Staycation in DC over winter break

[Anonymous]

Looking for good, non-Christmas-y outings for family with young teenage boys over winter break in town. Happy to venture a little farther out for mini day trips too, but no overnights.

Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

hike up Sugarloaf
visit Harpers Ferry and learn about John Brown
see the National Arboretum
bike along the C&O canal towpath
take water taxi between Georgetown and Alexandria

[Anonymous]

C&O out by Carderock to the National Park is a great hike.

[Anonymous]

Wizards game
Ice skating
Spy Museum
Scooter tour
Monuments at night

[Anonymous]

go up to Baltimore National Aquarium and to see Hamden holiday lights and get hot cocoa. Shoe Tubing at ski liberty if it is cold enough. Capitals and/or wizards game. If UMD basketball is in town, they always have deals for families over the holidays. Holiday lights at the National Zoo. National Christmas tree.

[Anonymous]

Autobahn indoor speedway near Baltimore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Autobahn indoor speedway near Baltimore.

There used to be one in Dulles too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:hike up Sugarloaf
visit Harpers Ferry and learn about John Brown
see the National Arboretum
bike along the C&O canal towpath
take water taxi between Georgetown and Alexandria

All weather dependent. Harpers Ferry and the arboretum may be unavailable if the shutdown continues.

There are indoor rock climbing gyms in Springfield, crystal city, and Rockville. Bowling? Indoor skydiving? Ice skating?

[Anonymous]

(If not closed due to shutdown by then):
-Smithsonians
-National Zoo
-Billy Goat Trail
-Fort McHenry in Baltimore

Other:
-Gettysburg
-Spy Museum
-aquarium in Baltimore
-Walters Museum or Baltimore fine arts museum
-Maryland Zoo
-Bears Den (hike)
-Purse State Park (fossil hunting)
-Mason Neck State Park
-Mount Vernon

[Anonymous]

National Air&Space Museum off VA-28 in Chantilly if Smithsonian re-opens. This site is much larger than downtown. It also has an iMAX theatre.

[Anonymous]

National Capitol Trolley Museum in MoCo.

[Anonymous]

Hiking in Harper’s Ferry and then dinner in Frederick. Walk around to see the lights in the creek.

[Anonymous]

I always check this blog to see what's going on, especially when we're doing a staycation. Yes, many listed will be Christmasy but not all.

https://www.kidfriendlydc.com/2025/11/04/holiday-guide-2025/