7 Ways To Have Family Fun in Alexandria

With lots of historical sites, outdoor parks, and indoor game venues, the Alexandria, Virginia, area has plenty of fun things to do with the family. Enjoy exploring these seven places for a day of family fun in Alexandria.

Jones Point Lighthouse

Take the family to see one of the nation’s last standing riverine lighthouses, which is currently the only one left in the Chesapeake Bay, when you spend the afternoon at Jones Point Lighthouse. This lighthouse was operational from 1856 through 1926, and it was built to guide ships through dangerous shoals within the Potomac River. As the maritime community grew around Alexandria and Washington, D.C., the lighthouse was instrumental in guiding these ships safely to the Washington Navy Yard. In 1980, the Jones Point Lighthouse was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

To learn more about the history of the lighthouse and the Old Alexandria area, stroll along the interpretive trail with exhibits detailing what life was like for the Indigenous people who lived along the shores of the Potomac River and how ships navigated these waters in more modern times. After exploring information about the lighthouse, let the kids play on the playgrounds, toss a ball on the multi-use fields, or catch fish from the two fishing piers.

Cameron Run Regional Park

With so many activities to do at the 26-acre Cameron Run Regional Park, you’ll want to visit often to have a day full of family fun. During the hot summer months, everyone can cool off by splashing around at Great Waves Waterpark. Aspiring baseball players can test their batting skills in the slow-pitch or fast-pitch batting cages, and the family can challenge each other by playing mini-golf. Make sure to pack a lunch to share with the family under the shaded picnic pavilions to refuel the gang after a fun day of play.

During the winter, when the snow begins to fall, you’ll see the water park transformed into a magical winter wonderland with ice skating, twinkling lights, and fun music. If you decide you and your family would like to stay for an extended period of time in Alexandria, here is a list of places for a staycation.

King Street Trolley

Kids of all ages will delight in riding the free King Street Trolley. Hopping aboard the King Street Trolley gives you a sense of adventure, and the trolley is a fabulous way to get around Old Town Alexandria. The conductor will let riders know of upcoming interesting stops, and it’s easy to get on and off at each location. When you’re ready to move on, simply board the trolley again.

Challenge the kids to be navigators with the King Street map that you can download onto your mobile device. As the conductor calls out the upcoming stops, the youngsters can find them on the map and discuss why they want to get off and explore that particular area.

Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum

Let the kids marvel at the wonder of herbal medicine at the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum. This business has existed since 1792, and you and your family can see apothecary artifacts and objects in the museum’s collection. Harry Potter fans can take a themed tour that shows how science and magic mix, or those who want to understand in-depth herbal medicine can take the behind-the-scenes Geek Tour. Kids can make and package individual hand lotions, meet mad scientists, and create their own herbal blends of teas. Consider the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum for your next themed birthday party event.

Old Town Alexandria Farmers’ Market

The Old Town Alexandria Farmers’ Market is one of the oldest farmers markets held continuously in one spot in the country. Some experts claim that even George Washington sold his Mount Vernon produce at this farmers market. Kids will love sampling freshly baked goods, seasonal fruits, and tasty hot foods. Depending on the season, the kids can have their faces painted, try pumpkin decorating, or make holiday-themed cookies. While there’s plenty of available parking nearby, make visiting the Old Town Alexandria Farmers’ Market more fun by riding the free King Street Trolley.

Kidcreate Studio

Young kids can bring out their inner artist when they use their imagination at Kidcreate Studio. One of the goals of the team at Kidcreate Studio is to allow children to be creative, which helps with their developmental skills. Do your little ones enjoy squishing their hands in clay? Have them take the clay animals class. If they love animals, they’ll enjoy the animal painting class.

Classes are segmented into age groups so that all attendees can feel they are doing well in their art. For children 10 months to 3 years old, have them attend the Kiddoodlers classes. Kidartists classes are for those 3 to 6 years of age, and Kidcreators let 5- to 9-year-olds explore their creativity. Once the kids are 9 to 12 years old, they can attend the advanced Kidmasters art classes. Kidcreate Studio also offers workshops and summer camps so children can get an immersive art experience.

Monuments Sightseeing Tour

See Alexandria, Washington D.C., and iconic national monuments from the water when you take the Monuments Sightseeing Tour offered by Hornblower. As you and your family travel along the Potomac River, you’ll see and learn about the nation’s most important monuments, such as the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the Arlington Memorial Bridge, and the John F. Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts. This memorable trip takes about 90 minutes and goes from Old Town Alexandria to Georgetown. With a round-trip ticket, you can hop on and off the boat to shop, dine, and explore the nation’s monuments in more depth.

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Tags: Alexandria, Family
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