
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 organized by:
Table of Contents:
- DC Indoor
- DC Outdoor
- Northern Virginia Indoor
- Northern Virginia Outdoor
- Maryland Indoor
- Maryland Outdoor
- Holiday Light Displays open between Christmas and New Years
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)
- 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

Outdoor Winter Activities in Washington DC
- The Wharf: S’mores, swings, 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”)

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

Buddie Ford Nature Center, Alexandria - FREE!
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 DC Parks on the DMV Database (select “VA only”)

Lubber Run Playground, Arlington
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
- 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”)

Great Falls Maryland Side
Holiday Light Displays Still Open Dec 26 - Jan 1
All the details on each here.
DC
- ZooLighs ends on December 30th
- US Botanic Gardens Holiday Display & Trains ends January 2nd
- National Christmas Tree ends January 1st
- Enchant DC ends January 1st
- Light Yards ends January 1st
- DC Main Streets Holiday Lights ends January 8
Virginia
- Meadowlark ends January 2
- Bull Run Drive Through ends January 8
- Cameron Run Ice and Lights ends January 1
Maryland
- Brookside Gardens ends January 1st
- National Harbor Holiday Tree ends January 3rd
- Light Show at Gaylord National Hotel ends December 31
- Winter Lights fEstival at Seneca Creek ends December 31
- Maryland Zoo Lights ends December 31
- Watkins Regional Park Festival of Lights ends January 1
- Frederick Maryland Sailing Through Winter Solstice ends March 4. 2023
