I second zoo lights, brook side garden, botanic garden and White House tree display. All very nice. Check also Christmas caroling / theater / etc.

Anonymous wrote:Brookside Gardens in Wheaton has a wonderful light display. Yes, it’s outside, but spread out and thus doesn’t feel crowded, and it’s do-able even in the cold. There are traditionally miniature trains displayed in the big greenhouse there. We go every year.

This, because of the train lover

Meadowlark lights or Bull Run (bonus for Bull Run is you stay in your car - we play Christmas music.)

Anonymous wrote:I guess I'll be the dissenting opinion and say we liked ICE. We did it a couple of years ago and splurged and stayed overnight. This was with our 5/6yo. It's a little cheesy, but we had a lot of fun. She loved the laser lights show, cookies with Mrs. Claus, Charlie Brown breakfast with characters, etc. That said, it's VERY expensive.

We've done Brookside Gardens too and liked that, but the time we went was really cold for our then toddler. We also liked the Botanic Garden trains.

P.S. Yes, it's touristy, and an extreme money grab, but we had fun. ICE is very cold. The ice slides were also fun. However, spouse got too cold after 1/2 hr and walked out to wait for us (has a mild medical condition that makes extreme cold uncomfortable). It's pretty cold, although kid and I were okay with the coats they provide.

I guess I'll be the dissenting opinion and say we liked ICE. We did it a couple of years ago and splurged and stayed overnight. This was with our 5/6yo. It's a little cheesy, but we had a lot of fun. She loved the laser lights show, cookies with Mrs. Claus, Charlie Brown breakfast with characters, etc. That said, it's VERY expensive.

We've done Brookside Gardens too and liked that, but the time we went was really cold for our then toddler. We also liked the Botanic Garden trains.

Anonymous wrote:I think the Mormon temple is closed for renovations until 2020?

The temple had a smaller (but still great) light display on the grounds last year even though the building was under renovation. Maybe they will again this year, too.

I think the Mormon temple is closed for renovations until 2020?

Zoo Lights
Brookside Gardens
Botanic Gardens Trains (but long lines on weekends)
National Christmas Tree.

All of the above have trains. All but Brookside Gardens are free.
Also, Mormon Temple lights. Free but no trains.

Brookside Gardens in Wheaton has a wonderful light display. Yes, it’s outside, but spread out and thus doesn’t feel crowded, and it’s do-able even in the cold. There are traditionally miniature trains displayed in the big greenhouse there. We go every year.

The Gaylord Christmas thing is not great. It’s the equivalent of big box store Christmas. Also, it’s actually really cold in the Ice area, so my kids never wanted to stay long. The tree lighting is weird (it’s sort of a metal, modern tree) although the “snow” is kind of neat and that part of the evening is free. There’s also a little train that kids can ride on (perfect for three year old) that’s not very expensive. Overall, though, I don’t think it’s great.

The train exhibit at the botanic garden is really cool. If you can go not on a weekend, I’d do that because it is crowded.

There’s a White House Christmas tree with a train track around the bottom. The tree itself isn’t great, but the train is cute and each state submits their own smaller, decorated tree. There’s also a Santa nearby that kids can visit, although we’ve never done it.

Check out local theaters for kid friendly seasonal programming. We’ve done the glen echo puppet theater (nutcracker) and adventure theater often has seasonal shows.

Oh, the Christmas carol sing along at the Kennedy center is really fun. Seats in the boxes might be better for a three year old.

Also check out the kidfriendlydc website. She always does a holiday round up.

Anonymous wrote:Omg noooooo

So touristy and SO expensive!!!

That's what I was afraid of. Thanks for responding. Any other ideas? The Zoo Lights? Want to do something fun and Christmasy while they are here. Nephew loves trains if that helps. What about the boat parade? Am afraid it will be cold and boring for a 3-year old. We are new to town so haven't done any of these activities.

Omg noooooo

So touristy and SO expensive!!!

First - I have NO idea what forum to put this in...

In any case, Brother, SIL and 3-year old nephew are coming to visit for a long weekend before the Christmas holidays. My kids are older and are happy to dote on little cousin. So I'm looking for a holiday oriented activity for us to do one day. I'm thinking the Gaylord Christmas on the Potomac (seems less risky weather-wise than the outdoor light maze at Nationals Park).

Has anyone been? Is is fun for kids of all ages (or too touristy/ gimmicky?)? How long should we plan to be there? The ticket situation is a bit confusing. I assume we'll want to do the ICE part but probably not the Cirque part? Any advice from anyone who has been there and done that would be appreciated!

Thank you.