Mason Neck State Park in Lorton, VA. Nice flat trails, and you can swim in the water there and walk through a tree. There's a playground, visitors center, and picnic area (& bald eagles, too). It takes us about 45 min to get there from NW DC.

What about North Beach and Chesapeake Beach? I like Cunningham Falls better, but a different place to go.

Anonymous wrote:Where was the nice country store with ice cream? Going up that way this weekend.

I'm guessing she's referring to South Mountain Creamery, which is close to both Cunningham Falls and Greenbrier State Park.

sorry, meant you CANT swim in the falls.

I used to live in frederick and did Cunningham Falls a lot. Now we're in Rockville and go to Great Falls.

You can swim in the falls like you can at Cunningham and there's no lake, but great for picnicking and watching the big rushing falls.

This is also a little farther - 2 hr drive.
White Oak Canyon/Cedar Run hike. There's some nice pools for swimming but it's freezing. Only do a little of the hike - otherwise too much for the little one. Stop in Front Royal for ice cream on the way home. Or stop at the Apple House in Linden, VA (near Front Royal) for apple cider donuts on the way there or back.

This trip is a little longer but a trip to Westmoreland State Park in Montross in the Northern Neck section of Virginia is fun. The park is on the Potomac and you can rent kayaks, boats, looks for sharkteeth fossils on beach, nature trails, and there is a swimming pool.

On your way there or coming home, stop off at the Westmoreland Berry Farm, where they have a goat walk, berry picking, fresh sundaes.

It is a little over 2 hours with no traffic.

Anonymous wrote:We had a wonderful day last week. We drove to Frederick for a picnic and then on to the Falls in Thurmont for a shady hike and a play in the rock pools before ending with an ice-cream at a nice country store. The kids (3-9) loved it. It took us about 50 minutes to get there from Bethesda. Any other similar type day trips around DC? Thanks for any ideas!

This sounds so wonderful and just the thing I've been looking for! Do the kids actually go in the rock pools? Would bathing suits be necessary? Is it obvious how to get to the falls and hiking trails? We have a preschooler, so if you can recommend an easy trail, it'd be much appreciated.

I wish I had something to offer to you, but I don't have any other suggestions.

Where was the nice country store with ice cream? Going up that way this weekend.

We also like Greenbrier State Park in Frederick County. There's a lake, boat rentals, a playground, campground, picnic areas/snack shop, and a sandy beach. We did it several times last summer - it was perfect for us.

You have to take out your own trash, so bring a bag to put trash in.

Also looking for ideas for another park with swimming hole suitable for picnicking.,=...

There is a lake beach with a playground there for swimming, too.

Thanks for the awesome idea!

We did that once too. Maybe Harper's Ferry or Amish country in PA.

We had a wonderful day last week. We drove to Frederick for a picnic and then on to the Falls in Thurmont for a shady hike and a play in the rock pools before ending with an ice-cream at a nice country store. The kids (3-9) loved it. It took us about 50 minutes to get there from Bethesda. Any other similar type day trips around DC? Thanks for any ideas!