. They grow 12 varieties of apples, and the human kids never tire of watching the goat kids perch precariously on an overhead bridge. The pigs, sheep, cows and ducks provide endless entertainment, the apple picking is fantastic, and there’s a lot of room to run.
· While Butler’s, Homestead and Cox Farms (www.coxfarms.com) all offer year-round activities and crops, Cox runs a fall festival in October that guarantees hours of outdoor fun. There are five slides, hayrides, baby farm animals, a CORNundrum corn maze, rope swings, free pumpkins…plus a new area for little ones under five years old. There’s fresh apple cider (but beware the buzzing bees, who can’t resist the sweet apples) and live entertainment.
· C&O Canal National Historic Park (www.nps.gov/choh) offers 184.5 miles of adventure. This park includes 19,236 acres that parallel the Potomac River, and you can find 1,300 historical structures along the canal. Step back in time to the 19th century and see historic lock houses, pump houses, aqueducts and dams…meet one of the six to eight mules that work on the canal….ride along the canal in a boat pulled by the mules…experience rising eight feet in a lock. You can also engage in a little birdwatching, backpacking, boating, fishing, hiking and biking, even horseback riding – check out the website to get all the details.
· Head north on 270 and you will quickly see the signs pointing you toward Sugarloaf Mountain (www.sugarloafmd.com). This mountain, designated a Registered National Landmark, has miles of paths for hiking, and plenty of scenic overlooks to stop and catch your breath or dig into your picnic.
· The North Bethesda Trolley Trail runs along the old trolley tracks between Old Georgetown Road and Rockville Pike and offers a great hiking/biking path through Bethesda. To get on, head north on Montgomery Avenue and hop on the trail that parallels the street.
· If you want something new and different to show the kids, take your car across the Potomac River on White’s Ferry in Poolesville. This is the last of what used to be a hundred ferries operating on the Potomac, and it’s fun to drive your car down the ramp and on to the boat.
For Those of You Who Have Budding Veterinarians in the House…
· You just can’t beat the National Zoo (www.fonz.org). If you take Connecticut Avenue down there, you can stop at Vace Italian Deli on the way and grab some good pizza. If you want to avoid traffic and you’re traveling during the week, Beach Drive (you can take East-West highway to Beach and follow it down to the back entrance of the zoo) is a leafy drive that winds through pretty Rock Creek Park. Just be warned that this scenic route is closed to cars for bikers and walkers on the weekends. If you start down in zoo parking lot D or E, at the bottom of the hill, you will start at the kids’ farm, which is a great place to pet the animals, watch them being fed, and even try your hand at grooming them. If your children were to be completely honest, though, they would tell you that the best part of the kids’ farm is the giant pizza they can climb all over. Parents perch on the crust, and the kids stack giant mushrooms and careen down wedges of cheese. If you can get your kids away from the pizza, there are so many animals to see up close, including elephants, monkeys, cheetahs, a panda, even clouded leopards (which, if not instantly recognizable, certainly sound fascinating). There are misters (water sprays, not well-dressed men!) along the uphill path on hot days, and your reward at the top of the hill is a food court with hotdogs, chicken fingers, ice cream and popcorn. One tip: FONZ (Friends Of the National Zoo) membership pays for itself rather quickly, as members don’t have to pay for parking, which adds up in a few visits. Kids also get complimentary animals cookies each time you visit, and you will be offered discounted rates to zoo events, like Boo at the Zoo and Guppy Gala (both of which are loved by little ones). By the way, you can also catch free evening summer concerts on the big hill at the bottom of the zoo.
· If the idea of driving to Vienna, Virginia is appealing to you, the Reston Petting Zoo (www.restonzoo.com) is a great place to meet some wild animals. Visit zebras, ostrich, antelope, bison, alligators and camels…you are encouraged to get friendly with these creatures, and can feed them or even offer a bottle to a lamb. It’s a pretty amazing spot in the middle of urban Fairfax County.
· If the animals closest to your heart are the canine kind, you have to visit the new Cabin John Dog Park on Westlake Drive (www.montgomeryparks.org/facilities/dog_park/dog_parks.shtm). It’s right near the ice rink, and is on the property of Cabin John Park, up by the train station. Of course, this means you can easily bribe your children to let Fido get his wiggles out with his furry friends before hitting the swings and slides. There are separate parks for large and small dogs, and each one has rocks for climbing, trees and bushes for you-know-what-ing, doggie water fountains, poop bags, trash cans and a shady, covered spot for owners to sit.
· Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!! You must be at the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo (www.cwpzoo.com). There, you can meet more than 450 exotic animals and get up close and personal with everything from a porcupine to a python. You can actually take a wildlife safari (just don’t think of Jurassic Park and you’ll be fine!). This is near Frederick, MD, so it’s pretty close to home.
Our Own Little Local Tastes of Heaven!
· Admit it – you want to see the cherry blossoms, but the Metro is too crowded, the parking is impossible, and the tourists drive you crazy. Here’s possibly the worst-kept secret in Bethesda: the Kenwood neighborhood, off River Road, has at least a zillion mature cherry trees. Wandering underneath the pink canopy with your kids, buying lemonade from the neighborhood children while gawking at their beautiful homes…who can skip this annual event?? There is a cute neighborhood park for your kids and the ubiquitous picnic lunch it sounds like we all keep packed in our cars for just this sort of occasion.
· Take me out to the ballgame….but don’t make me drive too far or pay too much. Here’s the answer: Big Train Baseball (www.bigtrain.org). One more thing located in Cabin John Park, Povich Field is home to the kind of baseball you really want to experience. The seating is intimate, the players are still in college, and the prices are low. This place just begs for a father/son afternoon!
· If you have an afternoon with adults, take a drive out to some of the Virginia wineries (www.virginiawine.org). They don’t yet rival Napa or Sonoma, but the wine is gaining attention (it’s even been served in the White House!) and the scenery is breathtaking.
· For a really uniquey, boutiquey grocery store, check out Grosvenor Market in Rockville (www.grosvenormarket.com). There’s local farm-fresh produce, a deli, a notary public…it’s probably the kind of supermarket you remember from your childhood.
· Next time you’re headed to Ikea, make it a point to stop in at Franklin’s Restaurant, Brewery and General Store (www.franklinsbrewery.com). They’ll mention that they’ve been named “Best Beer Bar” and “Best Bar” – locals will tell you the beer rocks, the food is incredible, the children’s boutique rivals anything we’ve got in Bethesda, and the cool new-age section is perfect if you’ve been looking for just the right article of hemp clothing. This is the kind of place people find accidentally and then quickly email to all their friends.
· If you can survive the dog days of August in this area, be on the lookout for the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair (www.mcagfair.com). It’s everything you’d imagine a county fair to be: loud and bright, filled with opportunities to eat junk food, see farm animals, play arcade games and enjoy carnival rides. Most of all, it’s an experience not to be missed. After all, where else can you see a milking parlor AND a birthing center in the same place? (We’re talking cows here, people.) It’s literally just good old-fashioned fun.
About the author:
Julie Kennon is a freelance writer who lives in Bethesda with her husband, two children and a dog who is always running away. Prior to devoting herself solely to a world of mommy & me activities, Julie spent more than 12 years as a senior executive in the corporate communications industry, where she actually got paid for refereeing disputes and correcting people’s spelling. To contact her or to buy her a glass of wine at a cute neighborhood watering hole, please email juliedkennon@aol.com.
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