I haven't been yet but someone recommended this place to me, and it looks like a good option of various sized groups (rooms, suites, houses), and an hour away: https://www.innatherrington.com/

Anonymous wrote:What about something like the riverfront cottages at Algonkian Regional Park in Sterling. Yes, it's about 40 minutes from DC but you could take the silver line into the city from Reston.

Each family could rent a cottage (or you could save money by sharing a larger cottage). The park has a waterpark on site, public golf course, fishing, playground, etc. You could grill out, cook (each cottage has a kitchen) or go to local restaurants for meals.

We held a family reunion here a few years ago and had a great time.

https://www.novaparks.com/cabins-camping/cabins-cottages/riverfront-cottages

It's a beautiful view of the undeveloped Maryland side of Marylands amazing Potomac river. Great idea!!

Anonymous wrote:Maybe the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake? We did a reunion there, and it was great. Lots to do (and my kids were very little) and close to the city.

This place is good but I would never call it close to the city.

Anonymous wrote:What about something like the riverfront cottages at Algonkian Regional Park in Sterling. Yes, it's about 40 minutes from DC but you could take the silver line into the city from Reston.

Each family could rent a cottage (or you could save money by sharing a larger cottage). The park has a waterpark on site, public golf course, fishing, playground, etc. You could grill out, cook (each cottage has a kitchen) or go to local restaurants for meals.

We held a family reunion here a few years ago and had a great time.

https://www.novaparks.com/cabins-camping/cabins-cottages/riverfront-cottages

Amazing idea!!!

What about something like the riverfront cottages at Algonkian Regional Park in Sterling. Yes, it's about 40 minutes from DC but you could take the silver line into the city from Reston.

Each family could rent a cottage (or you could save money by sharing a larger cottage). The park has a waterpark on site, public golf course, fishing, playground, etc. You could grill out, cook (each cottage has a kitchen) or go to local restaurants for meals.

We held a family reunion here a few years ago and had a great time.

https://www.novaparks.com/cabins-camping/cabins-cottages/riverfront-cottages

Anonymous wrote:Maybe rent a house in Arlington and metro into the city. Having a home base with large areas to hang out later in the day are key.

SIXTEEN adults and at least as many kids? Does such a house exist in Arlington? That has "large areas to hang out" for 30+ people? I'm having a hard time envisioning it.

Maybe rent a house in Arlington and metro into the city. Having a home base with large areas to hang out later in the day are key.

I think you might like something along the lines of a “suites” hotel. Embassy suites, home wood suites, or even residence Inn, ideally with a pool and walking distance to a metro station and playground. They often have an included breakfast and you can gather in the breakfast space in the afternoon too. I’ve done this with 2-4 families before and it worked out well. Some togetherness but each family has a place to retreat to. And just acknowledge up front that families with toddlers will have a different schedule/preferred activities than those with tweens

Or what about this one:
https://www.vrbo.com/1832095?chkin=2026-07-18&chkout=2026-07-25&d1=2026-07-18&d2=2026-07-25&startDate=2026-07-18&endDate=2026-07-25&x_pwa=1&rfrr=HSR&pwa_ts=1753988970128&referrerUrl=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudnJiby5jb20vSG90ZWwtU2VhcmNo&useRewards=false&adults=6&children=1_11%2C1_16%2C1_7®ionId=8779&destination=Manassas%2C+Virginia%2C+United+States+of+America&destType=BOUNDING_BOX&latLong=38.71475%2C-77.50291&amenities=PETS&bedroom_count_gt=9&house_rules_group=pets_allowed&privacyTrackingState=CAN_TRACK&productOffersId=5ebfec1c-c0fe-42f2-9290-64732d304a49&searchId=08f1f5cb-6db1-48fd-8a2f-6d03939672d1&sort=RECOMMENDED&top_dp=1373&top_cur=USD&userIntent=&selectedRoomType=44447789&selectedRatePlan=000411bb4b2bbee34e43ae0c7b7ed922655d&expediaPropertyId=44447789

I think it might be nice to find something DC adjacent but not be in DC itself, as DC home rentals are hard to find.

Something like this:
https://www.vrbo.com/4348878?chkin=2026-07-18&chkout=2026-07-25&d1=2026-07-18&d2=2026-07-25&startDate=2026-07-18&endDate=2026-07-25&x_pwa=1&rfrr=HSR&pwa_ts=1753988688308&referrerUrl=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudnJiby5jb20vSG90ZWwtU2VhcmNo&useRewards=false&adults=6&children=1_11%2C1_16%2C1_7®ionId=8779&destination=Manassas%2C%20Virginia%2C%20United%20States%20of%20America&destType=BOUNDING_BOX&latLong=38.74729%2C-77.4612&amenities=PETS&bedroom_count_gt=9&house_rules_group=pets_allowed&privacyTrackingState=CAN_TRACK&productOffersId=5ebfec1c-c0fe-42f2-9290-64732d304a49&searchId=b09c4eff-e4b6-41dd-88fb-1efc7d8a3e74&sort=RECOMMENDED&top_dp=943&top_cur=USD&userIntent=&selectedRoomType=111750113&selectedRatePlan=0004ac150b66de9f46228fb2e1bc8994a4b3&expediaPropertyId=111750113

Or

This:
https://www.vrbo.com/1537630?chkin=2026-07-18&chkout=2026-07-25&d1=2026-07-18&d2=2026-07-25&startDate=2026-07-18&endDate=2026-07-25&x_pwa=1&rfrr=HSR&pwa_ts=1753988925893&referrerUrl=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudnJiby5jb20vSG90ZWwtU2VhcmNo&useRewards=false&adults=6&children=1_11%2C1_16%2C1_7®ionId=8779&destination=Manassas%2C+Virginia%2C+United+States+of+America&destType=BOUNDING_BOX&latLong=38.71475%2C-77.50291&amenities=PETS&bedroom_count_gt=9&house_rules_group=pets_allowed&privacyTrackingState=CAN_TRACK&productOffersId=5ebfec1c-c0fe-42f2-9290-64732d304a49&searchId=cfed6ccf-5db1-40f9-86ce-7e9ddd5acade&sort=RECOMMENDED&top_dp=1860&top_cur=USD&userIntent=&selectedRoomType=33936957&selectedRatePlan=0004a67d3d1e7f394c328878adc65e5c23bb&expediaPropertyId=33936957

With small kids, being in/near the city sounds terrible. If you can swing a whole week, I'd rent a couple of beach houses (or just one, if you get one of the huge ones). Or go to Colonial Beach in VA, which might be cheaper

Maybe the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake? We did a reunion there, and it was great. Lots to do (and my kids were very little) and close to the city.