Winter in DC has a lot going for it: fewer tourists, pretty mild weather, and a near-endless list of free museums and beautiful parks! Below are top things to do in the DC area:
Table of Contents:
- Snow Sports Near DMV (Sledding, Snow Tubing, Skiing)
- DC Indoor
- DC Outdoor
- Family Visit to Washington DC
- Northern Virginia Indoor
- Northern Virginia Outdoor
- Maryland Indoor
- Maryland Outdoor
- Holiday Light Displays open between Christmas and New Years
DC Winter Snow Sports
- Skiing Near DC - 5 Resorts Under 3 Hours from DC
- 8 Snow Tubing in Virginia and West Virginia
- Blackwater Falls Sledding - Longest Sled Run on East Coast in West Virginia
- Best Local Sledding Hills in DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland
- 22 Ice Skating Rinks in DC Northern Virginia and Maryland
DC Winter Indoor Spots
- Library of Congress: Details here and open daily except for Xmas day and New Year’s Day.
- Great Museums for All Ages: Planet Word, American History Museum, Air and Space Museum, Museum of the American Indian(great play area!), US Botanic Garden (#2 on the Holiday Display blog)
- Great Museums for Younger Kids: National Children’s Museum
- Great Museums for Older Kids: Spy Museum (my 9 year old loved it but my 5 year old was a little scared), Museum on O Street, National Gallery of Art, NMAAHC, Hirshhorn, and the Kusama Exhibit!! (reel here)
- As someone who has lived in Washington D.C. for 12 years, I've discovered that one of the city's greatest winter delights is exploring its array of free museums. On cold days, there's nothing better than stepping into the warm, inviting halls of institutions like the Smithsonian museums or the National Gallery of Art. Each visit is a new adventure for my kids and for me! From the ancient artifacts at the National Museum of Natural History to the inspiring exhibitions at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, there's always something fascinating to explore. It's a perfect way to spend a winter day, immersing yourself in the endless wonders these museums have to offer.
- Viewpoints of the City: Washington Monument, The View of DC (in Arlington), Old Post Office Tower
- Food Markets: Union Market, Eastern Market, Union Station
- Indoor Ice Skating: Fort Dupont Ice Arena
- DMV Bowling
- DC Public Libraries
- 20 Museums for Children in DC
- 20 Best Bookstores in DC (Including Independent, Second Hand and Best Kids Sections)
Outdoor Winter Activities in Washington DC
- The Wharf: S’mores by the river, dock swings, fire features, & walking around
- Theodore Roosevelt Island Trails
- National Zoo (put my formerly paid Guide all in this free blog!)
- Yards Park: Light up bell swings, restaurants, walking around
- National Mall: Bring bikes, scooters, kites…and hand warmers! Heated restrooms near the WWII monument
- Ice Skating: Georgetown Washington Harbor, NGA Sculpture Garden, The Wharf
- 33 DC Playgrounds with Top 14 here.
- Tregaron Conservancy Walks
- Fort Lincoln Park
- 45 DC Parks on the DMV Database (select “DC only”)
- If snow.... Best DMV Hills for Sledding!
Washington, D.C. Winter Family Visit
- Best Family Hotels in Washington DC for all Budgets
- 4-Day Itinerary in Washington DC (with morning, afternoon, and evening schedules matched with great restaurants)
- 30 Kid Friendly Restaurants in DC for Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner
- 15 Best Playgrounds in DC
Buddie Ford Nature Center, Alexandria - FREE!
Northern Virginia Indoor Winter Activities
- 45 Virginia Indoor Play (Soft Play Rooms, Roller Skating, Trampoline, Laser Tag, Bowling)
- Nature Centers: Buddie Ford Nature Centerin Alexandria, Hidden Pond in Springfield, Hidden Oaks in Annandale, Long Branch Nature Center in Arlington, Gulf Branch Nature Center in Arlington, Potomac Overlook in Arlington
- Trampoline Parks (VA & MD)
- Laser Tag (VA & MD)
- Libraries: Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax(Pohick, Lorton & Main have good kids sections, Prince William, Loudoun
- DMV Bowling
- (Nice!) Food Courts: Ballston Quarter, Galleria Tysons II Urbanspace
- Indoor Ice Skating: Fairfax Ice Arena, Prince William Ice Center, Ashburn Ice House Skatequest, MedStar Capitals Iceplex
- NEW: 10 Drive Thru Christmas Lights (calling it indoors because you can stay inside your car!)
Lubber Run Playground, Arlington
Northern Virginia Outdoor Winter Activities
- Ice Skating: Pentagon Row, Reston Town Center, Cameron Run Ice and Lights, Harris Pavilion
- 45 Best Nova Playgrounds
- 20 Nova Hikes/Walks about half are stroller friendly!
- 73 Virginia Parks on the DMV Database (select “VA only”)
- If snow.... Best DMV Hills for Sledding!
Indoor Winter Spots in Maryland (near DC)
- Nature Centers: Meadowside Nature Center in Rockville, Locust Grove Nature Center in Bethesda, Robinson Nature Center in Columbia
- Libraries: Montgomery County, Prince George’s County
- Climb Zone Laurel- dozens of colorful and interesting climbing walls!
- Trampoline Parks (VA & MD)
- DMV Bowling
- Indoor Ice Skating: Cabin John Ice Rink, Rockville Ice Rink, Wheaton Regional Ice Rink
Outdoor Winter Spots in Maryland (near DC)
- Great Falls Maryland Side
- 12 Best MD Playgrounds
- Laser Tag (VA & MD)
- Ice Skating: Color Burst Park, Quiet Waters State Park
- 41 MD Parks on the DMV Database (select “MD only”)
- If snow.... Best DMV Hills for Sledding!
And check out all the Winter Activities in the DMV here!
Holiday Light Displays Still Open Dec 26 - Jan 2025 in the DC area
All the details on each here!
DC Winter Lights
- ZooLights ends on December 30th
- US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display & Trains ends first week of January
- National Christmas Tree ends January 1st
- Light Yards usually ends first week in January.
- DC Main Streets Holiday Lights usually ends first week in January.
Virginia Winter Lights
- Meadowlark ends January 5, 2025.
- Bull Run Drive Through ends January 5, 2025.
- Cameron Run Ice and Lights ends January 5, 2025.
- Tysons Winter Lantern Festival ends January 12, 2025.
Maryland Lights in Winter
- Brookside Gardens ends January 5, 2025.
- Light Show inside the lobby of the Gaylord National Hotel ends December 31, 2024.
- Winter Lights Festival at Seneca Creek ends December 31, 2024.
- Watkins Regional Park Festival of Lights ends January 1, 2025.
- Frederick Maryland Sailing Through Winter Solstice ends March 2025.
