Kid-Friendly Guide to Arlington, VA

With swaths of green spaces, one-of-a-kind historical and educational attractions, and dining options to delight the pickiest of eaters, Arlington has plenty of experiences for all sorts of families to enjoy.

We've asked Arlington residents for their favorite kid-approved activities and put together the ultimate guide that the whole family will love!

Pictured | Bring the kiddos to Arlington for tons of fun!

Fill Their Minds

Take the kids to Arlington National Cemetery where the entire family can learn about the USA’s military history and visit the graves of U.S. heroes. Experience the time-honored Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Interested in local history? Take a trip to the Arlington Historical Museum and learn about everything from the Civil War to modern-day historical events that happened right here in Arlington.

Learn about drugs and drug law enforcement at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Museum where kids can become DEA Junior Special Agents.

Pictured | DEA Museum

Get Them Outside

Arlington has nearly 100 miles of paved trails, making it the perfect place to rent bikes as a family and go out for a ride. You can take a walk or a bike ride along the Mount Vernon Trail to Gravelly Point and watch planes fly to and from nearby Reagan National Airport. Continue along the trail to Theodore Roosevelt Island to see a memorial to the country's 26th president and conservationist, as well as more trails and access to the Potomac River.

Arlington is full of local parks with playgrounds, nature centers and interactive exhibits. A local favorite, Upton Hill Regional Park has a water park, batting cages, hiking trails, an adventure course, and mini golf.

The wooded, 38-acre Gulf Branch Nature Center & Park is a sensory experience for your tots with a log cabin, interactive exhibits and a working blacksmith’s forge. If you're short on time, work out their energy at one of the more urban area’s playgrounds like Quincy Park near Virginia Square and Rocky Run Park in Clarendon.

Pictured | Plane Spotting at Gravelly Point

Feed Them

For pizza in a family-friendly atmosphere, Matchbox and California Pizza Kitchen in Pentagon City are popular with families, as is Fire Works Pizza in Courthouse.

For American flavor, head to Ballston favorite, Silver Diner, which serves up reinvented classics and many kid favorites, or Clarendon favorite, Texas Jack's Barbecue, named the "best barbecue joint in the D.C. area" in 2018 by the Washington Post. The Cheesecake Factory in Clarendon is also always a family favorite with their massive menu (and serving sizes!).

For a delicious brunch, try The Liberty Tavern or Tupelo Honey.

For Mexican, the sprawling Uncle Julio’s Rio Grande Café in Ballston or Chevy's Fresh Mex in Pentagon City are the spots for you.

If you're in search of burgers, Big Buns Damn Good Burgers' locations in Ballston and Shirlington are popular spots that are great for kids.

Pictured | Matchbox Pizza

Spoil Them

Pick up some new duds or cool gadgets for your brood at Fashion Centre at Pentagon City or various shops in The Crossing Clarendon.

For some local flavor, head to Clarendon creamery Nicecream. Watch your kids’ eyes widen as their ice cream is flash-frozen before their eyes with liquid nitrogen, resulting in a fresh and delicious treat.

A few blocks away find toys, clothes and D.C.-inspired gifts at the locally owned Kinder Haus Toys.

Keep Them Entertained

Take the whole crew to a free outdoor concert at the Lubber Run Amphitheater in the summer.

Year-round, play at Ballston Quarter, a hub for family fun with shopping, dozens of places to eat (everything from barbecue to dumplings) and lots to keep the whole crew entertained. Bring the kiddos to Punch Bowl Social for bowling, an arcade, karaoke and more. Try hands-on cooking classes for your burgeoning chefs at Cookology. Experience a new type of gaming at Immersive Gamebox! Step into the Gamebox and enter a fully private, interactive digital room featuring projection mapping, touch screens, motion tracking, and surround sound to enjoy an immersive 60-minute adventure. Take your kids for a spin on the ice at the MedStar Capitals Iceplex where the Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals practice —they even have an area where the kiddos can get signed autographs from their favorite players.

The newly re-freshed and re-branded Lucky Strike in Crystal City is another great place to play arcade games, go bowling, and get some energy out!

Over in Shirlington, Scramble Parkour, an indoor play center and activity gym for children up to 12 years old, is waiting to welcome your family of littles.

Pictured | Immersive Gamebox

We have countless activities to keep your kids entertained without emptying your wallet. Our neighborhoods are lively, walkable and well-marked--easy to get around for visitors of all ages. Our hotels offer great value, and many have suite options to make room for the whole fam!

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