On the Potomac River waterfront sits the quaint city of Alexandria, located a mere 20 minutes from Washington D.C. This charming and affordable destination is perfect to explore or to use as a starting point to visit surrounding areas. It’s a great place for families along with loads of fun attractions. Kids activities abound from museums and historic sites to bike rides and boat tours. There are many free things to do as well. Here are some of the kid-friendly attractions for your family to discover.
Our Special Harbor
This free water park has an amazing splash pad for the kids, in addition to dumping buckets, spray fountains, water guns, misting sunflowers, a lighthouse, and many other water play features. There is a quiet beach area with interactive water tables and gentler bubblers for younger children, while a water maze adds to an energetic atmosphere. Anyone under 12 must wear closed-back water shoes or they will not be allowed into the park. Our Special Harbor, with its Chesapeake Bay themed spray ground, can be found at the Family Recreation Area at Lee District Park.
Kids’ Scavenger Hunt
A great way to introduce your children to the region’s history is through the Alexandria Colonial Tours’ Kids’ Scavenger Hunt. It’s a fun self-guided walking tour with six stops, which takes about 45 minutes, and can be customized to suit your family’s needs. Maps and clues can be found at the Christmas Attic on South Union Street for $4. The clues help your children plan their way to the next stop, find necessary information, and fill in the blanks. The hunt is suitable for children aged 7-11.
Pirate Ship Cruise
The Potomac Boat Company offers a treasure hunt cruise. Your children will have a blast with the pirate speak, treasure chests, water cannons, pirate games, and more. The 40-minute cruise around the Alexandria seaport is on a small covered boat, featuring a costumed captain and his mate as they share historical and geographical facts in conjunction with the pirate theme. It’s a memorable excursion for the kids and it provides a lot of interesting information for the parents.
Old Town Waterfront
Alexandria’s Old Town Waterfront provides a relaxed family outing where you can stroll along the waterfront and stop for a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants in the area. Adults will love the old architecture and shops, while the kids will be kept amused by the street performers and artists. Irresistible treats and snacks are found along the boardwalk, which will keep any child happy. Take in the sights and enjoy the atmosphere of this historical city.
Alexandria has good reason to be recognized as one of the top five best cities in the U.S., as noted via Condé Nast Traveler’s 2018 Readers’ Choice Award survey. It has a rich history with a variety of dining, shopping, sight-seeing, and family attractions available. With a little research and planning, your kids will have plenty to do in and around the vicinity.
King Street Trolley – Old Town Alexandria VA via Flickr by m01229 . Used with permissions via CC BY 2.0 / cropped from original
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