Perfect picks for the whole family. See our recommendations for new adventures for the family to enjoy together.

You don’t have to go far to make wonderful new memories with the whole family. Check out these fresh, local picks for ideas for your next family gathering, adventure, or night out together.

For Families and Friends.

A woman painting a butterfly on a pink ceramic plate with a small brush.

The Pottery Stop

Paint-your-own pottery studio great for kids’ creativity and family bonding.

THE POTTERY STOP

Two young girls playing with colorful wooden toys at a white table in a cozy, decorated indoor playroom.

Planet Word

A free, non-Smithsonian museum that celebrates language and words with highly interactive exhibits, including a "talking" globe and a karaoke lounge.

PLANET WORD

A young girl wearing a harness walking on a wooden platform in a treetop adventure course surrounded by green trees.

Adventure Park at Sandy Spring

The largest aerial adventure park in North America with 16 trails, 250+ climbing elements, and night climbing events. Ages 6+.

ADVENTURE PARK

A woman bending forward is talking to a young boy who is smiling and holding onto a yellow climbing frame. The background shows an indoor space with several people walking and standing.

Port Discovery

Port Discovery Children's Museum in Baltimore offers a dynamic, hands-on environment, featuring interactive exhibits and programs designed to spark imagination and foster learning through play for children and families.

PORT DISCOVERY

Colorful paints and brushes on a paper, with a child's hand holding a paintbrush. Various bottles of paint are scattered around, and the paint is splattered across the table.

Creative Alliance

The Creative Alliance in Baltimore is a cultural hub offering diverse arts programs, community events, and educational opportunities to inspire local creativity.

CREATIVE ALLIANCE

The image shows a large, colorful pirate ship-themed attraction docked at a pier with people walking along the pier. The ship has multiple masts with sails and rigging, and it is painted in gold, red, and black colors with decorative details. The background features overcast sky, mountains, and water.

Urban Pirates

Urban Pirates in Baltimore offers fun, pirate-themed cruises for families and adults, featuring interactive games, treasure hunts, and group packages.

URBAN PIRATES

Model of a Virgin Atlantic airplane display inside a building with wood flooring and large windows.

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

The National Air and Space Museum's annex near Dulles Airport (VA) houses massive artifacts like the Space Shuttle Discovery and a Concorde—a must for serious aviation fans.

S.F. UDVAR HAZY CENTER

A red pickup truck bed filled with pumpkins and hay bales, with a wooden sign reading 'The Family Farm' placed among the pumpkins, set outdoors with trees in the background.

Butlers Orchard

Explore the famous Pumpkin Festival that includes hayrides to the PYO pumpkin patch, a huge corn maze, jumping pads, giant slides, and farm animals. They offer different crops to pick throughout the year.

BUTLERS ORCHARD

A young boy in an orange jacket and gray cap feeding a group of deer through a wire fence in a wooded area. An adult is partially visible on the right side of the image.

National Zoo

While not on the Mall, the zoo is another fantastic, completely free Smithsonian attraction. Check out the great apes, lions, and other animals.

NATIONAL ZOO

Gallery wall with framed photos of modern workspaces and industrial interiors, next to a pipe system with exposed bulbs and gauges on a dark patterned wall.

Mission Escape Room

Mission Escape Rooms offers immersive, real-life escape experiences designed for small groups of 1–10 people. With themed rooms ranging from beginner to advanced difficulty, participants work together to solve puzzles and riddles.

MISSION ESCAPE

Miniature golf course with multiple holes, trees, and a small stream, under a partly cloudy sky.

Night Hawk Mini Golf

Enjoy a professionally designed 19-hole mini golf course, perfect for families, groups, and anyone who loves some friendly competition. Play your way through a mix of creative obstacles—including water hazards—and make it to the 19th hole for a chance to win a free game with a hole‑in‑one.

NIGHT HAWK

Keystone Korner

Experience world-class jazz and fine dining at Keystone Korner Baltimore, with top-tier performances and cuisine in an intimate Harbor East setting.

Quiet Waters Park

Quiet Waters Park offers a serene 340-acre retreat with scenic trails, art galleries, a dog park and beach, and picnic pavilions. It’s a perfect spot for outdoor recreation, cultural experiences, and family gatherings

Play Street Museum

Interactive children’s museum with themed, hands-on exhibits for imaginative play, art, and exploration.

The Moth

The Moth is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling, offering live events, educational programs, and a popular podcast to amplify diverse, personal narratives.

Stan & Joe's Saloon

Stan & Joe’s Saloon in Annapolis serves great pub food, cold drinks, and live music with no cover charge in a friendly, casual setting.

Toby's Dinner Theater

Experience award-winning musicals and a full buffet dinner at this beloved Columbia staple. With theater-in-the-round seating, Toby’s offers an intimate and lively night out for all ages.

Want more curated picks like this?

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City Guides 2025-26

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