The Discovery Science Foundation is a Southern California based organization dedicated to hands-on science education for kids. With three campuses located in Southern California, the Foundation has four core initiatives: STEM proficiency, early childhood education, healthy living, and environmental stewardship. On a recent visit to the Foundation’s original center in Orange County, California (Discovery Cube OC), my three year old and I had the opportunity to see first hand the real world implementation of the Foundation’s four core initiatives.
Our visit happened to coincide with “Dino Summer” – a large exhibit dedicated to huge animatronic dinosaurs.
It was a truly impressive display, but unfortunately, I wasn’t able to fully peruse as my three year old decided that the dinosaur noises were too scary! I should have prepared him for the noises and large scale dinosaurs prior to entry, evidently!
Luckily, there was plenty to explore aside from the Dino Summer exhibit. My little one particular loved the full scale grocery store replica, where he could walk around with a shopping cart and ring up items for “purchase.”
He also loved the recycling/environmental hazards center, which prompted him through specific tasks.
Being a rambunctious toddler, however, his absolute favorite section was the downstairs level which was comprised of various STEM activities that he could either observe and/or engage with his hands.
We ended up spending a full two hours at the museum before lunch and nap time forced us to leave. My son loved the museum, but honestly, I think that children ages 5+ would likely benefit from it more as my son, at only 3.5, did not quite fully grasp the concept of many of the things he was engaging with. Nonetheless, Discovery Cube was a great way to spend a few hours on an exceptionally hot day, and I would absolutely encourage anyone to visit Discovery Cube with kids – particularly on hot and/or rainy days! Finally, the Orange County location is close to Disneyland and would be a fantastic “break” from Disneyland, if you find yourself in need of one! We could have easily spent more time there and, an added bonus, Discovery Cube is a ASTC Passport Program participant, so you can take advantage of the reciprocal benefits program if you happen to be a member of another ASTC facility and are traveling outside of your home area.
Discovery Cube OC is located at 2500 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, CA and is open daily from 10am-5pm (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas).
Be sure to check out our entire category of posts on things to do and places to visit in Los Angeles, California with kids and check out other ASTC centers we’ve visited!
Every so often, we encounter a place that is so fabulous for those traveling with kids that it is worthy of being featured on its own. For more fun locations, please check out our other Spotlight features!
Old Town Alexandria is a historic neighborhood located just a few miles south of Washington, DC. Having called Old Town Alexandria home for six years, I can say, without a doubt, that it is not only an amazing place to live, but also a fabulous place to visit. Over the years, I have encouraged many friends/family visiting from out of town to spend a few hours exploring Old Town with kids! Not only is it an incredibly family friendly place, but it is literally dripping in history and architectural design AND also incredibly dog friendly. Old Town is home to the only coffee shop I’ve ever heard of that freely allows dogs into its establishment. So, even on a crummy day, Old Town is a great place to bring your kids and furry pups for some window shopping and good eats.
How to Get to Old Town Alexandria:
Getting to Old Town Alexandria is not difficult. It’s a short drive down the GW Parkway from Washington, DC and if you’re flying into Reagan National Airport (DCA) and planning on using public transportation, the King Street Metro station is just two stops south of the DCA stop. Once at or near King Street (the “main drag”), you can easily take the free King Street Trolley, which travels along King Street from the metro station to the waterfront every 10-15 minutes throughout the day. There is absolutely no charge to ride the Trolley, you don’t even need to be in possession of any passes, you can simply keep an eye out for Trolley stops along King Street and hop on and off as you see fit! The Trolley also carries free copies of the Alexandria’s Visitor’s Guide as well as a map of the main business area, so it really is a great starting point for learning your way around Old Town Alexandria.
The King Street Trolley!
If you find yourself driving to Old Town, the cheapest parking option is simply to park 2-3 blocks north of King Street. On or in the immediate vicinity of King Street, the parking spots are metered and/or you can look for lots that provide day parking. But, if you’re looking for free parking options, just park a few blocks north of King Street and take the short stroll down. Pro Tip: If you park close to the Potomac, you can simply walk due east until you hit the waterfront and then enjoy the gorgeous scenery on your way down.
Top Five Things to Do:
#1: Explore the Waterfront
Situated on the banks of the Potomac River, Old Town Alexandria is the perfect spot to enjoy the serene waters of the Potomac River. There are so many ways to enjoy the water, including water taxis and boat cruises, but my personal favorite way to experience the waterfront is to visit one of the many waterfront parks located along the Potomac and throughout Old Town.
View of the Potomac from the north end of Founders Park
My personal favorite waterfront park is Founders Park, which is located just three blocks north of King Street. Not only does it provide an amazing, shaded opportunity to enjoy the Potomac’s serene waters, but it also has an unleashed dog park for my four legged child AND a beach volleyball court.
Beach volleyball at Founders Park
On any nice day, you can find the park filled with local residents simply enjoying the outdoors. And, if you happen to be in town during Alexandria’s annual birthday celebration and firework spectacular, which always happens the weekend after the Fourth of July, it’s a perfect spot to lay down a blanket or towel and enjoy the show.
There are a number of fenced in walk ways that are perfect for young duck feeders!
#2: Visit Artists’ Galleries at the Torpedo Factory
The Torpedo Factory is presently home to the nation’s largest collection of working-artists’ open studios under one roof. On the day after Armistice Day, the official end of WWI, the US Navy began construction on the Torpedo Factory which was truly intended to be responsible for the manufacture and maintenance of torpedoes for the Navy. For five years, the factory was fully operational until work stopped during and the building became a munitions storage area. During WWII, production picked up again, but eventually, the factory’s production came to a grinding halt due to the end of WWII and the United States continued to use the building for storage. For years, the factory held congressional documents, dinosaur bones, art objects, and other records.
During a tour of the Torpedo Factory, I learned that the building really became something of a liability for the United States government and so it was “sold” to the City of Alexandria for the hefty sum of $1 in 1969. It took a few years for the city to develop a plan, but eventually the Torpedo Factory opened to the public as a working studio for artists.
The Torpedo Factory is presently home to a large number of open artist studios and, on any given, day, its a great spot to enjoy a reprieve from the elements. Whether it’s summer or winter, the Torpedo Factory’s central location directly at the intersection of King Street and the Potomac River is a great place to seek some shade or air conditioning and to use the facilities. Pro Tip: Free, clean bathrooms available!
My personal favorite part about the visiting the Torpedo Factory (aside from the free, clean bathrooms and air conditioning) is the local “water musician,” who can be found nearly every weekend playing his tunes just outside of the factory’s main entrance.
If you happen to visit the Torpedo Factory, be sure to stop by and say hi to my friend Katy who runs EatsPlace Cafe & Market, a great place to grab a sandwich and cold drink (including beer)!
#3: Experience History
I cannot begin to do justice to the City of Alexandria’s history without turning this post into a thesis. The short story is that Native American artifacts dating to 13,200 years ago and as late as 1,600 AD have been found in Alexandria. The city has served as a tobacco trading post, one of the ten busiest ports in America, a part of the District of Columbia, the hometown of Robert E. Lee, George Washington, and a Civil War supply center for Union Troops, among others.
In my opinion, the city has done a wonderful thing of honoring the past by preserving it for the future. There are a number of historical sites and attractions available for visiting and the city runs most of them, with available tours and special exhibits and attractions. While by no means an exhaustive list, some of my favorite sites are:
This 18th century home is located one block north of King Street and is a beautiful example of Georgian residential architecture. John Carlyle was a wealthy merchant and a founder of Alexandria and the home has served as not only a private residence, but as a hospital during the Civil War and is now a museum.
The Lee Fendall House was constructed in 1985 and has housed 37 members of the Lee family, served as a convalescent home for Union soldiers during the Civil War, and has also been the price residence of many wealthy Alexandrians during its 200 year history. The home is located on the National Register of Historical Places and is a wonderful place to visit. Tours run regularly throughout the week and the museum also offers a number of special events. The home also runs an annual “candy free” Easter egg hunt, which we visited one year with our young son. I totally got a kick out of knowing that my four year old was freaking out over the Easter bunny at home that Robert E. Lee likely visited and stayed at while in command of the Confederate Army.
The Churches:
This may come as a surprise to many, but Alexandria is home to a surprising number of “first churches.” The historic Christ Church is located in the center of Old Town and George Washington was a founding member and rented a family pew and Robert E. Lee was a later member of the church as well.
Last but not least, Alexandria is home to St. Joseph’s Church, the oldest black Catholic church in Virginia. Located only two blocks from our home, we frequently attended St. Joseph’s and found it to be a vibrant and welcoming parish. My husband attended an African Methodist Episcopal Church throughout college and loved the choir and worship at St. Joseph’s, which definitely had a lot more to it than our typical mass.
Built in 1785, Gadsby’s Tavern was an essential part of the fiber of the City of Alexandria. George Washington visited the Tavern frequently and other prominent guests include Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, and yours truly, of course.
Although the food is truly nothing to write home about, the experience of dining at Gadsby’s Tavern is a real treat. Workers still dress in period clothing and the food is designed to be “authentic” – including some of Virginia’s famous peanut soup.
Even if you don’t have time to dine at Gadsby’s, be sure to stop by and visit the recently renovated Icehouse, which can be viewed for free from the outside rain or shine.
The Old Town Farmers’ Market is the oldest continuously held farmers’ market in the country. Any Saturday morning, rain, sleet, or shine, you can find local farmers and artisans with their booths. Not only is it a great place to purchase fresh produce, but there are a number of local bakeries, eateries, and artisans also out selling their products.
There are truly few things better in life than eating your way through the Farmer’s Market on a beautiful spring or fall day!
#4: Walk the King Street Mile
King Street is a walkable mile of over 160 independent shops and boutiques. As you may have gathered by now, King Street is the heart of Old Town and no visit to Old Town is complete without popping into at least some of the shops that make up the Old Town Boutique District.
The Hour: a shop dedicated entirely to cocktail hour! Although many of the items sold here are way outside of our budget, it’s a great little place to get ideas for hosting your next cocktail hour or dinner party.
Red Barn Mercantile: my favorite home goods store, hands down. Not only does the shop offer an great collection of candles, pillows, and other assorted home decor, but it’s a fabulous place to get Alexandria inspired items for home or gifting. I’ve purchased many candles, mugs, and other related items to give as housewarming gifts.
Handmade and DIY Shops: Alexandria happens to be home to a number of do-it-yourself shops. My favorite store in this category is fibre space, which is hands down the best local yarn shop I have ever visited. Owner Danielle has the most amazing vision and all of the employees are not only seasoned knitters and crocheters, but are also fabulous people to boot. If yarn isn’t your cup of tea, you can opt for a sewing lesson, painting lesson, jewelry making and design course, or just a good old fashioned pottery painting session. Be sure to check out the handmade and DIY shop offerings for your next visit to Old Town!
Pro Tip: I’ve affectionately renamed Old Town “Dog Town USA” and it’s no surprise as Alexandia is incredibly dog friendly. If you’re also traveling with your four legged child, The Alexandria is an ideal place to stay. Not only is it located in the heart of Old Town, but it offers a weekly “Yappy Hour” that we have visited with both our two legged and four legged children. Many of the shops in Old Town are pet friendly, just keep your eyes peeled for this blue sign indicating that even Fido is welcome! The dog friendly aspect of Old Town really makes this an ideal family vacation destination as there’s no need to leave your furry friend behind.
Old Town Alexandria is filled with amazing restaurants and eateries. As a rule, the further from the waterfront you get, the better the quality of the food is. That said, if you’re only in town for a short time, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a meal at Vola’s Dockside Grill or The Chart House. I wouldn’t say that either are particularly kid friendly, though. The Chart House is definitely pricey and Vola’s is hard to manage with young children simply because it is always swamped. If you’re looking for tried and true kid-friendly dining options, our favorites:
Eamonn’s: Amazing fish and chips. Be sure to add some extra sauces to your order.
Pizza Paradiso: Great pizza and beer selection. I’ve maneuvered a double stroller through this place, so don’t hesitate to bring your kids!
Hank’s Oyster Bar: We love the seafood, there’s a great kids menu, and my kids love that every meal starts with goldfish crackers and ends with dark chocolate chunks.
Red Rocks Pizza: If you find yourself further away from the water when it’s chow time, Red Rocks offers great pizza and we even prefer it slightly to Pizza Paradiso.
La Madeleine: A french bakery & cafe that is also a great option for a causal breakfast or light lunch. Also a great place to pick up pastries to enjoy at home later!
And, of course, it is nearly impossible to go to Old Town without enjoying some of the amazing desserts the town has to offer. There’s the Ben & Jerry’s just by the water, but also a number of mom & pop ice cream shops. If liquid nitrogen ice cream is your thing, be sure to check out one of the more recent additions to the Old Town dessert scene: Nicecream. There are also quite a few cupcake and chocolatiers littered throughout town, so definitely save room for dessert.
We are so lucky to have called Old Town Alexandria home for six years and we hope you consider popping in for a visit on your next trip to Washington, DC. Be sure to check out our entire category of posts on things to do and places to visit in Washington, DC with kids and make sure to visit Old Town Alexandria with kids!
Chartered by a unanimous act of Congress in 1980 and located adjacent to the National Mall, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is America’s national institution for documenting, studying, and interpreting the Holocaust. Open daily from 10am – 5:30pm (closed Yom Kippur and Christmas), I recently visited the museum (without kids) and was delighted to find that one of the exhibits, “Remember the Children: Daniel’s Story,” is an ideal way to expose young elementary age children to the horrors of the Holocaust.
Growing up in Los Angeles, I distinctly remember visiting the Museum of Tolerance shortly after its opening in February of 1993. As a child of approximately 10 years of age, I remember the weeks leading up to our visit that our curriculum focused on the Holocaust and the events leading up to and surrounding World War II. Coming from an immigrant family with busy parents, the Holocaust simply was not something that had ever been discussed as a family, and it was not something I had come across in my movies or books prior to learning about it in school.
Decades later and now a parent myself, the Holocaust is something that comes up frequently in our readings and even in popular cultural references. My son, who is not quite nine years of age, has asked questions about the Holocaust, but without any training in how to expose or introduce young children to such a sensitive topic, we’ve largely kept it to the basics. I quickly realized during my recent visit to the Holocaust Museum, that the Daniel’s Story was just the roadmap I needed to introduce my young son to the Holocaust.
Daniel’s Story allows visitors to experience the Holocaust from the perspective of Daniel, a young boy living in Germany during the Holocaust. The exhibit begins with a short film, narrated by Daniel, and then carriers visitors through Daniel’s world as it changes throughout the Holocaust. Daniel’s diary entries serve as the primary text of the exhibit and the story begins in Daniel’s home in Nazi Germany and takes visitors through their transition to the ghetto, the concentration camps, and finally, to the end of the War.
As depicted in the photos above, the exhibit allows children to actually touch and feel the environment. Here we are in located in the ghetto, and there are rules posted on the walls and objects littered throughout the room. Similarly, when in Daniel’s home or the later concentration camp rooms, visitors have the opportunity to sit at the tables or lay on the “beds.”
After touring Daniel’s Story, I quickly popped upstairs to the permanent exhibit. From March 1 to August 31, timed entry tickets to the permanent exhibit are required. Same day tickets are available online and in person, but it is also possible to request tickets in advance online. I requested an advance ticket (which cost $1), but free tickets were available in person on the day of my scheduled entry. Note that it is not possible to enter prior to your scheduled visit time.
The Museum recommends visitors allocate one to three hours to visiting the permanent exhibit and I concur. Even for my mid-day visit in early March, there was a heavy group of people and it took quite a bit of time to see everything. Moreover, the permanent exhibit is large – it winds throughout the building and presents a chronological narrative of the Holocaust using artifacts, film footage, and photographs. It is easily an exhibit that I could have devoted an entire day to exploring, and I was sad that I did not have as much time as I would have liked to have spent there. That said, I am glad that my first visit to the Holocaust Museum was unaccompanied by third grader as I believe the permanent exhibit would have been too much in terms of his first visual exposure to the Holocaust. I have already planned a return visit for Daniel’s Story, with my son soon, but will wait another year or so before visiting the permanent exhibit with my eight year old.
Be sure to check out our entire category of posts on things to do and places to visit in Washington, DC with kids! We are so lucky to call this place home and hope that our tips and tricks come in handy as you plan your own adventure in Washington, DC with kids!
Every so often, we encounter a place that is so fabulous for those traveling with kids that it is worthy of being featured on its own. For more fabulous locations, please check out our other Spotlight features!
He also loved the recycling/environmental hazards center, which prompted him through specific tasks.
There are truly few things better in life than eating your way through the Farmer’s Market on a beautiful spring or fall day!
